tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post3112701603202652469..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: Dull TuesdayHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-3334589535196790712015-09-17T06:27:15.184-07:002015-09-17T06:27:15.184-07:00I love how whenever folks on the blog start opinin...I love how whenever folks on the blog start opining about how this player (Werth, Span, Zim, etc) are statues and can no longer hit, the very next day they go on a tear. Ha!<br />Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-51310600889236044062015-09-17T04:05:52.449-07:002015-09-17T04:05:52.449-07:00In his defense, Sammy didn't say "Papelbo...In his defense, Sammy didn't say "Papelbon for Kimbrel straight up". He said "see if San Diego will do some kind of Papelbon for Kimbrel deal", implying other pieces would be involved. Just saying.<br /><br />And yes, Anon 12:57, sometimes the people who do this for a living do get bamboozled. I need only point you to the Fister trade.Booyah Suckah!https://www.blogger.com/profile/15889536631740406219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-50486440926842222342015-09-16T17:58:23.042-07:002015-09-16T17:58:23.042-07:00I love how whenever folks on the blog start opinin...I love how whenever folks on the blog start opining about how this player (Werth, Span, Zim, etc) are statues and can no longer hit, the very next day they go on a tear. Ha!<br />Froggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05425616684415704428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-86728642785719369982015-09-16T12:57:43.921-07:002015-09-16T12:57:43.921-07:00I like fantasy trade talk..I do not like fantasy t...I like fantasy trade talk..I do not like fantasy trade talk when it is of the variety that you are going to totally bamboozle the people you're trading with as though the people who do this for a living have less information than us bloggers. It's ridiculous...hey, we'll give you Storen an we'll give you Sale and pretty much anything else you want!!! They wouldn't give us a bag of scuffed baseballs for Storen right nowAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-20318906464966144912015-09-16T12:53:33.490-07:002015-09-16T12:53:33.490-07:00Max...do you believe in Santa Claus?? If the Mets ...Max...do you believe in Santa Claus?? If the Mets play even 1 game over .500 the Nats would have to go undefeated the rest of the way...wait, hold on..unbelievable...a pig just flew by my window...and...and...Matt Williams was on its back...hokey smokes...you might be rightAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-7550914556547757602015-09-16T08:08:06.996-07:002015-09-16T08:08:06.996-07:00@JC
you said: "I think Rizzo's MO has a...@JC<br /><br />you said: "I think Rizzo's MO has always been to look for relative bargains..."<br /><br />I think you're right, as far as position players go. It might be a great strategy if your goal is to compete and finish above .500 every year. It's a horrible strategy if you intend to hang a banner of any sort beyond a division title and a quick post-season exit, because that's your ceiling. There's a reason these bargain basement types fly under the radar, and they're not going to suddenly turn into .300/30/90 guys just because they're wearing your uniform. Did Asdrubel Cabrera and Yunel Escobar contribute? Of course they did. Did they produce Adam LaRoche or healthy Ryan Zimmerman numbers? No. Except for one double and one home run in one game what did Dan Uggla do this year? <br /><br />Yes, if we want someone like Todd Frazier or Matt Carpenter it's going to cost something. But does Rizzo honestly believe this team can win a championship with even LESS offensive power than it currently has? Tragically, I think he does. And I think he's badly mistaken. And I certainly think that if Matty is going to be held responsible for his management of the games, then Mike Rizzo needs to be held responsible for his management of the roster.Sammy Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286255593094532554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-28137849007338101522015-09-16T06:34:40.035-07:002015-09-16T06:34:40.035-07:00When people propose trades for their team, they do...When people propose trades for their team, they don't stop to think "Would I be okay if my team made this trade?" Like if the Nats had Craig Kimbrel, would you be okay if Mike Rizzo announced they'd traded him for Papelbon? I didn't think so. