MiddleCoastBias

My favorite part is that no one commented something like "well sure the Nats WANT all of these things, but no one will be willing to OFFER all of that", instead they just all jumped in and offered their entire teams as tribute.

Wait until you see the replies from other teams in response to this tweet:

Imagine being a Nats fan and getting two catchers in return for Soto.

Anyone have a comparison on the number of HRs we've hit in this recent hot stretch vs. however many games it took to hit that many before this stretch? Kind of feel like Eloy came back and was like "guys, screw grounders, just hit dingers" and everyone gave Menechino the bird. But this is just the narrative I choose to believe.

I feel like the thread title is misleading, no? A "no comment" when asked about a manager's job sounds way different than the actual report that was included in the article and subsequent tweets that Tony will be around for at least this year, possibly next.

First thing I thought of when seeing this was "teach your kids to be multi sport athletes as those skills will transfer". I feel like this is where his basketball background/training comes in with his "explosiveness", to steal a word from basketball folk.

Has anyone done the obligatory social media search to see if he talks about the Sox/cubs? I'm not doing that because it's weird, but I encourage others to do it and provide that information to us all!

I think I'd be ok with finally hammering the RF door shut after all of these years (remembering how long it took to fill 3B after Crede), even if it opens a hole in the rotation. And then looking forward to years of saying "we need to sign a top of the rotation starter!" haha It's a constant whack a mole until we find the right combo to win the World Series.

I feel like these kind of go together, just on a time delay. Bringing in Strasburg's contract means we won't be signing Giolito later. Knowing that, do you trade Gio now to replenish the prospect coffers (assuming we've traded for Soto somehow)? Trading Gio does deplete the majors, like you said. So is it a go for broke, keep him and hope we've got a chance at winning it all? Or get cute and try to get better now (with Soto) AND make our current staff worse (trading Gio) with an eye on the future?

You're right, he's not exactly a rock back there either, but hey he did get that Pollock throw!

It's a small part of the game but I think people miss it: I maintain that Grandal can't catch a "non-pitched" ball for the life of him. Every potential play at the plate, Grandal drops the throw so we never even get a chance at the out. I wish there was some way to track this but it's been evident for a few years - dude mishandles WAY more potential outfield assists than his peers. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.

Yep, Cueto is the type of depressed asset we've tried to sign in the past with the hope that they bounce back (Encarnacion, Mazara, Santana, many more). It's great when these projects actually work out, but Cueto has been even better than we could've hoped for. Feel like we'd be in even worse shape without him. Unsung hero for the first half of the season.

Please no. I'm still trying to figure out what the Hawk and Tony reacts are supposed to mean and then to use them haha

Oh sure, I agree with you there. But what I mean is *it doesn't have to be either of them*. Why fix one mistake by creating another. We're the ones creating this "would you rather Tony or Ozzie" scenario and we're artificially limiting our options when we don't have to. This team has talent. It deserves a talented manager.

Yep, and this is a good reminder for folks that still think Ozzie should be the manager again of what will happen if he's given the stage. Perfect case of Chicago's "backup quarterback" mentality where we think the next guy MUST be better than what we have, right?? We've seen Ozzie. We know Ozzie. We deserve better than Ozzie now.

Fuck off, Ron.

I said earlier that I thought it was too late to use the health issues excuses and everyone would see through it for what it was, but I buy into what you're saying. If he's actually going to step down, it makes sense to get some time to make an internal transition plan and have plan in place. The all-star break also gives the team, etc. the to adjust and get replacements into position. I buy that there may be internal conversations going on saying "I'm stepping down in a week so let's get our ducks in a row" etc. Here's hoping, at least.

The thing is, he's waited too long to make any FO bump or "health reasons" move look like anything BUT a weak cover-up for getting fired. Everyone in baseball is watching this situation now and sees how big of a trainwreck it is. We all know he needs to go, and now he's missed his opportunity to leave with dignity. And frankly, I don't care about his dignity, just get him out. Fuck 'em.

Tonight's game is becoming appointment viewing just to hear the commentary from Stone and Benetti. If this season is turning into a circus, might as well enjoy the ride.

"Things are going to change around here, see? No more long-distance phone calls, keep your dames at home, and shave those sideburns Mattingly!"

I know you're only trying to make a point and not actually suggesting that this WILL work, but it won't. The Nats are far enough out in their rebuild that they shouldn't want to diminish the return they can get for Soto just by getting rid of some bad contracts too. They should be in a position to max their return for him with as many prospects as possible, and ride out the contracts. Added to that, if any team is in a position to take on a bad contract to make a deal like that, it isn't us.

.... for now. Pitchers will drop out and he'll be in as a replacement. Agree that he should've been in originally, but it'll work itself out.

I see your reply after I posted pretty much the same thing haha

This is how I feel as well. See: Angels squandering Mike Trout for so many years.