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

[GoSkins0721]

actually we get a 2nd round pick for LaRoche. but there are rumors of Detweiler, Morse and a 2nd baseman in our minor league system for David Price.

No, it's not a 2nd round pick. Technically, it's a "sandwich round" pick for teams that make a qualifying offer to a player and he signs with another team. That "sandwich round" is after the 1st round and before the 2nd round.

http://www.natsinsider.com/2012/11/q...t-jackson.html

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Click on the link to read the rest.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...anny-espinosa/

Could the Nationals trade Danny Espinosa?


Morse may not be the Nationals’ only regular from 2012 to be bandied about in trade discussions. The Nationals could very well discuss second baseman Danny Espinosa in trade talks, a major piece that could help them land a starter to replace the departed Edwin Jackson. The Nationals could then make Steve Lombardozzi their second baseman, with the possibility of top prospect Anthony Rendon giving the Nationals more infield depth later in the season or in 2014.

In some corners of the Nationals’ organization, Lombardozzi is the preferred choice. Espinosa led the National League in strikeouts, and some thought Espinosa has not made proper adjustments to cut down on whiffs or change his situational hitting approach. But General Manager Mike Rizzo and Manager Davey Johnson are major advocates of Espinosa, and being the primary decision-makers, they hold the trump cards.

[Sticksboi05]

Tampa would never trade Price. That's just someone trying to get attention.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Tampa would never trade Price. That's just someone trying to get attention.

Not Price. James Shields is who the Nats are supposedly interested in.

[Warhead36]

I like Espy's upside but if we're serious about winning it all this year, it wouldn't shock me if we traded him. Guys like Lombo, slap single contact hitters, always seem to be the guys who do the most damage come playoff time, and Espy's tendency to K may bite us in the butt. Still, the big step Desi took last year might buy Espy another year.

[stevemcqueen1]

Not Price. James Shields is who the Nats are supposedly interested in.

Shields is actually one of the least desirable of their good SPs because of his age. They've almost got too much talent here, they've just been killing it developing young starters.

---------- Post added December-3rd-2012 at 08:47 AM ----------

Tampa would never trade Price. That's just someone trying to get attention.

I wouldn't be so sure. They wouldn't trade him for that ridiculous package mentioned, but I could see them dealing him. Matt Moore makes Price replaceable and they've got Alex Torres and Enny Romero as high upside lefties about ready for the show. Plus they've got this Taylor Guerreri kid in development. Hellickson is young. Lots of young starters they need to make room for.

They've got more SPs than they can use. They're a small market team too an probably would have trouble winning a FA bidding war for Price. Might make sense for them to trade him eventually, assuming the right offer comes along. They should be able to get back a surefire all star for him at least. We're not in position to make them a good offer that makes sense for us as well IMO. I don't really want to give up Desmond or somebody like that just to push Zimmermann down to the 4th spot.

[Sticksboi05]

Shields is actually one of the least desirable of their good SPs because of his age. They've almost got too much talent here, they've just been killing it developing young starters.

---------- Post added December-3rd-2012 at 08:47 AM ----------



I wouldn't be so sure. They wouldn't trade him for that ridiculous package mentioned, but I could see them dealing him. Matt Moore makes Price replaceable and they've got Alex Torres and Enny Romero as high upside lefties about ready for the show. Plus they've got this Taylor Guerreri kid in development. Hellickson is young. Lots of young starters they need to make room for.

They've got more SPs than they can use. They're a small market team too an probably would have trouble winning a FA bidding war for Price. Might make sense for them to trade him eventually, assuming the right offer comes along. They should be able to get back a surefire all star for him at least. We're not in position to make them a good offer that makes sense for us as well IMO. I don't really want to give up Desmond or somebody like that just to push Zimmermann down to the 4th spot.

Yes, this is more what I meant. Anyone believing that as a remotely credible rumor is insane.

[stevemcqueen1]

If we're going to deal Morse or Espi, I wouldn't necessarily trade for an established guy. I would consider going for an elite prospect since we've cleaned our farm system out so much. Or maybe take a chance on Trevor Bauer from AZ.

[Sticksboi05]

Espinosa's absence drops our defense caliber but if he cannot learn to hit, he is expendable.

[Popeman38]

I like Espy's upside but if we're serious about winning it all this year, it wouldn't shock me if we traded him. Guys like Lombo, slap single contact hitters, always seem to be the guys who do the most damage come playoff time, and Espy's tendency to K may bite us in the butt. Still, the big step Desi took last year might buy Espy another year.

I will never understand this logic. Espinosa was in his second season in the bigs. He has plus range, a plus arm, and plus power. Lombo is a GREAT bench player. A GREAT utility infielder to have when the 3B/SS/2B need a day/series off, or when the inevitable pulled hammy/tweaked groin happen. But replacing Espinosa with Lombo full-time is a serious downgrade. Desmond and Espinosa turn some 4-6-3 & 6-4-3 DPs that Lombo has no chance of turning. How many big innings were prevented this year because of those 2 cannons up the middle? How many CLUTCH homers did Espinosa hit?

I am on board with trading Morse, as much as it would pain me to see him go. But just like I was bullish with Desmond (and you can go back in this thread and the old thread and see my posts being mocked when I said he was a plus defender and a future all star), I am almost as bullish on Espinosa. He will be a gold glove caliber 2B with a .275 BA, 25 HR, 95 RBI potential.

EDIT: Tweet by Ken Rosenthal - Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal
Many #Nationals folks reluctant to trade Espinosa. “He will figure it out,” one says. “Lombardozzi is a good player, but he’s not Espinosa.”

Thank the stars the Nats brass didn't bail on Desmond, and hopefully they won't on Espinosa.

[Dan T.]

I understand that strikeouts are often the tradeoff for power. But Espinoza's power numbers don't justify leading the league in strikeouts. Can a player learn to strike out less? Are there examples out there? That's Espy's one, glaring weakness right now, and it's a killer.

[Sticksboi05]

I still think for financial reasons, we keep Morse and deal LaRoche.

[skinsfan_1215]

I still think for financial reasons, we keep Morse and deal LaRoche.

LaRoche is a free agent so...

[Sticksboi05]

LaRoche is a free agent so...

My bad, mistyped that. We keep Morse and let LaRoche walk and get a compensation pick. The only reason to keep Laroche is infield defense. I think it is good enough regardless.

[10]

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