Washington Nationals Rumors: Are Mike Gonzalez Or Billy Wagner Worth A 2nd Round Pick?
Either of These Relievers Worth A 2nd Round Pick?
He's pitched against the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets, compiling 79 K's, 33 saves, and a (4-1) record with a 1.42 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a .180 BAA in 60 appearances and 63.1 IP against the DC franchise, and now, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, who update their column entitled, "Latest buzz from the MLB offseason", with a report subtitled, "Interest in Wagner still strong", the Nationals are one of five teams who have expressed interest in 38-year-old left-hander Billy Wagner according to uname--, huh, according to Wagner's agent Bean Stringfellow. The FOXSports.com writers note that Wagner's a Type A free agent, meaning he'd cost the team that signs him a draft pick, but he's not the only left-handed reliever whose name has been linked to the Nationals, with MLB.com's Bill Ladson reporting late last week, in an article entitled, "Nats show interest in DeRosa, Gonzalez", that former Pirates' and Braves' reliever Mike Gonzalez was also on the Nationals' radar...though Gonzalez too is a Type A FA...but as MLB Fanhouse author Ed Price noted, in an article entitled, "MLB Free-Agent Compensation, 'Elias Rankings' released" (in case you've forgotten or didn't know), a team signing a Type A free agent only loses their 1st Round pick if it falls between 16-30, and since Washington, for the second-straight year, has the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, they'd forfeit their second-round pick if they somehow sign a Type A...One Note: Mr.'s Rosenthal and Morosi mention in their article that, "...only the Red Sox — Wagner's most recent team — would slot him in a role other than closing," which is interesting in light of Mr. Riggleman stating this past Friday, in an interview with DC area internet writers, that one way to attract free agents to a team coming off a 100-loss season is to offer an opportunity that other teams aren't, or in Mr. Riggleman's own words:
"If they are a closer, if they can come in and be the closer, instead of being a set-up guy. There are different reasons for guys to go places. They may want to be the closer..."
Are either Gonzalez or Wagner worth a 2nd Round pick?
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Maybe Gonzalez
but not Wagner. Wagner is too old for us to give up a second rounder. It’s not like we are trying to win the World series next year(I hate saying that). Gonzalez would be nice for a few years, and if we want to unload him for prospects, a mid-season trade with a contender can possibly do us more good than that second rounder.
Get Oher or Maybin please
by Horcasitas4 on Nov 16, 2009 9:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
+1 from me
Happy with Gonzo…Wagner less so.
2nd round picks – it does make me think twice about the deal though…especially with us being #1 in that department.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
by Mezza on Nov 16, 2009 10:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
never
give up a draft pick for a relief pitcher… that is suicide.
by martins on Nov 16, 2009 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if I'd go as far as, "suicide," but I agree that it's a bad idea.
I’m generally opposed to chasing type-As this offseason. We’re still stocking the minors.
"And everybody lived happily ever after. Except the Phillies and the Mets. The End." --Sasskuash
Friend of Dukes and Desmond #3
by Doghouse on Nov 17, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Scott Olsen proclaims himself healthy...just in time for arbitration.
http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/11/olsens_shoulder_feels_100_perc.html?partnerId=rss_was
I hope the Nats get to put him through some tests before giving him a few million dollars.
(from MLBTR)
by RoscoeNats on Nov 16, 2009 10:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That would definitely be a wise thing to do...
I’m with Horcasitas, I’d much rather see Gonzalez than Wagner. Gonzalez had his bumps, but overall he was pretty solid, and he would bolster the solid pieces in Clippard, Burnett and MacDougal (?).
by John Quinn on Nov 16, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They would be mad to sign Olsen to anything other than a minor league deal with incentives.
He isnt AS needed in the rotation this next season and he is vastly unproven (both in terms of performance and health).
It would be like signing Shawn Hill to a long term deal… wait to see if he can hold it together. We’ve got a truckload of guys (Stammen et al) who can fill his role.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
by Mezza on Nov 16, 2009 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a higher opinion of Olsen I guess...
Plus a veteran lefty who’s averaged 194 IP over his 5-year career coul be useful on this team while the kids ma-tour…
I don’t know aboot giving him $2.8M again…
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Ed Chigliak on Nov 16, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just don't think last year was a good show of his talent...
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Ed Chigliak on Nov 16, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But, I think other teams who need pitching would be willing to pay him. Do the Nats non-tender him or trade him?
Personally, I keep him and take my chances with arbitration unless he will agree to an incentive rich contract.
by RoscoeNats on Nov 16, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It does largely depend on the price...
But I also draw the distinction of what the Nats used to do – grab pitchers who might be good and hope they come good…. versus the new model we want to move to…where we get pitchers who are good…and play accordingly. Olsen still has enormous amounts to prove…and we are starting to have guys who can take his place.
I think with Olsen – we need to start moving to the next plan which is signing some guys who are reliable and can produce some results. No more AKs, DYs (of sorts), LMs… lets start getting some horses that run to form.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
by Mezza on Nov 16, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wagner's not worth a draft pick
When was the last time he pitched, sometime in the last century?? He’s damaged goods, he may never regain his form plus he’s an old man in baseball terms. Stick to the rebuilding plan.
by coogan on Nov 17, 2009 7:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
AFL Championship Game - Saturday at 2:30 Eastern - Strasburg pitching - LIVE on MLB Network!!!
Set the DVR now before you forget.
by RoscoeNats on Nov 17, 2009 9:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Brandon Lyon is a better choice
Brandon Lyon is a better choice due to his Type B status. Both Wagner and Gonzalez guarantee draft picks which is a major no no at this point of the rebuilding process. Stick to the draft picks, which may pan out either in a quality player or a player that can be moved for a future deal.
Furthermore, Wagner is a year removed from Tommy John and Mike Gonzalez is two years removed from TJ himself. I just don’t see the value in taking on any risk at the cost of a future player.
I like the idea of picking up a closer to move mid-season, and Gonzalez’s amazing stuff would be an attractive commodity. But if you take on Lyon, you can move him mid season, maybe get a pick or two for him as well. His value is both at Closer and at the 7th 8th inning setup man. What you get in return may notlook as good as a trade for Mike G., but if value in the 2nd round pick that you don’t forfeit, you may end up even or better off.
by Btsully on Nov 17, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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