Spring Training: 2025

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I’m pessimistic in CJ Abrams. I want to believe he’ll come back and perform as an average defender and top bat, I just doubt the Nationals are that lucky. Path is open at SS if Nunez wants to take it.

I think Abrams has the bat to play up the middle. Garcia has value as a trade chit, and King and Dickerson are on the way but not yet ready. . I could easily see some time before King arrives where this room for Nunez. Also, with 3 options, a great glove, speed, plate discipline, and maybe some improvement in contact quality, Nunez starts to be someone to put in a deal.

[imref]

JZ (and son) in the house:

[Slateman]

I’m pessimistic in CJ Abrams. I want to believe he’ll come back and perform as an average defender and top bat, I just doubt the Nationals are that lucky. Path is open at SS if Nunez wants to take it.

Nunez at SS and Young in CF is leaving a lot of offense on the bench.

I think his bat is legit. I don't think he will ever be a good defender. Honestly, I think you could plug him in the OF and he'd be fine. He can't possibly be as bad in CF as he is at SS, and 20 home runs from even mediocre CF defense will be a 3.5-4 WAR player.

But then you're replacing Young's weak bat with Nunez's.

[Slateman]

I think Abrams has the bat to play up the middle. Garcia has value as a trade chit, and King and Dickerson are on the way but not yet ready. . I could easily see some time before King arrives where this room for Nunez. Also, with 3 options, a great glove, speed, plate discipline, and maybe some improvement in contact quality, Nunez starts to be someone to put in a deal.

King and Dickerson are years away. I just don't think you can roll with Nunez for 2+ seasons.

[Smithian]

Nunez at SS and Young in CF is leaving a lot of offense on the bench.

I think his bat is legit. I don't think he will ever be a good defender. Honestly, I think you could plug him in the OF and he'd be fine. He can't possibly be as bad in CF as he is at SS, and 20 home runs from even mediocre CF defense will be a 3.5-4 WAR player.

But then you're replacing Young's weak bat with Nunez's.

I agree with the Nunez and Young combo downside. But after a half decade of worse defense in majors, a major league average defense is worth a lot of runs.

[imref]

Abrams is back already:

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Where: Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, Fla.
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: None
Radio: MLB.com (Rays’ feed)
Weather: Sunny, 77 degrees, wind 11 mph out to center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Dylan Crews
DH James Wood
3B Paul DeJong
2B Luis García Jr.
LF Alex Call
1B Juan Yepez
CF Jacob Young
C Andrew Knizner

LHP DJ Herz

RAYS
1B Yandy Díaz
2B Brandon Lowe
SS Taylor Walls
LF Eloy Jimémez
DH Josh Lowe
C Danny Jansen
RF José Caballero
CF Tony DeLuca
3B Coco Montes

RHP Shane Baz

[aspenbubba]

Wood with a 3R HR

[imref]

CJ es en fuego

[imref]

Lord lit up

[imref]

I don't think Reifert is making the trip north.

[aspenbubba]

Bye-bye Lord and Reifert. Give Reifert back to the Rays BUT I don't think they want a re-gifted damaged goods..

[Smithian]

I think our starting 9 is set.  I am assuming DeJong is playing every day.

I want a bench of Rosario, Yepez, Tena, Backup C. Rosario is your cover everywhere IF and OF. Tena and Yepez are your pinch hitters.

I know he cooled off last season and Spring has been rough, but I wouldn’t mind Tena getting some DH time if Bell is struggling. I want to love the bat.

[aspenbubba]

I think our starting 9 is set.  I am assuming DeJong is playing every day.

I want a bench of Rosario, Yepez, Tena, Backup C. Rosario is your cover everywhere IF and OF. Tena and Yepez are your pinch hitters.

I know he cooled off last season and Spring has been rough, but I wouldn’t mind Tena getting some DH time if Bell is struggling. I want to love the bat.

I don't concur. Rosario only because he has a guaranteed contract, Call as the 4th OF, Adams even though he hasn't seized the position and Chappy over Yepez as he has only out hit him by 200 points.

[Smithian]

I don't concur. Rosario only because he has a guaranteed contract, Call as the 4th OF, Adams even though he hasn't seized the position and Chappy over Yepez as he has only out hit him by 200 points.

Yepez vs Chappy I’m fine either way. I went back and forth on my post.

I like Alex Call a lot as a #4 OF. But Wood, Crews, Young are all younger players, you’re not subbing any of them defensively, none need to be pinch run for. They shouldn’t need days off unless they have a small knock. I’d rather Rosario as your backup OF in a pinch and if someone gets banged up you bring up Call.

[aspenbubba]

Yepez vs Chappy I’m fine either way. I went back and forth on my post.

I like Alex Call a lot as a #4 OF. But Wood, Crews, Young are all younger players, you’re not subbing any of them defensively, none need to be pinch run for. They shouldn’t need days off unless they have a small knock. I’d rather Rosario as your backup OF in a pinch and if someone gets banged up you bring up Call.

if Young doesn't hit and Crews tires as he has never plated 150+ games you need Call unless you bring up Garrett or Hassell. I'm sure this is the same discussion that Rizzo and Davey are having.

[imref]

Great name for a ballpark:

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: CoolToday Park, North Port
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MLB.tv (Braves’ feed)
Radio: MLB.com (Braves’ feed)
Weather: Sunny, 78 degrees, wind 5 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
Lineup TBA

RHP Jackson Rutledge

BRAVES
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
CF Michael Harris II
SS Orlando Arcia
RF Jered Kelenic
C Drake Baldwin
LF Jake Marisnick

RHP Spencer Schwellenbach

[Elvir Ovcina]

Great name for a ballpark:

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: CoolToday Park, North Port
Gametime: 1:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MLB.tv (Braves’ feed)
Radio: MLB.com (Braves’ feed)
Weather: Sunny, 78 degrees, wind 5 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
Lineup TBA

RHP Jackson Rutledge

BRAVES
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
CF Michael Harris II
SS Orlando Arcia
RF Jered Kelenic
C Drake Baldwin
LF Jake Marisnick

RHP Spencer Schwellenbach

WNFF will have boots on the ground, assuming nothing stemming from the combination of Southwest Florida and Braves fans eats me before first pitch.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Also have the first of two Breakout Games for the Nats prospects. Today at  2:05 vs. Astros. I wonder what park they'll play at?

[imref]

Nats lineup today. Chaparro was supposed to start at 1B but was a late scratch, Garrett replaces him with Yepiz moving to 1B

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Dylan Crews
LF James Wood
2B Luis García Jr.
DH Stone Garrett
3B Trey Lipscomb
1B Juan Yepez
C Riley Adams
CF Jacob Young

RHP Jackson Rutledge

This is the free game of the day on MLB.TV

[Natsinpwc]

Is there a casino in that area for CJ?

[Natsinpwc]

Nice swing by Wood for a 2B.

[imref]

Nats lineup for the breakout game at 2 PM vs Houston:

Lile - LF
Brady - 3B
Wallace - 2B
Morales - 1B
Pickney - CF
King - SS
Green - DH
Romero - C
Cox - RF

Pitcher TBD

[imref]

Rutledge looking sharp so far.

[IanRubbish]

I don't think Reifert is making the trip north.

Rizzo is not going to admit he made a mistake, Reifert will make it to DC.

[Natsinpwc]

Another double for Wood.
Rutledge looked fine.