If LaRoche doesn't wind up with the Nats, might they get into the Swisher sweepstakes as a plan B? I'm simply not convinced Morse or Moore is the full-time first base answer.

LaRoche is a solid player, but isn't appreciably better than Mitch Moreland.

Sensible. And yes, I'd love to have Swisher for the Nats. They had plenty of power last year, where they were lacking was OBP.

I'm still surprised they didn't give jackson a qualifying offer.

Well, I'm not convinced Adam LaRoche is the full time answer either.

LaRoche is a solid player, but isn't appreciably better than Mitch Moreland.

That's what we told ourselves about Mike Hessman, too.

Well, he'll get more than 13.3 in a contract, and he probably can't have a better year than last year, so that seems like a reasonable decision. It seems like 3/36 is the starting point.

It wouldn't be hard to cobble together reasonable production from what's on the roster if Tracy hits like he did last year. But it's hard to imagine they would leave the situation as is. If Zimmerman's throwing improved enough, you'd be able to deal with losing LaRoche's solid glove. It also could be that if Espinosa can be an average hitter, first would make the most sense to get Rendon's bat in the lineup initially, since his error count in the minors and fall league isn't encouraging.

I have a Gut Feeling™ that we have seen the best of Adam LaRoche and that he is likely to decline 'a bit' to 'quite a bit', perhaps due to injury, so it won't break my heart if he winds up elsewhere. He had a great season with the Nats.

I really, REALLY hope I don't have to endure Swisher's goofy face with the Nats next season.

Michael Morse at 1B doesn't scare me as much as playing him in LF. He is 6'5" tall and can hopefully pick up the finer nuances of playing 1B as he goes; we can hold our nose in the meantime.

Maybe Tyler Moore will blossom next year, a la Desmond? I don't have his minor league numbers in front of me, but in 171 PA he put up 124 OPS+ with 10 HR, 46K, 14BB. The Nats could do (and have done) worse. If he can improve his plate discipline I wouldn't mind him in the starting 9.

Mike Rizzo reminds all that 2012 was just a tune-up. Remember: 2013 is The Year. Remember that! This time it counts.

Moore hit a few more homers and struck out a little less than you would expect given his minors numbers, but his power seems legit, and the real issue is whether he can get his defense to major league level. The role the Nats had for him last year might actually have been optimal, though I suppose he would have more value to an AL team.

Question: Is there a statute of limitations for losing a draft pick for signing a qualified FA? Somebody like LaRoche, who teams might not think is worth the loss of a draft pick, is he tagged with "loss of a draft pick" forever?

LaRoche is a solid player, but isn't appreciably better than Mitch Moreland.

The Rangers are also possibly losing Napoli to FA and may be putting Michael Young out to pasture. LaRoche and Moreland would be part of the 1B/DH mix. LaRoche is really more Napoli replacement than Hamilton replacement but the article sounds juicier with Hamilton in there (plus they're both LH).

Now if the Rangers re-sign Napoli and sign LaRoche -- that would be a little odd in my book but I guess workable if you can live with some Moreland in LF.

I'm still surprised they didn't give jackson a qualifying offer.

Seriously, what does that guy have to do to get some respect.

On the other hand, Jackson only got 1/11 last year and is coming off a worse 2012 than 2011.

Maybe Tyler Moore will blossom next year

He might just make it after all.

Maybe Tyler Moore will blossom next year

Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have the town, why don't you take it?
You're gonna make it after all. 

Edit: RC cola to Tom

The instrumental of the MTM theme should be his walkup music (like he's never heard that suggestion before).

The instrumental of the MTM theme should be his walkup music (like he's never heard that suggestion before).

The Husker Du version could do well enough.