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

[Slateman]

Slate, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Those guys not only throw out runners they hit and hit for real power. Ruiz can’t throw out runners, isn’t athletic enough to play any other position, and we can do better than him at the DH position. He’ll be a one year wonder when it’s all said and done. 3 hitter, 3-4 power, 5-6 receiving, 4 arm, 2 runner, 2-3 athleticism. If that adds up to a “53 million dollar contract” you and I need to meet up and play some catch tomorrow! I’m attempting a comeback!!! 

The majority of catchers look like Ruiz.

[IanRubbish]

The majority of catchers look like Ruiz.

Majority of catchers make less money, have higher OPSes, and throw out a higher percentage of baserunners.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Majority of catchers make less money, have higher OPSes, and throw out a higher percentage of baserunners.

He’s the 12th highest paid catcher.  Is he worth it now?  No.  Is this a Corbin contact?  No.

https://frontofficesports.com/the-15-highest-paid-mlb-catchers/

[IanRubbish]

He’s the 12th highest paid catcher.  Is he worth it now?  No.  Is this a Corbin contact?  No.

https://frontofficesports.com/the-15-highest-paid-mlb-catchers/

The problem is that with the "play the contract" philosophy of this org, he gets way too much playing time.  Moreover, Rizzo will never admit to a mistake, so this will be a drag on the team until the contract expires in 2030.  Nasim Nunez doesn't have a big contract, but Rizzo made a mistake with him he won't correct, same idea.

[Slateman]

The problem is that with the "play the contract" philosophy of this org, he gets way too much playing time.  Moreover, Rizzo will never admit to a mistake, so this will be a drag on the team until the contract expires in 2030.  Nasim Nunez doesn't have a big contract, but Rizzo made a mistake with him he won't correct, same idea.

We arent playing the contract. We're playing the player during a developmental year. If this team were actually about   contending, you might have a point.

Ruiz was a 1.5 WAR catcher at age 23 when he signed the deal. He was worth 1.3 WAR last year. They need to get him back to that point because they dont have a MLB catcher if they dont.

[Senatorswin]

We arent playing the contract. We're playing the player during a developmental year. If this team were actually about   contending, you might have a point.

Ruiz was a 1.5 WAR catcher at age 23 when he signed the deal. He was worth 1.3 WAR last year. They need to get him back to that point because they dont have a MLB catcher if they dont.

I almost wonder if he got comfortable after signing the contract. As Mike Tyson said it's harder to get up to work when you're getting up in silk pajamas.

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

I almost wonder if he got comfortable after signing the contract. As Mike Tyson said it's harder to get up to work when you're getting up in silk pajamas.

Possibly.  As this team around him gets better and are contending, that can be more motivation to not be the weak link. 

If he settles in as the guy he was in 2022 and 2023, that’s fine.  Even if he’s part of a Gomes/Suzuki duo.

[imref]

Gore, Abrams, and Wood starting for the first time together on Monday. Time to make the push.

[RobDibblesGhost]

Gore, Abrams, and Wood starting for the first time together on Monday. Time to make the push.

How’d that work out?

I’ve been trying to be optimistic but I just can’t anymore.

[Slateman]

Your GM told you he didnt care about pushing for the postseason. Why do any of you?

[Natsinpwc]

How’d that work out?

I’ve been trying to be optimistic but I just can’t anymore.

Drawing conclusions over one game is just silly.

[RobDibblesGhost]

Drawing conclusions over one game is just silly.

The last stretch of 3-8 over 11 games has fully convinced me this season is over. One call up isn’t going to change that. Hoping Wood does well but they need a lot more.

[Slateman]

Drawing conclusions over one game is just silly.

We waited two months to call up our top prospect who was mashing in Triple A, and played Eddie Rosario instead. And then Rizzo waited four days so a handful of fans could get a special little treat.

Rizzo has zero intention of competing this season.

[Natsinpwc]

We waited two months to call up our top prospect who was mashing in Triple A, and played Eddie Rosario instead. And then Rizzo waited four days so a handful of fans could get a special little treat.

Rizzo has zero intention of competing this season.

We’re tanking. Good.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We’re tanking. Good.

obviously they weren't in a complete tank mode when Rizzo turned down inquiries for Finnegan, Harvey, and Thomas a couple of weeks ago.

I think what's happening is an overperforming team that got by on great starting pitching performances, middling but not bad middle relief, a great setup /  closer combo on a hot streak, and some good baserunning to compensate for a lack of power just had the wheels come off. what was a 9 team scramble for the WC is sorting itself out as it most often does the month before the All Star Break. Instead of having 9 teams within 2 games and the Nats in 3d WC position or tied, there's now only the Mets within 2 games of the Padres and Cards for the last 2 spots, with AZ, SF, and the Pirates chasing within 3 / 3.5.

Teams like the Reds, Nats, and Cubs need a win streak just to get back into the conversation, and even if they do, there's the whole "how much do we push just to compete to beat out 6 other teams for a chance to play an extra series or two? The predicate for a "change of plans" was whether in a scenario like holding a WC a week before the trade deadline would you do any moves to compete for the WC. At this point, that scenario is more than unlikely, and, for that to happen, there still be 6-9 teams contending for 1-2 slots. I think the right course in that situation still would be to focus on 2025 and out years and to sell anything that doesn't figure into the future.

[Natsinpwc]

Much more likely the Reds or Cubs will go on a win streak.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Much more likely the Reds or Cubs will go on a win streak.

a 10 game win streak might change things, and those teams probably are more likely than the Nats to do it. a 5 game streak, which the Nats are capable of, only gets you close to .500 and doesn't gap any of the teams already in WC position (or the Mets).

[Slateman]

Much more likely the Reds or Cubs will go on a win streak.

Reds, maybe. Not a chance in he for the Cubs. Freefalling.

[imref]

This discussion would have been so much more interesting if Wood was up a month ago.

[Slateman]

Make the right selection in last year's draft and we're at the top of the WC

[Five Banners]

Make the right selection in last year's draft and we're at the top of the WC

Nightmare

[Smithian]

Make the right selection in last year's draft and we're at the top of the WC

I mean, I like Nolan Schanuel too but this seems a bit much.

[imref]

5 back

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Make the right selection in last year's draft and we're at the top of the WC

What are you talking about?  Wyatt Langford isn’t that much a difference maker this year. 

[blue911]

What are you talking about?  Wyatt Langford isn’t that much a difference maker this year.

He meant to say the last dozen drafts.