tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post8616586190572510426..comments2024-03-28T10:50:33.234-07:00Comments on Nationals Baseball: Offseason Position Discussion : Starting PitchingHarperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-72386906489721886782015-11-05T16:25:44.644-08:002015-11-05T16:25:44.644-08:00One thing I'd like to see in the rotation is a...One thing I'd like to see in the rotation is another lefty. Of course, if that lefty is David Price I'd be a lot happier than if that lefty was Scott Kazmir, whom I'm only marginally confident would be better than Tanner Roark. Roark's 2013-4 was pretty darned good. And if we're going to sign David Price for Price money (which means Scherzer money) and give Roark or Ross the boot from the rotation, I'd rather spend that same money improving the lineup instead.<br /><br />Outside-the-box idea: Sign Price, Greinke, or maaaayyyybe Cueto (if there's confidence in the medicals) and trade Strasburg for some pitching prospects.DezoPenguinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-56904123320315399852015-11-05T13:30:26.327-08:002015-11-05T13:30:26.327-08:00If Nats are truly in Win Now mode and looking at &...If Nats are truly in Win Now mode and looking at "the window" (Bryce, Stras, etc.); they get a veteran FA pitcher. Who? Now that's the BIG question, since they are really looking for a middle rotation kinda guy- take a gamble on Smardzja? Leake? Gamble on Kazmir (another lefty)?Chas Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00306056671418831755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-40334840572074491012015-11-05T13:05:46.531-08:002015-11-05T13:05:46.531-08:00After another poor postseason, it's as hard to...After another poor postseason, it's as hard to go with Price now as Baker. I would bet the M.O. will seem familiar, wait until you get close to spring training and see which pitcher isn't getting the money they want. If there's a guy left worth having, you can find a buyer for Roark. I'm not sure his stuff plays in the pen, the increased velocity came with less deception and he probably has enough variety and movement to get through a lineup a few times. His mentality down there was good, but he doesn't have K stuff. It would help if the defense improved, but I kinda like having a non-power guy to break things up. I think Gio needs better control and command to complete his transformation away from a power pitcher, and it'll be interesting to see if Maddux can help with that. Ross' excellent slider took him through most of the year, but his change-up will need to become a factor or lefties will make him pay. Even so, if Ted Williams said he had trouble with sliders, he might not need a whole lot more...blovy8https://www.blogger.com/profile/06888192019412533415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-2817656980657741132015-11-05T12:56:18.534-08:002015-11-05T12:56:18.534-08:00Anon - expected pre-season to be a #1 type. I'...Anon - expected pre-season to be a #1 type. I'm sure I'm not 100% consistent but my usage tends to be <br />"Elite" = Special talent at the major league level. Aces, All-Stars. <br />"True" = Expected to be a starter. <br /> = expected to contribute<br />"Not a prospect" = might have a cup of coffee<br /><br />Of course that's just how I use it. <br /><br />AFM - I wouldn't touch him. I don't think he's 5.00 ERA bad but I do think he's broken. <br /><br />JC - I did say leave him! Part of the BABIP rise is the GB/FB thing itself. FBs = outs more often. GBs pitchers will have higher BABIPs (in general) than FB pitchers. That being said my expectation for Gio would be pitch worse, have same results because he did get a little unlucky this year. Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-66844093934304622612015-11-05T12:49:13.215-08:002015-11-05T12:49:13.215-08:00I feel like Samardzija is over-hyped and overprice...I feel like Samardzija is over-hyped and overpriced. Other than, 2014 - Gio has been better than this guy. I agree with Harper in that I would like to see them sign some low-risk-high-reward type guys to minor league deals in the event that someone goes down to injury or under-performs. I'd like to see them spend some doll hairs on an outfielder and bullpen arms. ProphetNATnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-12645486908717664762015-11-05T12:40:50.803-08:002015-11-05T12:40:50.803-08:00Gio is fine, he just ran into a bad combination of...Gio is fine, he just ran into a bad combination of ratcheting up ground balls while pitchng in front of a crappy infield. Not only was he there for all of Desmond's early season woes, but he had to deal with extended bouts of Escobar at 3b and Robinson at 1b (with occasional cameos by Dan Uggla and Tyler Moore). His BABIP was about <i>50 points higher</i> than he's recorded in years, and there's nothing in his batted ball profile that justifies that. His contact% and swinging strike% were essentially what they've always been - as are his SIERA, FIP and xFIP. <br /><br />No, 2012 isn't coming back. But that was a career year. It's like getting mad at Brady Anderson for not hitting 50 HRs every year. Gio Gonzalez is a much better pitcher than most Nats fans realize - and he's the only LHP in the rotation. And he's cheap! Leave him be.John C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-19929432901241023712015-11-05T11:38:33.554-08:002015-11-05T11:38:33.554-08:00Thoughts on Samardzija? Only really a bad second ...Thoughts on Samardzija? Only really a bad second half to bounce-back from, not old, and given how many top end starters are available, might settle for a short(er) deal.A Fly Moseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01386531522336214402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-64018929473202679532015-11-05T11:25:14.435-08:002015-11-05T11:25:14.435-08:00When you say never an elite prospect on Joe Ross, ...When you say never an elite prospect on Joe Ross, what do you consider elite? I think he was in a number of people's top 100 and maybe even a few top 50. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-39368574557425084862015-11-05T10:19:12.983-08:002015-11-05T10:19:12.983-08:00I vote Price or Greinke. Price is a lefty and Gre...I vote Price or Greinke. Price is a lefty and Greinke is great. I'd keep Gio though bc Price and Gio with Sherzer and Strasburg - you have the lefty-righty balance. I'd trade Ross or Roarke. I don't think either will ever be more than serviceable starters.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-27844664299857112732015-11-05T09:48:24.126-08:002015-11-05T09:48:24.126-08:00I do like Lackey but he's looking for somethin...I do like Lackey but he's looking for something like 3/45. That's tough to give a guy who will be 37 next year especially for a team looking at guys aging with big deals that aren't staying healthy. If the Cards don't put up a QO and you could get a 2 year deal though... <br /><br />Leake to me is good - just not right for the Nats. He'll get paid and he has an approach that isn't likely to fade with age. I think he'll be consistently good. But just good and expensive for that. He's more the steady arm for a contending team with an ace or two (or just a piece for a team with lost of cash) The Nats could be that if they were sure Giolito would be ace-like immediately but I don't think they know that for sure. Because of that I think the Nats would rather try to fill that role cheaply from within. <br /><br /><br /> Harperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738813756060133236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9207681.post-29987863530774969722015-11-05T09:00:40.386-08:002015-11-05T09:00:40.386-08:00Harper, what are your thoughts on Mike Leake or Jo...Harper, what are your thoughts on Mike Leake or John Lackey. I wouldn't mind seeing Lackey here in D.C.ProphetNATnoreply@blogger.com