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

[stevemcqueen1]

I don't want Grienke. He has playoff choker written all over him.

I read somewhere that we're working on an extension with Laroche. Hopefully that means we can trade Morse. Don't get me wrong, I love Mikey Mo but we have to see what Moore can give us with a full season's worth of ABs. I'd look to trade Morse, possibly for bullpen help. Something tells me either Clip or Storen will fall off next year, if not both. Playoff meltdowns are hard to bounce back from(see Brad Lidge).

The big question is, do we keep Harper at 2 hole? I think we'd be wasting him there. He's going to hit for a ton of power and will likely break out in a big way next year(look at the history of 19 year old rookies and how well they do when they hit 20), so I'd prefer hitting him 4th. Obviously Zimm will hit 3rd as he should. But we really don't have anyone who can hit 2 hole but Harper, unless Espinosa takes a big jump. Lombo might be our best fit at 2 hole but he's blocked by Espy and overall he's not as good as Espy(Espy hits for way more power, is faster, and is a world class fielder).

There is also an issue at C. I love Ramos's upside but he is coming off an ACL tear. Suzuki was awesome for us down the stretch, so he's probably the starter going in. However if Ramos lives up to his potential with the bat there is no way we could keep him on the pine for long. Likely gonna be a question of offense vs. defense there because Ramos projects to be a power hitting C with decent average(rookie C who hit 15 bombs and 50 RBI with .270 average is pretty awesome).

I think Ramos is good long term, if we're looking catcher, we should be looking prospects IMO. I can't think of a decent upgrade for Espi that'd actually be available.

Harper should move to 4, and Werth should move to 2. Werth is actually our best 2 batter because he does have power and he gets on base. But he's also our best leadoff hitter and there was no one else who could do it this year. In an ideal world though, he's batting second.

I've got hopes Perez could maybe lead off but he just doesn't seem to be getting much buzz. Maybe Goodwin can by the time he gets up, but that's unlikely to happen before late next season. We might have to keep Werth there.

Seriously though, we should try and blockbuster for Andrew McCutchen. Why do the Pirates need a superstar more than they need strong prospects and cheap players? How much team control does Pittsburgh have left? He's a pretty dreadful CFer, just stick him in left and he'd be fine defensively. He can hit anywhere in the lineup, definitely be amazing batting second. He's got 20-30 swipes in him and he definitely gets on base. Keep Werth leading off and put him at 2 or 3 and the first four in the lineup would be unspeakably good. 1B hits fifth, and then keep the back of the order the same as it was at the end of this year.

[StillUnknown]

Seriously though, we should try and blockbuster for Andrew McCutchen. Why do the Pirates need a superstar more than they need strong prospects and cheap players? How much team control does Pittsburgh have left? He's a pretty dreadful CFer, just stick him in left and he'd be fine defensively. He can hit anywhere in the lineup, definitely be amazing batting second. He's got 20-30 swipes in him and he definitely gets on base. Keep Werth leading off and put him at 2 or 3 and the first four in the lineup would be unspeakably good. 1B hits fifth, and then keep the back of the order the same as it was at the end of this year.

McCutchen just signed one of the most team friendly deal I've seen, 6yrs 51mil with a team option in 2018. He is the franchise in Pittsburgh, he's as untouchable as they come

[Warhead36]

Yeah, we'd have to give up Harper/Strasburg for McCutch. Zero chance of that happening.

Here's an interesting thought: how about David Wright? He has I believe one year left in New York. The Mets are in shambles and could be looking to deal him. I know he's a division rival and all that but if we make the best offer, they'd have to think about it? I remember after a Nats/Mets game where Wright raved about the Nats and it really sounded like he'd kill to play here with his childhood friend Zimmerman.

Wright could play 3rd, allowing Zimm to move to 1st(I have a feeling his shoulder isn't going to hold up much longer, I cringe everytime I see him throw). A Zimmerman/Harper/Wright middle of the order would be murderer's row.

[StillUnknown]

Yeah, we'd have to give up Harper/Strasburg for McCutch. Zero chance of that happening.

Here's an interesting thought: how about David Wright? He has I believe one year left in New York. The Mets are in shambles and could be looking to deal him. I know he's a division rival and all that but if we make the best offer, they'd have to think about it? I remember after a Nats/Mets game where Wright raved about the Nats and it really sounded like he'd kill to play here with his childhood friend Zimmerman.

Wright could play 3rd, allowing Zimm to move to 1st(I have a feeling his shoulder isn't going to hold up much longer, I cringe everytime I see him throw). A Zimmerman/Harper/Wright middle of the order would be murderer's row.

Highly unlikely, but not entirely impossible, I imagine a lot would depend on how much it would take to get him.

If they're thinking of moving Zimm to first, scouts said Rendon could win gold gloves at 3rd.

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

It hurts so bad.

I can't do it. I can't summon myself to care about what happens to the Redskins this weekend. Maybe not any weekend for the rest of the year. I don't give a flying **** whether the Wizards win or lose a single game this year.

