Imagine This...

by kennyz1323 on Aug 30, 2011 11:00 PM EDT

The Nats could be an instant title contender,,,,all they would have to do is sign one man and let Harper catch. Think about it.....Leading off Bryce Harper C, second Danny Espinosa 2nd base, Batting Ryan Zimmerman 3rd base, Batting 4th PRINCE FIELDER 1B, Batting 5th Michael Morse OF, Batting 6th Werth OF, Batting 7thLance Nix OF, Batting 8th Ian Desmond then the pitcher. !!!

Not to mention Strasburg, Zimmerman, Lannan, Clippard, Storen !!!

Just think about it....that lneup would produce big time...and u can go many different ways with the lineup because its the perfect mic of Righties and Lefties......

Let me know what you think.

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Harper hasn't caught since college..........that's over...

and I read the Nats have no interest in Fielder….

"It seems to me that DJ doesn't understand using his players to their strengths,
He only knows what strengths he wants his players to have." -by RobBobS on Aug 24, 2011

by cat daddy3000 on Aug 31, 2011 12:25 AM EDT reply actions

but did you see the muscles on that guy? :)

Anyway, I don’t know if Nix is going to survive in the D.C. outfield very long.. unless he magically learns to play CF. His bat is not irreplaceable in any regard.

But back to Fielder – he’s a really big guy who can hit the ball really hard.. unfortunately, I don’t think 1st base is a place where the Nats are going to spend big in free agency.

by dc Roach on Aug 31, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe not

but that doesn’t mean they SHOULDN’T spend money there. Fielder would be a fantastic upgrade over LaRoche. It would be like upgrading Detwiler to Halladay. Seriously, there’s that big a difference. Don’t get me wrong, I like Det, but if by some miracle there was a chance to swap him for RH, I’d do that in a heartbeat. By the same token an opportunity has presented itself to the Nats this offseason: one of the most productive young hitters in the league is becoming a free agent, and all the richest teams, who would otherwise be front-runners in contention for his services, are already set for his position. Washington is a perfect fit for him, but the chance is going to get squandered because of LaRoche (aka Rizzo’s Folly).

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 31, 2011 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Rizzo did prefer LaRoche over Dunn.

He also mentioned defense as one of his four pillars in order to build a great team. He loves defense, even at first. That is why Fielder will not be a National in 2012.

Skins rule

by Horcasitas4 on Aug 31, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Close

Rizzo offered Dunn more money and more years than he offered LaRoche. He just didn’t offer as many as the White Sox eventually did. And for a while last year, it looked like the market might come back to the Nationals’ offer. I think it might have even proved out that way if Dunn had stuck to his guns about not DHing. As it was, the Nationals may well have dodged an expensive bullet there.

by d_c_guy on Aug 31, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

We don't really know what they offered Dunn.

We only have speculation from beat writers on the subject, as far as I know.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 31, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Zim is going to get $150 million

there is not money for Fielder

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Aug 31, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Why not?

They have stated numerous times that they are ready and willing to up the payroll to 100M+. They have the money.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 31, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

It's just hard for me to imagine the owners willing to take that kind of short term loss,

Though I would love it if they did. It’s like an AL east lineup, which you can get away with if you pitchers strike people out.
2013
1)Rendon 2b
2)Werth CF
3)Zimm 3b
4)Fielder 1b
5)Morse lf
6) Nix/Harper RF
7) Norris C
8)Espinosa / Desmond SS
9) P

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Aug 31, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Now that's an AL defense

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, but isn't a cucumber that small called a gherkin?"

by jbg2772 on Aug 31, 2011 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Norris at Catcher? What happened to Ramos and Flores?

Given his struggles at the plate the last year+, I wouldn’t write him in just yet.

Similarly, I would be shocked if Nix was the LF in 2013.

by d_c_guy on Aug 31, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, good point on Nix

I think I started making the list for next season, then switched to 2013 so that I could add Rendon and Norris. Obviously, Harper should get almost all the starts after the midpoint of 2012.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Sep 1, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

That's also not a particularly deft OF

Morse and Nix are adequate, but have limited range (and Nix’s arm is al dente), and Werth is not a natural CF. Also, Nix can’t really hit LH pitching.

The ship that is “Bryce Harper, catcher” sailed when he enrolled in JC, and was sunk at sea when the Nats drafted him expressly as an outfielder. To shif him back to catcher now would delay his arrival in DC by at least two years, and he’d probably have to move off catcher a couple of years after that, anyway (see the guy with squeaky clean hair staring from the ad on the FB page).

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, but isn't a cucumber that small called a gherkin?"

by jbg2772 on Aug 31, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Harper won't play catcher

But that’s OK, Ramos will do perfectly well back there for the Nats.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 31, 2011 2:40 AM EDT reply actions

Given the problems that the team has had filling in the LF/CF spots

I think playing Harper in the OF is just fine, thanks. Harper and Werth can flip a coin for emergency catcher duties :-D

by d_c_guy on Aug 31, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that's one spot Werth has not walked into Davey's office and volunteered for...

