2025 Off-season - general thread

[OfftheBat]

I'm bummed that the Nationals were nowhere in any of the Pete Alonso rumors. Back in the day they would have at least played a spoiler role to help out Boras by bidding up the price.

Looks like the Jays took the Nats' role in that regard... 

[imref]

Nats sign LHP Colin Poche to a minor league contract with a STI:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pocheco01.shtml

The last Colin we had in the bullpen was kinda fun, let's see how this one works out. He was very good until injuries impacted him last year.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/nationals-sign-colin-poche-minor-league-deal.html

Sounds like he had a history of being quite good, but last year his velo slipped and was hurt a bit so the Rays did not want to offer arbitration in his final year of control. Was estimated to be due $3.4 million. Lots of hi-lev set up experience, so assuming a bit of a bounce back, he'd take a big role in 2025.

[Natsinpwc]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/nationals-sign-colin-poche-minor-league-deal.html

Sounds like he had a history of being quite good, but last year his velo slipped and was hurt a bit so the Rays did not want to offer arbitration in his final year of control. Was estimated to be due $3.4 million. Lots of hi-lev set up experience, so assuming a bit of a bounce back, he'd take a big role in 2025.

Nice poach by the Nats.

[imref]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/nationals-sign-colin-poche-minor-league-deal.html

Sounds like he had a history of being quite good, but last year his velo slipped and was hurt a bit so the Rays did not want to offer arbitration in his final year of control. Was estimated to be due $3.4 million. Lots of hi-lev set up experience, so assuming a bit of a bounce back, he'd take a big role in 2025.

seems he's a lock for the bullpen if he's healthy.

So that gives us Law, Lopez, Ogaswara, Poche, Ferrer, and Reifert and a minimum.  Not exactly exciting.

[varoadking]

seems he's a lock for the bullpen if he's healthy.

So that gives us Law, Lopez, Ogaswara, Poche, Ferrer, and Reifert and a minimum.  Not exactly exciting.

I thought Rizzo dubbed Shinnosuke a starter?

[imref]

I thought Rizzo dubbed Shinnosuke a starter?

yeah, i think he said he would get the opportunity to start. there's bound to be a shuffle.

[Slateman]

I thought Rizzo dubbed Shinnosuke a starter?

He can also go down to the minors

[imref]

Where we stand: 2/8 edition:
1B: Lowe
2B: Garcia Jr.
SS: Abrams
3B: Tena
LF: Wood
CF: Young
RF: Crews
C: Ruiz
DH: Bell

Bench: Milas, Andrew Knizner, or Riley Adams, Rosario, plus pick two of Baker, Lipscomb, Nunez, Call, Chaparro, & Yepez (Probably Call and Yepez)

Rotation: pick 5 of Gore, Herz, Irvin, Soroka, Williams, Ogaswara, Parker

Bullpen: pick 8 of Lopez, Ferrar, Poche, Ribalta, Salazar, Reifert (Rule-5), Law, Brzykcy, Rutledge

60 Day IL: Gray, Thompson

40 man at AAA: Adams or Milas, the batters who don't make the roster, Hassell, Lara, Henry, Cavalli, plus the starters and bullpen arms who don't make the cut.

My guess:
Bench: Millas, Chaparro, Rosario, Call
Rotation: Gore, Herz, Irvin, Soroka, Williams
Bullpen: Lopez (Closer), Ferrar, Poche, Salazar, Reifort, Ribalta, Law, Brzykcy

[NatsLSU]

It’s disgusting how this team is being run. The Wizards at least have a plan in place with Dawkins etc. now. The Nats don’t even want to be competitive it seems.

[Slateman]

It’s disgusting how this team is being run. The Wizards at least have a plan in place with Dawkins etc. now. The Nats don’t even want to be competitive it seems.

The Wizards have "had a plan" for a decade.

[imref]

It’s disgusting how this team is being run. The Wizards at least have a plan in place with Dawkins etc. now. The Nats don’t even want to be competitive it seems.

the "plan", whether your agree with it or not, is to rely on the kids to be superstars. Compared to a few years ago we are at least set for the foreseeable future in the OF, SS, 2B, 3B (assuming House arrives), C, and SP. Obviously lots of question marks (will Abrams return? Will the rotation be good?).

If we add LaViolette next year, we've got the missing power bat in the heart of the lineup.

That's a far cry from where we were in 2022, though still not enough to contend IMHO, unless we add a 1B/DH bat.

[varoadking]

...we are at least set for the foreseeable future in the OF, SS, 2B, 3B (assuming House arrives), C, and SP.

If so, that's really depressing...

[IanRubbish]

If so, that's really depressing...

I also don't know that we're "set" until Mini Me stops telling Rizzo to trade arb eligible guys at the deadline.  Luis Garcia, MacKenzie Gore, and CJ could all be gone by the middle of '26.  Where we are set is running a top 10 market team like it plays in Altoona. 

[IanRubbish]

It’s disgusting how this team is being run.

At this point I'd say it's more amusing that disgusting.  Same laughable dysfunction and penny pinching year in and year out. 

[welch]

It’s disgusting how this team is being run. The Wizards at least have a plan in place with Dawkins etc. now. The Nats don’t even want to be competitive it seems.

It will be sad if Washingtonians pay more attention to the Caps and the OTA's.

[IanRubbish]

So here's Rizzo's BS cover for the Lerners for this year - "we don't want to lose the draft pick by signing Qualifying Offer players".  Basically he came up with a pathetic excuse not to sign top FAs, that they might lose a 2nd round draft pick who would never amount to much, and a slight decrease in international bonus pool where they've done almost nothing since signing Soto way back when.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/mike-rizzo-discusses-nationals-rotation-plans-offseason-moves.html

https://www.talknats.com/2025/01/29/two-weeks-from-today-the-offseason-ends-with-much-work-left-to-accomplish/

[varoadking]

So here's Rizzo's BS cover for the Lerners for this year - "we don't want to lose the draft pick by signing Qualifying Offer players".  Basically he came up with a pathetic excuse not to sign top FAs, that they might lose a 2nd round draft pick who would never amount to much, and a slight decrease in international bonus pool where they've done almost nothing since signing Soto way back when.

Well that's all he gets paid to do, so he's earned his salary for yet another year.  This surely makes dave and the entire pathetic coaching staff safe for 2026 as well...

[HalfSmokes]

In a town with football fans it's easy to pretend second round picks have value.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?team_ID=WSN&draft_round=2&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_round

Zimmermann was the last successful second round pick - I guess you better hold those dear for the once in a decade breakout

[Natsinpwc]

You guys should hold your anger for the actual season!

[imref]

In a town with football fans it's easy to pretend second round picks have value.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?team_ID=WSN&draft_round=2&draft_type=junreg&query_type=franch_round

Zimmermann was the last successful second round pick - I guess you better hold those dear for the once in a decade breakout

Seems to be a fair amount of excitement about Bennett going into this season. We'll see..

[IanRubbish]

Seems to be a fair amount of excitement about Bennett going into this season. We'll see..

Only from Rizzo who has a man crush on him.  He's coming off TJ and has never pitched above High A.   He's likely going down with Cavalli, Rutledge, Cole Henry, and countless others who Rizzo liked for their "stuff", but could never throw strikes or stay healthy.

[imref]

Zuck says we’re still looking for a reliever:

Finnegan, for what it’s worth, remains unsigned as well. The door has always remained open for a potential reunion, though a source close to the 33-year-old said he’s still hoping some team makes him an offer in the range of the $8 million to $9 million he would’ve received through arbitration had the Nationals retained him.

Jacob Barnes, who is not a closer but did provide solid work over 63 appearances last season, also remains unsigned, and there could be mutual interest in a return, according to a source.

[imref]

Rizzo updates:
https://www.masnsports.com/blog/rizzo-addresses-payroll-closer-role-lowe-arbitration-and-sykora-surgery

- payroll down slightly from last year (about $10 million) at $94 million, $25M of that goes to Strasburg
- still looking for back-end bullpen help, still talking to Finnegan
- Lowe's arbitration hearing is Friday

[varoadking]

Rizzo updates:
- Lowe's arbitration hearing is Friday

This tells you about everything you need to know about this organization...