Bullpen in 2025: duck and cover

[Smithian]

They like to say "season's only 10% done", but we're nearly a quarter of the way to Rizzo's favorite day, the trading deadline.  Rizzo sees bullpen guys as tradable pieces.  Problem is without Ferrar and Finnegan this bullpen would be historically bad, and no one else has any trade value.  So will be interesting if they just let this season go to complete hell at the deadline...in exchange for some AAAA players or lottery tickets.

If Nationals have to trade at the deadline, Finnegan is an easy move. I know I heard on Nats Chat podcast his velo and other outlying stats stepped back last year. And so far this year, his WHIP is insane. He has been remarkably consistent for a while as a durable arm who does a solid job. I do worry it could go bad real fast. Assuming Nats are selling, I think some team would happily take him and hope they can coax a few more months out of him.

Not certain why Nats would move Ferrer unless someone made a good offer. He's cost controlled.

I think it's too early to make assumptions about what the deadline may look like.

[imref]

[IanRubbish]

I think it's too early to make assumptions about what the deadline may look like.

Don't think it is.   Most likely will let the season go to hell by trading the only bullpen pieces with any value.  It's what they did last year, only with retaining Finnegan because Rizzo didn't like the offers.  Also notice how abysmal the bullpen is now, and no effort is being made to address it. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Giants and Nats should be dealing.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I suspect they intend to try to build the pen internally as guys have success in the minors and come back from rehab. Brzykcy and Grissom will get chances.

I'm curious about whether they will start using Henry or whether they are covering for "discomfort. "

[Natsinpwc]

Nats should be looking at contending teams with bad bullpens to trade Finnegan and anyone else they can shop. Like the Phillies.

[imref]

I suspect they intend to try to build the pen internally as guys have success in the minors and come back from rehab. Brzykcy and Grissom will get chances.

I'm curious about whether they will start using Henry or whether they are covering for "discomfort. "

In a best case scenario, Henry would be good for around 50 innings. He's this year's Tanner Rainey.

Once Law and Brzykcy are back (assuming Law comes back) then Poche and Sims are gone.  Grisson keeps throwing scoreless innings and probably gets a call fairly soon as well.

[IanRubbish]

Giants and Nats should be dealing.

Giants have a AAA prospect, Carson Whisenhunt, they’re trying to turn into a Logan Webb type of innings eater.  He could get Verlander’s spot if things there don’t improve.  Either way, the Nats coaching philosophy and players don’t fit the Giants unless Mini Me wants to preemptively dump Gore’s salary.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Soroka begins rehab starts today, so in a week or so, Lord can be moved to the bullpen. That may be when the first axe falls on Sims / Poche; alternative would be to send Salazar down (or Rut/Henry).

[imref]

Soroka begins rehab starts today, so in a week or so, Lord can be moved to the bullpen. That may be when the first axe falls on Sims / Poche; alternative would be to send Salazar down (or Rut/Henry).

might make the most sense to send Lord to Rochester so he can keep starting given we have no other good backup options there right now.

[nobleisthyname]

might make the most sense to send Lord to Rochester so he can keep starting given we have no other good backup options there right now.

Definitely a bit awkward to stretch him out fully and then immediately throw him back into the bullpen.

[IanRubbish]

Poche needs to go.  Problem is that would leave Ferrer as the only lefty in the pen and he needs to keep his setup man.  Davey would rather bring in a left handed little leaguer than a strike throwing righty to face lefty hitters, so could be awhile before Poche's gone. 

[GataNats]

What happened tp Lasorsa?   He was a decent lefty

[imref]

What happened tp Lasorsa?   He was a decent lefty

AAA for the Reds.

[IanRubbish]

What happened tp Lasorsa?   He was a decent lefty

Maybe Doo can come back as a player/coach

[imref]

Zach Brzykcy moved to Wilmington

[Smithian]

Poche or Sims needs to go.

I liked the Poche signing. Only a year removed from a very good 2023. Lefty. It hasn't worked.

I liked the Lucas Sims tryout. Low floor, high ceiling. It hasn't worked.

It's okay to have one disaster arm, not two.

[imref]

Poche or Sims needs to go.

I liked the Poche signing. Only a year removed from a very good 2023. Lefty. It hasn't worked.

I liked the Lucas Sims tryout. Low floor, high ceiling. It hasn't worked.

It's okay to have one disaster arm, not two.

One of Poche and Sims are gone once Brzykcy is back. The other is gone if we ever get Law or Ribalta back.

[nobleisthyname]

Poche or Sims needs to go.

I liked the Poche signing. Only a year removed from a very good 2023. Lefty. It hasn't worked.

I liked the Lucas Sims tryout. Low floor, high ceiling. It hasn't worked.

It's okay to have one disaster arm, not two.

I'm not sure Sims ever had a high ceiling. He's never had success at the major league level and his underlying metrics aren't super impressive.

[Slateman]

I just want to see Rutledge and Henry in more high leverage situations. Let Sims and Poche be B/C level relievers.

[welch]

I just want to see Rutledge and Henry in more high leverage situations. Let Sims and Poche be B/C level relievers.

Agreed. They were two of the Big Three pitching prospects. Knocked off balance by injuries, but both had live arms. We have seen their quality as relievers in the majors. I suppose Davey tried, yesterday, to give Poche a chance to show he can still pitch. Poche demonstrated that he cannot pitch. Since almost nobody has been as bad as Poche, maybe the Nats need to put him on the IL and let him rehab his brain at Harrisburg. For a month, at most.

Sims is garbage.

[imref]

if by say May 15 our bullpen is Finnegan, Law, Rutledge, Henry, Grissom, Ferrar, Salazar, and Brzykcy...that might not be terrible. That jettisons Poche, Sims, and Lopez.

If Law isn't ready then hopefully Lopez can return to something closer to 2024.

[welch]

if by say May 15 our bullpen is Finnegan, Law, Rutledge, Henry, Grissom, Ferrar, Salazar, and Brzykcy...that might not be terrible. That jettisons Poche, Sims, and Lopez.

If Law isn't ready then hopefully Lopez can return to something closer to 2024.

His 2024 highlight: losing his temper because a 3B umpire called "no swing". Then went around like a headless chicken. Got ejected. Threw down his hat, [ulled his jersey out of his pants, and threw his glove into the stands. Said "I play for the worst team in baseball". Mets immediately released him. That was not a good year.

[imref]

His 2024 highlight: losing his temper because a 3B umpire called "no swing". Then went around like a headless chicken. Got ejected. Threw down his hat, [ulled his jersey out of his pants, and threw his glove into the stands. Said "I play for the worst team in baseball". Mets immediately released him. That was not a good year.

ERA and WHIP were good.

[IanRubbish]

His 2024 highlight: losing his temper because a 3B umpire called "no swing". Then went around like a headless chicken. Got ejected. Threw down his hat, [ulled his jersey out of his pants, and threw his glove into the stands. Said "I play for the worst team in baseball". Mets immediately released him. That was not a good year.

Character is not a trait Rizzo can afford to pay attention to while he's dumpster diving.