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, but isn't a cucumber that small called a gherkin?"

by jbg2772 on Aug 31, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you're insane

by LUW on Aug 31, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

Easy there, hoss

Disagree with points, OK – but there’s no call for personal abuse.

by d_c_guy on Aug 31, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Not insane.

It’s certainly the way to get the best lineup out there. But It won’t happen anyway. Harper was moved to the outfield to add years on his career. Something the Twins should have done with Mauer a while ago. And first base isn’t as blaring as a need right now so I can’t see them breaking the bank for Fielder. They’ll probably save the cash for locking up Zim and filling in other actual holes. We can do alright with a mediocre firstbaseman breifly. If this was fantasy baseball, then the idea would be great.

Whats the frequency, Kenneth?

by ZimforPrez on Aug 31, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

It's easy to say, after a star catcher gets hurt, that they should have moved him out of that position

but SOMEONE has to play catcher. And there’s no particular reason that it has to be someone who can’t hit. I would have been OK with letting Harper mature as a catcher (even given how impatient I am to see him in the bigs); they could have easily laid claim to having the best catcher in the league for years.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Aug 31, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Its not just an after-the-fact thing regarding Mauer

Alot of people wanted to move him when he was younger. But people just don’t understand how often catchers get hurt. McCann is probably the best in the league when you factor in health/productivity. But even he goes on the DL seemingly every year. Moving Harper was just the best way to preserve the best bat in your lineup. It happened to Posey too, although I thought it was best to keep Posey at catcher as well.

Whats the frequency, Kenneth?

by ZimforPrez on Aug 31, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Ramos

I like Wilson Ramos behind the plate way to much to move him off that position. Harper will be fine in the OF and Morse should stay at 1B I was at the nats reds game sunday and any normal OF could have slid at the ball and make the easy catch but he let it drop 2 ft in front of him. I don’t like the prospect of landing Fielder anyway. He isn’t that great of a defensive player and it won’t compliment Zim, Desmond and Espinosa very well. Keep Harper, Ankiel and Werth in the OF and we will have guns out there.

Boiler Up!

by Finalfourbum4 on Aug 31, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

A 2012 dream.................

Bourn, Lombardozzii, ZIMM, Morse, Werth, ESPI, BERNIE, Ramos………………

What should have been………………..

by artistfork on Aug 31, 2011 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Bourn, will regress seriously next year,

and Laynce Nix gives the Nats a ton more production than Bernadina.

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Aug 31, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

The problem with Harper as a catcher is the fact that catchers seem to be more subject to injury due to the demands of that position. With his primary value being as a hitter, it is in the best interest of the team to have him play a different position.

Granted, players at other positions get injured as well but it’s especially bad at catcher.

The history of baseball is replete with good hitting catchers who switched to another position or would at least play another position to get a rest.

Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.

by CapsFan75 on Sep 4, 2011 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Well, that and the fact that it would have taken him at least a couple more years in the minors

and they’d prefer to have his stick in the lineup as soon as they can.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Sep 5, 2011 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I think we really need to focus on a CF/leadoff guy and another top of the rotation pitcher

While it would be sweet to have Fielder, I think we are just fine with Morse at first. If you compare Morse and Fielder’s numbers this year, there really isn’t much of a difference. Prince has 5 more HR’s but Morse is hitting .315 compared to Fielder’s .292. Also, keep in mind Morse didn’t really get the nod to become an everyday player until LaRoche went down so it wouldnt surprise me to see him #’s continue to rise.

Harper is staying in the OF. Ramos is a great catcher and a pretty solid hitter for a guy batting in the 8 slot. Don’t forget Ramos is only a ROOKIE, he is only going to get better.

Focus on a leadoff hitting CF like Denard Span (IF HEALTHY, and thats a big if) and then start the season off with Ankiel in LF until Harper comes up. Also go after a pitcher that can be a #3 guy to sandwich between J Zimm and Lannon.

Span (IF HEALTHY)- CF
Ankiel/ Desmond- OF/SS
Zimm- 3B
Morse- 1B
Werth- RF
Espi- 2B
Ankiel/Desmond- OF/SS
Ramos- C
(Pitcher)

Contending team.

by jeffco01 on Sep 7, 2011 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

Actually, Morse started out as the everyday LF

But was so bad in April that he played his way out of the job that he won in ST.

I agree with the need for a CF. I wish they could pry Brett Gardner off of the Yankees, but that’s just not going to happen. The Yankee’s farm system is deep in exactly the same places the Nationals are deep – catching and pitching.

by d_c_guy on Sep 7, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions