Washington Nationals Re-Sign Lefty Scott Olsen.

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 13, 2009 11:36 PM EST Comment 18 comments

• Scott Olsen was on the free agent market for less than twenty-four hours following the Nationals' decision to non-tender the 25-year-old left-hander last night, but they quickly decided to re-sign Olsen at a discounted rate, giving the 5th-year pro a $1 million dollar incentive-laded deal which, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick's "baseball source", could earn Olsen as much as $4 million next year should he make as many as 33 starts. Acquired in a November '08 deal with the Marlins, Olsen started just 11 games for Washington before a torn left labrum abruptly ended his first season in DC. Told of his non-tendering, Olsen was quoted in MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article last night entitled, "Nats cut ties with hurlers MacDougal, Olsen", stating that he didn't, "...have any plans to go anywhere else since I got traded over there. I think Washington is a great place to play. I would love to go back there."

• Last season, in 11 starts and 62.2 IP, Olsen, a Kalamazoo, Michigan native, was (2-4) with a 6.03 ERA, 42 K's, (6.0 K/9), 25 walks, (3.6 BB/9) and a 1.72 WHIP, following four seasons with the Marlins, over which he posted a (31-37) combined record with a 4.63 ERA combined ERA and an average of 9.4 H/9 and 3.6 BB/9 allowed and 6.7 K/9 inning recorded...

• After non-tendering Olsen and '09 closer Mike MacDougal Saturday, DC GM Mike Rizzo told Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, in an article entitled, "Nats non-tender Olsen, MacDougal", that he'd, "...be very comfortable if they're (both) wearing the Washington Nationals uniform next season," so there's still a possibility that MacDougal, if he wasn't as insulted as he seemed in some articles, could return to DC, where the 32-year-old right-hander last season recorded his first major league save since July 16th 2006, and converted 20 of 21 save opportunities, all after June 17th.

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I would be insulted if I was Macdoogy.

He did save 20 out of 21 last season and many were one run saves.

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Dec 14, 2009 12:04 AM EST reply actions

He sounded somewhat insulted in that article....

Let’s hope Bruney can do a MacDougal if so…or it’s Storen Time.

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 Patrick Reddington on Dec 14, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

I think (hope) MacDougal will be back next season, for a lower price.

I’m also really glad to hear that Olsen will be coming back, I think this will be his breakout season.

by John Quinn on Dec 14, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions

I feel the same way

most reliable arm in the pen, only guy that could save a game for the Nats on a regular basis, and he gets dumped in hopes of the Nats getting a bargain deal? For the team’s sake, I hope he swallows his pride and signs. I’m also kind of rooting for him to get a decent offer elsewhere, just because I think he deserves it after his 2009 season.

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 14, 2009 12:31 AM EST up reply actions

The back and forth about the hip surgery might explain why the Nationals preferred the lesser free agent price....

But I understand why MacDougal would be angry about that, too. Nationals taking the chance that since no one signed him when the White Sox dumped him, no one will now…?

And as i said, if they sign MacDougal and Olsen for less than Mac would have received, they free up more $ for the veteran arm…

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 Patrick Reddington on Dec 14, 2009 2:12 AM EST up reply actions

I hear you

The more money for a veteran arm the better.

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 14, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

There you go, NatsTown...

Olsen is our free agent starting pitcher.

Remember when he took one for the team and pitched while hurting. UGH

by RoscoeNats on Dec 14, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions

Olsen and Livan, the veteran free agent pitchers we were promised!

by John Quinn on Dec 14, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

Wait...wait...That doesn't count as the free agent signing....

Olsen was not in The List…

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 Patrick Reddington on Dec 14, 2009 9:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

There'll be no signing a good starting pitcher this day or any day.

WYSIWYG

by RoscoeNats on Dec 14, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Olsen NO! MacDougal Yes

Here we go again. I thought they got rid of this dead arm. He can’t break a pain of glass with his fastball? MacDougal did an outstanding job as a young closer. He has the heat that moves, not some slow ball that says, “Hit me out”! All he needs is a little more experience and some decent coaching. If the closer from Stanford makes it then I’d trade MacDougal, not let him go.

wxguy

by wxguy on Dec 14, 2009 9:40 AM EST reply actions

If it's Storen vs The Bruney Project...

I’m going with the Cardinal…

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 Patrick Reddington on Dec 14, 2009 9:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Mi Tu

by RoscoeNats on Dec 14, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

I give the guy some props

Macdoogy came in midseason and solidified the bullpen which was an absolute disaster last year. His stats however were shaky as he had as many walks as K’s. If they can’t find another closer with experience they should resign him as he at least has the cahones that Hanrahan, Beimel, and others couldn’t bring forth last year.

Another closer would be nice. A one or two year contract to wait for the stanford grad.

by Bsullivan on Dec 14, 2009 10:07 AM EST reply actions

I still think MacDougal's ninth inning two out battle with Cano and the Yanks...

…was the highlight of the year…plus he carried on the DC Closer tradition of making it interesting every time out but got it done…

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 Patrick Reddington on Dec 14, 2009 1:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions