The Nats Thread (old thread link inside, too many load issues)

[hunterx]

Duplicate post

[skinsfan_1215]

Brainstorming ways to improve the team offensively. Specifically relating to potentially trading guys that are past 30y/o, in the last year or two of their contract, and would fetch us good value.

Starting 2013 lineups below.

Trading LaRouche:

Unknown Vet CF
Desmond SS
Zim 3B
Harper LF
Morse/Moore 1B
Werth RF
Espinosa 2B
Ramos C

Trading Morse:

Unknown Vet CF
Desmond SS
Zim 3B
Harper LF
Werth RF
LaRouche/Moore 1B
Espinosa 2B
Ramos C

Unfortunately with Morse being injured, his value is down a bit.

Not saying I particularly want to trade either guy, but it's pretty clear to me that Desmond is progressing as a player and hitter, but isn't really a leadoff guy IMO. We're still missing the true CF that can lead off. I firmly believe once we have Zim/Harper/Whoever at 3-4-5, our offense production goes through the roof so long as guys can get on base ahead of them.

edit- also, we could potentially package one of our Lidge/HRod/Storen trio, depending on a number of factors with them, particularly healthy and productivity.

[hunterx]

I assume these trades would happen before the all star break?

I would not be okay with trading LaRouche or Morse if we plan to make a run in the playoffs this year. I would be okay if that is not the team's goal, though why would you not want to bring playoffs to DC if you have a chance to? We also have a really good starting pitching prospect in the minors that could increase the value of what we have to offer. That Rosenbaum kid is lighting it up, and he's a lefty. Combine him with LaRoche to a team contending this year and we could really get a quality CF in return.

---------- Post added May-2nd-2012 at 09:41 AM ----------

edit- also, we could potentially package one of our Lidge/HRod/Storen trio, depending on a number of factors with them, particularly healthy and productivity.

I'm not sure we can. I don't know if we'll get Storen back before July, and with Lidge's injury we may not be able to afford the luxury of having HRod not available if we trade him.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

No need to trade either of them at the moment. We need guys to get healthy: Morse and Zimm. Harper will be in CF, Morse in LF and Werth in RF.

The bigger problem looks like middle infield to me right now.

[hunterx]

The bigger problem looks like middle infield to me right now.

I am still a fan of Lombardozzi, and he's still batting well. He is learning how to combat the jamming that pitchers are doing to him, and he will only get better at this. Being able to get the bat on ALL pitches, I think he's much better suited for leadoff than Desmond. If he can get on base, and then Desmond is at bat with Zimmerman behind him....teams will be forced to throw strikes to Desmond.

Yes, Espinosa should see the bench, and possibly be traded. I was never a fan of him, and even though he has hit the ball well despite bad breaks....that's the difference in a good hitter and a not so good one I guess!

[skinsfan_1215]

No need to trade either of them at the moment. We need guys to get healthy: Morse and Zimm. Harper will be in CF, Morse in LF and Werth in RF.

The bigger problem looks like middle infield to me right now.

We do need guys healthy, because it gives us options. Since both Moore and Morse can play 1B, there is a lot of flexibility once they are both back. Just personally, but I think a leadoff CF with a healthy Morse at 1B is a potentially more productive lineup than the outfield you listed above with LaRouche at 1B and no legitimate leadoff guy. Again though, just food for thought. I haven't even looked at who might be available via trade that is a leadoff, CF guy. Maybe nobody worth getting.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I am still a fan of Lombardozzi, and he's still batting well. He is learning how to combat the jamming that pitchers are doing to him, and he will only get better at this. Being able to get the bat on ALL pitches, I think he's much better suited for leadoff than Desmond. If he can get on base, and then Desmond is at bat with Zimmerman behind him....teams will be forced to throw strikes to Desmond.

Yes, Espinosa should see the bench, and possibly be traded. I was never a fan of him, and even though he has hit the ball well despite bad breaks....that's the difference in a good hitter and a not so good one I guess!

Really small sample size for Lombo. I dont' think he's an every day starter.

You're not the only one, but I love this trade Espinosa talk. What on earth could we get for a guy hitting .200? Nothing. I go nuts at the trade deadline every year when people want to hang onto our "good players" and trade our bad ones. You know why bad players don't get traded? Because they are bad.

