Washington Nationals Sign Jason Marquis...Matt Capps Next?

We didn have a losing record, but we were alot better than in the beginning of the year. Add Storen, Strasburg and other Farm System prospects, and we can actually be pretty good.

Trust the Rizzo! (points to head)

Now on to another veteran starter, the closer and that 2B or SS. I’m feeling more hopeful.

Even though Marquis may not be a lights-out dominating pitcher, he’s better than most of the starters the Nats threw out there last season. Just as important as the veteran experience of Marquis and Rodriguez is the attitude these guys can bring to the clubhouse as noted in the quote from Rob Dibble above. Dibble is exactly right. The returning members need to pick up their game and their intensity in 2010. The team will have a lot of established veterans throughout the lineup and a more experienced rotation with Marquis, Lannan (going into his 3rd full season) and Olsen. Even the other guys shouldn’t be as green since they got a lot of starts last year.

Hopefully guys like Rodriguez, Marquis, Morgan, Willingham and Zimmerman can light a fire under other guys on the team and get everyone to play their hearts out. I don’t think players necessarily threw in the towel last year but they seemed to lose their focus a lot. Let’s see if the 2010 Nats can take that first big step to the level of mediocrity. (A 100-loss team hasn’t even earned the right to call themselves mediocre. They were just plain bad this year, but a little better in the 2nd half.) Lay the foundations for the next big step in 2011 when Strasburg could come into his own and Zimmermann (TWO N’s) might be back.

Jason Marquis has been to the post season in each of his 10 big league seasons.

If the Nats do give Capps the big dollars to close, will they have money left over to spend on another Veteran arm? Or is it bargain hunting in March? I’m just curious, because I’d probably poop a lil’ bit if Garland, Capps and Marquis signed. If that happens, what money is left for MI?

Can Washington please trade Guzman already?

He’s the perfect pitcher for washington—an innings eater who will keep us in ballgames, keep the bullpen in the bullpen and show the young guys how to pitch deep into a ballgame. I still think orlando hudson is the answer to our MI dreams and there hasn’t seemed to be much buzz around him(unless I missed something and am about to get called out for it). Capps is a big time party animal, so maybe he would be the perfect wild man in the bullpen(not sure we need that)? Either way, I like him better than hanrahan so I’d like our chances to start ’10 better than we started ’09. I would also like to see Dunn handed a year extension since 2011 will be a serious push for the playoffs with the young staff in place.

Marquis is an upgrade from Livan ( Sorry Livo) and lets hope that he’s not the best they can do. We want more, right, we want another middle of the road pitcher who’s still better, now, than half the kids on staff….more!!!

!Viva la revolución! !Viva el Jefe, Sr. Rizzo!!!

Just waiting for them to announce Holliday and Bay deals now….

The Reds are trying to trade Aaron Harang for George Sherrill and a prospect, as well as eating $10 million of Harang’s salary. Jeff Passan (Yahoo!) thinks the hold up is that the Dodgers don’t necessarily want to give up a prospect, and the Reds need to find a taker on Sherrill (because they want to hoard prospects). With Sherrill set to make around $4 million in arbitration, would it be wise to acquire the lefty even if they sign Capps?

Sherrill looked good as a set-up man for the Dodgers, but like many pitchers on the Nats staff, he has a tendency to walk too many hitters. Would it be a wise move for the Nats to ship a prospect to the Reds? Or would they be better suited trying to land Harang, and say telling the Reds to eat just $8 million of the salary to sweeten the pot?

I think whatever happens, I hope the Nats have enough money to spend on a MI, and Capps, plus one more arm for the rotation.

This would be huge because Mcdougle isnt coming back and Bruney isnt the answer. What are the chances of us getting Capps 50/50 or better???

Have the Nats finalized their 2010 coaching staff?

Can’t help it. Tragg’s been working overtime.

I read on MLBTR that the Nats signed Marquis because they couldn’t get Garland that would be dissapointing I like Marquis but would have rather had Garland and if so does this mean the search for another starter is over?? Livan will probably be the guy

Livan’s still my first choice. Love watching the guy pitch (and hit).
Boswell made a good case for signing him back in September (though admittedly he recently backtracked some based on what he’s asking for).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/05/AR2009090502466.html