2025 Off-season - general thread

[imref]

Nats avoid arbitration with Mason Thompson

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nats avoid arbitration with Mason Thompson

By the way, today is the non-tender deadline. Teams have either offer arbitration to eligible players or allow them to become free agents.

Not sure who the close calls are around the league. On the Nats, mlbtr estimates Riley Adams around $1 million, Rainey at $1.9, and Law at $2.9. I think all those guys get offers. Rainey is the toughest call. Adams isn't needed, but that's cheap as a 1st year arb eligible guy. The rest (finny $8.1 million, LGJr $4.5 million, Gore $2.95 million) look like locks.

[Slateman]

For 2 million, you may as well with Rainey

[JCA-CrystalCity]

For 2 million, you may as well with Rainey

Keep him? yes. It's not break the bank money, he had an OK second half, we nursed him along with the hope he'd be an asset.

IDK how he fits into next year's bullpen. He was the lowest leverage reliever in the majors last year, maybe the lowest all time, as they basically rehabbed him on the roster. If he shows a consistent 95 on his fastball, maybe he's ready for a bigger role.

[Slateman]

Keep him? yes. It's not break the bank money, he had an OK second half, we nursed him along with the hope he'd be an asset.

IDK how he fits into next year's bullpen. He was the lowest leverage reliever in the majors last year, maybe the lowest all time, as they basically rehabbed him on the roster. If he shows a consistent 95 on his fastball, maybe he's ready for a bigger role.

It's two million hoping for a small miracle he gets his velo back. Even in the second half, he was a low 4s FIP.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It's two million hoping for a small miracle he gets his velo back. Even in the second half, he was a low 4s FIP.

but you'd keep him at that price, right? I mean, almost any journeyman middle reliever would get $1 million to $2 million, like Jacob Barnes and Derek Law (and Matt Barnes and Dylan Floro) got last year.

[Slateman]

but you'd keep him at that price, right? I mean, almost any journeyman middle reliever would get $1 million to $2 million, like Jacob Barnes and Derek Law (and Matt Barnes and Dylan Floro) got last year.

Sure. Worth a gamble. Getting a low 4s ERA will cost as much if not more.

[Senatorswin]

Seems like Rainey was getting some of his velocity back towards the end of the year.

[imref]

Seems like Rainey was getting some of his velocity back towards the end of the year.

he’ll have the chance elsewhere.

[zimm_da_kid]

Chickencrap poverty franchise move to get rid of Finnegan because he cost too much. $8.5 mil ain’t that much for a set up man. We needed a reliever anyways. No way we get two relievers of Finnegans caliber.

We’re not trying to compete til 2026

[varoadking]

Chickencrap poverty franchise move to get rid of Finnegan because he cost too much. $8.5 mil ain’t that much for a set up man. We needed a reliever anyways. No way we get two relievers of Finnegans caliber.

We’re not trying to compete til 2026

2026 seems pretty optimistic...

[zimm_da_kid]

2026 seems pretty optimistic...

At this rate

[English Natsie]

Attracting Soto would be transformative - instead of finishing 31st, we'd be 17th ...Sounds appealing, eh Juan?...    

After the Finnegan / Rainey news, I suspect that the cry from all opposition fans, next season, will be 'let's all laugh at the Nationals'...

[Mattionals]

I won't criticize ownership until at least January when they haven't signed anyone of note. If they get their collective "stuff" together and spend, then I won't be angry. Yet. I won't be angry yet.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Chickencrap poverty franchise move to get rid of Finnegan because he cost too much. $8.5 mil ain’t that much for a set up man. We needed a reliever anyways. No way we get two relievers of Finnegans caliber.

We’re not trying to compete til 2026

can compare it to the Will Harris contract for a set up guy, but Finnegan is not prime Harris. It's a hard call and blows open a new hole, but I accept there's better ways to spend that money. Sign Kirby Yates for 2 years, $16 million, or 1 year, $11 million,  then I will be  happy. Both those Yates numbers are better than Ben Clemens or the crowd source at FG.

[Mattionals]

can compare it to the Will Harris contract for a set up guy, but Finnegan is not prime Harris. It's a hard call and blows open a new hole, but I accept there's better ways to spend that money. Sign Kirby Yates for 2 years, $16 million, or 1 year, $11 million,  then I will be  happy. Both those Yates numbers are better than Ben Clemens or the crowd source at FG.

This is where I'm at as well. I don't think the arb figures were close to Finnegan's actual value, and those arb figures are inflated because of his save total. The only problem is now you have to replace him on the roster, and I'm not sure there is an internal option that you can exactly count on. I hope the team spends and either gets someone of comparable value for less than the arb figures for Finnegan, or pays the 8-9M for somebody better than Finnegan.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm ok with Law and Ferrer as the set up guys for Mystery Closer, and a combo of Salazar, Robert Garcia, and maybe La Sorsa and Brzykcy, but they really need at least 1 closer and maybe another hi lev guy.

There's a fair number of veteran closers out there

[Natsinpwc]

Should have traded Finnegan last deadline. Even for a lottery ticket. Oh well. Will be interesting to see where he lands. $8 million seems alot for a probable 7th or 8th inning guy but maybe a contender will bite.

[IanRubbish]

Chickencrap poverty franchise move to get rid of Finnegan because he cost too much. $8.5 mil ain’t that much for a set up man. We needed a reliever anyways. No way we get two relievers of Finnegans caliber.

We’re not trying to compete til 2026

What’s going to change in ‘26?  There’s already a tight window before Wood and Crews hit FA, and they’re not willing to spend on the supporting cast now.  The Lerners are just sticking it to the fans at this point, and will continue to do so until somebody somewhere is willing to overpay for the team.

[nobleisthyname]

Should do an over/under on biggest contract the Lerners sign this off-season. Not sure what's a reasnoable target though. No way they sign a $100M contract, right? What about $50M?

[imref]

Mark Fiensand's 30 free agents for 30 teams:
https://www.mlb.com/news/one-free-agent-for-every-mlb-team-2024-25?partnerId=it-20241125-11811378-mlb-1-A&utm_id=it-20241125-11811378-mlb-1-A&lctg=13670780

Nationals: Pete Alonso, 1B
Washington needs an influx of power after finishing 2024 with an NL-low 135 home runs. There is no bigger home run threat available this winter than Alonso, whose 226 home runs since he broke into the league in 2019 rank second in the Majors only behind Aaron Judge (232).

At this point I think a better bet is us resigning Josh Bell to a 1 year deal.

[OfftheBat]

https://x.com/klwoodjr/status/1861040318537167007


lol

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

https://x.com/klwoodjr/status/1861040318537167007


lol

There ya go. Mark isn't going to spend. The best thing we can hope for is someone calls and offers what they want for the team.

[imref]

Josh Bell come on down....

[HalfSmokes]

https://x.com/klwoodjr/status/1861040318537167007


lol

He probably wants to be paid in dollars