Washington Nationals: Rumor Round-Up...

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2009 11:45 AM EST Comment 14 comments

• Clint Everts, (the Montreal Expos' '02 1st Round pick taken 5th overall behind only Bryan Bullington (PIT?), B.J. Upton (TAM), Chris Gruler (CIN) and Adam Loewen (BAL), and selected before some names you might recognize like Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Jeff Francis, Jeremy Hermida, Joe Saunders and Scott Kazmir that year), was signed by the New York Mets Friday, agreeing to a one-year minor league deal. The 25-year-old right-hander out of Cypress, Texas completed what was arguably his best season in the Montreal/DC system last season, posting a combined (8-1) record and a 1.65 ERA at three levels (Class A Potomac, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse) of the Nationals' organization, and collecting 68 K's in 60.2 IP, (10.2 K/9), while allowing 49 H, (7.4 H/9), 26 BB, (3.9 BB/9) and just 3 HR's, (0.4 HR/9) before becoming a six-year-free agent...No doubt Omar Minaya remembers Evert from the Mets' GM's time in Montreal...

• I had a hard time believing that Johnny Damon was a serious option for the Washington Nationals when I read in FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal's latest update of the ongoing "Buzz: Latest from the MLB offseason", subtitled, "Damon's Time With Yankees May Be Over", wherein Mr. Rosenthal wrote that, "The Nationals, Braves and Giants are among the teams that could be interested," in acquiring Damon now that the Yanks had signed Nick Johnson...So I tweeted about it...

federalbaseball: FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal list the Nationals as one of 3 teams interested in…Who? Johnny Damon?

And lo and behold, MLB.com's Bill Ladson (whether prompted by the Tweet or his own distaste for absurdities), made a few calls and not too long after the original post and my Tweet, Mr. Ladson responded via his own Twitter feed:

washingnats: "I just learned the Nats do not have interest in Johnny Damon. They are trying to improve their defense. Damon is a defensive liability."

Huh? Took care of that rumor!!

How about this one...In the lastest update of FOXSports.com's "Buzz: Latest from the MLB offseason", subtitled, "Tejada's Options Dwindling", FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal writes that free agent infielder Orlando Cabrera is, "...talking with two teams about playing second base," according to "one major league source". Could it be Washington? He was on the original list...Rumor ACTIVATED...

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Ken and Jerry rumours........... get on the tweeter, Ed!!!

"The Nationals are making a “strong run” at free agent hurler Jon Garland according to FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal."……..

“Now, free agent outfielder Randy Winn is on their radar as well, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.”

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2009 6:39 PM EST reply actions

from espn Insider: The Washington Nationals have an interest in free agent outfielder Randy Winn, reports ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.

"Washington’s outfield currently consists of Josh Willingham in left field, Nyjer Morgan in center and Elijah Dukes in right. Winn has some appeal to the Nationals because he can play all three outfield spots, and he’s a solid professional who could be a positive influence on the mercurial Dukes.

Winn is hoping to land a job as a starter, but he’s finding it a challenge after posting a .671 OPS and hitting .158 from the right side with San Francisco in 2009. Winn recently completed a three-year, $23.25 million deal with the Giants."

Posted by: sec231 | December 19, 2009

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

I hadn't read that about Winn

He’s just one year off of a season where he batted .302/.363/.426 with 10 homers and 25 stolen bases in 27 attempts. He is, of course, 35.

A reasonable one or two year deal wouldn’t be insane for Winn. Like Catt Daddy said, he can play all outfield spots, and what are the chances that Dukes, Willingham, and Morgan are healthy for 162 games each? Also if the Nats are looking too ship Willingham to queens, Winn would get his opportunity to start.

At .302 his wOBA was awful in 2009 but he put up marks of .350 in 2008 and 2007. Worth the risk for the right price if you ask me.

www.TheNatsBlog.com

by yardyoder on Dec 19, 2009 8:25 PM EST reply actions

With all the talk about how happy Washington is with Bernadina and Maxwell...

…and with Willie Harris on the roster, I don’t see how Winn makes sense, though he’d probably end up playing over any of the three…

And his numbers against right-handers in ’09 were much better, so he could platoon in the OF…

As you mention though, with Dukes yet to play a full season in the majors, a legitimate backup OF might be a good investment…

I don’t know what the Mets could give to get Willingham.

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 19, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, what about those guys............a 35 year old gamble is better than them?

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 20, 2009 1:52 AM EST up reply actions

Don't know if I'm sold on either of those guys

But I would love to see them succeed.

Also I don’t see Randy Winn as a huge gamble. But you have a point that he is 35 and has no future. I’m just not sold on the future of Maxwell or Bernadina either, despite their youth. But you are right, giving them them a chance is better than no chance at all.

www.TheNatsBlog.com

by yardyoder on Dec 20, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

I thought Bernadina showed he might belong, and Maxwell isn't going to learn anything more in Syracuse....

I believe playing time would be better served giving it to these two now rather than later, they can serve the defensive replacements that Winn really is.

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 20, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions

Glad to see we wont get Damon

New manager Trent Jewett will have the Chiefs in the playoffs next year.
…. And last year the Chiefs didnt make the playoffs and the Nats didnt.
Does that mean since the Chiefs will make the playoffs, the Nats will?
Think about that one for a moment.

"We're starting to get into Plush mode," Nyjer Morgan said

by ryzim22 on Dec 19, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions

Chiefs are ging to be solid this season...

You might be the Strasburg Correspondent at the beginning of the year if you’re up for it…

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 19, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

Is that where he is going to start?

"We're starting to get into Plush mode," Nyjer Morgan said

by ryzim22 on Dec 19, 2009 10:54 PM EST up reply actions

Just a guess...

But coming off the knee issues, I think they might spare him some excessive media coverage and let him start off in the minors…

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 19, 2009 10:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

What is the hurry?

The nationals aren’t going to be a competitive club, so why rush it. Develop the player and give him the time he needs. Nothing worse than throwing him in with the wolves right away.

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby

by Bsullivan on Dec 20, 2009 1:16 AM EST reply actions

Everts

Saw him pitch twice at Potomac this year – he is Cordero-esque – plus slider/junk with an 86mph FB that look 92 – good luck to him – just not against us (or or AA team)

by JefferyWGardner on Dec 20, 2009 8:02 PM EST reply actions