MLB 2018 regular season thread

The Nats fucked this thing up. It is highly unlikely they are going to make the playoffs. They should have opened up the bidding on Harper weeks ago. When does a Boras client ever not get to free agency? It was a chance to reload.

 

No. It won't. Harper isn't likable. .... he's just not.

Rendon is likable. Murphy is likable. Scherzer is likable. The Z-man is likable.

Harper is not. .... And yes: I'd prefer that Harper be mashing home runs for the Nats for the next 20 years, because I prefer Nationals who mash home runs because I like to see the Nats win games.

 

I think the Nationals' front office wanted to trade Harper, but their 92-year-old owner — who has no stomach for a rebuild for obvious reasons — killed any possible deal.

 

Not sure it would have to be a rebuild. But he isn't going to be there next year, you still have a good team, add prospects and spend on free agents. Or trade prospects for another star. Or, miss the playoffs and lose him for a draft pick.

 

Honest question: Do you think teams would be willing to give what the Nationals would want in return for Harper?

 

I guess right now, you decide whether the comp pick is better than what they are offered. Leaving it until the day of the deadline means they will never get full value.

 

I think the Indians would. They need to beef up their lineup to beat the Red Sox, Yankees and Astros. And their window is closing with Miller, Brantley and Allen all free agents after this year, and Bauer and Lindor due for huge raises soon.

Then again, with Harper's salary, he'd probably pass through waivers, so they could probably trade for him in August the way the Astros did with Verlander last year.

 

Comp picks aren't what they used to be. You now get a pick in the mid-30s, as opposed to the first round pick of the team that signed your player.

 

And that's the decision you need to make. I can't imagine them not being offered more value than the comp pick they would receive.

 

Let me rephrase. Good enough to where they can get solid production from all three outfield spots, let Harper walk or trade him, and use that truckload of money to get anywhere from 1-3 other guys that can make them better across the board.
For example, if you were the Nats and you could trade Harper for Machado and another player or two, would you do it?
Of course, if they lose out on Machado it might be a moot point.

 

Photo from Mike Rizzo's press conference this morning:

 

Help me out.
If Harper leaves as a FA this winter, the Nats get the equivalent of like a first round pick, correct?