Washington Nationals Non-Tender Scott Olsen.

by Ed Chigliak on Dec 12, 2009 2:52 PM EST Comment 16 comments

The Washington Nationals acquired Scott Olsen from Florida along with Josh Willingham in a November 11, 2008 trade that sent infielders Emilio Bonifacio and Jake Smolinski and pitcher P.J. Dean to the Marlins. The then-24-year-old left- hander was coming off a 2008 season which saw the the 4th-year starter post an (8-11) record with a 4.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 5.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. Olsen signed a 1-year/$2.8M dollar deal with the Nationals, avoiding arbitration, but made just 11 starts in 2009 before he was shut down for the season with a tear in his left labrum which required surgery. Faced with the possibility of having to give the rehabbing arbitration eligible pitcher a raise for the 2010 season, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan is reporting in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats will non-tender Olsen", that the Nationals have decided to part ways with the soon-to-be 26-year-old lefty, though Washington hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing him back for (probably) far less than he would have been due...

Before midnight, The Post's Mr. Harlan reports, the Nationals must make decisions on what to do with their other arbitration eligible players: pitchers, Jason Bergmann, Sean Burnett and Mike MacDougal, catchers Wil Nieves and Jesus Flores, and outfielder Josh Willingham...

More news when it's available...

No word on how Olsen's rehab was progressing...Did the Nationals make the correct decision here? Is there any chance Olsen will return to DC?

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Not a big Olsen fan

but I don’t get why they wouldn’t tender him. The Nats are short on starting pitching, and young lefties are never a bad option. While I don’t think Olsen is all that great of a pitcher, he may suddenly find his game since he is so young.

Hopefully the Washington FO knows something we don’t about possibly players coming into the mix via trade or free agency. Hopefully Bowden rips this move, so I can feel better about it.

Alex Smith may have been the #1 overall pick but he still can’t tell why kids love Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

by Andrew Davidson on Dec 12, 2009 3:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bowden via Twitter:

JimBowdenIV: Olsen, Wang, Atkins, Church, Johnson….all non-tendered

Bowden’s not really ripping…but just imagine he says that in a condescending tone…

Wish I hadn’t seen Wang pitch last year so I could still think he might be a good idea…

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 Dec 12, 2009 3:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I was excited about Olsen's potential before he arrived in DC...

After the surgery, I guess a team like the Nats can’t take a chance on wasting $3M on a pitcher who’s questionable…

MacDougal? I expect another non-tendering before midnight…

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 Dec 12, 2009 3:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I liked Olsen, but I think Rizzo might try to get him back for less.

That would be a lot of money to pay for a complete unknown, though some pitchers come back from surgery and play very well.

by John Quinn on Dec 12, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But Olsons injury is one of those that pichers sometimes struggle with?

I think this is a decent idea. Even if he does bounce back he still has a bit to prove. Hoping that we won’t need him with some free agent signings.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 12, 2009 5:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I was just reviewing some of the comments on the trade last year....

Olsen wasn’t wanted then because of the drop in velocity, and that’s how the Nats got him. I doubt he’s improved his chances of another team being interested now.

Welcome back later, Scott….

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— without making a deal," Rizzo said."

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 12, 2009 6:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They can probably sign them both for the price MacDougal would get in arbitration...

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 Dec 12, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably even less, if I know the Thrifty Nats...

Syracuse calling….

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— without making a deal," Rizzo said."

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 12, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

MIKE RIZZO on Scott Olsen......(as opposed to his comments about Flores below)

http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/chatter/2009/dec/11/rodriguez-i-can-play-every-day/

“He has completed his rehabilitation, and now he is just preparing for spring training. It’s a major milestone for him. He’s no longer rehabilitating an injury. He’s preparing for next year’s spring training.”

Rizzo, on Jesus Flores: “Jesus Flores is still rehabbing…” -NJ

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— without making a deal," Rizzo said."

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 12, 2009 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Nationals announced that they will not tender a contract to Mike MacDougal.

So long, farewell, and welcome back later, Doodle….

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— without making a deal," Rizzo said."

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 12, 2009 6:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Nationals tendered contracts on Saturday to their five other arbitration-eligible players -- relievers Jason Bergmann, Sean Burnett and Brian Bruney; catcher Wil Nieves; and outfielder Josh Willingham.

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— without making a deal," Rizzo said."

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 12, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NIEVES!!!! The backup to the backup will be...uh, back...

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 Dec 12, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Awaiting reaction from the esteemed and vivacious Mrs. Doghouse....

uh, and #6 Jesus Flores also tendered a contract.

Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— without making a deal," Rizzo said."

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 12, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I kinda feel bad for McDougal

He did an admirable job last season, a bit “gas-canish” at the end, but he apparently was due a sizable raise next year. To that end it was probably a good call…..Would not mind him re-signing though……..

by gospos1 on Dec 12, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I forgot that he had off-season hip surgery too until I started writing about his non-tendering...

If they put the $3 million they saved by non-tendering MacDougal to good use, it will be more acceptable…even if they signed him for $1-$2M, and spend the extra million on relief help, it makes sense for the Nationals…

I have a feeling MacDougal will be back…no one else snatched him up when the White Sox released him…

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 Dec 12, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs