Washington Nationals Sign Pudge Rodriguez.

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 8, 2009 12:27 AM EST Comment 39 comments

Yahoo!Sports.com's Tim Brown just sent a message out on his Twitter account which reads as follows:

"Pudge Rodriguez agrees with Nats for $6 million over two years."

SI.com's Jon Heyman just said the same on Twitter:

"pudge rodriguez signs with #nationals"

Late Monday night, or maybe early Tuesday, the Washington Nationals announced their second acquisition of the Winter Meetings, signing 38-year-old catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to what is reportedly a 2-year/$6 million dollar deal. On XM's Inside Pitch with Casey Stern and Buck Martinez on Monday, DC Skipper Jim Riggleman said that though the Nationals expected 25-year-old catcher Jesus Flores, (who tore his right labrum while rehabbing from a stress fracture in his right shoulder), to be ready to play by "mid-Spring Training", after last year's struggles with two backups, Josh Bard and Wil Nieves, sharing the catching duties, Mr. Riggleman thought it was necessary that the team, "...try to fortify our catching...during the meetings."

Rodriguez, in his 19th MLB season, played 93 games for the Astros in '09 before being dealt to the Texas Rangers, where he appeared in 28 more hitting for a combined .249 AVG with a .280 OBP, .384 SLG and a .663 OPS with 23 doubles, 10 HR's and 47 RBI's in 425 at bats. In 2010 he's expected to act as a backup/mentor to Flores, though he could see significant time behind the plate should the oft-injured catcher suffer any setbacks. The 14-time All-Star, a winner of 13 Gold Gloves, 7 Silver Sluggers and the 1999 AL MVP Award, has been to the World Series twice, winning with Florida in 2003, beating the Yankees and losing to the Cardinals while with the Detroit Tigers in 2006.

First a trade for Brian Bruney. Then "Pudge" Rodriguez signs. What does DC GM Mike Rizzo have in store for day two...?

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Wow

Ive got mixed feelings on this. He is certainly on his way out but maybe he can teach Flores a thing or two and maybe add some pop with the bat off the bench.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 12:34 AM EST reply actions

Backup, fine. Starter, please no...

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 8, 2009 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Flores ruled healthy

Should be ok.

Im more amazed that someone has updated Wikipedia already…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iv%C3%A1n_Rodr%C3%ADguez

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 12:40 AM EST up reply actions

Worth noting

He still stops more baserunners than Bard.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

And the twitter says this could mean Pretty Wil gets non-tendered.

by RoscoeNats on Dec 8, 2009 12:40 AM EST reply actions

For sure.

Pudge is ‘pending physical’…I hope its not the Hudson physical… a decent backup catcher is something this team needs.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

Hudson never took a physical, or did he, i forget where that story landed...

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 8, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

Rizzo not making Pretty Wil

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 8, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

's fans happy...

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 8, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

He wants a defensive vet behind the plate...will also help in calling a good game with Stras, Storen, et al.

I dont think this is a bad move if he can stay healthy and produce the odd hit.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

Pudge plays for the Criollos de Caguas of the Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

Joining Nats’ teammates Luis Atilano and Jack Spradlin and former Nats Saul Rivera and Alex Cintron……..

Ivan is 1-8 with 2 RBIs, 3Ks, in two games for last place Caguas…

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 1:23 AM EST reply actions

Man...the same day Saul gets cut on his birthday, Pudge gets picked up.

by RoscoeNats on Dec 8, 2009 8:16 AM EST up reply actions

I wonder if Saooool will throw a few in the dirt and say, "Chase that, old man..."

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 8:37 AM EST up reply actions

Isn't this kind of expensive for a backup?

$6 million over two years? That sounds like an awful lot, considering how many needs the team still needs to cover. I guess this isn’t so bad a signing if he’s going to be the backup, but maybe the Nats could have waited out Boras a little longer, to get the asking price down. This would have been an awesome deal 10 years ago. The same deal now? I’m not so sure.

-------------------------------------------------
The Washington Nationals, the team of the 2010s!

by Potomac Fan on Dec 8, 2009 1:33 AM EST reply actions

Now now Potomac

We cant have the Lerners are cheap…

I think – given how little there was on the catchers market this season…that they took the risk on Pudge and figured they could help trade for their other needs.

Or maybe this is the beginning of the splashing of some cash…. who knows….

