2025 Off-season - general thread

[Slateman]

Steamer projections per FG:

Garrett would be another name that we currently have who could have a role. His career he's .341 / .492, but his projections are .284 / .372. Call would be another internal option.

.700 OPS is pretty minimal. 19 teams beat .700 OPS last year, which was a down year.  MLB average OBP was .312, .399 was mlb average SLG. I'm a little surprised, but it looks like OBP is more of a weakness for our expected contributors than SLG. i think the bad SLG this year was maybe a function of some of the vets who are gone.

Looking at the steamer projections, I think Tena is low in terms of SLG, and Crews I think is the best bet to beat the the OPS.

It looks like Stone spent most of his recovering season playing the outfield. If he can duplicate 2023, that would be a massive upgrade in the outfield.

[Natsinpwc]

And defense and baserunning don't count for much, as evidenced by the Yankees.

Did you watch the bizarro World Series?

[Slateman]

Did you watch the bizarro World Series?

They got to the World Series. We stole 223 bases and we're out of the playoffs by the end of April.

Look at what the Dodgers did. Andy Pages and Tommy Edman were rocking CF for them. Did they have 24 OAA? Nope. But they both OPS'd over .700.

You have to hit the ball. If your best player is is the third worst qualified hitter at his position, the you need to be upgrading.

[Natsinpwc]

They got to the World Series. We stole 223 bases and we're out of the playoffs by the end of April.

Look at what the Dodgers did. Andy Pages and Tommy Edman were rocking CF for them. Did they have 24 OAA? Nope. But they both OPS'd over .700.

You have to hit the ball. If your best player is is the third worst qualified hitter at his position, the you need to be upgrading.

He was a 2.5 - 3 WAR player. More than we got out of 1B or DH or 3B or C.  Worry about those positions for now.

[Senatorswin]

Did you watch the bizarro World Series?

If the World Series showed anything it showed Defense and baserunning absolutely count.

[Natsinpwc]

If the World Series showed anything it showed Defense and baserunning absolutely count.

Yea.

Young was third on the team in fWAR last year. Wood and Crews should pass him with a full year but not sure why we want to get rid of him.

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?lg=&teamid=24

[Slateman]

If the World Series showed anything it showed Defense and baserunning absolutely count.

Except they got to the WS. Literally being a bad fielding and baserunning team had no impact on them winning 94 games.

Yea.

Young was third on the team in fWAR last year. Wood and Crews should pass him with a full year but not sure why we want to get rid of him.

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?lg=&teamid=24

There is literally no amount of good fielding from Young that will be worth more than 40 home runs from Anthony Satander. None. Especially when you have two other outfielders who are considered to be good centerfielders.

Young can be a 4th OFer and come in after the 7th inning, after the Nats get a 3 run lead.

[Natsinpwc]

Santander can be the DH.  He’s not much of a fielder and will just get worse. We don’t have a DH.

[Senatorswin]

Except they got to the WS. Literally being a bad fielding and baserunning team had no impact on them winning 94 games.

It did cause them to lose game 1 and the deciding game of the World Series though.

[Slateman]

It did cause them to lose game 1 and the deciding game of the World Series though.

But being able to hit for power got them there. Just like it got the Dodgers there. Just like it got the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Astros, and Padres into the playoffs.

Even the Guardians recognizes that hitting was more important. They played a poor defensive CFer so they could get more offense.

You don't pay 80-100 million for a guy to be a DH. DH is where you find value with guys who are terrible in the field.

[imref]

We have a signing!!

Nightingale:

Reliever Clay Helvey agreed to terms with the Washington Nationals and will receive an invite to Big League Camp. He spent the last 7 years in the San Francisco Giants system, striking out 102 batters at AAA this season.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

We have a signing!!

Nightingale:

the next Finnegan

[imref]

Apparently Bregman is at the commanders game today. Hmmmm

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Apparently Bregman is at the commanders game today. Hmmmm

pirates fan

[USF_Football]

What do we have available for International Bonus Pool money for Sasaki? Is it a pipe dream to pluck Soto and Sasaki this offseason.

[OfftheBat]

What do we have available for International Bonus Pool money for Sasaki? Is it a pipe dream to pluck Soto and Sasaki this offseason.

Not a snowball's chance in Hell lol. Dodgers are already favourites to land Sasaki, as usual with all these Japanese players.

[USF_Football]

You can't get the sale if you don't ask. Jayson Werth came to DC when it was an unexpected landing spot at the time (granted, it was a different situation and he was getting a lot $ in free agency). Every team should at least make an attempt for him. He essentially would be the face/shiny new toy of every franchise except the Dodgers, Pirates and wherever Soto lands.

[imref]

Not a snowball's chance in Hell lol. Dodgers are already favourites to land Sasaki, as usual with all these Japanese players.

Padres are expected to make a push for him as well.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Every team should at least make an attempt for him.

How can a team pile up significantly more money for him if it is out of their international bonus pool. We're talking $7.5 million max. This said the Nats started with $6.26 million for 2025 before any money we acquired in deals. Is Sasaki going to make a decision over $1-2 million?

Basically, there's no out-bidding other teams.
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/theres-no-way-to-get-around-bonus-limits-to-sign-roki-sasaki/

I think the only way money comes in is with his agent getting a feeling for which teams have money to burn after he signs. No up front negotiations regarding a superseding contract.

More or less, to get Sasaki, a team has to sell him on their future and not win him by bidding.

[Slateman]

What do we have available for International Bonus Pool money for Sasaki? Is it a pipe dream to pluck Soto and Sasaki this offseason.

If he is posted this year, we have like nothing.

If its next year, then everyone has the same amount. He ain't coming here

[Senatorswin]

He'll sign with a West Coast team.

[Slateman]

He'll sign with a West Coast team.

Dodgers or Padres. Padres only have a chance because of Darvish

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Seattle doesn't need him but should always be a potential location for a Japanese player. Also, the Giants should figure in. You'd think a pitcher would love to play there.

If he signs a minor league contract, does the acquiring team get 6 years of control, or does he get some credit for 4 years in the NPB?

[Slateman]

Seattle doesn't need him but should always be a potential location for a Japanese player. Also, the Giants should figure in. You'd think a pitcher would love to play there.

If he signs a minor league contract, does the acquiring team get 6 years of control, or does he get some credit for 4 years in the NPB?

I mean, Seattle getting him would make trading Gilbert, Woo, or Miller a no brainer.

[Natsinpwc]

I mean, Seattle getting him would make trading Gilbert, Woo, or Miller a no brainer.

They will trade with the Dodgers.  So the Dodgers will get their starter whatever happens. It is the Way.