[hunterx]

You're not the only one, but I love this trade Espinosa talk. What on earth could we get for a guy hitting .200? Nothing. I go nuts at the trade deadline every year when people want to hang onto our "good players" and trade our bad ones. You know why bad players don't get traded? Because they are bad.

I can't speak for who else you are talking about, but obviously he can't be traded by himself. He would have to be traded with a few prospects or in some package deal. And we would probalby not get a CF capable of starting right off the bat, he would have to be a Minor league prospect capable of developing. I think this goes without saying, as it would be insane to trade a .200 batter for a leadoff CF hitting .280+ straight up.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I can't speak for who else you are talking about, but obviously he can't be traded by himself. He would have to be traded with a few prospects or in some package deal. And we would probalby not get a CF capable of starting right off the bat, he would have to be a Minor league prospect capable of developing. I think this goes without saying, as it would be insane to trade a .200 batter for a leadoff CF hitting .280+ straight up.

He would decrease the value of any prospect package. Teams don't do a "give me quantity and I'll give you one quality player" anymore. The simple rule to trading is "get the best player in the deal and you win the trade." So, that is just not an option.

I mean, we could trade him, but we would get some organization minor leaguer back for him who would never play for the club.

[hunterx]

I wonder how much work Moore is practicing in the OF while being called up. I know they practice a few hours before gametime, I wonder if he's taking reps in LF? I'd love to see him there once this series, with Harper in CF and Werth in RF.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I wonder how much work Moore is practicing in the OF while being called up. I know they practice a few hours before gametime, I wonder if he's taking reps in LF? I'd love to see him there once this series, with Harper in CF and Werth in RF.

They played that outfield in Game 2 of the Dodgers series. i think you're right, and they have to go back to that. Ankiel is brutal... as is any other option at the plate.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Saw some tweets last night that talked about Arizona scouts and front office people saying at the game last night they absolutely love Espinosa. They think he will be an absolute stud and right now he's just pressing too much at the plate. That he'll get it turned around though.

I'm not ready to give up on him. Very, very few players go an entire season without slumping at some point. We're just a month in. It's a long season

[Dave25]

Brainstorming ways to improve the team offensively. Specifically relating to potentially trading guys that are past 30y/o, in the last year or two of their contract, and would fetch us good value.

Starting 2013 lineups below.

Trading LaRouche:

Unknown Vet CF
Desmond SS
Zim 3B
Harper LF
Morse/Moore 1B
Werth RF
Espinosa 2B
Ramos C

Trading Morse:

Unknown Vet CF
Desmond SS
Zim 3B
Harper LF
Werth RF
LaRouche/Moore 1B
Espinosa 2B
Ramos C

Unfortunately with Morse being injured, his value is down a bit.

Not saying I particularly want to trade either guy, but it's pretty clear to me that Desmond is progressing as a player and hitter, but isn't really a leadoff guy IMO. We're still missing the true CF that can lead off. I firmly believe once we have Zim/Harper/Whoever at 3-4-5, our offense production goes through the roof so long as guys can get on base ahead of them.

edit- also, we could potentially package one of our Lidge/HRod/Storen trio, depending on a number of factors with them, particularly healthy and productivity.

That unknown vet needs to be Michael Bourn he is exactly what this team needs, a speedy high contact lead off hitter. The Braves probably won't have the money to resign him so he is there for the taking.

[Hdf561]

Nats are looking human right now....I take solace in the fact thta this is not our real team...Zim even when struggling is our leader and no matter what he is doing at the plate the guy is a monster at third defensively. Morse will add something to our line up if he can come back healthy.

Our pitching has been keeping us competative we need to win these next few games to get back on track. Still think we are contenders but I see us falling out of first in a few weeks and our playoff hopes will be with the wild card not winning the division.

Been real happy to see us playing competative baseball and getting some good wins, nice to be able to wear the NATS gear and not get ridiculed.

And Harper is for real but I think he will be sent back down to AAA but be brought back up later on.

[MattFancy]

Would be a mistake to send Harper back down IMO. I mean what more can he really do in the minors? He's been doing just fine so far.