Now we’re having fun: 2025 Nats Roster

[nobleisthyname]

I'm out on Scherzer. The Nats have plenty of arms to fill out the back of the rotation. They need to sign a front-line starter.

[zimm_da_kid]

I really don’t want to sign a pitcher to more than a 3 year deal.  Injury risk is way too high.  Burnes won’t hold up more than a few more years at this level.  Fried isn’t a workhorse.  Maybe flaherty could be us for a 3 year/$60 million deal, or maybe snell if he opts out would take a 3 year/$90 million.  I don’t want the risk, especially when we have 4 young at least back end guys in the majors with lord, Lara, Sykora, and susana coming up in the next few years

[varoadking]

Max 2024 WAR: 0.4

Nationals Starters:
Irvin: 2.3
Parker: 0.4
Williams: 2.1
Gray: -0.6
Herz: 0.6
Corbin: -0.7
Gore: 0.4

Signing Max for a $10-15 million one year deal for him to mentor the young guys, and possibly flipping him at the deadline if he's open to it, seems like a decent move.

Yeah...no...

[Slateman]

I really don’t want to sign a pitcher to more than a 3 year deal.  Injury risk is way too high.  Burnes won’t hold up more than a few more years at this level.  Fried isn’t a workhorse.  Maybe flaherty could be us for a 3 year/$60 million deal, or maybe snell if he opts out would take a 3 year/$90 million.  I don’t want the risk, especially when we have 4 young at least back end guys in the majors with lord, Lara, Sykora, and susana coming up in the next few years

Yea, none of those guys are signing short term deals.

[zimm_da_kid]

Yea, none of those guys are signing short term deals.

You probably said the same thing about snell and Montgomery last year

[Slateman]

You probably said the same thing about snell and Montgomery last year

Snell was offered a 5 year deal by the Yankees.

Their safety deals were 2 years, 61 million and 2 years, 50 million.

So basically,  you either get the player for one year, or you're stuck with a bad contract for multiple.

Flaherty and Burnes will both clear 9 figures, easy. You might get Fried on a one year, prove it deal. Snell will get a longer term deal this go around. Burnes last four years are right there with Max Scherzer's last four in Detroit. And hes the same age. If Burnes doesnt get a big deal, we're probably going to have a labor dispute the next go around

Snell and Montgomery were unique cases. Pitching is in more demand than ever. You want a top of the rotation guy, you either gamble or you pay big

[raleighnat]

There is no reason for this team not to go big this offseason.  They have no payroll.  I’d be all in on Soto.  But either way, surely we can afford a couple of big bat without blocking anyone.  This is ridiculous.  There is no reason to be terrible while the young guys are growing.  Makes no sense.  It’s important not to suck. 

[OfftheBat]

There is no reason for this team not to go big this offseason.  They have no payroll.  I’d be all in on Soto.  But either way, surely we can afford a couple of big bat without blocking anyone.  This is ridiculous.  There is no reason to be terrible while the young guys are growing.  Makes no sense.  It’s important not to suck.

There's no way that this current ownership will try to get Soto this Winter.

Also, how much $$ & years left to pay Strasburg's contract?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

There's no way that this current ownership will try to get Soto this Winter.

Also, how much $$ & years left to pay Strasburg's contract?

safe to say they are on the hook for every dollar Stras was due, but no one has ever publicly said how long the payments stretch out or whether Stras is getting interest for letting them stretch it out.

[imref]

Rizzo on the junkies: “I think if the opportunity arises — and the right fit arises, I don't see any reason they wouldn't [spend]. They've done it in the past."

[Smithian]

Rizzo on the junkies: “I think if the opportunity arises — and the right fit arises, I don't see any reason they wouldn't [spend]. They've done it in the past."

I would bet a dollar, maybe two, that Rizzo perhaps doesn't know his budget at this time.

On one hand, he could field bottom three payroll next season without dumping any salary. On the other, just keeping the current budget and adding $10 to $15 million would give him a lot of room to be aggressive in trades and free agency.

