Future of Josh Willingham
by WillyMoPain-ya on Dec 5, 2010 7:14 PM EST
Email
PrintA once-depleted outfield is now quite stocked with hard-hitting corner outfielders. Jayson Werth, Josh Willingham, Mike Morse, and some kid drafted in the first round this past year are all in the mix.
Not sure if Morse will be part of a contending Nationals team, and someone could be moved to first. Still, somethings going to have to give.
Obviously, Werth is locked into the roster. Also by the time this team is contending for pennants, LeBryce will likely be in the rotation. To me, all signs point to a Willingham trade this summer.
I can see a team offering a mid to bottom of the rotation pitching prospect for Hammer this season, which would obviously kick ass. Looking ahead, what's on your wishlist in a Willingham deal as the outline of a successful organization begins to take shape?
20 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
As fake GM of the Rockies, I offer Esmil Rogers and a B level prospect for Willingham
Rogers was ranked as the number 4 prospect by Purple Row before 2010 and accumulated 1.4 WAR in just 72 IP last year
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Dec 5, 2010 7:35 PM EST reply actions
I don't know enough about your org for the proposal
I do know that we can’t be done yet either now or before the treadline. Willingham needs to be sold a his highest point of value at this point. You need Werth and Harper at the corners and a serviceable centerfielder on a contending team.
Do you trade him now when he has okay value or gamble that he’ll get off to another good start and trade him when his value is higher? For me, depends on the first base situation and what other moves are made and what the market is.
Either way, I’m good with whatever we do with Willingham. Certainly doens’t look like he’ll be extended, which was the only fundamental question on him at this point.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
Why not Werth in center?
It’s not like the Nats have anyone blocking him there.
Rob
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." -- Rogers Hornsby
I believe Rizzo has already said he's a corner guy
This seems to me about defense and Rizzo likes him better defensively in right in the short term and then probably ultimately in left as he ages and Harper comes up.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
Hahahaha
What a difference a year and 500 AB’s makes….
Screech's Godson
UMD Class of 2014! GO TERPS!!!
Why not a package centered on Hammer?
I mean, how does Hammer plus one or two middling prospects sound as a package for a top of the rotation pitcher?
"Inconceivable!"
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
-The Princess Bride
I don't think a one year rental of Willingham is going to net us but so much
Moving him for prospects would seem to be workable to me. Move him for a legit first base prospect I say.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
1st Baseman, pitching , lead off hitter
Willingham will be going to a contender therefore will net prospects. Unless they get a 1st baseman for him, I don’t think they do anything with Willingham until they sign a first baseman. He is the fall back guy for negations with free agents. The Nats still need a long term s solution at 1b. They should be able to trade him for someone that is better than the options in their system. Pitching is something that a lot of people are talking about. However, the Nats also need a good lead off hitter something that is hard find in free agency.
As for Rizzo's creative thinking possibilities
He could include Willingham and a couple good prospects like Burgess and/or Marrero to either get a big-league ready pitching prospect like Solis or Zimmermann or an established middle of the rotation guy. Unfortunately, I’ve already thought of it so it probably won’t happen.
I dont see
why a straight-up Willingham for Loney deal cant be made. Statisitically they are about as similar as your get and fill holes for both teams. Where Willingham has a bit more power, he’s also older and strikes out more. Where Loney is more valuable to us defensively, WIllingham is better on the bases. etc, etc.
I know its not an earth-shaking trade but both teams would be improved. Perhaps the Nats are holding on to Willingham to 1) see where the 1B FA’s fall – are they gonna land one? 2) They would prefer to package him into a larger deal.
"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." - Brooks Laich
"...I got the most gentlemanly player in juniors my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley
gee i guess you're right....
Loney’s career avg’s of .283 / .344 / .427 doesnt compare (or beat) WIllingham’s career avg’s of .265 / .367 / .475 at all. Throw in the fact that Loney has missed just 6 games in 3+ years compared to Willingham not being able to play past the ASG the past 3 years means we shouldnt even have such a trade discussion. …. In fact, the more I look at it the more I think the Dodgers should give us Loney + solid prospect or BP arm for Willingham. You wouldn’t take that deal?
"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." - Brooks Laich
"...I got the most gentlemanly player in juniors my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley
Snarkiness aside,
25 points of OBP and 50 points of SLG is a pretty big difference. Adjusted for ballparks, Willingham has been at or over 20% above the league in OPS the last three years, while Loney has been at or below league average in OPS during that same timeframe. A first baseman producing league average OPS is not performing up to par.
The point about Willingham’s health is relevant though. I do worry about his durability.
Rob
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." -- Rogers Hornsby
I guess
Depends on which way you look at it .772 then .756 then .723 OPS the last three years with only a .329OBP in 2011. Seems like a sinking ship to me at the plate.
-.1WAR, 1.7WAR, 1.1 WAR over the same span.
Willingham’s been a 2.5 WAR, 3.0WAR, and a 1.7 WAR over the same span. Willingham seems to me a much better player. If you want to make it Loney plus a prospect, I guess I’d think about it. But I don’t see how Loney, a player whose MLB ceiling seems to be pretty much established as a 1.5-2.0WAR player is a better option than LaRoche or Pena.
The wait for 10/7 begins. This man is focused. Are you?
I think the mistake i made starting in this discussion is I assumed the Nats wouldn’t sign any of the 1B FAs (LaRoche is the only one left anyway, right? I wouldnt mind him but I digress) so I was looking at viable trade options and the only other name is Fielder. I also wasnt thinkng trade for the future so much as a trade to fill positions of need for next year. … Someone please correct me.
"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." - Brooks Laich
"...I got the most gentlemanly player in juniors my last year. I'm a gentleman, always a gentleman." - Matt Bradley
Morse to 1B
Mike Morse remains onna’ the least talked-about and fastest improving young Nats. Got size, glove, and a hoss at the plate. As first-sacker, he plays every day and we’re talking .280 and 35 ’taters.
"That'll be the day." - John Wayne
This may be overly optimistic,
but I agree with the sentiment.
Rob
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." -- Rogers Hornsby
OK, Rob, 30 homers...
Or something like it. Check this guy out. Since he came up 6 seasons ago, Morse has done everything but sell tickets. RF, LF, SS, 1B…a selfless hard-charger who’ll do anything to crack a starting line-up. Once he does, at first-base, he could be any kind of ballplayer. Who needs Pena? The stiff. FA starting pitcher’d be money much better spent.
"That'll be the day." - John Wayne
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Federal Baseball
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
GAMETHREAD SPONSOR
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Pitcher Clayton Richard gets key pinch single in 13th after coming in 0 for 16
- Livan Hernandez welcomes ball boy to the bigs with shower of sunflower seeds (VIDEO)
- Man beaten by four others in Dodger Stadium parking lot
- Lance Berkman’s knee injury creates a lot of questions for Cards but also his career
- Next generation: Scott Van Slyke, son of Andy Van Slyke, hits first career homer
