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I wonder how much Harper's future is going to play into any moves that the Nats make?
2018 Baseball season (13 Viewers)
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I wonder how much Harper's future is going to play into any moves that the Nats make?
Jason, I think from the fans POV, it is a huge factor as Harper has been presented as 'the franchise' for so long and he is extremely popular. There is also the fact that he is very talented and a ballplayer you want on your team. Management knows how important he is and will make a determined attempt to keep him, BUT, I have the feeling it is not going to be the 'keep him or the world ends' scenario that many fans do. Management has a sort of safety net named Victor Robles who has developed to the point where the loss of Harper would not be the disaster it might have been 2 years ago. Robles has been groomed to join Harper (or replace him if need be) in the starting outfield. Robles still needs playing time and experience but the belief by management is that he is capable of stepping in to Harper's position if need be. I'm a bit more skeptical until he proves himself but such is his potential (baseball's favorite term) that I believe Nats management is, while not comfortable with the possibility, do not see Harper's possible leaving as the death of the franchise (though many fans will). Nevertheless, I expect the Nats to make a competitive run at keeping Harper and this will have to effect their money expenditure in other positions to some extent. I believe that this has already exhibited itself to a degree with the lack of a big move at the catcher position and the #5 SP position. I do think that Robles has made the former talk of a 10 year, $400 million deal to keep Harper a non-starter at this point in DC and this makes the loss of Harper more likely. Harper is a baseball fan and loves the history of the game, and has expressed his desire to play his whole career for one team, as his all-time hero Mickey Mantle did, and he likes DC and appears happy here, so maybe this will effect how Harper approaches FA to a small degree, but money always seems to talk the loudest so we'll just have to see what happens this season with Robles' development and Harper's wishes. -- Al
jazzeum
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Good luck in signing him. His agent is Scott Boras, which means he probably won't be signed until March 2019.
The talk of $40 million a year reminds me what Oakland pitcher Mike Norris once said, ''Tomorrow morning I'll wake up and I'll be rich - or richer.''
The talk of $40 million a year reminds me what Oakland pitcher Mike Norris once said, ''Tomorrow morning I'll wake up and I'll be rich - or richer.''
Brad, I will hope, like all Nats fans, that the Nats can resign Harper, all the time knowing the odds are small he will stay in DC. Nats simply don't have the buying power teams like the Dodgers or Yankees have. I will be sorry to see him leave but have accepted that he will leave. 2018 baseball season is going to carry a LOT of pressure for the Nats, so I hope they can have some fun along the way. -- Al
jazzeum
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Al, as much as I hate to see him come to bat against the Mets, it wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t there. I hope he re-signs. I’m not sure the Yankees are a likely landing spot as they already have two RFs, obviously not of his quality.
Brad, I hope you are right, as does all of DC.:wink2: -- Al
jazzeum
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New pace of play rules have been announced. See https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-pace-of-play-initiatives/c-266718664
The highlight is that only six mound visits per 9 inning game are allowed, including trips made by infielders to the mound but excluding visits to change pitchers. That means the number of times a catcher can visit the mound to settle down a pitcher will be extremely limited.
The highlight is that only six mound visits per 9 inning game are allowed, including trips made by infielders to the mound but excluding visits to change pitchers. That means the number of times a catcher can visit the mound to settle down a pitcher will be extremely limited.
Panzer ace
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I like that rule but teams will no doubt try and find a way around them.
CanesBart
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Its all College baseball for me. I go to as many Miami Hurricanes games as I can (around 10 a year). Love aluminum bats. That "PING!" and the way the ball just flies off the bat....................
Plus, Alex Rodriegez Field, on the U campus, is such a great baseball atmosphere, and the food! Authentic Cuban food!
Can't go to a Marlins game. The field is on the site of the old Orange Bowl, and thus blasphemy, or herecy, or whatever it is when you defile holy ground.
Plus, Alex Rodriegez Field, on the U campus, is such a great baseball atmosphere, and the food! Authentic Cuban food!
Can't go to a Marlins game. The field is on the site of the old Orange Bowl, and thus blasphemy, or herecy, or whatever it is when you defile holy ground.
Panzer ace
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Al:
That does seem low compared to what was thrown around earlier. On the other hand it does give the Red Sox a pretty formidable lineup.
-Jason
Red Sox will be tough to beat, possibly a tick better than the NYY's, based on SP. -- Al
Panzer ace
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Agreed, and it seems that the Sox and Yanks' "arms" races of the past are back on!
How slow has the FA market been? The O's had 8 players go FA this off-season. To date, only 1 has signed a major-league deal and that was Chris Tillman resigning with the O's on a 1-year deal. 2 other players have signed minor-league deals with other teams. The other 5 players remain unsigned, among them JJ Hardy, a terrific defensive SS. Granted, 2 of the players are pitchers that have performed poorly of late, Jimenez and Hellickson, but that is still a lot of unsigned players but not unusual in this FA market, for whatever reason. -- Al
Just as a matter of interest here, one of the O's who signed a minor-league contract, LHP Wade Miley (with the Brewers), was horrible over his 1+ years with the O's, going 10-20, 5.75 ERA, 32 Hr's allowed in 211 innings, but has a job because he is a LHP. All I can say is the Brewers will have to be desperate to bring him up.:rolleyes2: -- Al
Warrior
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Brian Cashman gets my vote for comedian of the year, or better yet, he should be up for an Oscar for his comments today; "The Red Sox won the division, not us, they are the champs and we have to get past them...............we're the little train that could"....................
The what?
Is he ****ting me or what?
They're going to hit 4,000 home runs this year, anything short of getting to the WS will be a huge failure.
He's one funny guy.
The what?
Is he ****ting me or what?
They're going to hit 4,000 home runs this year, anything short of getting to the WS will be a huge failure.
He's one funny guy.
jazzeum
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I don’t think it’s as bad as it seems. There were about 280 free agents this off season and about 75 have not signed. However, some of them are marginal. Let’s say for argument’s sake 15 are marginal. That means almost 80% have been accounted for. Not terrible.
Perhaps the O's just had a larger percentage of marginal FA's?:wink2: -- Al