Is it 2011?

[imref]

In honor of Boz I thought it would be worth looking at the 2011 roster.

Jim Riggleman's 2011 Opening day starters:
C: Pudge
1B: LaRoche
2B: Espinosa
3B: Zimmerman
SS: Desmond
LF: Morse
CF: Ankiel
RF: Werth
P: Livan Hernandez

Rotation: Livan, JZ, Jason Marquis, Tom Gorzelanny, John Lannan

Bench: Alex Cora, Jerry Hairston, Laynce Nix, Wilson Ramos, Matt Stairs

Bullpen: Sean Burnett, Tyler Clippard, Todd Coffey, Chad Gaudin, Doug Slaten, Drew Storen, Brian Broderick

Who on that list is better / worse that what we're fielding now?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Things didn't really click for Desmond until 2012, so you have to go with CJ. Similarly, I'd give Garcia the nod over Bazooka Arm / Bozouki Bat Espinosa. Ankiel's throwing arm was fun and he had a little pop, but I've got to go with Young right now. I'll give the nod to Winker over Laynce Nix and whoever else split time in left.

Pudge was in deep decline at this point, but a young Ramos probably was better than the combo of Ruiz /Adams this year. RZ > Senzel / Lip, even if he was hurt and couldn't throw. LaRoche I think was replaced by Morse after getting hurt, and Morse had a credible year, so got go with Morse over Gallo / Meneses.

Werth had a bad year, so I'm holding back on RF as incomplete.

For now, the current rotation I think is better. similarly, I think the depth of the bullpen this year is better than in 2011, even if you think Clip and Store is a wash with Harvey and Finnegan.

[nobleisthyname]

It does seem like this team is maybe slightly better than 2011's. 2012 had the additions of Strasburg, Harper, and Gio though.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It does seem like this team is maybe slightly better than 2011's. 2012 had the additions of Strasburg, Harper, and Gio though.

crews, cavalli, wood, maybe house.

[IanRubbish]

Ankiel and Pudge were dumped on the team by Boras, kind of like Senzel and Gallo.

One big difference is the speed now vs. then.

[Slateman]

Might be. We will see

[nobleisthyname]

crews, cavalli, wood, maybe house.

That's the hope. You can definitely see it coming together.

[aspenbubba]

crews, cavalli, wood, maybe house.

Don’t see Crews as a contributor until 2026. Might be up late next year. Possibly Hasell before Crews

[Natsinpwc]

Don’t see Crews as a contributor until 2026. Might be up late next year. Possibly Hasell before Crews

You have Crews and Hassell reversed. Crews might not be a slugger but he has more pop in the bat than Hassell.

[nobleisthyname]

Don’t see Crews as a contributor until 2026. Might be up late next year. Possibly Hasell before Crews

He's started off hot in May so far. There's still plenty of time for him to show he's ready for 2025. Not saying it will happen but one bad month is too soon to write him off for all of next year I think.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm expecting to see Crews's debut at Nats Park with my 8/20/24 tickets.

[aspenbubba]

I'm expecting to see Crews's debut at Nats Park with my 8/20/24 tickets.

A little side bet? Lunch at the CCSP?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

A little side bet? Lunch at the CCSP?

lunch is always good, side bet or no. Sound like a bet.

[Smithian]

This feels more 2010 in my book, where 50 games in the Nationals were playing .500 ball and shocking everyone.

There still has to be a Jayson Werth signing that gives fans some belief the ownership wants to win and this isn't a mirage.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

This feels more 2010 in my book, where 50 games in the Nationals were playing .500 ball and shocking everyone.

There still has to be a Jayson Werth signing that gives fans some belief the ownership wants to win and this isn't a mirage.