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-78965849245995551402015-09-16T06:19:51.332-07:002015-09-16T06:19:51.332-07:00So many of you are taking crazy pills. Let's t...So many of you are taking crazy pills. Let's trade Storen for Chris Sale straight up! The White Sox would totally go for that because they underachieved this year! By the same logic, the Nats should be looking to trade all their best players for spare parts because they underachieved this year. A couple years ago, before we had Span, a bunch of folks here said we should trade for McCutcheon to solve our CF issues. Can't believe the Pirates didn't go for that.<br /><br />Any deal that nets a Frazier, Carpenter, CarGo, etc. is going to cost Giolito and more. Strasburg is on his last year, so you're not going to net as much in return. If the Nats contend next year, they'll ride it out with him. If they collapse, he could be trade bait at the deadline, the 2016 David Price.<br /><br />The McCutcheon/Span thing is actually a great example of what probably will happen this offseason. Nats acquire some under-the radar players, probably with the usual trade suspects (e.g. Billy Beane)ocw5000https://www.blogger.com/profile/02490387895214583856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-14656287892975385792015-09-16T04:29:30.930-07:002015-09-16T04:29:30.930-07:00@Max David 4.5 games by Sunday? You're cute.@Max David 4.5 games by Sunday? You're cute. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-13906182340265381862015-09-16T04:24:27.616-07:002015-09-16T04:24:27.616-07:00@ Sammy Kent... everything you said, my friend. E...@ Sammy Kent... everything you said, my friend. Everything. Yes.<br /><br />Especially the bit about Ramos being entirely incapable of making a tag at the plate. Sweet baby Jesus, he's terrible. If there's a play at the plate, I just automatically assume it's a run. I don't remember the last time I saw try to sweep a tag that I didn't then see the ball sitting on the ground three feet in front of the plate or rocketing past him to the backstop.<br /><br />On another note, why do people keep bringing up Tulo? Are you insane? We sit here moaning about the injury prone offense, and the solution you rubes come up with is a guy who's averaged 97 games a season the last 4 years? Ruuuuuuuuuubes.Booyah Suckah!https://www.blogger.com/profile/15889536631740406219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-87654255212425244032015-09-16T04:21:26.844-07:002015-09-16T04:21:26.844-07:00A or E only.A or E only.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07359859089545299921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-9977607918336001312015-09-15T21:49:49.331-07:002015-09-15T21:49:49.331-07:00Also, let's throw a poll out here:
Player A) ...Also, let's throw a poll out here:<br /><br />Player A) Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies<br />Player B) Jose Abreau - White Sox<br />Player C) Todd Frazier - Reds<br />Player D) Troy Tulowitski - Blue Jays<br />Player E) Giancarlo Stanton - Marlins.<br /><br />The Nats can acquire any of these players over the offseason, but in return, we have to give up Stras in the trade?? Which (if any) of the 5 are you pulling the trigger on?? <br />I actually think all 5 could be on the block in the winter: CarGo, Frazier & Tulowitski almost certainly will be. I know Stanton just signed that massive contract but you can never count out Loria blowing it up for what, the 22nd year in a row?? I doubt Abreu's going anywhere either, but if the Sox want to rebuild after this disappointment, him, & Sale would definitely net the biggest returns.<br /><br />As for the poll:<br />I'd trade Stras for CarGo, Frazier & Stanton. I'd gladly put Taylor on the bench if it meant putting CarGo/Stanton in RF and Harper in CF. And look out Red Porch for when Stanton bats! Frazier will allow us to stay with Taylor in the OF, and put another power bat in the lineup. If Abreu was a lefty I'd pick him as well but unfortunately he doesn't do much batting right handed for us. In Tulo's case he costs too much, and is too injury prone when we'd have a replacement ready in less than a year. IF we could trade him again next offseason then I might think about it.<br /><br />What's everyone else's thoughts?? Agree/disagree, different set of players you'd choose?? Maybe Harper can use a variation of this for a future post.Max Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425423505319440584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-40979582318369010542015-09-15T21:27:16.388-07:002015-09-15T21:27:16.388-07:00The Mets just finishes their 145th game after Tues...The Mets just finishes their 145th game after Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Marlins. They now sit 8.5 up after the Nats won 4-0. After game 145 in 2007 they were 7 games up, and over the final 17 games they dropped 8 games in the standings as the Phillies finished 1 game up. Unlike in 07 those 07 Phillies were probably better then