Another Move Besides Fielder

by fballplyr92 on Jan 22, 2012 7:56 AM EST

Pretty much all the Nationals News we've gotten over the last few weeks has been related to the "PF Flyer" and its anyone's guess as to when this whole thing will end. But I'm curious as to whether the Nationals should make another bold move.

The Red Sox just traded Marco Scutaro to the Rockies for next to nothing and from what I see, have next to nothing to replace him with. I don't know what they're farm system is like, or if they have a back up plan for SS, but with the middle infield depth the Nationals have, it seems like a good time to make a move and get some pieces back.

Whether or not Ian Desmond pans out and becomes a above avg. type SS is a still up in the air, but he's still a guy with a lot of potential that could be valuable to teams like Boston, who haven't done much of anything this winter and might overpay for a guy like Desmond. It's no secret that Espinosa has a cannon arom and would be a great fit at SS, and the Nats already have Lombardozzi and DeRosa to cover second.Not to mention Rendon in a few years who I'd prefer at second rather than third.

Maybe we can fleece the Red Sox for some of their higher level OF to cover our need, and maybe a lower level SP to recoup some of the pitching we lost in the Gonzalez trade. Seems like a good idea to me.

Thoughts?

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Two spots open on the Nats...

The Nationals lineup is set for the next several years except for two positions: CF and a middle infielder (Agree that Espinosa could slide over). Last year, the offensive production from the CF and SS position was horrendous. SS had an OBP of .295 and a SLG of .345, while the CF slot had .307 and .371. Other than these two positions, we are solid offensively.

I don’t see a possible trade with Boston, though. They don’t have a middle infielder or a CF that they’d be willing to trade. The only possibility would be a 3 team trade, but there is little point in speculating something that is so hypothetical.

Next offseason, as Rizzo said, the Nats will sign a CF. That just leaves the middle infield position open. Any trade the Nats consider should regard a SS or a 2nd baseman. Sign Fielder, trade Morse and Desmond for a quality SS or 2nd baseman after this season? Would be expensive, but if the Nats’ owners are willing to break out their wallets, I think it would be the surest way to victory.

by Natsbat4W on Jan 22, 2012 9:22 AM EST reply actions

I'd trade Lombardozzi before Desmond

I see good things in Desi’s future.

Rob

--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds

by RobBobS on Jan 22, 2012 9:49 AM EST reply actions

Explain to me what impresses you about Desmond. I’m not trying to incite a pissing match, I just honestly don’t see anything in him other than he plays a pretty good SS. His swing is horrendous, just spinning on his feet and keeping his hands sucked into his chest, if he could get that worked out then he could make something of himself.

by RossingtonCollins on Jan 22, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

He has moments where he seems to hit with confidence

and when he does, he hits nothing but solid line drives. If he can become more consistent in that — and I think he can — he will be a pretty good overall shortstop.

Rob

--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds

by RobBobS on Jan 22, 2012 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

I Agree Rob.....In fact, I am fairly confident in your assessment

I will add, that there were many ABs last season where Dez was completely robbed by a great defensive play by the opposing team. I totally see Dez as a 280ish hitter, with 15+ HRs and 20+ SBs. Add to that his defensive capabilities, and the continued decrease in errors, and I’d say we have a SS that other teams would covet in a drooling fashion. It amazes me that so many Nats fans are so eager to give up on him….kinda reminds me of the way Nats fans treated Morse last season. Imagine if the FO gave up on him like most fans wanted. I think we are very fortunate to have the Dez-Espi combo shoring up the MI.

by sullyzz on Jan 22, 2012 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

Not giving up on him per say, I just find his swing horrendous for a Major Leaguer. I like the guy, he says the right things, plays good D, and is quite a problem for the other team on the base path. A hitting coach and I at a Baseball Academy here in Maryland broke down his swing from the first and the second half and we found major differences which led to success after the ASG. If he continues to work on the swing and his pitch selection then he will be a big time lead off hitter, mark my words.

by RossingtonCollins on Jan 22, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions

Where are the walks?

Hard to be an effective leadoff hitter if you can only get 35 walks a year! He’d litterally have to hit between .290-.300. Do I think he can do this one year? yes. But over and over? no.

If he drew the same amount of walks last year and hit .290, he’d still only have an OBP of .340. While if he hits .240, he’ll have an OBP of .290. I think Desmond could fall anywhere between these two points any given year… he’s dangerous.

by Natsbat4W on Jan 23, 2012 6:58 AM EST up reply actions

He will need to work on his eye too..

I agree with RossingtonCollins.

I don’t work or frequent any basball academies (anymore), but just from watching his swing in the 2nd half of the season he looks to have a shorter more compact swing….and was pulling the ball more (not that that’s always a good thing obviously). I do think that his 2nd half is a sign of more things to come, and I believe that walks will come with his development as a hitter.

I would not trade him unless we were blown away with an offer. Though I do think Lombo could do the job as well..

by dawgjk9 on Jan 23, 2012 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

An OBP of .340 gives him the same OBP as Upton

Upton’s career: .257/.342/.416; OPS=.758
Desmond career: .262/.304/.387; OPS = .691

upping his OBP to .340 gives him an OPS = .727

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"

by jbg2772 on Jan 23, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Read my post thoroughly next time, I say towards the end that he needs to work on pitch selection as well. If he swings at more quality pitches and learns that one should never swing at a first pitch curveball then the walks will come.

by RossingtonCollins on Jan 23, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

^ That was only meant for Natsbat4W

by RossingtonCollins on Jan 23, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

Again, I think it's all about confidence

You can just tell sometimes he comes up to the plate with the idea that he can hit this guy, and he then has good ABs. Other times, and very often early in the year, he let the game play him, he was tentative, and his pitch selection/recognition was mostly just not there. So he made a lot of outs.

His second half slash (.289/.338/.417) is pretty much exactly where I think his target should be. He might end up a .280/.330/.430 guy when all is said and done, which is pretty good for a rangy shortstop.

Rob

--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds

by RobBobS on Jan 23, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

I dont think now is the right time to trade Desmond

because if we put all our eggs in the Lombardozzi basket, and he hits like he did in September, you can forget any playoff spot and we are back to trying to find a SS. Desmond you know will at least be servicable, we dont know that about Lombardozzi.

MOAR SEVERINO!

by jeff550 on Jan 22, 2012 10:58 AM EST reply actions

I don't know

A playoff spot is pretty precarious as it is. I’d feel just as comfortable with Espinosa at SS and the combo of DeRosa/Lombardozzi at Second than what we have now. It could posibly satisfy a lead off need in the short term and add some quality peices

by fballplyr92 on Jan 22, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions

Or we could just wait a year and sign Upton via free agency

and give Lombardozzi a chance to prove himself, and Desmond a year to increase his value

MOAR SEVERINO!

by jeff550 on Jan 22, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Boston's still pretty positive on Iglesias as their future SS

They have Mike Aviles and Nick Punto to fill the gap in 2012 while waiting for Iglesias to find his batting stroke. I think they’d consider Desmond a lateral move rather than an upgrade for 2012.

Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"

by jbg2772 on Jan 22, 2012 12:35 PM EST reply actions

I’m glad we have Dez and not an Aviles/Punto platoon. Good for us.

by sullyzz on Jan 22, 2012 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

ESPN Insider Suggests Another Trade Possibility For The Nats.....

One that not many folks have mentioned……Espinosa for Upton.

by sullyzz on Jan 22, 2012 8:49 PM EST reply actions

I guessing nobody talks about this because it is totally insane.

Espinosa has two more years before arbitration, Upton has one-year before he’s a free agent. In his rookie year, Espinosa post an fWAR or 3.5. Over the past 5 years, Upton has averaged about 4.0 WAR per season. Not to mention the fact that Upton is isn’t exactly a perfect fit for the Nationals in that that he’s not really a lead-off.

It is possible that Espinosa will have a sophomore slump or that he’ll never be as good as his rookie year again but this would be the definition of selling slow.

#extendZim

by chubias on Jan 22, 2012 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

Meh…..not saying I agree with it, but it was mentioned in ESPN Rumor Central by Jason Churchill, and thought I would share…..so this is definitely one of those “don’t shoot the messenger” situations. I don’t know why I truly spend money for ESPN Insider…..I have seen stuff posted on there that was mere speculation and opinion with no substance. FWIW….I’m not a fan of Upton, and I really like our MI the way it is. I would venture to say, however, that there are probably a lot of Nats fans out there who would disagree with you, and who would jump on that trade in a heartbeat…..there are a lot of believers who feel that Upton is the player the Nats most need, and would likely gladly give Espi straight-up to get him. And I am sure that most Rays fans would NOT want to give Upton straight up for Espi.

by sullyzz on Jan 23, 2012 1:23 AM EST up reply actions

Ummmm

I think this trade would be insane too. I disagree with you in that “a lot of Nats fans” would probably want this trade to happen. I see Espy as a Chase Utley type player for us. I think he raises his averge by a good ~.20 pts this year and makes the all-star team. Just my 2cents.

I think if he slumps early, Davey may try to get him to only hit RH though..

by dawgjk9 on Jan 23, 2012 8:42 AM EST up reply actions

Don't get it...

Why would you switch hit when you are so much better from one side? Espy hits .277 from the right, while only .223 from the left. Doesn’t make sense to me…

by Natsbat4W on Jan 23, 2012 9:00 AM EST up reply actions

Quickness out of the box from the left

Plus his right handed PA’s are greatly outnumbered by his left handed at bats, thus bringing his average down in most cases. His swing is different and more natural to him from the right. He is young and probably has the potential to clean up his swing from the left so don’t write off him as a switch hitter just yet.

Name a number between three and five.
.............
.............
Threeve.

by Mattionals on Jan 24, 2012 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

Trading Desmond would be selling low

I’m not sure how much could be gotten for Desmond at this point. He’s played barely above replacement level in the two years he’s started. He’s 26 this year and hasn’t shown much progress at the plate outside of a pretty good September (with all the callups September stats I trust the least). His defense hasn’t been rated very highly statistically either by traditional or newfangled stats. He looks like a utility infielder with some speed on the bases to me.

If Lombardozzi is ready it might be time to think about moving Espinosa over and benching or trading Desmond. This season is not a likely one for contention, so I think the team can give Desmond this season to show some ability to get on base more. He’d be a pretty valuable player if he could do that at a decent clip.

by short on Jan 25, 2012 1:35 AM EST reply actions

I think everyone gets ST and the first couple of months to show where they are

That goes for Desmond, Ramos (coming off of a traumatic offseason I worry about him a bit), Flores, Espinosa, LaRoche, Lannan … everyone really this side of Strasburg, Zimmerman, Zimmermann, Gonzalez, Storen, Clippard and Werth.

by d_c_guy on Jan 25, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

Desmond Will Rock In 2012

Going into last season, I was excited about Morse getting a full season of PAs, and really I wanted him to be at 1B. This season, my excitement is geared toward Desmond, because I truly believe he has a break-out season coming up by improving his errors defensively (he is already rangy and has an incredible arm) and offensively. I believe he pushes a .280 average with 15+ HRs and 20+ SBs. I made projections for Morse last year, that some folks thought were crazy….but Morse actually surpassed my projections. In 2012……Let Teddy Win, and DON’T Trade Dez!

by sullyzz on Jan 25, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs