2009-2010 Offseason Thread

[26 to 6]

I think they'll get Capps. he wants to close.

[riverside sluggers]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/source%3A-braves-give-glaus-one-year-deal

 

Troy Glaus signs 1 year deal with the Braves, becomes starting 1st baseman

[Dipre]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/source%3A-braves-give-glaus-one-year-deal

 

Troy Glaus signs 1 year deal with the Braves, becomes starting 1st baseman

 

And Adam LaRoche shits the bed.

[riverside sluggers]

Seattle Mariners would be right to try and sign him

[Dipre]

Seattle Mariners would be right to try and sign him

 

But now he has zero leverage. He'll have to negotiate on Seattle's terms if they want to sign him.

[riverside sluggers]

He also has New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Royals (who non tendered Jacobs, Butler likely to stay at DH), and the Giants who were rumored to be in on Nick Johnson

[Dipre]

He also has New York Mets' date=' Baltimore Orioles, Royals (who non tendered Jacobs, Butler likely to stay at DH), and the Giants who were rumored to be in on Nick Johnson[/quote']

 

He doesn't make sense for the Mets at his asking price, and if they sign Bay (and they probably will) they're most likely done. The Giants have expressed interest in Johnsonn but never in LaRoche, and the Royals are.....wel......the Royals.

[riverside sluggers]

With the Nats signing Marquis, Capps, Pudge, Guardado, trading for Bruney, and a full season of Nyjer Morgan, I doubt theyll even get close to 100 losses this season

[redsoxrevenge]

With the Nats signing Marquis' date=' Capps, Pudge, Guardado, trading for Bruney, and a full season of Nyjer Morgan, I doubt theyll even get close to 100 losses this season[/quote']

 

All of those players suck. They'll avoid 100 losses if Strasburg shows something his rookie year, but why would any of those players help them win any substantial amount of ball games?

[italstallianion]

All of those players suck. They'll avoid 100 losses if Strasburg shows something his rookie year' date=' but why would any of those players help them win any substantial amount of ball games?[/quote']

 

 

There's a difference between not being good or star caliber, and sucking. Marquis is around average and Morgan is actually pretty decent. Capps had a bad year this past year but is also pretty decent. They are definitely better than what's been in Washington before. While I still think they lose 90+ games, I believe that the Nats will be a better team than in years past. And just because the players listed aren't star players, doesn't mean that they suck. I would argue that most of them don't suck.

[Keeper]

All of those players suck. They'll avoid 100 losses if Strasburg shows something his rookie year' date=' but why would any of those players help them win any substantial amount of ball games?[/quote']

 

Those players fill a need. Marquis will save their young arms and bullpen. Morgan can set the table and is a very good CF. Pudge can mentor Jesus Flores and help bring him along. Also, he can still control the running game. In Capps, they have a legit closer. And Bruney and Guardado have the ability to hold onto leads. I would expect the Nationals to win 15-20 more games this year.

[Dipre]

All of those players suck. They'll avoid 100 losses if Strasburg shows something his rookie year' date=' but why would any of those players help them win any substantial amount of ball games?[/quote']

 

Really?

 

Jason Marquis, at his worst, is an average pitcher, at his best, he'll provide above average production from the number two slot in that rotation. Couple him with John Lannan and you've got a respectable one-two punch that will keep them in ballgames. Marquis is a massive upgrade from anything else they have in that rotation besides Lannan himself.

 

Matt Capps is a very good, very underrated pitcher capable of posting a below 1.00 WHIP, while racking up the strikeouts but severely limiting the walks. He was injured last year, but is reported to have made a full recovery. He's a fantastic signing for the Nats, since he's one of the better bullpen arms around considering his control and his ability to limit baserunners. Clear upgrade at Closer for the Nats.

 

Bruney and Guardado are both capable arms who are a good bet to thrive in the NL, and all that bullpen could do was improve. Clear bullpen upgrade for the Nats.

 

Pudge will be a backup to Jesus Flores, who has proven to be a capable defender, and has shown flashes of offensive ability, but got injured last year. They should prove to be one of the better defensive catching tandems in the league while providing something with the stick. Clear upgrade at backup C for the Nats.

 

Nyjer Morgan is an extremely underrated ballplayer who has a .362 OBP over more than 800 PA's, but had never been given a real chance until last year, when he authored a .757 OPS, (with a .369 OBP, better than Jacoby Ellsbury) which is solid production from the CF and lead-off spots, while providing an UZR of 35.8 at all three OF positions combined. Clear offensive and defensive upgrade for the Nats.

 

Every one of those players are league average or above league average, and they all improve the Nats in some way or another. Your definition of suck is very interesting, because as far as i'm concerned "suck" comes from below league average on, but that's my humble opinion.

[riverside sluggers]

All of those players suck. They'll avoid 100 losses if Strasburg shows something his rookie year' date=' but why would any of those players help them win any substantial amount of ball games?[/quote']

 

Im not saying they will be contenders. But they cant gain at least 10 wins with these additions? The pitching staff this past season was 2nd to last in ERA (5.02) from the 7th inning on. And dead last in K's from the 7th inning on. Bulk of the losses came from the bullpen

 

Plus Marquis will give them reliable innings, something only John Lannan has been able to handle

[diony]

Jason Marquis, at his worst, is an average pitcher, at his best, he'll provide above average production from the number two slot in that rotation. Couple him with John Lannan and you've got a respectable one-two punch that will keep them in ballgames. Marquis is a massive upgrade from anything else they have in that rotation besides Lannan himself.

 

One-two punch? They both kinda suck. #4-5 NL starters at best. <_>

[riverside sluggers]

Lannan is a #4 or 5 starter in the NL at best??

 

Lannan in last 2 seasons has started 64 games (3.90 ERA) 388.1 innings, 382 Hits, 189 Runs (168 ER), 140 Walks, 206 Ks

 

While his walks look high, he did lower his walk rate from his 2008 season while pitching 24.1 more innings

[diony]

Innings, hits, runs, walks and Ks. :dunno:

[riverside sluggers]

388.1 innings in past 2 seasons while posting a 3.90 ERA, is nothing at all to sniff at. This past season he pitched 206 innings

[Dipre]

Diony's cherry picking attempt was denied.

 

Besides, i said respectable one-two punch. He's talking for the sake of talking.

[diony]

388.1 innings in past 2 seasons while posting a 3.90 ERA' date=' is nothing at all to sniff at. This past season he pitched 206 innings[/quote']

 

206 innings, with a 4.79 FIP, a pathetic 3.88 K/9 with a BB/9 of 3, his BABIP was .276 and I doubt that's sustainable for him moving forward.

 

As I said, NL #4-5 starter at best. You have proved absolutely nothing posting innings and ERA.

[riverside sluggers]

And Im sure if he was placed on waivers, that he would go unclaimed, right?

[TheMino007]

Kelvin Escobar is close to signing with the Mets. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/kelvim-escobar-very-close-to-agreement-with-mets.html

[diony]

And Im sure if he was placed on waivers' date=' that he would go unclaimed, right?[/quote']

 

If that's your counterargument, then I won't even bother.

[Rodney Harrison]

Kelvin Escobar is close to signing with the Mets. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/kelvim-escobar-very-close-to-agreement-with-mets.html

 

One of the few guys on the Angels I tolerated. Heck, my grandpa was a huge fan of his, and one of the last things I heard him talk about was how he and Bartolo Colon were going to be a mean 1-2 punch for Anaheim. Too bad injuries have slowed him down. Nice to see him getting picked up.

[jacksonianmarch]

And Im sure if he was placed on waivers' date=' that he would go unclaimed, right?[/quote']

 

Lannan really is a mid to back end of the rotation starter. But Washington has had starters who dont belong in the big leagues at all. Getting a couple quality guys who can eat innings will ease the pain of the pen. Nobody is expecting them to be amazing, but if Detwiler and Strasburg can solidify the rotation and Storen plus Bruney and Capps can hold down the pitching fort, then they have a shot at 70-75 wins

[Dipre]

Lannan really is a mid to back end of the rotation starter. But Washington has had starters who dont belong in the big leagues at all. Getting a couple quality guys who can eat innings will ease the pain of the pen. Nobody is expecting them to be amazing' date=' but if Detwiler and Strasburg can solidify the rotation and Storen plus Bruney and Capps can hold down the pitching fort, then they have a shot at 70-75 wins[/quote']

 

I said "Respectable 1-2 punch" and diony used one of his typical strawmen to turn it into a retarded argument.

 

Neither of them is an ace, but as a "one-two punch" they're a massive upgrade over the suck the Nationals have been trotting out there in recent years.

[jacksonianmarch]

agreed

[Rodney Harrison]

So who's closing for the Pirates?

[jacksonianmarch]

they are looking at Dotel for now

[riverside sluggers]

Lannan really is a mid to back end of the rotation starter. But Washington has had starters who dont belong in the big leagues at all. Getting a couple quality guys who can eat innings will ease the pain of the pen. Nobody is expecting them to be amazing' date=' but if Detwiler and Strasburg can solidify the rotation and Storen plus Bruney and Capps can hold down the pitching fort, then they have a shot at 70-75 wins[/quote']

 

I was just debating with diony because he said NL 4 or 5 starter at best, that means that he is lucky to have a spot in the rotation. Im not saying he's an ace or a #2, more like a 3 or very solid #4. Any team in the NL would be happy to bring aboard a guy who gives you a sub 4 ERA with 200 innings. Hes not a guy who will rack up the K's, so he'd have to depend on having a solid infield defense behind him. While his walks look high, he did improve his walk rate. (2008) 68 walks in 182.1 innings, (2009) 72 walks in 206 innings

 

I do expect with their additions, and prospects coming up, that they could improve by 10-15 wins. Ive also heard that they might have a good chance of acquiring Orlando Hudson

[Dipre]

I was just debating with diony because he said NL 4 or 5 starter at best, that means that he is lucky to have a spot in the rotation. Im not saying he's an ace or a #2, more like a 3 or very solid #4. Any team in the NL would be happy to bring aboard a guy who gives you a sub 4 ERA with 200 innings. Hes not a guy who will rack up the K's, so he'd have to depend on having a solid infield defense behind him. While his walks look high, he did improve his walk rate. (2008) 68 walks in 182.1 innings, (2009) 72 walks in 206 innings

 

I do expect with their additions, and prospects coming up, that they could improve by 10-15 wins. Ive also heard that they might have a good chance of acquiring Orlando Hudson

 

Getting Orlando Hudson might actually help John Lannan improve. He is a groundball pitcher after all.