Now we’re having fun: 2025 Nats Roster

[Slateman]

yes. That much speed, a guy who could play CF well until he grows too big, is a complete waste of his tools if you move him to 1st. I'm giving him slack for looking a little rough in LF for now because that is the place he's played the least.

Lane is a bad outfielder. -8 OAA in less than half a year in 2024 is awful. UZR and DRS confirm this. He's negative for his career by all these metrics, so the sample size is not small. Nice arm is about his only saving grace.

If anyone among Crews, Young, and Wood gets moved to DH, it has to be Thomas. If Young can't hit, then you have an offense /defense calculation about whether to play Thomas or Young. Both Wood and Crews are primary starters. I will also assume that if they re-sign Winker and Thomas is still with the club, then one of them plays 1st.

Lane grades awful on metrics, but has been nominated for a gold glove. I dont think he's a as bad as the metrics say.  Thomas will never hit well enough to be a DH or first baseman.

[imref]

A 2025 opening day line up of:

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

With a rotation of Cavalli, Gore, Irvin, Parker, and a FA could be interesting.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

A 2025 opening day line up of:

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

With a rotation of Cavalli, Gore, Irvin, Parker, and a FA could be interesting.

I mean, Herz is probably a part of that rotation.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I mean, Herz is probably a part of that rotation.

bullpen is going to need a rebuild after this year even if Harvey and finnegan are not traded. Law, Floro, Barnes are all FAs, and the 7th and 8th guys (Weems, Rainey) aren't showing they can take on a bigger role. Move either Harvey or Finnegan, and that set-up/closer combo has another hole. I could easily see 5-6 faces not currently in the bullpen being there after Spring training in 2025.

Herz seems like a bullpen candidate. Assume Ferrer too, and Garcia. That's 3 lefties. Maybe one of Finnegan and Harvey, and (wishing) Rainey continues to get better as 2024 goes along. Still need 2-4 righties.

[Slateman]

Barring Herz completing crapting the bed the rest of the season, he's gonna be a rotation piece with Gray out. Honestly, its more likely that Cavalli ends up in the pen at this point. He simply can't stay healthy as a starter.

Also, for bullpen rebuild, we have more than enough options to fill in. Rutledge, Adon, Ribalta, Cate, Garcia, Brzykcy, Law, Acosta, and Cole Henry are all candidates for the pen. Tack on a couple cheap free agents, and the bullpen has plenty of depth. Where as, for starters, we are pretty lean unless they re-sign Williams or a similarly priced free agent. Unless he completely bottoms out, they simply can't afford to let Herz move to the pen just yet.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Whether it is internal or FAs, the bullpen will need a rebuild. As for rotation, sign Corbin (Burnes)

[Slateman]

Whether it is internal or FAs, the bullpen will need a rebuild. As for rotation, sign Corbin (Burnes)

If that is an option, sure. But I'm really doubtful about the Lerners willing to spend, particularly on older pitchers. Rizzo and Boras might be able to talk them in to Soto. But I think they balk at giving a 30+ year old pitcher over 250 million

[Senatorswin]

Whether it is internal or FAs, the bullpen will need a rebuild. As for rotation, sign Corbin (Burnes)

You almost gave me a heart attack.

[rileyn]

Young is going to be a 4th outfielder very soon.  Wood, Crews, Thomas in the OF.  None of them are moving to 1B.  The only at 1B is a FA.  DH should be a FA too. 

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Young is going to be a 4th outfielder very soon.  Wood, Crews, Thomas in the OF.  None of them are moving to 1B.  The only at 1B is a FA.  DH should be a FA too. 

I’d be a little shocked if they move Young out of the lineup. I could see Thomas moving to first or DH.

[Slateman]

I mean, at that point, you may as well platoon him with someone who can hit RHP well but struggles against lefties.

That also destroys any trade value he has. You're better off trading him for peanuts than putting him at DH or 1B

[imref]

Good read on the Nats' youth movement. Winker is the oldest starting regular right now and he's only 30. Six of the 9 regulars are under the age of 25.

http://www.nationalsarmrace.com/?p=18571

[Smithian]

A 2025 opening day line up of:

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

With a rotation of Cavalli, Gore, Irvin, Parker, and a FA could be interesting.

I would be very depressed if they completely took the offseason off other than a back end rotation starter

But if they did and in Spring I realized that lineup was on the table, my interest would, like this year, be piqued.

I don't think Brady House will be up. But otherwise that seems possible. It would be great if Lipscomb could play well enough that they could choose between needing to fill 3B, DH, and 1B, and instead just sign one hitter for 1B/DH and use the other to rotate.

[Natsinpwc]

Wood really looks like a 1B. Seems to have no instincts in the OF.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

I would be very depressed if they completely took the offseason off other than a back end rotation starter

But if they did and in Spring I realized that lineup was on the table, my interest would, like this year, be piqued.

I don't think Brady House will be up. But otherwise that seems possible. It would be great if Lipscomb could play well enough that they could choose between needing to fill 3B, DH, and 1B, and instead just sign one hitter for 1B/DH and use the other to rotate.

The Lerners are not going to spend. Its just not going to happen. They don't even want the team. Why would they spend money on it?

[aspenbubba]

Wood really looks like a 1B. Seems to have no instincts in the OF.

I have noticed a lackadaisical approach in the field and after he draws a walk a casual removal of batting gloves and shin guards before heading to 1B.

[Five Banners]

I have noticed a lackadaisical approach in the field and after he draws a walk a casual removal of batting gloves and shin guards before heading to 1B.

The Walk thing seems to now be an annoying ritual writ large

[imref]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

[Senatorswin]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

Exactly. What does the guy need to do? He's doing great and he'll be fine in the outfield.

[Natsinpwc]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

Just the defense for me needs improvement.

[IanRubbish]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

His .452 OBP would lead MLB if he had enough PAs to qualify...by 20 points.  It's also pretty much the same as the .463 he put up in AAA.  I thought he'd be a 750 or so OPS hitter as an MLB rookie, and he might fall back, but his first week was an incredible success.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

He's too good. He's just not scrappy or bad enough to be a fan favorite. /s

[aspenbubba]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

Have no issues with the offence but I would like to see max effort on the field. A little more hustle and intensity.

[varoadking]

so the love affair with James Wood is over already? Seriously? Are we disappointed in his .932 OPS in his first week?

Shelve the fanboi outrage for just a minute...the kid has been terrific at the plate in his first week...

His outfield play has been pretty dreadful in his first week...especially for someone who has come up thru the system as a Center Fielder.  If you haven't seen that...then you haven't been watching...

[Senatorswin]

He was not playing left in the minors. He's 6-7. His running and speed are deceptive. He's fine in left field and there's no lack of effort.