Washington Nationals Close In On Eddie Guardado...

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 22, 2009 9:41 PM EST

MLB.com's Bill Ladson's been on the beat all night...Apparently the signing won't stop, as the Washington Nationals are now reportedly close to signing veteran lefty "Everyday" Eddie Guardado. The 38-year-old, 17-year reliever pitched for the Texas Rangers last season, putting up a (1-2) record with a 4.46 ERA (6.10 FIP) in 48 games and 38.1 IP, over which Guardado, a Stockton, California native, allowed 19 ER, 8 HR's (1.9 HR/9) and 15 walks (3.5 BB/9) while striking out 20 (4.7 K/9) and posting a 1.41 WHIP with a ERA+ of 104...Mr. Ladson's latest Twitter message on Guardado reads as follows:

"I have it comfirmed that the Nationals are set to sign reliever Eddie Guardado. I'll have more on nationals.com."

But it doesn't stop there, according to early tweets from the MLB.com writer:

• The Nationals will know by tomorrow night where Matt Capps decides to pitch.

• The Nationals are still thinking about Orlando Hudson.

• And...The Nationals "continue to have interest in John Smoltz."

In Rizzo We Trust.

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everyday doesn't rhyme with eddie

but still, I like adding guys with nicknames

by PerryMason on Dec 22, 2009 9:51 PM EST reply actions

Guardado definitely doesnt have great stats

but he is an experienced reliever. Leftys are always good to have in the pen. This has to be some sort of improvement over last years. Out of the 3 others listed, Capps would definitely be the one I would want most. I really dont want to watch another season where close games are blown by the bullpen. Who would have though it? Everyday Eddie is my Christmas gift.

Also, when is J-Zim(n) going to be bask from surgery?

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

by ryzim22 on Dec 22, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions

Next year on Zim(n), maybe late this season...

According to most of the reports I’ve read…

Guardado? =,<,> Ron Villone?

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 22, 2009 10:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

:|

Not a big fan of the signing, because he’s only slightly better than Villone (and by that I mean he walks fewer hitters). Oh well, can’t love every signing I suppose.

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 22, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

Villone

I’ll admit that I know nothing about Guardado, but I do that even though Villone was erratic last year, the bullpen as a whole seemed to have a better mental makeup after he joined the club.

Menjar be I cagar fort/ I no tingues por de la mort!

by PerryMason on Dec 23, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

They’re spending money. That alone improves their standing with me. Glad to see the team be proactive in Free Agency rather than Reactive.

Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.

Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.

Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.

by Whiter Mage on Dec 23, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

meh

hard to get too bent out of shape about a bullpen signing. Anyone with a live arm has a possibility of having a decent year

by martins on Dec 23, 2009 12:12 AM EST reply actions

Well..

From a pitching standpoint this deal is terrible. A lot of things point to Guardado being more than done, but that’s ok. Eddie has a reputation as being a great mentor in the bullpen, teaching guys like JJ Putz how to become a closer. One thing the Nationals have been short on in recent years is leadership and professionalism, and Eddie has it. Even if he pitches poorly, it’s only 30-50 innings. It’s worth the investment.

www.TheNatsBlog.com

by yardyoder on Dec 23, 2009 2:09 AM EST reply actions

it’s only 30-50 innings

agreed, he can get lucky in that space of time.. let’s cross our fingers

by martins on Dec 23, 2009 3:46 AM EST reply actions

This is the first Rizzo move I have really hated. Guardado is 39 and doesn’t have anything left in the tank. I would be really surprised to see him on the roster for any length of time.

Is Chad Cordero a FA again? I know it was just a minor league deal with Seattle, just curious.

by Parks Smith on Dec 23, 2009 9:32 AM EST reply actions

Cordero's 28 and a FA again....

‘09 Stats (0-3), 14 G, 6 GS?, 5 BB, 15 K’s in 14.1 IP between Rookie and A-ball…

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 23, 2009 11:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Cordero started 6 games, but only pitched 6 innings. So really he was just doing his normal thing but at the start of the game. That being said, he let up 15 Earned Runs in 13 innings, at the lowest level of professional baseball imaginable.

Hail to the Chief, but he’s done.

www.TheNatsBlog.com

by yardyoder on Dec 23, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions