BJ Upton?

[Jollay]

Was just pulled from a rays game, and their AAA Cf. Jennings didnt play tonight.

Is he now a Nat? I'll know when I wake up I suppose....

[Rafael122]

Kilgore on Twitter pointed out that Bernadina has a higher OBP than Upton, but Upton arguably has more upside than Roger. Bernadina probably couldn't start for 20 MLB teams right now. Upton could. If he's going to be a Nat, and we didn't give up a king's ransom, I approve.

[Jollay]

Looks like it hasn't happened, yet...if at all...

[craig01]

Looks like it hasn't happened, yet...if at all...

The speculation was hot and heavy on Friday night.....looked like it was Upton for Desmond...but who knows.

Upton has been unfulfilled in reaching his potential, and IMO, needs a fresh start somewhere else. Plus, we all are weary of his inconsistent efforts and focus.

He could be a star if he ever puts it all together....

[Jollay]

Well, Mike Rizzo is denying the Nats will trade Desmond, but it would make sense. Steve Lombardozzi is tearing up AA, and now AAA ball, and seems ready to make the jump to the majors. Espinosa obviously could be moved to short.

Slight drawback to that is that you'd still prefer to have an experienced Desmond over the rookie Lombardozzi in a contending year next year. But you could get his feet wet toward the end of this year.

Nats are being reported as the clear favorites to acquire Upton, perhaps this week. Indians are also a factor. Rays didn't call up Jennings to sit him.

The other question would be where Roger Bernadina fits in then, it would have to be as a fourth outfielder when Harper gets here. But they definitely could use him and his lefty bat until then.

[craig01]

I think the Nats get him......at least if and when Upton puts it all together, it would be in the NL.

The upside on Upton:

Speed
Great range in CF
Strong arm
Has some power
Dynamic base stealer
Could hit for higher average if he would focus on contact instead of going yard
Bright and articulate
When he stays focused is a key player and sometimes can do the impossible defensively
Good community guy

The cons:
Arm isn't accurate
Sometimes loafs in the OF and running to first
Makes bad decisions in the OF and on the basepaths
Gets picked off while asleep on base
Has a serious flaw with his left foot while at bat, and loses his torque
Likes to leave the bat on his shoulder with 2-strike counts
Staying focused

I think he'll put it together with a change of scenery. The fans in Tampa aren't always very kind to Upton......who does not have a very thick skin.

[Jollay]

I think the Nats get him......at least if and when Upton puts it all together, it would be in the NL.

The upside on Upton:

Speed
Great range in CF
Strong arm
Has some power
Dynamic base stealer
Could hit for higher average if he would focus on contact instead of going yard
Bright and articulate
When he stays focused is a key player and sometimes can do the impossible defensively
Good community guy

The cons:
Arm isn't accurate
Sometimes loafs in the OF and running to first
Makes bad decisions in the OF and on the basepaths
Gets picked off while asleep on base
Has a serious flaw with his left foot while at bat, and loses his torque
Likes to leave the bat on his shoulder with 2-strike counts
Staying focused

I think he'll put it together with a change of scenery. The fans in Tampa aren't always very kind to Upton......who does not have a very thick skin.

Would the Rays be interested in Desmond?

[craig01]

I think the Nats get him......at least if and when Upton puts it all together, it would be in the NL.

The upside on Upton:

Speed
Great range in CF
Strong arm
Has some power
Dynamic base stealer
Could hit for higher average if he would focus on contact instead of going yard
Bright and articulate
When he stays focused is a key player and sometimes can do the impossible defensively
Good community guy

The cons:
Arm isn't accurate
Sometimes loafs in the OF and running to first
Makes bad decisions in the OF and on the basepaths
Gets picked off while asleep on base
Has a serious flaw with his left foot while at bat, and loses his torque
Likes to leave the bat on his shoulder with 2-strike counts
Staying focused

I think he'll put it together with a change of scenery. The fans in Tampa aren't always very kind to Upton......who does not have a very thick skin.

Would the Rays be interested in Desmond?

I think for the short term (a season or two) yes.

But who knows with the Rays FO....they are rather unorthodox, but well schooled with personnel changes.

Has Desmond improved defensively?

[Jollay]

I think for the short term (a season or two) yes.

But who knows with the Rays FO....they are rather unorthodox, but well schooled with personnel changes.

Has Desmond improved defensively?

I thought I remember the Rays having a pretty good prospect already at short--maybe an Asian sounding name, I can't recall.

Desmond has vastly improved defensively, consistency-wise. Two errors in two games this series, but that only puts him at 16 for the year. Certainly acceptable considering his good range and arm.

[craig01]

I think for the short term (a season or two) yes.

But who knows with the Rays FO....they are rather unorthodox, but well schooled with personnel changes.

Has Desmond improved defensively?

I thought I remember the Rays having a pretty good prospect already at short--maybe an Asian sounding name, I can't recall.

Desmond has vastly improved defensively, consistency-wise. Two errors in two games this series, but that only puts him at 16 for the year. Certainly acceptable considering his good range and arm.

Hak-Ju Lee.

He is still in high A....and tearing it up. He's projected as a plus defender and a plus hitter.

He's 20 years old and probably has another year plus before he's ready.

[Jollay]

I think for the short term (a season or two) yes.

But who knows with the Rays FO....they are rather unorthodox, but well schooled with personnel changes.

Has Desmond improved defensively?

I thought I remember the Rays having a pretty good prospect already at short--maybe an Asian sounding name, I can't recall.

Desmond has vastly improved defensively, consistency-wise. Two errors in two games this series, but that only puts him at 16 for the year. Certainly acceptable considering his good range and arm.

Hak-Ju Lee.

He is still in high A....and tearing it up. He's projected as a plus defender and a plus hitter.

He's 20 years old and probably has another year plus before he's ready.

Ah yup! I thought I remembered hearing he could be a year or two from now...Thanks!

[Rafael122]

Plus, Upton is best friends with Ryan, so that is going to help ease the transition a bit. We have major league starters at third, 2nd, first and at catcher at the moment. You add in Upton, and you've got a solid core that you can build around.

I alluded to this earlier, but I think it's time to see what we can get for Desmond. Good kid, he plays hard, but he can't hit a lick and he's error prone at short. People got caught up with the idea that Rendon was picked b/c he will succeed Zimmerman at third, but I think the plan is to move Espinosa to short, and Rendon to second (to save his arm). As for Roger, backup outfielder. He's made some great catches this year, great speed, but again, he doesn't get on base as often as you'd like and he doesn't have power.