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 6:26 AM EST up reply actions

I'm as much to blame as anyone for wanting them to do something....

But this “baseball shop” of smart guys better not turn into the old scouts home putting together the best team of the 90’s…..

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

I like the 90s

Ken Griffey, Dusty Baker, Glavine, etc.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 8, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

This has “Jaromir Jagr to Capitals” written all over it. Not good.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Dec 8, 2009 2:17 AM EST reply actions

I didn't see that move coming...

As long as he’s used back-up catcher, that’s a nice move.

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain

by brook on Dec 8, 2009 7:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I can just picture Smoltz throwing to Pudge and both needing canes (or Segways) to get off the field.

by RoscoeNats on Dec 8, 2009 8:17 AM EST up reply actions

I believe that Segway was team property...

Who signs people at 12:30? Rizzo parties!!!!

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 8, 2009 9:04 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

You know, Riggler mentioned coming up with things no one ever thought of, when all the baseball guys get together and talk....

I just hope it wasn’t the Jagermeister shooters talking….

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

Not a bad way to fill the seats?

I would pay big bucks to see this.

by John Quinn on Dec 8, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

It's going to be hard to tell which oldtimers are throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, and which are starting....

“Now being helped onto the field, your 2010 Washington Nationals!!!”

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions

+1 in the funny department

Thx cat D3K

by Berndaddy on Dec 8, 2009 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

Laughing through the tears, Berndaddy........laughing through the tears...

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Pudge, 38, .249/ .280 /.384 at $3MM

[the alternatives….]
Having found few appealing scenarios through the trade market, the Royals will now look to Kendall and Barajas.
Kendall, 35, posted a line of .241/.331/.305 while earning $5MM.
Barajas, 34, hit .226/.258/.403 while earning $2.5MM.

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 9:35 AM EST reply actions

Rizzo is pointing at his head, eh...

by Berndaddy on Dec 8, 2009 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

He needed to find somebody and chances are, he re-signs the cast-offs anyway.........

Go Chiefs!!!

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

Duk: Welcome to Day 2 everyone. Let's hope that a few teams not named the Nationals decide to create a few headlines today.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew

I guess Duk was not overwhelmed with the traffic of the Bruney signing

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 9:40 AM EST reply actions

File Under: Just What We Wanted To Hear...

washtimesbb: Talked to a couple people here today—they said a few of Pudge’s former teammates claim he is no mentor.

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 8, 2009 10:36 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I read he only calls fastballs with runners on first....

Might be smart, might be stubborn….

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Picturing a lot of DC pitchers shaking off fastballs...

“Why isn’t Pudge calling for my slider?” -Pitcher to self.

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 8, 2009 10:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ivan "Not a Blocker" Rodriguez.......

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

Pudge may not have to worry about Mcdoodle....

Nationals May Non-Tender Mike MacDougal
By Tim Dierkes [December 8 at 10:17am CST]

ESPN’s Jayson Stark tweets that he’s hearing there’s a good chance the Nationals non-tender reliever Mike MacDougal. The Nats acquired Brian Bruney yesterday, and will give him a chance to win the closer job.

Non-tendering MacDougal would be wise. After earning $2.65MM in 2009, his agent can argue for a decent raise on the basis of his 20 saves in 21 opportunities. Since MacDougal walked 38 and struck out 34 in his 54.3 innings, he’s not a good bet to repeat his success in 2010.

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions

i am firmly in the "don't like" category

sorry to be late to the party here, but i don’t like this move.

Pudge’s D numbers have been horrible the last three years, despite an unexplicable spikelast year. he OBP’d .280 last year—let me repeat: OBP’d .280, and he walks less than either catcher we had on the roster last year, which is pretty tough to do.

all this, and a two-year contract to boot, when no one would give him one last year?

this smells to me like the skinny kid that does a cannonball at the pool just to get noticed.

Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com

by Dave at Nats News Network on Dec 8, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions

Maybe just buttering up Boras for the next signing?........Like that works....

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

by cat daddy3000 on Dec 8, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

I do not like this move

All Pudges success came from a needle. What can he possibly teach that you can’t lean from Bard or Nieves? Where to get the best “Vitamins”? His bat is not better than Bard or Nieves right now. Plus, pitchers have complained about his game calling in the past. I am not happy!

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

by PhDBrian on Dec 8, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions