Nats bats could be moved for D

Selling of players doesn't help them build anything. They aren't a contender this year, but they ahve a chance to build something for the next couple of years. That won't happen if they sell off Dunn and/or Willingham.

If they are losing games 2-0 & 1-0, how does improving their defense help to score runs? Does getting more prospects for Dunn and Willingham help them score runs?

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:00 AM ET  07.19 by ElevenRingsSTL

Selling of players doesn't help them build anything. They aren't a contender this year, but they ahve a chance to build something for the next couple of years. That won't happen if they sell off Dunn and/or Willingham.

Problem is, there is no help on the way. Rated one of the five worst farm systems in baseball by Baseball America.
So, unless they want to go big time in FA, they really have little choice.

dunn to the mets (at least now the mets have some decient young players to deal)

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:52 AM ET  07.19 by 50yearfan

Problem is, there is no help on the way. Rated one of the five worst farm systems in baseball by Baseball America.So, unless they want to go big time in FA, they really have little choice.

Why not go big time in free agency. They have a chance to build something special for the future. DC is not a small market, they could and should add to that payroll. They may have to extend themselves a little bit, but in the long run it could very well be worth it..........they may never have this chance again.

BERKMAN AND OSWALT TO THE YANKEES FOR A FEW MINOR LEAGUERS BUT NOT MONTERO OR ROMINE CAUSE THEY ARE TAKING ON SALARY

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:12 AM ET  07.19 by ericl1

BERKMAN AND OSWALT TO THE YANKEES FOR A FEW MINOR LEAGUERS BUT NOT MONTERO OR ROMINE CAUSE THEY ARE TAKING ON SALARY

Who cares.....

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  07.19 by jnorman41

Why not go big time in free agency. They have a chance to build something special for the future. DC is not a small market, they could and should add to that payroll. They may have to extend themselves a little bit, but in the long run it could very well be worth it..........they may never have this chance again.

But they do share that market with Baltimore, which is a problem.

Dunn is going to test FA anyway, so they might as well dump him. He fell in their lap when the FA market collapsed 2 years ago and they got him at a nice discount. I doubt that will happen again unless Dunn just falls apart in the second half.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 10:12 AM ET  07.19 by ericl1

BERKMAN AND OSWALT TO THE YANKEES FOR A FEW MINOR LEAGUERS BUT NOT MONTERO OR ROMINE CAUSE THEY ARE TAKING ON SALARY

Two established pros for Yankee scraps. That sounds fair. I think Houston would do it in a heartbeat.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  07.19 by jnorman41

Why not go big time in free agency. They have a chance to build something special for the future. DC is not a small market, they could and should add to that payroll. They may have to extend themselves a little bit, but in the long run it could very well be worth it..........they may never have this chance again.

That is the only other option. And takes some real cohones.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:39 AM ET  07.19 by Piltdown Rabbit

Two established pros for Yankee scraps. That sounds fair. I think Houston would do it in a heartbeat.

The Yankees do not want Oswalt. They would be stuck with him next year. They want that spot and the big bucks saved for Lee next year.
Starters are not their problem, they are looking for bull pen help.

Me thinks that Nats would continue to lose with the Gas House Gang & Murderer's Row in their lineup. Gotta have pitching

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:39 AM ET  07.19 by Piltdown Rabbit

Two established pros for Yankee scraps. That sounds fair. I think Houston would do it in a heartbeat.

I don't even know why the Yankees would do it.

Oswalt would be an average pitcher in the AL East.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  07.19 by jnorman41

Why not go big time in free agency. They have a chance to build something special for the future. DC is not a small market, they could and should add to that payroll. They may have to extend themselves a little bit, but in the long run it could very well be worth it..........they may never have this chance again.

For who? Unless you're the Yankees and can afford to spend your mistakes away going big in free agency has been an expensive, and losing proposition. Fans love big free agents signings because it's an overt symbol that the team is DOING something, even though it rarely pays off.

The way to build is from within, with cheap, cost-controlled talent that you can supplement with a few free agents. The Nationals have JUST started to do that with Rizzo doing some nice work after the Bowden abomination.

Dunn and Willingham are not going to be a part of the next good-great Nats team, it's a no brainer to unload them.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 11:37 AM ET  07.19 by Brentantation

For who? Unless you're the Yankees and can afford to spend your mistakes away going big in free agency has been an expensive, and losing proposition. Fans love big free agents signings because it's an overt symbol that the team is DOING something, even though it rarely pays off.The way to build is from within, with cheap, cost-controlled talent that you can supplement with a few free agents. The Nationals have JUST started to do that with Rizzo doing some nice work after the Bowden abomination. Dunn and Willingham are not going to be a part of the next good-great Nats team, it's a no brainer to unload them.

Dunn would be out of there by the time they can build a contener anyways.
Not that easy to find a willing partner. They value him more than other teams. That is why he is there. No big interest when he was a FA. The Nats were the only team to offer him money.

I'd like to see Willingham in a Braves uniform.

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 01:16 PM ET  07.19 by Mondo Jay

I'd like to see Willingham in a Braves uniform.

You'd probably also like to see him in assless chaps.

Dunn to Mets? Willingham to Braves? I'd be shocked to see Nats trade them within the division. I see Dunn as the one more likely to move. But Nats should not assume that they will lose their Free Agents. They are well positioned (ball park, potential fan base) to build a winner and they don't have to do a fire sale to cut any assumed future losses.

I thought the Nats had good young arms...not the best or most reliable offense. the pieces they added may have some pop but also have flaws.