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

[Tulane Skins Fan]

Well, obviously, everyone at one point is a prospect, but I don't really and don't see why anyone's main focus should be on guys who will blossom in 2017 on a team that just went 98-64. Those guys (minus Harper) are a discussion for down the road when we are going for our 2nd World Series title.

To be honest, I think this lineup that we had can win a championship. Add Strasburg for the postseason and experience and I see no reason why we cannot win.

We are talking about guys for next year and then 2014, not 2017. Rendon should be in the majors next year.

Yes, everyone is a prospect, but Harper was a prospect a year ago today. Strasburg was a prospect who made an immediate impact. Same with Storen. Prospects can come up and immediately help your team.

Who is on the free agent market that you think will be a good sign for the Nats though?

[Sticksboi05]

We are talking about guys for next year and then 2014, not 2017. Rendon should be in the majors next year.

Yes, everyone is a prospect, but Harper was a prospect a year ago today. Strasburg was a prospect who made an immediate impact. Same with Storen. Prospects can come up and immediately help your team.

Who is on the free agent market that you think will be a good sign for the Nats though?

To be honest, nobody stands out not even Bourne.

I don't think he'll make that much of an impact. I think 2014 will be the year he and a few others make a big impact. I think the main story going into this season is having Strasburg for a full year and potentially the playoffs if we make it again.

[Dan T.]

I think the main story going into this season is having Strasburg for a full year and potentially the playoffs if we make it again.

I really think having Strasburg for a full year makes Gio better, unburdened by the pressure of being the top guy in crunch time. That, and Gio needed to endure some of that playoff hardening. It will help him moving forward, as it will help J. Zimm and Detweiler also.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

To be honest, nobody stands out not even Bourne.

I don't think he'll make that much of an impact. I think 2014 will be the year he and a few others make a big impact. I think the main story going into this season is having Strasburg for a full year and potentially the playoffs if we make it again.

I basically agree. I think we lose Edwin Jackson and sign another starter, preferably another power arm. I dont think there's much else to go after on the free agent market. Some bullpen help. That's about it.

I'm not that excited about Bourne either.

[Sticksboi05]

I basically agree. I think we lose Edwin Jackson and sign another starter, preferably another power arm. I dont think there's much else to go after on the free agent market. Some bullpen help. That's about it.

I'm not that excited about Bourne either.

No reason to keep Edwin. Find someone cheaper who can maintain an ERA around 4. That's not hard. Though I wouldn't mind keeping him because with Stras he probably doesn't even make our playoff roster in the event that we're back next season. Ross deserves the spot over him. Funny he was the only starter to pitch a good game all series.

[Warhead36]

I don't see the need for SP. Just keep Lannan as the #5. Not like he'd pitch in the playoffs anyway.

[stevemcqueen1]

Enough about prospects, Christ, we should be talking about free agents to get us to a championship. Window is open.

First some simple truths: we don't have to sign any significant FA to keep the window open. Jayson Werth was our big FA signing. We can probably keep LaRoche and have that be our significant FA deal.

The free agent market is pretty flawed this year anyway. Robby Cano ain't making it to the open market and I'm not interested in going after guys like Hamilton, Napoli, Granderson, B.J. Upton, or Angel Pagan if they hit the market. Not really interested in chunking down a ton of money for Michael Bourn, although he's the only big name fielder I would consider.

Our position prospects and current players are good enough to offer better long term solutions by far IMO.

The only position I'd look for in FA is getting another starter, probably a rightie. Edwin Jackson needs to be upgraded and we don't have any minor league arms ready. I'd go for Greinke. We could sign him and work something out short term with LaRoche and I'd be happy with no other moves.

One thing I do know is that we can no longer afford to sell off good farm system arms.

We raided the farm in the Gio trade and now only have a few promising SPs in the pipeline. And most of that promise is coming from the fact they haven't played much, so they haven't been bad. I don't think Solis and Purke are the players we hope they are. I think Meyer should be good. I'm hoping Giolito will be. After them, I don't see much.

[hunterx]

Detwiler pitched great. If we go Stras-Gio-JZim-Detwiler we can fill that last spot with someone like John Lannan. He's cheap and we can put our money elsewhere. He can easily maintain a .500 record or better and around 4 ERA

[Tulane Skins Fan]

First some simple truths: we don't have to sign any significant FA to keep the window open. Jayson Werth was our big FA signing. We can probably keep LaRoche and have that be our significant FA deal.

The free agent market is pretty flawed this year anyway. Robby Cano ain't making it to the open market and I'm not interested in going after guys like Hamilton, Napoli, Granderson, B.J. Upton, or Angel Pagan if they hit the market. Not really interested in chunking down a ton of money for Michael Bourn, although he's the only big name fielder I would consider.

Our position prospects and current players are good enough to offer better long term solutions by far IMO.

The only position I'd look for in FA is getting another starter, probably a rightie. Edwin Jackson needs to be upgraded and we don't have any minor league arms ready. I'd go for Greinke. We could sign him and work something out short term with LaRoche and I'd be happy with no other moves.

