Washington Nationals: Mid-Day Rumor Mill And Notes...
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 20, 2010 3:15 PM EST
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Print• I know most Washington Nationals' fans are happy with what DC GM Mike Rizzo has been able to do to improve the Nats' chances of at least being competitive in the NL East in 2010, but it's still somewhat rare for members of the national press to recognize what's going on in the nation's capital, so I was surprised when SI.com's Jon Heyman listed the Nationals 10th on a list of the "Top 10 Offseason Performances" yesterday, writing:
"10. Nationals. They're not going to contend right away, but kudos them for bringing in veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez, starter Jason Marquisand relievers Matt Capps and Brian Bruney. Reportedly, they are still working on things, so there could be yet another signing."
Will the "other signing" be Orlando Hudson? Ben Sheets? Adam Kennedy? Doug Davis? Who knows, but for the first time in years at least fans of the Washington Nationals aren't lamenting what hasn't happened...uh, except for the fact that the Nationals didn't sign Aroldis Chapman...but even there, they offered more money (5yrs/$25M) than I ever would have imagined...
• More contract information today from MLB.com's Bill Ladson, who reported via his Twitter feed that Jesus Flores signed a one-year deal worth $750,000 with performance bonuses tied to games played that will pay the oft-injured catcher, "...an additional $10,000 for 70 (games played); $15,000 for 80g; $25,000 for 90g." Flores made $439,000 last season, but played in only 29 games. Backup backstop Wil Nieves gets a raise from the one-year/$445,000 dollar deal he signed last year, agreeing with Washington on another 1-year contract worth $700,000 dollars. Nieves may play an important role early as the primary backup to Pudge Rodriguez until Flores is healthy. (ed. note - "Mr. Ladson still thinks the Nationals will get Hudson...")
That's all for now...
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We need to sign Sheets
I am liking him more and more. Put a really good offer on the table. This guy realluy would help us. That and then trade for a good young 2b or SS.
by Danyon Rome on Jan 20, 2010 4:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I keep on getting a different $ amount with each new tweet...
Wait til you have story correct, tweet, publish…bang!!! Or just type anything…
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 Jan 20, 2010 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
DAMN IT
I thought Davis was a good signing for us… SHEEET!
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
-SSSSS!!!
As in “SHEEETSSS!!”
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 Jan 20, 2010 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
when Jon Heyman likes what your team is doing
That’s generally not a good sign.
I hate to always be the downer voice but…. what did they really do this offseason? Well, I take that back… they did get compitent arms in the bullpen… but that’s about it… and it’s not as though they were huge additions.
Ivan rodriguez has deteriorated to the point to where he is terrible offensively, he may be a slight defensive upgrade but who even knows that anymore? Guy has been around for a while.
i’ve voiced my feelings on Marquis before, so I won’t bore you all with that, but his walk rate is crazy high…. Heyman loves this guy because of the all important “wins” stat.
The yankees went out and got Javier vasquez for melky cabrera and a minor league bullpen guy. The Mariners went and got Milton Bradely for Carlos Silva. These are the types of moves good Gm’s make. Now I know, guys want to come to the yankees because there the yankees, and the nats dont have that… but to be honest, that sounds more like an excuse when a question gets asked as to why they didnt pursue someone.
Lots of organizationsdont know what they are doing, and good organizations take advantage of them…
I honestly dont see this squad any more than marginally improved, and I feel like the oppurtunity to get better has presented itself, they just haven’t acted
"all important 'wins' stat"...heh....
When you line the Nats’ moves up, it does at times seem like they thought they were just a few players and a character guy or two away from being competitive…but I see most of these moves as stop gaps, to avoid losing 100 games for the next season or two before they become competitive, but as soon as the pitching pans out, (and if they can keep the offense together) I like what I see Rizzo putting together….
The positive view of the acquisitions is Bard/Pudge, Odalis/Marquis…at least it’s a better quality second tier free agent the Nats are getting…and they did embarrass a few teams who probably never thought anyone would choose to go to DC…
Marquis walks will test my patience as someone who HATES walks…but i do think a veteran presence might ease the pressure on Lannan and allow him to flourish…
I really wanted Chapman though…thought he was perfect for this franchise….(Sorry, Snake!)
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 Jan 20, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions
I think its been a decent offseason.
I agree that they are stop gap measures…and we’ll be no more likely to break 50o this season. But I think the ship needed to be shoared up. The FO needed to make some moves to get some decent players this year and make sure that we’re competitive next year. Once that happens we can then start bringing thru the young guys properly and not rush them through.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
They are stop gap measures
but its not like there were no better options out there… where were we on Rich Harden, for example. To be honest, i’d rather let the kids have no pressure big league seasons now then light money on fire by acquiring guys who have no future with this organization?
Does anybody really want to see Marquis/ pudge with this club in 3 years? 5?
one of those question marks should not be
the first one
Young starters shouldn't be rushed though.
When Carl Pavano was brought to the bigs too soon with the Expos he struggled mightily. He needed more time in the minors. His 18 win year with the Marlins could have been his third year in the majors if he had not be rushed, but it was his seventh.
These kids could get accustomed to losing at the big league level and that would stick with them for a long time. I like playing the youngsters as well, but another year or half year of seasoning, light work on the arm, could pay dividends in the end.
I wouldn’t mind having Marquis on the team in three years.
Why not us? Why not now?
for carlos silva?
in a nanosecondfistpumpheartbeat
why is everyone so down on bradely?
he Opsed 1000 in 2008 and had an obp close to 400 in an awful, injury plauged year last year… the guy is a good player… and no, I dont care about his attitude.
If he can help me win a pennant he can burn down the clubhouse for all I care
378 obp last year
not that close to 400, but still pretty good
If Sheets will have Washington, I'm sure they'd accept him...
No more than $7.5+ incentives…maybe lower base?
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 Jan 20, 2010 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
Mike Hinckley
And his career 1.93 ERA landed a job with the Orioles. Hopefully for him, he’ll be able to find the strikezone at Camden Yards. The one the eluded him so well last year with the Nats.
Why not us? Why not now?
I really wish he had caught on here...got his shot last year but no luck...
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 Jan 20, 2010 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
Our offseason moves
These moves have been part stopgap, part planning for 2-3 years from now, and ultimatley long term moves to make DC a place people actually want to come to. Getting old veterans to come in to DC in the short term will only make DC a more playable city for our young guys and other free agents down the road.
The fact that Marquis and then Capps chose DC surprised me...
But it’s definitely a domino-effect sort of thing…Pudge got a better deal from Washington, so that’s different, but free agents choosing to hop on cause they like what they see is a new and enjoyable trend…now get to .500 before a good class of FA’s comes out next year…
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 Jan 21, 2010 10:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I know I love it. Is there actual support for the Nats outside of this site and the few remaining diehards? There may just be.
Sheets though if can stay healthy would be a good pick up. Not great but good. It be good to get a few more players that want to be here. Is there a pitching version of Nyjer Morgan?
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