the 15 Nats, and even though deGrom got crushed by the Marlins, I still think the Mets pitching is good enough to avoid a 2-7/1-8 stretch to get the Nats new life. However if the Marlins beat them again Wednesday and the Yankees sweep....who knows?? I'll give the Nats a barometer of 4 games by the time Sunday's game ends. If they can make up another 3.5 games and get to 4 out by the end of day Sunday they'll make it a race, if they can't it's officially over. I've already resigned myself to the fact the last game is October 4, so anything they can do would be gravy for this year.Max Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425423505319440584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-18565889774799657572015-09-15T20:55:37.590-07:002015-09-15T20:55:37.590-07:00@ Harper - oh I agree with you on Taylor. However ...@ Harper - oh I agree with you on Taylor. However what the Nats should do (sit Taylor for a star hitter) and will do (nothing without trading Zimm or Werth) are to entirely different things.ProphetNATnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-25891139236844630802015-09-15T19:48:36.109-07:002015-09-15T19:48:36.109-07:00I think that the issue here is we really don't...I think that the issue here is we really don't know who is available on the trade market. Frazier or carpenter at a reasonable price would be amazing, but I dont think the price is there.<br /><br />The real roster building crunch is that good players that are paid reasonably are leaving. There are a few young players stepping in, but they need another infusion of talent that might come at free agent prices.Bryceroninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-3907684846711254842015-09-15T19:20:42.945-07:002015-09-15T19:20:42.945-07:00I think some of you need to be more realistic abou...I think some of you need to be more realistic about your wish list. No one is going to trade their ace closer for Escobar. Nor will we get Kimbrel for Papelbon. I think Rizzo's MO has always been to look for relative bargains and to try to avoid overpaying for free agents entering their decling years. If you look back at the past few years, it is clearly that most of these top free agent signings are a coin toss. It's just not worth saddling your team with years of inflexibility because of a long term expensive contract. Let's sell high on Strasburg now and rebuild some depth with prospects. If you could trade Escobar great again we would be selling high. JCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-50921614212527280562015-09-15T18:37:55.539-07:002015-09-15T18:37:55.539-07:00@Chaz R - My point is that Frazier and Carpenter a...@Chaz R - My point is that Frazier and Carpenter are the kind of player this team desperately needs...if not them specifically, then someone else with genuine consistent pop and no more bargain basement .250/20/60 guys. We need another power hitting infielder that can (finally) make up for the 30 HR and 90+ RBI we lost with LaRoche, especially with Zimmerman STILL spending half his seasons on the DL. Plus we're losing Desi, and while I will not grieve over his errors and Ks leaving town, he hits 20 dingers a year and that too will need to be replaced. Do you honestly think if Rizzo could potentially swing a deal to bring Frazier or Carpenter to Washington he shouldn't pursue it? I would like to know how else you think that lost power is going to be compensated for. If Rizzo doesn't make a deal for some heavy infield lumber this winter, it's going to be a looooong summer in 2016.<br /><br />Doug Fister is still a very intelligent and savvy pitcher, and a veteran competitor. He made the biggest difference in the attitude and results of our rotation last season. If he wants to stay in Washington and compete for a starting spot, I'm happy to let him do it. If he's willing to take a bullpen spot, he's a darn sight more reliable in that role than this crowd of rookies with deer-in-headlights-eyes have been.<br /><br />Ramos has one stat that is superior to most catchers, and that's caught stealing. I won't minimize the value of a guy that can throw baserunners out at second. He still hits into too many DPs, and he's been absolutely horrible on plays at the plate this season. IMHO he's cost us many more runs with his defensive lapses and poor batting in pressure situations than he's saved by getting outs at second.<br /><br />How can anyone think that Papelbon is a better closer than Kimbrell? Papelbon is a ninth inning version of Tyler Clippard, inventor of the eighth-inning dinger. Kimbrell is every opposing team's nightmare. Absolutely I'd try to get him.