The Nats (Gnats, to the Mets) 2016 thread

[batmagadanleadoff]

Absolutely nothing has gone right for the Nationals this winter

[fimg=633]https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1DQlU3C9imYP_5--za3AMwnYMX4=/0x0:5992x3995/1310x873/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48635621/usa-today-8791129.0.jpg[/fimg]
Unless you're the biggest Daniel Murphy fan in the world, this winter has been more about what the Nationals haven't done instead of what they have done.

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2016/1/25/10827118/nationals-offseason-free-agents-yoenis-cespedes

excerpt:

What was the Nationals' plan if they were successful in their pursuit of Jason Heyward? Was he Harper insurance if their star left in two years? Was he part of the plan to entice Harper to stay? Or were they primarily focused on the present, with the future being left for the future? It doesn't matter. Heyward signed with the Cubs. The Nationals were curious about Justin Upton, and he signed elsewhere. They were curious about Wei-Yin Chen, which would have freed up one of their starting pitchers to trade. They were talking contract with Mike Leake for the same reason. They missed out on Ben Zobrist, Swiss Army knife of the gods. Darren O'Day turned them down to stay put. They thought they had a trade for Brandon Phillips, but he demanded an extension to waive his no-trade rights. The last of the bunch was the worst of the bunch, at least strategically. The Nationals were pursuing Yoenis Cespedes, which would have served a dual purpose of making their lineup stronger and poking the Mets in the eye. Instead, the Mets got Cespedes on what's essentially a one-year deal (assuming he opts out), which fits their needs and budget perfectly. The Nationals are instead left to hope for the best from a 37-year-old Jayson Werth as their main source of power after Harper. Every team missed out on a target or three. The Nationals missed out on targets spectacularly, though, right up to their final failed pursuit of a crucial NL East player. [***] After [bryce Harper] it's bleak. Zimmerman had a .308 OBP last year, and his body is an old soul. Murphy is a fine complementary player, but he makes you wince as a #5 hitter. Werth is coming off his worst season, and he's 37. Espinosa is coming off one of his best seasons, but that still makes him a defense-first player you hide at the bottom of the order. Ramos has been a net-negative hitter for two seasons now. The Nationals probably needed Cespedes more than the Mets did, really.

[Guest Mets Willets Point]

Deez Nats.

[Edgy MD]

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Nats have signed Bronson Arroyo to a minor league deal.

[Lefty Specialist]

I wouldn't get too cocky.

They have decent starters and re-worked their bullpen (although they still have Papeldouche, who's normally an effective enough closer).

They have a decent leadoff guy in Revere, a star on the rise in Trea Turner, Murphy and Rendon are solid hitters, and Harper is the reigning MVP. Zimmerman and Werth are on the downside but they'll still hit some, and Ramos kills the Mets.

As we sit here in late January I'd still say the Mets are a better club. But in January 2015, the Nats were supposed to go to the World Series and win it, too.

[Frayed Knot]

Know your 2016 Nats (as of 1/27):

Rotation: Out from last year are Jordan Zimmermann & Doug Fister.
To replace them, 2014 starter Tanner Roark bounces back from pen to reclaim a starting job, and Joe Ross, originally a 1st round pick by the Padres dealt to the Nats last winter. He pitched for the Nats part of last year including two starts vs the NYM during last year's crunch-time series [12.2 IP, 5 runs, 8 hits]
Those two will join incumbents: Strasburg, Scherzer, and (LH) Gio Gonzalez

Bullpen: Papelbon hasn't been dealt (at least not yet anyway) and Aaron Barrett & Blake Treinan also return. But Drew Storen, Felipe Rivera, Casey Janssen, and LOOGY specialist Matt Thorton have either been traded or left via FA-gency.
Newcomers in the pen include a couple of guys with NYM connections: Oliver Perez, Yusmeiro Petit. Also Trevor Gott acquired from the Angels plus an assortment of young guys from their own org round out the pen as of now.


On the infield they're dealing with the loss of Ian Desmond (who still hasn't signed anywhere!!) and Yunel Escobar from whom they got a lot more than they had any right to expect in 2015.
1B - Ryan Zimmerman back by Clint Robinson, the 30 y/o rookie with a surprisingly strong 2015
2B - some guy they picked up in the off season
SS - This is the only real open position. They'd like speed-burner/former 1st round pick (by SD) Trea Turner to win the job. If he's not ready they signed Stephen Drew and still have utility knife IF Danny Espinosa (both of whom will probably replace Muffy in late innings often)
3B - Anthony Rendon

OF - Jayson Werth in LF. Ben Revere was imported to replace the better, though more-oft injured, Denard Span both in the leadoff spot and in CF. MVP Bryce Harper in RF.
Michael Taylor and/or Matt den Dekker will back up at all three spots - particularly for Werth who is increasingly a liability with a glove on his hand.

And finally there's the massively experienced Dusty Baker in for first-timer Matt Williams to run the dugout.

[Lefty Specialist]

I think Murph will be playing third and Rendon second. Murph's less of a liability at third; it's his natural position (if Murphy can be said to have a natural position).

[Frayed Knot]

Hmmmmm, interesting call for them.

I suspect they think both guys would be better at 3rd. Rendon's the incumbent and kind of the 'chosen one' (after Harper) and I think they'd prefer to keep him out of harm's way. Murphy is older (read: less mobile) and has the big, new contract although I doubt he had the kind of pull to demand a position in negotiations.
Drew probably plays best at 2B or SS so would be a more logical late-inning replacement for Murph if he's at 2nd without having to reshuffle the entire infield. Espinosa can back up pretty much anywhere.

[Edgy MD]

Lefty Specialist wrote: I wouldn't get too cocky.

Says the guy puffing the victory ceegar.

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: Know your 2016 Nats (as of 1/27): Rotation: Out from last year are Jordan Zimmermann & Doug Fister. To replace them, 2014 starter Tanner Roark bounces back from pen to reclaim a starting job, and Joe Ross, originally a 1st round pick by the Padres dealt to the Nats last winter. He pitched for the Nats part of last year including two starts vs the NYM during last year's crunch-time series [12.2 IP, 5 runs, 8 hits] Those two will join incumbents: Strasburg, Scherzer, and (LH) Gio Gonzalez Bullpen: Papelbon hasn't been dealt (at least not yet anyway) and Aaron Barrett & Blake Treinan also return. But Drew Storen, Felipe Rivera, Casey Janssen, and LOOGY specialist Matt Thorton have either been traded or left via FA-gency. Newcomers in the pen include a couple of guys with NYM connections: Oliver Perez, Yusmeiro Petit. Also Trevor Gott acquired from the Angels plus an assortment of young guys from their own org round out the pen as of now. On the infield they're dealing with the loss of Ian Desmond (who still hasn't signed anywhere!!) and Yunel Escobar from whom they got a lot more than they had any right to expect in 2015. 1B - Ryan Zimmerman back by Clint Robinson, the 30 y/o rookie with a surprisingly strong 2015 2B - some guy they picked up in the off season SS - This is the only real open position. They'd like speed-burner/former 1st round pick (by SD) Trea Turner to win the job. If he's not ready they signed Stephen Drew and still have utility knife IF Danny Espinosa (both of whom will probably replace Muffy in late innings often) 3B - Anthony Rendon OF - Jayson Werth in LF. Ben Revere was imported to replace the better, though more-oft injured, Denard Span both in the leadoff spot and in CF. MVP Bryce Harper in RF. Michael Taylor and/or Matt den Dekker will back up at all three spots - particularly for Werth who is increasingly a liability with a glove on his hand. And finally there's the massively experienced Dusty Baker in for first-timer Matt Williams to run the dugout.

They're not going to have a catcher? Nice! We're going to win this thing easy!

[Lefty Specialist]

Edgy MD wrote: Lefty Specialist wrote: I wouldn't get too cocky. Says the guy puffing the victory ceegar.

Yeah, and look what happened to him in the World Series.

[Guest Mets Willets Point]

I can't believe Yusmiero Petit is still around. He and Angel Pagan were the only two players that I did that Adopt a Prospect for and they've both had pretty long careers, but not much with the Mets.

[Frayed Knot]

Centerfield wrote: They're not going to have a catcher? Nice! We're going to win this thing easy!

Think of the running we can do after all the passed balls!!

Actually they should have the same duo of Wilson Ramos & Jose Lobaton back.
Ramos is going to be an interesting decision for them this year. They got him as a 22 y/o via a trade w/the Twins where he was being blocked by Joe Mauer (not even a catcher anymore) for a reliever (Matt Capps) now four years out of the game, he's been a solid catcher and powerful bat for them and is still just 28. But he misses so many games due to injury (averaged barely 300 ABs/year over five seasons) that he plays sometimes more like he's 38 and can be a FA at the end of the year.
I think they also like Lobaton better defensively but the guy hits like he's a backup catcher or something!

[Benjamin Grimm]

Centerfield wrote: They're not going to have a catcher? Nice! We're going to win this thing easy!

That just means that they'll have a lot of passed balls.

[Frayed Knot]

Mets – Willets Point wrote: I can't believe Yusmiero Petit is still around.

I think maybe even HE's surprised.
For a guy who barely had a career from 2006-09, then disappeared entirely into the minors and foreign leagues for 2010, '11, and effectively 2012 as well (only 4-2/3 ML innings pitched), he then resurfaced with the Giants in late 2013 only to have several oddly effective seasons since as a combo reliever/starter including a scoreless streak which reached a near record length* in 2014 but also flew largely under the radar because it accumulated in just 1 and 2 innings clumps over many different appearances.

And he still just turned 31 y/o over this past off-season. Signed w/the Nats at a fairly cheap rate ($3 mil) for one year plus an option which kicks in for 2017 at the same price if he hits 80 innings pitched.




* actually (looking it up) he DID set a record when he retired 46 consecutive batters from July 22 thru Aug 28, 2014 - the equivalent of 15-1/3 innings of perfect pitching which occurred across eight separate outings.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Didn't Petit come agonizingly close to a spot-start no-no last year?

OE: Nope. But he came one strike away from a perfect game for the Giants in September 2013, against the Diamondbacks.

[MFS62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Centerfield wrote: They're not going to have a catcher? Nice! We're going to win this thing easy! That just means that they'll have a lot of passed balls.

Didn't they just draft Hobie Landrith to prevent that?

Later

[Frayed Knot]

So after multiple injuries last season (often due to pulled abdominal muscles) the Nats opted to let Denard Span walk and replaced him with Ben Revere.
So 2 ABs into the season, Revere ... wait for it ... pulled an oblique muscle and has gone on the DL.
So we can expect lots more Michael Taylor in CF and Matt den Dekker has been called up to back up.

[batmagadanleadoff]

[fimg=444:b4m556to]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/26517387895_f047acc058_o.jpg[/fimg:b4m556to]

[Frayed Knot]

He's also 2nd in the NL in OBA (behind Yelich), 3rd in Slugging (Story & Harper), and 2nd in OPS (Harper)

The NL OPS list as of right now is kind of funny: Harper & Murph up top followed, not suprisingly, by a bunch of Colorado guys, and then oddly (or maybe not because they always seem to do something like this) by two StL rookies that no one had ever heard of before like last week: Jeremy Hazelbaker (no, I'm not making that up) a 28 y/o career minor leaguer who's been released several times; and a 25 y/o Cuban signee from two years ago, Aledmys Diaz, who fell into the SS job because both Jhonny Peralta AND some guy named Ruben Tejada are injured (Tejada just reactivated).

Edited April 19, 2016 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Merged. Mags, it'll be easier to find as the year progresses if you edit the title to include rocking keywords such as "Division" and "Opponents."

With regard to the OPS rolls, suddenly Wright is top 20 also.

[batmagadanleadoff]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: [fimg=477]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/26517387895_f047acc058_o.jpg[/fimg]

With successive two-for-four games, Murph's average, ridiculous as it is, continues to climb.

[fimg=555]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/26535954306_f81c6caff6_o.jpg[/fimg]

[Centerfield]

Sure. The Nats are flying at 14-4. And I do think that this was important for them to establish out of the gate that they are going to be in this all year long.

But of their first 18 games, half of them have been against the two worst teams in baseball (Atlanta and Minnesota). They are 9-0 against these teams.

The other 9 have been against Philadelphia and Miami. They are 5-4 against those teams.

Look, 14-4 is still terrific. And 9-0 against even the worst teams is still great. But as Mr. Wolf might warn the Nationals,


"Let's not start sucking...."

[TransMonk]

I'm very confident that the Nats will NOT finish with a winning percentage of .700+. They will hit some rough patches during the marathon of a full season.

The Mets were 14-4 at the beginning of last season only to give up that surplus of wins in May and June.

Still, the hot start by the Cubs and Nats signifies them as powerful teams in the NL (but I think we expected that, right?).

[Edgy MD]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Unless you're the biggest Daniel Murphy fan in the world, this winter has been more about what the Nationals haven't done instead of what they have done.

A case of Crane Pool Lager to whoever the biggest Daniel Murphy fan in the world is. That guy knew stuff few others did.

[Frayed Knot]

Steven Strasburg signs a 7-year extension just ahead of his FA year.
So much for Scott Boras always taking his clients to the open market - although reportedly there are opt-outs involved. (opt-outs are the new black).

This very much surprises me. Strasburg seems to shun the spotlight every bit as much as Harper seeks it out, but I never got the idea he was all that popular in DC.
But he's finally been the pitcher they always hoped since about August of last season (though has surrendered two HRs tonight) so I guess the team figured the time was right.

[bmfc1]

Bryce Harper, face of baseball:
http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/bryce-harper-to-ump-who-ejected-him-fuck-you-1775674433?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

[Edgy MD]

Probably sets the bar for deHarveygaard.

[soupcan]

I've wanted to hate Harper ever since he was a Sports Illustrated cover boy as a high schooler, but I can't.

He's a great player and last year when the Mets just thumped the nats late in the season the guy was just not douchey about it. Every time I heard him or saw a quote it was respectful and mature basically giving the other team credit. No bitterness. The thing with Papelbon just showed me what an asshole Papelbon was.

Now the 'fuck you' from last night is bad but still I can appreciate his frustration and Dusty's quote that everybody is intense and sometimes you have to let off a little steam here and there.

I'm gonna give him a pass on this one. But just this one.

[MFS62]

When you like the player, even though he beats you (like a Bob Gibson) its intensity.
When you don't like the guy (like Paul O'Neill) its assholeness.

Later

[Edgy MD]

I think I can distinguish the two.

I'm not encouraging you to hate him, for or against your sensibilities, but you must've seen him every other time. He's had some moments where he's quite the tool.

Weird how he alternates self-destructive hustle with dis-spiriting loafing. But he's young, he's probably damaged his brain on an outfield fence, he's a magnet for criticism whether he deserves it or not, blah-blah-blah.

None of that excuses the mohawk with the floppy preppie bangs in front and the rat-tail in back, though.