NFBC Message Boards

"According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Nationals are informing teams that Jordan Zimmermann is available.
But it's going to require a "strong return" to pluck him away, adds Nightengale. Zimmermann had a career year in 2014 at age 28, posting a superb 2.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 182/29 K/BB ratio across 199 2/3 innings. He also threw a no-hitter on the final day of the regular season. The right-hander is owed $16.5 million in 2015 and can then become a free agent. The Nats obviously feel they won't be able to lock him up long term."

Yeah...that's it...a team as likely as any to have a serious chance at a World Series appearence as any team in MLB is going to allow a pitcher of Zimmermann's calibre to get away because they are sure they have pitching to spare (never happened in the history of baseball) even for a 162 game season and there is so much high-calibre pitching out there (again, not!).

I think this is one great indicator that the NL East is composed of the Washington Nationals, the Peachtree Street Little League, the Philadelphia 162-Game Old Timers Exhibition Team, the New York Girls Fast Pitch Softball Team, and Giancarlo Stanton.

The Nats can give away Zimmerman because they ain't no one gonna be chasing them in the East in 2015....

Wayne,

The Braves who as you know are my team too... Need to trade J Upton, D Carpenter and Gattis now.

Listen very closely on Kimbrel and hopefully a rebounded Mike Minor at the deadline. You have to obviously be overwhelmed on Kimbrel.

Wait out most of BJ's contract (still some bad in 2017) and obviously you are clear of Uggla.

Hope your 2b prospect is legit, Simmons and Freeman are fine long term. Hope Betancourt hits enough to be able to stick and survive a lineup that has Simmons and Betancourt hitting 7 and 8 for a long time.

Accumulate bats and draft college bats over time and in these trades and be ready to spend on pitching for 2017 season.

One last thing anyone who will take Chris Johnson after his first hot streak or an injury to their 3b can have him and we will eat some contract. Might be the worst move Wren ever made. IE no one ever saw Uggla or Upton being this bad.

This team has not "rebuilt" in almost 25 years. Two rough seasons is a small price to pay. This team is currently constructed horribly and the only way to fix it is to tear it down.

It would be rare indeed for me to disagree with you Kent, and I ain't starting now. The team is being blown up...mercifully....but it is still going to be two, long, frustrating summers.

What about Fredi? Is he the man for the new world order?

Not a fan of Fredi. I would make the change after 15 and try to find your guy going forward. I would also task Hart to spend some strategic dollars in free agency in hopes of having more pieces to deal at the deadline. Go sign me 2 outfield bats and one starting pitcher that you can trade for parts at the deadline.

Theo has done a tremendous job of this concept in Chicago Hammel, Feldman etc....

I also looked at the structure of Kimbrel's contract closer. Deal him.... He is unlikely to be a factor by the 17/18 window. I still think he has more value over the summer when some team is only him away in their minds.

More specifically I would be willing to move Upton and Chris Johnson eating all of 15 and 16 in an effort to get relief in 2017. It would take BJ playing a lot better on the Roger Dorn lead braves of 2015 to get that, but a boy can dream now.

You go in to 17 with Freeman, Simmons, and Teheran locked up. Miller, Wood, and possibly Minor still under control on the pitching staff. There is your core. You have two drafts, 2 more free agencies, and all of the prospects for Upton, Gattis, and Kimbrel to do it with. Throw in a farm system that may already have a couple of pitchers and a solid 2b candidate.

blech. the Sunshine Boys aren't equipped to rebuild the team.

keeping fredi was the first indication they were out of touch.

going to be a long spring and summer