<br /><br />Mike Rizzo is supposed to be some great GM. I've only learned about this blog recently, but I posted in other places last winter and spring my concerns about this team. I said then that this rotation better be as good as advertised because they were going to have to pitch a bunch of complete game shutouts for this team to win the division. I double down on that this season. This lineup is not made for either power ball or small ball. It's easier to muscle up with one or two power sluggers than try to raise the whole team's speed and average. I'm telling you now, Rizzo better land some lumber or next season will be worse than this one.Sammy Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286255593094532554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-85420135434472078502015-09-15T15:57:29.397-07:002015-09-15T15:57:29.397-07:00@Sammy- a lot of what you just laid is just plain ...@Sammy- a lot of what you just laid is just plain wrong man. Todd Frazier for Yuni and AJ? He's not only a good hitter, he's a fan fav in Cinci- good luck with that. you have to overpay to get even a sniff there. Close to the same with Carpenter. You're going to need to pony up if you want a shot at those guys. Is it really worth it?<br /><br />Sign Fister to do what? SP? We were lucky to have 2014 from him. I think everyone that saw his FIP and BABIP numbers compared to ERA expected a regression this year, but it was a big of a sharp drop. I would expect him to come back a bit next year, but really how much and can you bank on that? I love Fister, but I'm not taking that chance.<br /><br />Desi will leave and that's too bad as he is a top 5 SS on offense. His approach at the plate is frustrating for fans, but he will make $$$$ in FA.<br /><br />I know Ramos has seemingly been a disappointment. Take a look at the stats. He's pretty good compared to the rest of the catchers! Really good- both defense and offense. No no no... he is for sure a keeper.<br /><br />Barrett was hurt almost all year. He will be out all next year after his surgery. He's not going anywhere. Blake is a rough talent. He's getting better and better. I'd take a chance on him. His stuff is nasty.<br /><br />Papelbon for Kimbrel??? Really??? Chas Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00306056671418831755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-882959208402051542015-09-15T15:23:08.187-07:002015-09-15T15:23:08.187-07:00So the Nats are league average for games which the...So the Nats are league average for games which they score 3 runs or less. That means a .500 ball club?<br /><br />Dave Kingman is Chris Davis? In his final season, at age 37, Kingmans hit 35 HR (drove in 94 on a bad Oakland team, slugged .431, and struck out 126 times in 561 AB. Today, he might get a bigger contract than Chris Davis, at least for one year.<br /><br />Nats media people had to shut down Papelbon's mouth today. Yeah, that's the guy I want to spend $11M on next year as my closer.VIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07937393189808417558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-84615495189417498912015-09-15T13:56:38.023-07:002015-09-15T13:56:38.023-07:00I agree that the Nats are to right-handed and real...I agree that the Nats are to right-handed and really struggle against above average or better pitching. Remember last year against the Giants. I'd be ok with Davis - Rizzo tried to trade for him before he went to Baltimore. I still think Harper in CF and a big bat in the other OF spot with Taylor on the bench is ok by me, but I think they go with Taylor. I have to admit that Taylor has been better this year than I expected, but we missed the LH Span more. I think Daniel Murphy may be perfect bc he plays second and is LH.<br /><br />Again, it will be interesting. Rizzo has made big moves every off season for a while. Gio. EJackson (big move at the time). R Soriano. Fister. Sherzer. We'll see. I don't blame Rizzo for the lack of deadline deals, bc everything I have read states the Lerners won't add payroll. That really limits what you can do.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-33568845630103952092015-09-15T12:44:10.008-07:002015-09-15T12:44:10.008-07:00@JE34 Davis strikes out about 3 times as often as...@JE34 Davis strikes out about 3 times as often as he walks. Desmond's ratio this year is 4:1. But I'd take Davis's extra 25 HRs and 50 RBIs, an OBA about 70 points higher, and an OPS roughly 240 points better.<br /><br />@John C.<br /><br />If I recall correctly, Harper hasn't really been able to assess the full measure of the Nats' offense because of injuries to regulars, and/or premature return to the lineup of regulars who are either susceptible to further injury or sheathed in rust. You are absolutely correct about that 28-game span, the Cardinal series, etc. And teams do go into offensive dry spells. I suspect the cry for more offensive firepower has more to do with the 100 or so previous games without a full and healthy lineup. <br /><br /><br />SMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-34906206367232603102015-09-15T12:30:12.963-07:002015-09-15T12:30:12.963-07:00@ John C
yes the Nationals need a bat. I don'...@ John C<br /><br />yes the Nationals need a bat. I don't want to re-hash all the stats to countermand yours, but the games where the offense can't score more than two runs or can't score them late against playoff caliber pitching are far too numerous for any team that would dare win championships.<br /><br />My general take for now:<br /><br />Rizzo is not going to deal Werth, no matter how much I or you may think he should. With Harper and Taylor set to be the rest of the outfield regulars, the only place to get a big bat is the infield, especially since RZim remains injury prone. If I were GM I would trade Escobar and one of the pitchers (A.J. Cole?) and another prospect if necessary to get Todd Frazier...unless I could swing a similar deal to get Matt Carpenter from the Cards. I don't care how impossible it looks, MAKE A DANG DEAL, RIZZO. You're the GM. Find some creative way to get a piece of lumber in the infield.<br /><br />Of our free agents I would try everything in the world to sign Zimmermann, even though I think it's a lost cause. He wants to go to the midwest, and I think he's just not going to sign no matter what Rizzo offers. But, if we can sign him again, we should.<br /><br />I would sign Fister. I would sign Span to a limited role with the understanding that he will be a coach whenever he's ready to take that on.<br /><br />Desi has to go. We all love Desi, and I watched him play at Woodbridge (along with JZimm), but we have Turner, who should blossom into a solid player and leadoff hitter. Let some other team figure out how to balance his 20 HR with 180 Ks and 25 errors.<br /><br />Trade Ramos and find a catcher that can catch the dang ball and make a tag at the plate and won't ground into double plays every time there's a man on first.<br /><br />Aaron Barrett has to go. Blake Trienen has to go. Keep Rivero, Thornton, Solis. See if San Diego will do some kind of Papelbon for Kimbrell deal.Sammy Kenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17286255593094532554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-23425802242317139842015-09-15T12:17:37.659-07:002015-09-15T12:17:37.659-07:00The problem with Chris Davis is that he's feas...The problem with Chris Davis is that he's feast or famine. Over his five years in Baltimore he was: awesome (2015); bad (2014); awesome (2013); OK (2012) and bad (2011). He's all of one year younger than Ryan Zimmerman - which means that whoever signs him will be paying big bucks for an inconsistent player on the cusp of his declining years. There's a very good chance that this would be the contract that we love to hate even more than the Werth or Zimmerman deals very quickly.John C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-73848872621110239602015-09-15T12:07:15.031-07:002015-09-15T12:07:15.031-07:00bryceroni - Yeah, I think you could get a decent b...bryceroni - Yeah, I think you could get a decent back-end reliever for Yunel, provided they are a player that isn't going to be re-signed or isn't all that needed. It's hard to see them getting a true closer though because Yuney is solid but not special. <br /><br />Jay - Right now Nats don't have SP depth (unless you think Giolito is ready - which minor league stats say another year at least) . I assume any SP brought in keeps Roark in pen, not trades Gio. <br /><br />prophet - you seem to dismiss the idea of MAT sitting. <br /><br />SM/others - Zimm can't throw or at least that's the story. so 2B would be out. A Davis-Werth CI situation would be ugly. So... no. I don't approve. Not unless it's an Edwin Jackson situation where he ends up here on a 1 yr deal or something. As JE34 notes that's not likely (I'll add he's repped by Boras so Nats have an in, but also he'll get the biggest deal he can - which won't be in DC) <br /><br />John C - It's not that the offense has ups and downs, it's that three of their four most impt hitters are big injury risks. Another bat helps cover for that. Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-79287220937323501402015-09-15T11:44:31.830-07:002015-09-15T11:44:31.830-07:00That I think is the problem. Team is at roughly $1...That I think is the problem. Team is at roughly $130M in commitments even with what is coming off the books. Sure they went $160M this year, but will the Lerners go for 2-3 $ players? vjwhitmorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07746506327437500908noreply@blogger.com