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

[Buford]

I hate preseason talk of talent and who's better where. I like our chemistry, depth, youth AND veteran leadership. After the playoffs last year and fighting back. These guys can matchup and beat any team in baseball, Doesn't mean they will. But they are stable right now. Stay healthy and things should be fine.

[StillUnknown]

We'll see. Personally, I don't think Span is even with Justin Upton, or that Werth is better than BJ Upton. We'll see. Justin Upton and Jason Heyward are both probable MVP candidates. Heyward is a great player already, and he's only like 23.

Again, we'll see.

I think a healthy Werth is absolutely better than BJ Upton. ATL will have a better defensive outfield, but I'd still take ours at the plate.

I always get a little leery when a team trades an extremely young talented player on a very team friendly deal. Part of me thinks that maybe the Diamondbacks know Upton might be damaged goods.

[Forehead]

Yeah, if I has to rank the outfielders on potential, Harper is first, then all three Braves players, then Werth and Span, although Werth and B.J. Upton are close. I still think we'll take them over the course of the season, our starting pitching is incredible.

[skinsfan_1215]

Yeah, if I has to rank the outfielders on potential, Harper is first, then all three Braves players, then Werth and Span, although Werth and B.J. Upton are close. I still think we'll take them over the course of the season, our starting pitching is incredible.

??? BJ Upton has to be the weakest of the bunch right? From an offensive perspective anyway?

[Forehead]

??? BJ Upton has to be the weakest of the bunch right? From an offensive perspective anyway?

BJ Upton has 28 homeruns last season, 23 the year before that. Denard Span had four last year in 128 games. Werth had five in 81 games. Upton's OPS was higher than Span, not as high as Werth, though you could say that Upton can be relied on to actually be in the lineup. And I'm not even sure how anyone could argue against Justin Upton when compared to Werth/Span. He was a 30-20 guy two seasons ago, and close to a 20-20 guy this past season.

[skinsfan_1215]

BJ Upton has 28 homeruns last season, 23 the year before that. Denard Span had four last year in 128 games. Werth had five in 81 games. Upton's OPS was higher than Span, not as high as Werth, though you could say that Upton can be relied on to actually be in the lineup. And I'm not even sure how anyone could argue against Justin Upton when compared to Werth/Span. He was a 30-20 guy two seasons ago, and close to a 20-20 guy this past season.

It's not really an apples to apple comparison with Justin Upton to either of Werth or Span because they're playing different roles. Regarding BJ though, he's had 4 straight years of a batting average around .240. So he's a 20+ HR player... he's not getting on base 70% of the time. Incredibly overrated.

[skinfan2k]

who cares about homeruns? seriously

Getting on base will be a key concern for the Braves. Ranked 7th in NL last year at .320. Lost Chipper (.377) and Prado (.359), their top 2.

look at the OBP for werth and span vs the upton brothers

2012:
Span .342
Werth .391
Harper .340
Upton, B .298
Upton, J .355
Heyward .335

Clearly, getting on base is what the nationals are all about. We are going to have a better defensive outfield, and guys who get on base much better than the braves. The braves have the edge for HRs but whocares when they are all solo shots

[The Evil Genius]

There's usually a reason that a team is moving a young player that is still under contract for another 3-4 years.

---------- Post added January-24th-2013 at 01:51 PM ----------

Worried isn't the right word... but the Nats and Braves are probably the two best teams in the NL on paper, and with the one game wild card format.... winning division is important.

Paper means little in the playoffs, something that people tried to explain last year. The Nats should be a hell of a team this year, but if they suffer injuries like the DBacks did last year (or, if their starting pitching reverts back to non-career year numbers again like the DBacks of last year), a drop in win's wouldn't be that unexpected.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

who cares about homeruns? seriously

Getting on base will be a key concern for the Braves. Ranked 7th in NL last year at .320. Lost Chipper (.377) and Prado (.359), their top 2.

look at the OBP for werth and span vs the upton brothers

2012:
Span .342
Werth .391
Harper .340
Upton, B .298
Upton, J .355
Heyward .335

Clearly, getting on base is what the nationals are all about. We are going to have a better defensive outfield, and guys who get on base much better than the braves. The braves have the edge for HRs but whocares when they are all solo shots

I agree OBP is critical to an offense, but Justin Upton has solid OBP numbers for his career. And actually, BJ used to be a good on base guy as well, but had his worst year last year. He could easily be a .350 OBP guy again also. These guys have a lot of talent, don't underestimate them.

[StillUnknown]

I agree OBP is critical to an offense, but Justin Upton has solid OBP numbers for his career. And actually, BJ used to be a good on base guy as well, but had his worst year last year. He could easily be a .350 OBP guy again also. These guys have a lot of talent, don't underestimate them.

BJ's last 4 years, his highest OBP was .330. Outside of 07 & 08 seasons, he's never really posted a high OBP. I don't see anything in his recent history that suggests he can get to .350 OBP.

[B&GVol24]

Braves fan here.

Noticed today our OF will be: "Up, Up, & a Hey" <---when you see this on a t-shirt somewhere, remember you heard it here first lol

[StillUnknown]

Braves fan here.

Noticed today our OF will be: "Up, Up, & a Hey" <---when you see this on a t-shirt somewhere, remember you heard it here first lol

That's corny, but then again "Natitude" grew on me over time so I may not be in a place to comment

[STBonecrusher21]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/...lendar=DEFAULT

Full schedule released.

[Forehead]

Braves fan here.

Noticed today our OF will be: "Up, Up, & a Hey" <---when you see this on a t-shirt somewhere, remember you heard it here first lol

False. Already saw that joke several times on ESPN comments. I prefer whiff, whiff, and a K.

[STBonecrusher21]

Check out Espis beard hes got goin at Nats Fest..

https://mobile.twitter.com/Nationals...019648/photo/1

I guess trying to stay warm?