Now that the Washington Nationals season is a wrap, a better record and promising performance than expected, we turn to a few Nats coverage folks for a season ending wrap up roundtable, looking to the 2012 season.  Our Nats round table consists of the following:

1. Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider and beat reporter for CSN Washington
2. Edward Chigliak, Federal Baseball
3. Drew Kinback, NatsNQ
4. Dave Nichols, District Sports Page
5. Tom Blaz, DC Pro Sports Report, Chief Editor and Co-Owner of Recruiting Eagle

Here are the questions we asked of our panel:

1.  With Adam LaRoche returning from injury, there will be a real log jam at 1b and corner OF, what do you expect the Nationals will do?  

Blaz:  LaRoche has another year of his two year contract, so unless they can move him, he will be a part of the equation. LaRoche can only play first base, so that will necessitate a move of Mike Morse to left field. This also creates a log jam to Chris Marrero who could serve as a right handed option against tough left handed pitchers. Marrero has also played some third base and can be a backup for Ryan Zimmerman on a short term basis. Marrero probably isn't the answer at third should Zimmerman miss extended time again in 2012.

Zuckerman:   I think it's pretty simple. LaRoche returns to play first base, healthy and due to earn $8 million. Michael Morse opens the season in left field, where he finished out 2011. If things go well, the Nats will look to trade LaRoche in mid-summer, move Morse back to first base and potentially call up Bryce Harper to take over in one of the outfield spots. If Harper's not ready, they can just keep LaRoche at first and Morse in left.

Chigliak:  I expect that Adam LaRoche will be at first base at the start of next season and expect Michael Morse will be in left. I expect Chris Marrero will either get dealt as part of a trade for a pitcher or OF or he'll start the year in Triple-A untilLaRoche proves himself healthy and is eventually dealt. You'd be trading LaRoche at his lowest possible value now (or this winter) since he's coming off a pretty serious injury and I still think Marrero could use some seasoning before he's ready to play every day in the majors if he is in fact an every day major leaguer one day. As good as Morse was at first, I think LaRoche is a better defender there. Don't like Morse in the outfield, particularly, but having both of their bats in the lineup is the best option now...("And by ???now' I mean, unless the Nats Now that the Washington Nationals season is a wrap, a better record and promising performance than expected, we turn to a few Nats coverage folks for a season ending wrap up roundtable, looking to the 2012 season.  Our Nats round table consists of the following:

1. Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider and beat reporter for CSN Washington
2. Edward Chigliak, Federal Baseball
3. Drew Kinback, NatsNQ
4. Dave Nichols, District Sports Page
5. Tom Blaz, DC Pro Sports Report, Chief Editor and Co-Owner of Recruiting Eagle

Here are the questions we asked of our panel:

1.  With Adam LaRoche returning from injury, there will be a real log jam at 1b and corner OF, what do you expect the Nationals will do?  

Blaz:  LaRoche has another year of his two year contract, so unless they can move him, he will be a part of the equation. LaRoche can only play first base, so that will necessitate a move of Mike Morse to left field. This also creates a log jam to Chris Marrero who could serve as a right handed option against tough left handed pitchers. Marrero has also played some third base and can be a backup for Ryan Zimmerman on a short term basis. Marrero probably isn't the answer at third should Zimmerman miss extended time again in 2012.

Zuckerman:   I think it's pretty simple. LaRoche returns to play first base, healthy and due to earn $8 million. Michael Morse opens the season in left field, where he finished out 2011. If things go well, the Nats will look to trade LaRoche in mid-summer, move Morse back to first base and potentially call up Bryce Harper to take over in one of the outfield spots. If Harper's not ready, they can just keep LaRoche at first and Morse in left.

Chigliak:  I expect that Adam LaRoche will be at first base at the start of next season and expect Michael Morse will be in left. I expect Chris Marrero will either get dealt as part of a trade for a pitcher or OF or he'll start the year in Triple-A untilLaRoche proves himself healthy and is eventually dealt. You'd be trading LaRoche at his lowest possible value now (or this winter) since he's coming off a pretty serious injury and I still think Marrero could use some seasoning before he's ready to play every day in the majors if he is in fact an every day major leaguer one day. As good as Morse was at first, I think LaRoche is a better defender there. Don't like Morse in the outfield, particularly, but having both of their bats in the lineup is the best option now...("And by ???now' I mean, unless the Nats sign Prince Fielder or something...")

Kinback:  The Nationals are going to start LaRoche at first base to start 2012 due to his contract and just because that is what he is: a veteran first baseman although he might be losing a step. They need Michael Morse's bat in a line up that had trouble hitting in key situations in 2011 so he will get the most playing time in the outfield. I can see them trying to move LaRoche sometime during the season because though he is a class act and good teammate, time and age is catching up with him. Chris Marrero will either be sent back to the minors or put in a bench role (though that might not be best for him) or possibly packaged and traded. The Nationals have options for these positions which isn't a bad thing.

Nichols:  I expect LaRoche to start if healthy and Morse moved back to left field with Marrero back at Syracuse, unless he's included in an off-season trade for a pitcher or center fielder.  If LaRoche isn't healthy, Morse stays at first and the Nats need to find a left fielder as well.   READ THE REST BY CLICKING CONTINUE READING

sign Prince Fielder or something...")

Kinback:  The Nationals are going to start LaRoche at first base to start 2012 due to his contract and just because that is what he is: a veteran first baseman although he might be losing a step. They need Michael Morse's bat in a line up that had trouble hitting in key situations in 2011 so he will get the most playing time in the outfield. I can see them trying to move LaRoche sometime during the season because though he is a class act and good teammate, time and age is catching up with him. Chris Marrero will either be sent back to the minors or put in a bench role (though that might not be best for him) or possibly packaged and traded. The Nationals have options for these positions which isn't a bad thing.

Nichols:  I expect LaRoche to start if healthy and Morse moved back to left field with Marrero back at Syracuse, unless he's included in an off-season trade for a pitcher or center fielder.  If LaRoche isn't healthy, Morse stays at first and the Nats need to find a left fielder as well.   READ THE REST BY CLICKING CONTINUE READING

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