Spring Training: 2026

[imref]

ST hats unveiled: https://x.com/TalkNats/status/2020986498867397075?s=20

[Ryan9009]

Someone please explain to me Nunez at 2B and Abrams at SS? Am I going nuts here? Isn't one a MUCH BETTER FIELDER??? As if the pitching isn't going to be horrible enough we're going to hamstrung ourselves at the most important defensive position as well?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Someone please explain to me Nunez at 2B and Abrams at SS? Am I going nuts here? Isn't one a MUCH BETTER FIELDER??? As if the pitching isn't going to be horrible enough we're going to hamstrung ourselves at the most important defensive position as well?

yes. The only reason to keep him at SS over Nunez is either his head (more confident there, not ready to move off the spot) or the thought he's more valuable trade-wise or in the team structure not to move on yet. I think this is off-base. Sooner he shifts the better it is for his development now. The SS experiment should be over

[Slateman]

Someone please explain to me Nunez at 2B and Abrams at SS? Am I going nuts here? Isn't one a MUCH BETTER FIELDER??? As if the pitching isn't going to be horrible enough we're going to hamstrung ourselves at the most important defensive position as well?

Abrams trade value as a shortstop is much greater than as a second baseman. They will try with the new coaching staff.

yes. The only reason to keep him at SS over Nunez is either his head (more confident there, not ready to move off the spot) or the thought he's more valuable trade-wise or in the team structure not to move on yet. I think this is off-base. Sooner he shifts the better it is for his development now. The SS experiment should be over

If the Nats were keeping him, then yes, I would agree. But it seems pretty obvious they are hell bent on getting a prospect haul for him, so they will keep trying him at SS.

[Smithian]

They might try and manipulate Ford's service time to delay FA by a year.  He's got 28 days of service, so 6-7 weeks in Rochester would delay his free agency to before the 2033 season.  I imagine they'll also play the contract with Keibert as they always do and he could also end up seeing time at 1B or DH even though he doesn't have the bat for either.  With Garcia and/or Chapparo at 1B as well, they could be dead last in the league in 1B OPS.

I like letting Ruiz have a couple months as the primary catcher where he gets the occasional off day versus being ridden into the ground like Martinez did to him. He's had some excellent stretches that dropped off after he clearly wore down.

But if I see Ruiz at 1B, I may scream.

[Smithian]

Someone please explain to me Nunez at 2B and Abrams at SS? Am I going nuts here? Isn't one a MUCH BETTER FIELDER??? As if the pitching isn't going to be horrible enough we're going to hamstrung ourselves at the most important defensive position as well?

CJ Abrams will be a SS for the Nats because we kill his trade value if we give up on the experiment.

Also, we were the worst defensive team in the majors for years. Perhaps a new staff can unlock something in Abrams?

[Slateman]

I like letting Ruiz have a couple months as the primary catcher where he gets the occasional off day versus being ridden into the ground like Martinez did to him. He's had some excellent stretches that dropped off after he clearly wore down.

But if I see Ruiz at 1B, I may scream.

Not sure Ruiz can do anything other than play 1B or DH with his concussions. One foul ball or errant swing and he's probably done for the year.

[blue911]

I think the betting scandal in Cleveland is having a real effect on CJ’s trade value.

[IanRubbish]

I like letting Ruiz have a couple months as the primary catcher

He can't play the position defensivey, even as a backup.  He doesn't have the bat for 1B or DH.  He needs be to DFA'd, but that won't happen given ownership's inability and unwillingness to grasp the concept of a sunk cost.

[IanRubbish]

I think the betting scandal in Cleveland is having a real effect on CJ’s trade value.

There's no question they're shopping him.  Since the '21 salary dumps, they've traded most of their arb eligible guys making any sort of money - Trea Turner, Soto, Lane Thomas, Gore, Kyle Finnegan non-tender etc.  Abrams has 2 years after this of arb, and the 2nd to last year has been the sweet spot as salaries get pushed up.  They'll likely get more desperate to move him by next year's deadline with his pay likely to increase to $7m+ or so next year.

[Slateman]

There's no question they're shopping him.  Since the '21 salary dumps, they've traded most of their arb eligible guys making any sort of money - Trea Turner, Soto, Lane Thomas, Gore, Kyle Finnegan non-tender etc.  Abrams has 2 years after this of arb, and the 2nd to last year has been the sweet spot as salaries get pushed up.  They'll likely get more desperate to move him by next year's deadline with his pay likely to increase to $7m+ or so next year.

I mean, other than the POBO saying they're not. Are they listening, yes. Are they actively shopping him, probably not.

[Slateman]

I think the betting scandal in Cleveland is having a real effect on CJ’s trade value.

Eh, I don't think playing table games correlates to tanking at bats and plays to make money on the side.

I think the issue is that Toboni is selling him as a young, cost controlled, all star shortstop and the rest of the league looks at his statcast page and sees an ocean of blue. Same for Gore, which is why we got the package we got, rather than established top 100 talent.

[imref]

first ST press conference started at noon - https://streamable.com/m/live-butera-and-toboni-meet-the-media-194337

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Abrams trade value as a shortstop is much greater than as a second baseman. They will try with the new coaching staff.
If the Nats were keeping him, then yes, I would agree. But it seems pretty obvious they are hell bent on getting a prospect haul for him, so they will keep trying him at SS.

thing is, if a team is trading for him at the deadline for 2d base help, then don't you think they'd like to have seen him for half a season at 2nd rather than making a mid-season change in the stretch drive?

[Elvir Ovcina]

thing is, if a team is trading for him at the deadline for 2d base help, then don't you think they'd like to have seen him for half a season at 2nd rather than making a mid-season change in the stretch drive?

Thing is, what if he's no good over there either?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Thing is, what if he's no good over there either?

center field

[Slateman]

Thing is, what if he's no good over there either?

He'd have to be abysmal for anyone to care. The bigger question is can he get his first half success to carry through an entire season.

[imref]

first official pitcher and catcher workout today though a lot of players are already in camp and are working out informally. Nats posted photos yesterday of Lile and House practicing.

[imref]

TalkNats says every player from last year's roster already arrived at camp and is working out.  Nice to see.

[imref]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-spring-training/88885/which-washington-nationals-non-roster-invite-has-best-chance-making-roster

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://www.federalbaseball.com/washington-nationals-spring-training/88885/which-washington-nationals-non-roster-invite-has-best-chance-making-roster

without reading, I would say one of the relievers

[imref]

without reading, I would say one of the relievers

Surprisingly no. He mentioned YoYo as being the most interesting to watch, followed by Mervis and Bernabel as the 1B/DH competition appears to be wide open. He also mentioned Orelvis Martinez, but I expect he'll leave the building before the club heads north.

Cornholio is worth watching, IMHO, as the potential next Brad Lord.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think Mervis has a real shot. Orelvis too. These MiLFAs generally have opt out dates so there's an incentive to give them a shot over a guy like Yoyo.

[nobleisthyname]

Orelvis Martinez turned into a stud in one of my OOTP franchises.

[English Natsie]

From nats.com - 'Wood making  glovework his biggest Spring priority...'

Wait, wait...we didn't realize he meant 'with needle and thread...'