I love the games with my whole heart. I love basketball so friggin much. I love football more than I can say. I love baseball like it's going out of style. But right now, I just don't think I can keep loving these teams like I have.

One of my best friends is a Cardinals, Mavericks fan. Spoiled son of a *****. I respect his team. They whupped our asses fair and square and were magnificent in the process. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to beat the crap out of the next Cards fan I meet in person. Ugh I wish his big dumb Irish ass was here right now. I would punch him on the jaw. Grumpy son of a *****.

baseball losses are just something extra. There is no clock, the time cannot run out and you cant just run the game down. You have to get 3 outs

[StillUnknown]

Everytime I see NLCS promos on FOX I get depressed all over again.

You are not alone

[Warhead36]

Everytime I see NLCS promos on FOX I get depressed all over again.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Yeah, we'd have to give up Harper/Strasburg for McCutch. Zero chance of that happening.

Here's an interesting thought: how about David Wright? He has I believe one year left in New York. The Mets are in shambles and could be looking to deal him. I know he's a division rival and all that but if we make the best offer, they'd have to think about it? I remember after a Nats/Mets game where Wright raved about the Nats and it really sounded like he'd kill to play here with his childhood friend Zimmerman.

Wright could play 3rd, allowing Zimm to move to 1st(I have a feeling his shoulder isn't going to hold up much longer, I cringe everytime I see him throw). A Zimmerman/Harper/Wright middle of the order would be murderer's row.

Interesting that you would mention Wright because I've read similiar speculation on some Mets boards.

Apparently, Wright constantly talks about the Nats organization and how they have a vision and have built thier team "the right way".


The Mets fans I've chatted with seem to think that Wright would jump at a chance to be a Nat.

[stevemcqueen1]

McCutchen just signed one of the most team friendly deal I've seen, 6yrs 51mil with a team option in 2018. He is the franchise in Pittsburgh, he's as untouchable as they come

Dammit. He's going to regret that sooner or later.

Well I'm out of ideas then. Maybe we could go after some super prospects that would be worthwhile. But teams that are holding on to those rarely like to give them up. You have to catch someone who believes they are ready to win right now, which is the same boat we're in.

---------- Post added October-14th-2012 at 04:11 PM ----------

Highly unlikely, but not entirely impossible, I imagine a lot would depend on how much it would take to get him.

If they're thinking of moving Zimm to first, scouts said Rendon could win gold gloves at 3rd.

Yeah. Rendon to third makes the most sense if you move Zim to first. Assuming his ankle ever gets right.

We need a DH.

---------- Post added October-14th-2012 at 04:14 PM ----------

baseball losses are just something extra. There is no clock, the time cannot run out and you cant just run the game down. You have to get 3 outs

Not to mention how excruciating and palpable it is when you feel the momentum shift the other way. You know there is nothing you can do to stop it.

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

We need a DH

que?

Not to mention how excruciating and palpable it is when you feel the momentum shift the other way. You know there is nothing you can do to stop it.

when Gio was struggling in that 5th inning, all I kept saying is "get out of the inning." There was nothing you could do. You saw this dude losing it, and no one was going to help him out. The momentum shifted completely at that point.

[thebluefood]

We need a DH.

Implying.

[HogNose]

Everytime I see NLCS promos on FOX I get depressed all over again.

Damn it is so depressing realizing that this series should be beginning in Nats Park right now. It's tough knowing what could have been.....I can't seem to get the nightmare out of my head

[SAli457180]

Everytime I see NLCS promos on FOX I get depressed all over again.

I'm not anymore. This team had their chance and didn't advance because of execution. Better luck next year as far as I'm concerned. Like every other year, it's time to watch other teams battle it out for their chance and hopefully watch the Yankees lose

[HogNose]

I'm not anymore. This team had their chance and didn't advance because of execution. Better luck next year as far as I'm concerned. Like every other year, it's time to watch other teams battle it out for their chance and hopefully watch the Yankees lose

As depressing as it all is, I'm still watching. Go Tigers and our local kid Verlander!

[stevemcqueen1]

http://www.allsportstalk.net/wp-cont...nal-league.gif

Implying.

Yeah. The NL needs a DH. I think the AL clubs get such an advantage from being able to use it. It gives you so much more flexibility with your lineups and your team building strategy. You can avoid being financially sunk on a player you can't get enough at bats for because you have to play the better defensive option.

---------- Post added October-14th-2012 at 10:49 PM ----------

As depressing as it all is, I'm still watching. Go Tigers and our local kid Verlander!

SF has a good crowd and good stadium, but I'm not going to watch any more baseball this season I think. It's too sour.

I like that we've got some throwback teams in it though. Like to see a Giants Tigers series. I'll pull for Verlander. I remember hearing about him when he was at Goochland, a couple years older than my class. He's a big deal here in Norfolk too from his time at ODU.