[HalfSmokes]

I'm just guessing, but I think if the team really intended to compete, they wouldn't have extended Rizzo or the staff. Rizzo is here to put a happy face on the Lerners' cheapness

[Smithian]

I'm just guessing, but I think if the team really intended to compete, they wouldn't have extended Rizzo or the staff. Rizzo is here to put a happy face on the Lerners' cheapness

If the Nationals punt this offseason, I may find myself caring less next season.

[zimm_da_kid]

give me soto, walker, and trade for a mariners pitcher, crochet, gausman/berrios, Alcantara, or someone good

[HalfSmokes]

If the Nationals punt this offseason, I may find myself caring less next season.

I’m there this year.

[Slateman]

I would bet a dollar, maybe two, that Rizzo perhaps doesn't know his budget at this time.

On one hand, he could field bottom three payroll next season without dumping any salary. On the other, just keeping the current budget and adding $10 to $15 million would give him a lot of room to be aggressive in trades and free agency.

10-15 million is like one decent player

[Smithian]

10-15 million is like one decent player

Corbin drops I think $15 million in value to his deferred money. Thomas, Harvey, Williams is a combined ~$15 million. Let's say Rizzo keeps that space and is given $15 million more. That leaves our payroll below average, but CJ Abrams is our only internal player of note entering arbitration. $45 million of annual value is enough to go out and sign/trade for a middle of the order bar and pick up a Trevor Williams type signing in the rotation.

Again, that is my low expectations. That's a bottom 10 payroll. But that would still be a pleasant

If the Lerners even wanted to move to a league average payroll, Rizzo could get pretty aggressive.

[OfftheBat]

safe to say they are on the hook for every dollar Stras was due, but no one has ever publicly said how long the payments stretch out or whether Stras is getting interest for letting them stretch it out.

Interesting... I just checked Spotrac, seems like we need to pay him $35M each year for the next 2 years + $80M total after the 2026 season. That is crazy.

[HalfSmokes]

Corbin drops I think $15 million in value to his deferred money. Thomas, Harvey, Williams is a combined ~$15 million. Let's say Rizzo keeps that space and is given $15 million more. That leaves our payroll below average, but CJ Abrams is our only internal player of note entering arbitration. $45 million of annual value is enough to go out and sign/trade for a middle of the order bar and pick up a Trevor Williams type signing in the rotation.

Again, that is my low expectations. That's a bottom 10 payroll. But that would still be a pleasant

If the Lerners even wanted to move to a league average payroll, Rizzo could get pretty aggressive.

What middle of the order bat is signing up to come here?

[imref]

What middle of the order bat is signing up to come here?

Rowdy Tellez?

[Slateman]

What middle of the order bat is signing up to come here?

Whoever the Nats pay. MLBPA has made it very clear that money talks.

[Smithian]

What middle of the order bat is signing up to come here?

One who likes money? Same as any other position or role?

[imref]

Looking at CO options (beyond Soto):
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/previewing-the-2024-25-mlb-free-agent-class-corner-outfield.html

Tyler O'Neill would be an intriguing DH but Rizzo seems to prefer lefties. Beyond Soto, pickings are slim and most everyone is at least 32.

[IanRubbish]

Interesting... I just checked Spotrac, seems like we need to pay him $35M each year for the next 2 years + $80M total after the 2026 season. That is crazy.

$35M is the luxury tax calc which is higher than the cash payment due to deferrals.  His contract is $160m cash for 7 years, or $23.57M from 2020 through 2026, then $80m cash for 3 years, or $26.67M per year for '27,'28, and '29.

Whoever they sign in the offseason there can't be anymore deferrals like this.  That would almost guarantee yet another 5 year rebuild/salary dump period in the first half of the 2030s.   

[IanRubbish]

Tyler O'Neill would be an intriguing DH but Rizzo seems to prefer lefties. Beyond Soto, pickings are slim and most everyone is at least 32.

O'Neill is also Boras, who has a skill at getting the Lerners to loosen their grip on their wallets.