One thing I do know is that we can no longer afford to sell off good farm system arms.

We raided the farm in the Gio trade and now only have a few promising SPs in the pipeline. And most of that promise is coming from the fact they haven't played much, so they haven't been bad. I don't think Solis and Purke are the players we hope they are. I think Meyer should be good. I'm hoping Giolito will be. After them, I don't see much.

Solis and Purke both missed all of last year with injuries. I don't think you discount them because of that. Young pitchers get hurt. And Solis had TJ surgery, so he'll probably bounce back fine. Purke is a little more iffy with the shoulder.

Detwiler pitched great. If we go Stras-Gio-JZim-Detwiler we can fill that last spot with someone like John Lannan. He's cheap and we can put our money elsewhere. He can easily maintain a .500 record or better and around 4 ERA

Lannan will be traded this off-season. Sorry to all the Lannan fans. He's a good guy and an average SP, but he's not going to be on the Nats next year. I give him <5% chance he's with the Nats in 2 months.

I think we do sign another right handed pitcher. Greinke is going to be too expensive. Peavy could probably be had for a 2 year deal given his age and injury history, but he and Strasburg are very close friends. My money would be on Peavy to the Nats.

Edit:

Also, did anyone see this 18 year old Japanese High schooler? He was all set to be the #1 pick in the Japanese draft and then he declared he's going to the U.S. Apparently he sits in the upper 90's with his fastball. Hopefully the Nats get in on that.

[hunterx]

Lannan will be traded this off-season. Sorry to all the Lannan fans. He's a good guy and an average SP, but he's not going to be on the Nats next year. I give him <5% chance he's with the Nats in 2 months.

I think we do sign another right handed pitcher. Greinke is going to be too expensive. Peavy could probably be had for a 2 year deal given his age and injury history, but he and Strasburg are very close friends. My money would be on Peavy to the Nats.

I don't know why anyone would want him. I guess he could be dealth for some longshot prospect, but there are pitchers like him available on the market probably. We have some young guys in the minors we could give a look at in the rotation through next year. Either way, a 5th starter won't kill us, so I am okay with whatever direction they go!

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I don't know why anyone would want him. I guess he could be dealth for some longshot prospect, but there are pitchers like him available on the market probably. We have some young guys in the minors we could give a look at in the rotation through next year. Either way, a 5th starter won't kill us, so I am okay with whatever direction they go!

I didnt mean to imply we'd get a good prospect for him. He's going to be dealt for a bag of balls.

[10]

Bryce Harper

@RGIII I need some of those socks that you got! Those are absolutely legit! Keep rolling this year, your fun to watch brotha! #skinsitude

[Sticksboi05]

First some simple truths: we don't have to sign any significant FA to keep the window open. Jayson Werth was our big FA signing. We can probably keep LaRoche and have that be our significant FA deal.

a. The free agent market is pretty flawed this year anyway. Robby Cano ain't making it to the open market and I'm not interested in going after guys like Hamilton, Napoli, Granderson, B.J. Upton, or Angel Pagan if they hit the market. Not really interested in chunking down a ton of money for Michael Bourn, although he's the only big name fielder I would consider.

b. Our position prospects and current players are good enough to offer better long term solutions by far IMO.

c. The only position I'd look for in FA is getting another starter, probably a rightie. Edwin Jackson needs to be upgraded and we don't have any minor league arms ready. I'd go for Greinke. We could sign him and work something out short term with LaRoche and I'd be happy with no other moves.

d. One thing I do know is that we can no longer afford to sell off good farm system arms.

e. We raided the farm in the Gio trade and now only have a few promising SPs in the pipeline. And most of that promise is coming from the fact they haven't played much, so they haven't been bad. I don't think Solis and Purke are the players we hope they are. I think Meyer should be good. I'm hoping Giolito will be. After them, I don't see much.

a. Agreed, I said that in a later reply post that nobody stands out to be honest.

b.Agreed, said this in that same post that our lineup now can win a title.

c, Agreed, I said I wouldn't "mind" keeping Edwin but for the money he was signed for, a 4.0 + ERA isn't worth it. Can upgrade.

d. Nope, can't.

e. We won the trade. Gio is a Cy Young candidate.

---------- Post added October-24th-2012 at 12:04 PM ----------

Your 2012 NL Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson.

Congratulations.

[Warhead36]

Guess who got picked for jury duty?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon...-duty/1654009/


Going to court in a hoodie.

[Forehead]

Yeah, I'm not sure what people were jumping about there. The only two prospects I included there were Rendon, who has all the tools in the world if he can stay healthy, and Goodwin, who was great in the minors and on track to reach the show soon. I was only projecting two years out, not seven, and most of those guys are already in the majors. A small (in year length) deal for LaRoche and a #4/5 SP is all we really need this offseason. If we do wind up with Peavy, I hope he can regain some of his old form.