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Happy Holidays

Wut doo yu meen thair for Santuh?

The weather sure doesn’t seem like it, but it’s almost time for the final Friday of December, which is Christmas for some, December 25th to others, and a day off for most people outside of the retail and restaurant industries.

As I’ve done the past few years, my post-solstice wish is that by the time you read this, you’ve checked off everything on your list, have arrived at your preferred place to be, and can spend time with folks who you want to be with (and, ideally, vice-versa ;-).

Be happy, stay safe, and be grateful. Regardless of your religion or your beliefs, it’s a sentiment that applies to everyone, everywhere no matter what the season.

25 Commments

    1. Cargo would have cost too many blue chips
      Murphy has leadership qualities suited for
      Bench role
      Clint , Murphy den dekker. Jose behind the plate ,
      Eventually Difo. That might balance things out
      In a pitching rich division
      Thoughts anyone
      Merry Christmas and happy holidays

      1. The mets get a second comp pick for Murphy
        From the MLB draft pool??
        But the Nsts get a pick for Zimm27 but not
        Ian ??

  3. Merry Christmas to all.

    On Murphy – the economics work. Three years gives the farm a chance to produce middle infield mainstays and upgrades. He is not Zobrist but has proven his ability to play multiple positions. 2B his worst. But the Nats are an oft injured team and his flexibility is very good everyday insurance that made Zobrist valuable. He hits very very well at Nats park and on the road from Citi Field. He is an established clutch and post season bat. The loss of compensation pick is not welcome. The defensive problems are highly exposed but the metrics not as bad as other aging players. And the Nats gave up less than they would have for Brandon Phillips. And, he doesn’t strike out much at all.

    All things considered, the team is better with him than Escobar.

    Now let’s see what else they plan to do.

    2. Respectfully disagree. A lot.

      Murphy plays DH-quality defense.
      The fact that he can play multiple positions badly doesn’t help at all.The last time I checked, the Nats play only 15-20 games where they get to play a DH.

      We gave up our 15th pick for him?

      1. Pick was 17th overall, not 15th.

        Murphy is a bad 2b, horrific OF, borderline 3b, and actually a decent 1b. He’s got some speed on the base paths. He’s no Adam Dunn, or even Pedro Alvarez defensively. He’s put up a consistent ~2 WAR (averaging fWAR, which likes him, and rWAR, which doesn’t). There’s a reason he was expected to get 4 years between $12-15M AAV. The price the Nats got reflects the loss of the draft pick (esp. when you figure in that $4M of his 2016 salary is deferred to 2020).

          1. Hm. For that to be true, 2-3 of the following teams would have had to sign other teams’ free agents: Mariners; Red Sox; Rays; Orioles; Indians; Twins.

            Out of that group, the Mariners might sign one. Maybe. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if none of them did before the June draft.

    3. Skip Schumaker sounds like a stop gap ??
      Or is there a Dusty Baker guy in the weeds out there ??
      Stephen Drew too rich for the books, Bob Miller??

  4. Merry Xmas GG!
    Yes murphy buys time for Difo
    Then abreau Meiija. Schrock
    Lora. Ward. SAGDAL?
    Blessings one and All nat nation
    Seperate ways , Jordan Ian Doug Y escobar
    Jam on neal Schon !!

  5. Happy holidays, Luke and the rest of you guys/gals who post on this site. This Xmas morning on Prince Edward Island Canada, is sunny and (going to be 10 degrees centigrade). There is no snow on the ground and I’m vaguely considering a game of golf. Yes, there are a couple of courses open. And you guys think we’re all ice and snow up here.
    I’m not particularly happy with the signing of Murphy, but imagine I’ll cope this Christmas Day.

  6. Luke merry Xmas I am sure we are both walking a dog right
    Now so cue old tune walking the dog
    Or Daniel by Elton John
    Daniel is a leader and a christian for the both sides
    Of the chalked base lines .
    After all the burned out expo nats number ones
    Through the years. A number one. ? Would have cost
    Payroll more .
    It’s all good jackson

  7. Gotcha, Jeff. And make that three of us (at least) on this site who are walking our dogs. Gaston Bleu, Rufus Skye and I spent a couple of hours walking on the Confederation Trail this morning.

  8. Nats gave up the 17th pick for signing Murphy. Apparently, the Nats valued that pick at $10 million (the loss that they will suffer for not drafting a likely major league player that they cannot control for below market cost for several years after drafting). So, with the $37.5 million commitment to Murphy the deal cost the Nats $47.5 million for 3 years (less than they offered for Zobrist).

    He makes the lineup considerably better. but hurts defensively. They will sign a defensive first middle infielder who will play late innings and against lefties. There was no perfect option after Zobrist signed with the Cubs. Probably the best the Nats could do given what was left. Hurts to a 1st round pick, but Murphy makes contact, and is high-level left-handed bat.

    1. Murphy reminds me when the expis had
      John Milner playing LF then they would sub
      For him late in games

  11. Mark L. Your point about the 17th pick is very well taken and I would not make an argument about the economics of it. Rather, I wonder whether Eric Fedde (erstwhile 1st rounder) was part of the anticipated price for Phillips?

    It feels like the team is not done.

    On KW’s link, a few notable points

    1) Nice to see Franco’s defense is valued and his power to be manifest at such a young age.
    2) Great to see Agustin finally getting some love as a name to watch
    3) Jeff will appreciate the Cat Ballou recognition
    4) Bleier was nice, but hardly knew ye
    5) Demny’s inclusion keeps the list in perspective

    1. Some names to follow from GCL with
      Middle infield credentials maturing
      Behind the june 15 draft class litter .
      ( this site does love dogs lol)
      Martinez , Ramirez DeBruno and a few
      Others .

  12. Mlbrumors spoke about if nats would be up for
    Signing a QO guy like fowler for only a second ?
    Thoughts , soliloqueys or rants ??
    On the road without my dog , Luke !!

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