Should the Washington Nationals Spend $20 Million This Winter Just Because They Have It?
by Dave at Nats News Network on Dec 3, 2009 3:52 PM EST
67 comments
There are plenty in the Natosphere that want Mike Rizzo and the Washington Nationals to make a big splash and sign a bunch of free agents this winter to improve the product on the field.
The answer, after the jump...
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They should spend millions of dollars because they need to.
Im not saying we need to sign Lackey, or that we should, but the absolute last thing the Nats want to do is go 3 stright seasons with 100+ losses. Even though we don’t think they will right now, they need to make sure they don’t by signing solid players. Personally, I want them to do nothing to lose the #1 pick.
Get type B and unclassified free agents.
Get Oher or Maybin please
I thought Bowell did a decent job about making the argument on some middle of the road FA pitching.
Said something like it could cut back 100 runs, etc and be well on the way to a 500 season… that would be a nice surprise…a 500 season
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
The Nats are finally included in a rumour!!!.......... with 9 other teams for Vicente Padilla....
Be still my heart…. I know Dave’s excited….
The Braves signed Takashi Saito for a $3.2mil one year deal….Glad we missed out on that 2.43 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 55.2 innings with the Red Sox stiff……..
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Mets sign Henry Blanco...one more backup catcher off the list...
one-year pact worth $1.5MM…….38-year-old hit .235/.320/.382 in 232 plate appearances for the Padres this year, catching 508 innings……..
Welcome back Josh Bard!!!
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
I think he still has an arm.........40% caught stealing
Really the same guy……
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 8:57 PM EST up reply actions
Indeed
Bard = .230 .293 .361
uncanny… maybe it really is the same guy…playing for two teams…collecting two pay cheques.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Exact same amount of homers and strikeouts.......
I can’t believe Bard only had 3 passed balls (Blanco had 2…) and no wild pitches…….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 9:13 PM EST up reply actions
Im not anti-Bard
I thought him and Nieves did their best…but they are clearly two backup guys. Flores back healthy is the ideal situation. In the absence of that we’re all praying Norris develops quickly.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
I was pulling for Nieves to be much better than he was, so Bard was not my guy...
He must have been hurting, so I do appreciate the effort. Most catchers aren’t that much better anyway, at least offensively. I want a much better defensive catcher, though…
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
your column
You really should learn about free agent signing if you are going to write about it. First off in the top half of the 1st round all picks are protected so there is no compensation for signing a Type A free agent(Lackey and Wolf) and we would not forfeit a pick. Secondly your bizarre reference to the one time that the Nationals squeezed under Riggleman and failed, shows your total lack of knowledge. It is also why Gonzalez will be looking for work next spring if he hasn’t learned to bunt. I’ll take the ’Runnin Riggleman Nats anytime over what I watched the first half of the year.
The Nationals would forfeit their 2nd Round pick if they sign a Type A from what I've read...
You can’t lose a pick in the top half of the draft but you do forfeit the 2nd rounder…
I don’t have a total # of squeeze plays, but I remember more than one, though I’m having a hard tome distinguishing between the ones Livan calked himself and those Riggles called for…
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 3, 2009 6:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
These squeezes (none by Livan) came up in a search......all wins... the Livo bunt was a loss
Aug 16, 2009: sent Josh Willingham home on a squeeze play against the Reds. The play didn’t work,
Aug 23, 2009: The squeeze was on, and Morgan bunted toward Parra to score Mike Morse
Aug 26, 2009: Dukes, who had reached third on the miscue, was out on a botched squeeze play. (against the Cubs)
Aug 31: With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth, Hernández tried to drop down a bunt — a curious play. It rolled right back to Stauffer, who under-handed a throw home, starting a fairly easy 1-2-3 double play.
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
Im not against the squeeze play...
I dont know why so many are – especially with a team that was horrific with situational hitting last year. I would stolen home if I was Riggles at times…
I think the forfit of the 1st pick in the 2nd round for a type A FA is a tough call… but one id be prepared to make if it meant we had a decent top of the rotation pitcher. That said, I think Rizzo wont go for it – and maybe a couple of average pitchers might fit the bill instead.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Riggler was trying anything in late August to stir things up.........
The Dukes’ one against the Cubs was with Alberto batting…….Mr. .179 BA after the All Star Break……..what else can you do….
I’d give away picks in a second for a good player…Outside of the top few position players, the draft is always a crapshoot……And so are expensive FAs, so it’s kinda irrelevant to me…
I do want them to pick up some useful guys, short term, long term…….make use of the braintrust….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 9:09 PM EST up reply actions
That's why I gave Riggles props for the squeeze
When u are loosing as bad as they were in August…it was time to try everything (I felt they should have tried everything in about June).
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
As long as he doesn't keep trying it, just so Dave is happy....
Of course, if he’s trying it under the same circumstances, happiness is probably not something we’ll be experiencing…
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
I kinda like the fact Dave gets upset when he trys it...
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Suicide squeeze is so fun when it works...
Seems idiotic when it fails…like, nice, just wasted a runner…
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 3, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
How can bunting be so hard for players at this level???
Right, they don’t practice it….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
heh......... things like that do set him off.........
And there’s some entertainment value in that….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
giving up runners in never a good play
especially if the runner is at third with less than two outs.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Dec 4, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
sorry i made a regrettable error
the suicide squeeze thing is a running joke around here.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Dec 4, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Don't throw your Koolade away ..........
The Kiddie Korps starters (the ones who make it) are still a year or 2 away from making any noticeable impact in the NL East…and unless the hitters hit as well or better than last year (Zimm..Dunn..Willingham..Morgan as a Nat et al)…the fielders field (no ditto of last years leading MLB in errors)………then don’t be counting out a historical return to a 100 loss 3 peat…….
Whether Rizzo can get Top Tier free agents to sign with the WORST team in baseball playing for a manager signed off the bench of the WORST team in baseball……..is a HUGE….?
More help on the way!!!!!!..............Scoutz!!!
Nats hire father of GM Rizzo to be senior adviser
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12610911/nats-hire-father-of-gm-rizzo-to-be-senior-advisor
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals’ latest front-office addition might be tempted to order his new boss around.
That’s because senior adviser to the general manager Phil Rizzo is the father of Washington GM Mike Rizzo.
A baseball scout for more than four decades and now nine major league franchises, the elder Rizzo joined the Nationals on Thursday, a little more than three months after his son was promoted to general manager.
The pair also worked together with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1999-2005.
Last year, Phil Rizzo was one of eight members of the inaugural class of inductees at the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame.
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
Spend the money on Orlando Hudson.
He is a type A free agent, but he wasn’t offered arbitration, so we wont lose a draft pick. Plus he is a good defender while not being a liability as a hitter. Spend the money we have, bring in the money from fans who see the improvements, and have more money to spend in the future.
Get Oher or Maybin please
And put Guzman back at short? I'd like to see Desmond at short, but who knows if he's ready for the full-time gig...
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 3, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
Red Sox are looking at Hudson....probably as a backup plan if they can't get Scutaro....
I’m for getting a good glove 2B if he pushed Guz to play better…….I don’t think that’s Hudson, and it’s becoming clear the FO is not spending this year……..
Daddy Rizzo will find some cast-offs for us!!!
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions
As soon as I looked at the end of '09 roster I figured they pretty much had the team there...
Some bullpen arms are just absolutely necessary…and as stated above a solid defensive catcher…
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 3, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
News from the front
Their targets this winter? At least one veteran starting pitcher, at least one reliable veteran reliever, a catcher and perhaps a middle infielder.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/03/AR2009120303910.html
I note the ’perhaps a middle infielder… makes me assume the Desmond-Guzman combo is in effect.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
"Nats aren't expecting hot stove fireworks"
Small free agent pool has new brain trust focused on more modest goals
As I was saying……
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
If they can trade for any of the guys below...i wont care.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
"...well-timed bargain-hunting. "!!!!
Truthfully, I like the strategy…… Signing long term and expensive guys usually don’t work out either, and can hamstring a team.
Alphonso Soriano comes to mind….and Kearns…
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
Yea although to be fair I would have grabbed Sori at the time
He had a 40/40 season and from all accounts would have been a hit… but it’s always a tough call. Kearns was way overpaid from the beginning…
But i think if Rizzo can trade for a decent pitcher – ill be impressed. I thought the line about going after inflated free agents in a bad pool make sense to me – but I wonder if the majority of Nats fans feel that way. I think the majority of fans want to be Yankees.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
The Braves are reportedly shopping Vazquez or Lowe...
Have to give up more than the Hammer? Right?
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 3, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Hammer is cheap and two years controllable....
Javy is expensive for one year only…… Hmmm….. straight up!
But, with an extension window….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
This just in from Rizzo's old team.....Sounds familiar......
Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes conducted a live chat today on MLB.com. It sounds as though Byrnes would be content to more or less stand pat this offseason, telling one fan that most of the club’s impact players evolve within their system rather than “arrive via offseason splash.” Don’t expect Arizona to go after a second baseman this winter either as Byrnes says he looks forward to competition over the spot this season."
