Change of plans - At what point would you push for a wild card in 2024?

[Count Walewski]

If only every game could be against the Braves.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don't let WC affect any moves until mid-July. I will deal Winker, I will deal Senzel, anytime up to then because I am not thinking about wild card. Everything I do is for 2025 and  beyond up to mid-July. If I've dealt Winker, and I still find I'm in contention for a WC in mid-July, I don't regret it. If I still haven't gotten a fair trade for Winker, Senzel, etc... by then, and I'm still in WC contention, then I evaluate, maybe hold them, add in a Crews and Wood, and hope that's enough. Maybe I offer the equivalent of Made and Herz for down the stretch help (for this team, maybe that's Made and Lord or Brzykcy). That's not stripping a prime prospect from the system.

[Senatorswin]

Who would of thought after 65 games this year the Nats would:

Have the same record as World Series runner-up Arizona.

Have the same record as 2022 World Series winner Houston.

Have a better record than the high priced Mets and 2023 playoff Marlins.

One game worse than Tampa.

1.5 behind the Cardinals and Blue Jays, Cubs and Reds and Giants.

Be 1.5 out of Wild Card.

[imref]

Well, I predicted 81-81

[Natsinpwc]

Well, I predicted 81-81

Perfect. Miss the playoffs and get a 16th draft pick.

[GataNats]

No reason to keep Vargas.   Guy hits pillow soft.   No home runs.  Can’t move at all

[rileyn]

No reason to keep Vargas.   Guy hits pillow soft.   No home runs.  Can’t move at all

Vargas seems to be a team leader, beloved in the clubhouse, and super versatile - Keep him.  At this point, Senzel is our 3rd baseman next year, so keep him unless somebody offers you something can't turn down.  Don't hold on to Winker just to make a WC run. 

[aspenbubba]

What I can’t come to grasp with is how we win 3of 4 with the Braves (twice) and get swept by the dysfunctional Mets

[imref]

What I can’t come to grasp with is how we win 3of 4 with the Braves (twice) and get swept by the dysfunctional Mets

baseball makes no sense

[Slateman]

No reason to keep Vargas.   Guy hits pillow soft.   No home runs.  Can’t move at all

Vargas seems to be a team leader, beloved in the clubhouse, and super versatile - Keep him.  At this point, Senzel is our 3rd baseman next year, so keep him unless somebody offers you something can't turn down.  Don't hold on to Winker just to make a WC run. 

Vargas is a 810 OPS against LHP, can play second or third, and spot start at short. Every team in baseball wants a guy like that.

We should package him and Lane Thomas to the Dodgers for Kyle Hurt or Jackson Ferris

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Vargas seems to be a team leader, beloved in the clubhouse, and super versatile - Keep him.  At this point, Senzel is our 3rd baseman next year, so keep him unless somebody offers you something can't turn down.  Don't hold on to Winker just to make a WC run. 

I think Ian has pointed out that because the Reds let Senzel go and he was signed as a 1 year free agent, he is not eligible for arbitration. The team has no control over him for 2025, so he's free to walk. He's just like any other free agent 3rd baseman. The Nats could sign another contract, maybe should, but it'll be at free agent rates. He may shop for a multi-year deal.

Winker similarly is a FA after this year.

[welch]

What I can’t come to grasp with is how we win 3of 4 with the Braves (twice) and get swept by the dysfunctional Mets

Gerardo Para:

That's baseball.

[welch]

I think Ian has pointed out that because the Reds let Senzel go and he was signed as a 1 year free agent, he is not eligible for arbitration. The team has no control over him for 2025, so he's free to walk. He's just like any other free agent 3rd baseman. The Nats could sign another contract, maybe should, but it'll be at free agent rates. He may shop for a multi-year deal.

Winker similarly is a FA after this year.

Yes...I just re-read his contract status on Baseball Ref. Offer Senzel a two-year deal right now, but if he refuses, then trade him along with Winker for prospects. Offhand, Winker seems more useful for a team reaching upward for the playoffs.

And put Lipscomb at 3B while House works his way up to the majors.

[Natsinpwc]

Yes...I just re-read his contract status on Baseball Ref. Offer Senzel a two-year deal right now, but if he refuses, then trade him along with Winker for prospects. Offhand, Winker seems more useful for a team reaching upward for the playoffs.

And put Lipscomb at 3B while House works his way up to the majors.

Hard pass on offering Senzel a contract.

[imref]

doesn't seem likely that House is ready to take over 3B next year, so we need another stopgap. I don't think Lipscomb is the answer.

[Smithian]

I think Ian has pointed out that because the Reds let Senzel go and he was signed as a 1 year free agent, he is not eligible for arbitration. The team has no control over him for 2025, so he's free to walk. He's just like any other free agent 3rd baseman. The Nats could sign another contract, maybe should, but it'll be at free agent rates. He may shop for a multi-year deal.

Winker similarly is a FA after this year.

Unless the Nationals are above .500, I'm for trading anything that moves. As you pointed out, the team has no control over Senzel and Winker, so that takes away a big benefit of keeping them around.

[Smithian]

doesn't seem likely that House is ready to take over 3B next year, so we need another stopgap. I don't think Lipscomb is the answer.

I think you have to wait until season is over to take a prediction on House.

He's slumped recently, but I still like Vargas. If House looks like he could be ready next year, I'd be fine starting this season with a Vargas/Lipscomb platoon at 3B. They have a lot of roster versatility and can easily move around if House comes up and takes the slot.

[Slateman]

I don't let WC affect any moves until mid-July. I will deal Winker, I will deal Senzel, anytime up to then because I am not thinking about wild card. Everything I do is for 2025 and  beyond up to mid-July. If I've dealt Winker, and I still find I'm in contention for a WC in mid-July, I don't regret it. If I still haven't gotten a fair trade for Winker, Senzel, etc... by then, and I'm still in WC contention, then I evaluate, maybe hold them, add in a Crews and Wood, and hope that's enough. Maybe I offer the equivalent of Made and Herz for down the stretch help (for this team, maybe that's Made and Lord or Brzykcy). That's not stripping a prime prospect from the system.

So, basically, you're not pushing for a WC. You're willing to fall in to one, but you're not going actually try and get there

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So, basically, you're not pushing for a WC. You're willing to fall in to one, but you're not going actually try and get there

right. That said, a move like calling up Wood I think is good for his development and would help move towards a WC. Similarly, waiving Nunez then offering something from the minors  in trade for Nunez (assuming they value him) within a couple of weeks I think would both strengthen the usable bench and help the future. Yepez for Meneses also would be a move I'd consider, although I don't think we have control of Yepez for next year, for the same reason we don't have control of Senzel and Winker.

since 5/18, or 3+ weeks & 89 PA, Yepez is .267 / .371 / .480, 4 HR, with a 14.6 BB% and a 9 K%, even with just a .250 BABIP. Runs well, too.

If by 2 weeks before the trade deadline and we are still within a game or so of the WC, and we've not traded Senzel or Winker or Harvey or Finnegan, then I maybe think about 1 add in a Candelario for Herz and Made nature, and possibly bring up Crews if he's ready. I'd roll the dice with the starting pitching (to be that close, they will still have to be performing).

That line up might look like:

Ruiz/Millas/Adams
Pick up
Garcia
Abrams
Senzel
Wood
Young/Crews
Thomas
Winker

That said, I am still trading guy like Winker and Senzel before then if the offers are good enough.  Maybe especially Winker or Thomas if Crews is ready.

[Slateman]

right. That said, a move like calling up Wood I think is good for his development and would help move towards a WC. Similarly, waiving Nunez then offering something from the minors  in trade for Nunez (assuming they value him) within a couple of weeks I think would both strengthen the usable bench and help the future. Yepez for Meneses also would be a move I'd consider, although I don't think we have control of Yepez for next year, for the same reason we don't have control of Senzel and Winker.

since 5/18, or 3+ weeks & 89 PA, Yepez is .267 / .371 / .480, 4 HR, with a 14.6 BB% and a 9 K%, even with just a .250 BABIP. Runs well, too.

If by 2 weeks before the trade deadline and we are still within a game or so of the WC, and we've not traded Senzel or Winker or Harvey or Finnegan, then I maybe think about 1 add in a Candelario for Herz and Made nature, and possibly bring up Crews if he's ready. I'd roll the dice with the starting pitching (to be that close, they will still have to be performing).

That line up might look like:

Ruiz/Millas/Adams
Pick up
Garcia
Abrams
Senzel
Wood
Young/Crews
Thomas
Winker

That said, I am still trading guy like Winker and Senzel before then if the offers are good enough.  Maybe especially Winker or Thomas if Crews is ready.

Yea, I just don't see how adding a young hitter with a huge hole in his swing, and a guy who has hit .240/.286/.419 in over 100 MLB games is going to make the team better.

If you're not adding 2-4 players via trade, you're simply not competing. And that's fine, but don't sit there be like, well, they added Wood and Yepez, so that's gonna make them a WC team.

[Senatorswin]

Nobody on the non-pitcher of todays roster is untouchable. I wouldn't trade Abrams unless it was an offer I couldn't refuse and that's not going to happen. I would be reluctant to trade Garcia also unless it was a really good return. I wouldn't want to see Young go either but would pull the trigger if it made sense. Everybody else can go. The only starting pitchers I would trade are of course Corbin and Williams because he's a free agent after the year. I wouldn't trade Harvey or Finnegan because if we're going to be good next year we'll need a backend of the bullpen.

[IanRubbish]

With six teams going in and AL dominating NL this year, you don't need to make big moves to make it.  And so many teams fighting for the 5 and 6 spots, doesn't make sense to sacrifice the future, not just for the Nats, but for many of those other teams as well.  Bigger issue will be setting this team up to win in '25.  We've paid our price for the reboot/rebuild/salary dumps with a likely 5th straight losing season.  Have to be at least well positioned for a low WC spot next year.

[rileyn]

Yea, I just don't see how adding a young hitter with a huge hole in his swing, and a guy who has hit .240/.286/.419 in over 100 MLB games is going to make the team better.

If you're not adding 2-4 players via trade, you're simply not competing. And that's fine, but don't sit there be like, well, they added Wood and Yepez, so that's gonna make them a WC team.

To compete in '25, the upgrades come from signing a starting pitcher, 1B and DH in the offseason. Plug Wood and Crews in the OF and let her rip.

[Slateman]

To compete in '25, the upgrades come from signing a starting pitcher, 1B and DH in the offseason. Plug Wood and Crews in the OF and let her rip.

Sure, but that's not the point of this thread. Its pushing for a WC this season. To do that, we need hitters now.

[rileyn]

Sure, but that's not the point of this thread. Its pushing for a WC this season. To do that, we need hitters now.

Anthony Rendon ain't walking through that door.  There is only one option I know to improve the hitting on this years team, and he is currently in the witness protection program in Rochester.