I don't agree. I think this team is in a position to fill all but a couple of important roster spots next year with guys that are in the organization, making a Werth deal less necessary. Depending on whether you think both House and Morales make the major soon (I'm dubious), 1B/DH is a hole, but it can be filled with a short term bat, not a 7 years top of the market FA. That 2011 team had a corner infielder (RZ) and some promise in the MI, with one big time contract in RF and a couple of useful 1B/DH on shorter deals. This team has 2 MI who are actually performing (more than promise), a performing CF, 2 high end OFs on the way I think by the end of this year, plus a locked coverage of the catcher slot (admittedly underperforming). The rotation has pieces. It has more slots locked down going forward than the 2011 team.

[imref]

This feels more 2010 in my book, where 50 games in the Nationals were playing .500 ball and shocking everyone.

There still has to be a Jayson Werth signing that gives fans some belief the ownership wants to win and this isn't a mirage.

The ideal of course, though it isn't ever going to happen, is Soto.

2025 opening day lineup:

1. Abrams - SS
2. Thomas - RF
3. Soto - DH
4. Wood - LF
5. Ruiz - C
6. Garcia - 2B
7. Crews - CF
8. House - 3B
9. Morales - 1B

Rotation: Cavalli, Gore, Gray, Irvin, Parker

[aspenbubba]

The ideal of course, though it isn't ever going to happen, is Soto.

2025 opening day lineup:

1. Abrams - SS
2. Thomas - RF
3. Soto - DH
4. Wood - LF
5. Ruiz - C
6. Garcia - 2B
7. Crews - CF
8. House - 3B
9. Morales - 1B

Rotation: Cavalli, Gore, Gray, Irvin, Parker

#3 ,7,8,9 and probably #2 ain't happening grasshopper.

[welch]

#3 ,7,8,9 and probably #2 ain't happening grasshopper.

Thomas will be in RF, Wood in LF. Crews and House, and maybe Morales will start 2025 in Rochester. If Hassell keeps it up, he will be the 4th OF in Washington.

The rotation is about right, but maybe Rutledge will be promoted this July or August. Nats will need more than the bare minimum of starters.

Bullpen will be Finnegan, Harvey, Robert Garcia, plus others to be acquired or salvaged.

[varoadking]

Thomas will be in RF, Wood in LF. Crews and House, and maybe Morales will start 2025 in Rochester. If Hassell keeps it up, he will be the 4th OF in Washington.

The rotation is about right, but maybe Rutledge will be promoted this July or August. Nats will need more than the bare minimum of starters.

Bullpen will be Finnegan, Harvey, Robert Garcia, plus others to be acquired or salvaged.

Finny  is gonna get paid somewhere else...

[KnorrForYourMoney]

This feels more 2010 in my book, where 50 games in the Nationals were playing .500 ball and shocking everyone.

There still has to be a Jayson Werth signing that gives fans some belief the ownership wants to win and this isn't a mirage.

I've had that thought as well, but the 2010 team went a fairly wretched 44-68 after game #50, and seemed to only get worse and worse as the season went on.  I would like to think that this team will fare better down the stretch.

[imref]

With cavalli, wood, and gray coming we should only get better

[zimm_da_kid]

This feels more 2010 in my book, where 50 games in the Nationals were playing .500 ball and shocking everyone.

There still has to be a Jayson Werth signing that gives fans some belief the ownership wants to win and this isn't a mirage.

The 2011 werth contract (7/$126M) is what in todays dollars?  7/$190?  $200M+? 

[varoadking]

The 2011 werth contract (7/$126M) is what in todays dollars?  7/$190?  $200M+?

It would be $170MM based solely on inflation...likely much more than that based upon the current market...

[imref]

It would be $170MM based solely on inflation...likely much more than that based upon the current market...

1 year, $30 million with player options for years 2 and 3.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

With cavalli, wood, and gray coming we should only get better

Agreed, even if I don't share your optimism about the team's playoff chances.  Feels like we're more likely to get better than worse.

It would be $170MM based solely on inflation...likely much more than that based upon the current market...

Definitely more given the market.  He was a top 5 free agent in the 2010-11 free agent class.