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
So, Mike Morse is here to stay..........
Too bad we already tried bouncing our AAA guys from starting to relieving and back to see if anyone sticks…. (actually not bad, so they won’t keep trying it with these guys…)
I’m sure there’ll be pickin’s in the non-tenders for arms….
No Splash in 2010!!!
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
The suggestion in the article is that trades are the go...
The Nationals figure to fill at least one or two of those holes via trades, as opposed to free-agent signings, preferring to pay discount prices on other teams’ surplus talent than to dive into a talent-poor free-agent pool where prices could rise due to lack of supply.
Among the possible targets are pitchers whose contracts their teams are looking to shed, such as Atlanta’s Javier Vázquez (one year remaining at $11.5 million), or arbitration-eligible pitchers whose teams need payroll savings, such as Florida’s Ricky Nolasco or Detroit’s Edwin Jackson.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Figgins option going
The M’s are the “clear frontrunners” to sign Figgins, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi writes that it is likely that the switch-hitting third baseman will receive a four-year deal in excess of $30MM.
Have to say that at $30M over 4…Im kinda glad we didnt buy into that. Spend that on someone who can find the strike zone…
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Harper watch starts now officially.
Baseball America’s Conor Glassey reports that Bryce Harper passed his GED exam, which will allow him to attend junior college next year and be eligible for the 2010 draft. Harper is the odds on favorite to go first overall.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Now I just have to find a junior college baseball fan to give us live reports...
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 3, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
I think Rizzo may baulk at it
Or is that just Boras negotiation 101?
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
They'll have to set a record again for a teenager bent on being a Yankee...should work out well....
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 3, 2009 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
Got his GED, he's bona fide...now to pound some junior college pitching and cash in...
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 3, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah...pitching in the desert on the JC circuit. Not too sure.
I guess we’ll have to hire some scouts away from the Blue Jays.
Or we can send Rizzo’s dad oot there to scout him. I hear he’s now on Nats payroll.
Pack pops in the RV and send him..........
I do hope this JV school is special for baseball players….Not that it really matters for a semester….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 4, 2009 12:04 AM EST up reply actions
Nice....... the side gunports look like an added feature...
Just pull it up next to the fence and open the blinds……..sweet…
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 4, 2009 12:31 AM EST up reply actions
Red Sox To Sign Scutaro
The Red Sox have agreed to terms with Scutaro, pending a physical,
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
Jimbo...er...uh, Mr. Bowden said that on his twitter but not "officially"...
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 3, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Where does Jimbo fall in this Twitter timeline?
www.liderendeportes.com
9:13 CST El infielder Marco Scutaro firmó con los Medias Rojas de Boston por dos años,
9:37pm CST :passed along by Jorge Arangure of ESPN Deportes (via Twitter )
9:46pm CST: Ed Price of FanHouse.com reports that it is a two-year deal (via Twitter).
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
10:01pm: The deal will include a mutual option for a third year, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald (via Twitter).
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Bowden actually referenced ESPN's Mr. Arangure...
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 3, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
Man...... it's all happening on Twitter......
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
BTW, I emailed Licey.com about Dukes......and Desmond
But, they are off tonight, and I didn’t get a reply……….
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't check tonight...eh, no game, we'll have to wait another day to find out...
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 3, 2009 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
I hope they check their generic email accounts.......
If not, I may try harder to make contact….. I believe my Spanish (thanks to babelfish) was pretty good………
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."
— even without making a deal," Rizzo said."
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 3, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
Dukes' father passed away
he was released from prison a couple weeks ago, THEN found out he had cancer.
that’s why he’s away from the Dominican.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Dec 4, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
I knew his father was sick, and figured that this was unfortunately why he hadn't returned...
DY Wave and condolences to Dukes…
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 4, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
The one name on the list that got me excited was Randy Johnson.
Haven’t heard much buzz about him, but he’s one of my all-time favorite players. Waited three hours to see his 300th win, before they called it for rain :(
It seems that he would be a willing mentor to the Nats, as he is in San Francisco. Maybe the chance to tutor Stephen Strasburg would get him to pack his bags?
Now Rosenthal says Smoltz?
No frickin way will Smoltz play for a losing team whether he knows Kasten or not.
i think Smoltz was the guy all along
that they’ve had in mind for the mentor job.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Dec 4, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
Would've have liked idea a lot more if he was mentoring Zimmermann last season...
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 4, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
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