Washington Nationals: Miguel Batista Signs Minor League Deal, Federal Baseball Talks Hotstove.

by Patrick Reddington on Jan 29, 2010 12:10 PM EST

• This is not the right-handed free agent you're looking for the Washington Nationals to land, but they did sign Miguel Batista, the 38-year-old veteran of 15 major league seasons to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. The one-time Pirates, Marlins, Cubs, Expos, Royals, D-Backs, Blue Jays and Mariners' starter was (7-4) for Seattle in 2009, appearing in 56 games as a reliever, and allowing 79 hits, 32 runs and 39 walks (4.9 BB/9) in 71.1 IP over which he struck out 52 batters (6.6 K/9). Here's how Batista's described in the Nationals' official press release:

"Batista, who has had success in both starting and relief roles, started at least 29 games five times in six seasons from 2002-07. Batista has posted five double-digit win seasons to his credit, but is perhaps best remembered for tossing 8.0 scoreless innings in the 2001 World Series to help the Diamondbacks claim their first World Championship."

• Live at 1:00 pm EST this afternoon, I'll be appearing on Hot Stove TV with Hotstove.com's Tom Reese and Paul Rubillo to talk Nationals hot stove. Here's what their promo says:

1:00pm EST: Ed Chigliak of Federal Baseball will join us to talk Nationals hot stove, including the club’s big offseason acquisitions of Ivan Rodriguez, Matt Capps, and Chris Duncan.

(ed. note - "Chris Duncan...? Will he be more than a Syracuse Chiefs' outfielder...I better go prepare for this...")

• LINK TO HOT STOVE TV:

"Today on Hot Stove TV: Ed Chigliak of Federal Baseball and John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer."

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We knew him when ...

LOL !!! Give it to them, bud !! Now you got to get on Lavar and Dukes’ show…

by Berndaddy on Jan 29, 2010 12:23 PM EST reply actions

well

at least when miguel batista starts to suck he can recite some poetry on the mound….

by martins on Jan 29, 2010 6:59 PM EST reply actions

Have fun with Beluga Tits.

by I Lick Squirrels on Jan 29, 2010 10:41 PM EST reply actions

Bye Bye Livan

I think the contract signed by Batista means The Nationals will not make an offer to Livan Hernandez. That is a good news. As a fifth-spot starter, Batista is far better than Hernandez. He still throws 92/93 mph fastballs, against the 82/83 mph balloons thrown by Hernandez

As a fifth starter, I think Batista could be a very good surprise.

Rizzo is giving a lot more depth to the Nationals pitching staff. The team is pushing in the right direction.

by Noirelune on Jan 30, 2010 5:46 AM EST reply actions

And hopefully slams the door on any more Smoltz rumours.....

MLBTR: “MLB.com’s Bill Ladson says that the Nationals have spoken to John Smoltz’s agent recently, but there is no progress to report and they aren’t willing to break the bank for him…”

" I was just poking the universe to get things started..." -E. Chigliak, Winter 2009
Mezza: ''Are we there yet?'' ...Roscoe: "In baseball hell? Yes we are."

by cat daddy3000 on Jan 30, 2010 8:29 AM EST up reply actions

This is a horrible move!

Yes, Batista will be cheap, but there have to be in-house options that he is blocking from playing time if he gets the #5 spot. It’s not like the Nats are going to compete for the division this year, so they shouldn’t be signing a really old pitcher who has declined into oblivion. The point shouldn’t be to get a warm body out there, but to get someone out there with some upside!

by docholliday3 on Jan 30, 2010 12:01 PM EST reply actions

I don’t mind the move. Bautista is so cheap, that if a youngling eclipses him in the rotation it’ll be no big deal to send him to the pen, and if he’s eclipsed in the pen, he can be cut loose.

by RoscoeNats on Jan 30, 2010 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

I certainly understand where you’re coming from, and if this was somebody else I would totally agree with you. But, for example, Batista’s BB/9 last year was 4.92, which was actually an improvement from two years ago, when it was 6.18! This is just a waste of time, there’s no way he’s going to compete his way into the rotation, and if he does then there’s something wrong with the organization. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, and he’s written some interesting novels, but as a pitcher, he’s terrible!

by docholliday3 on Jan 30, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Is it too late to hire Dave Duncan now that we signed one of his kids?

by RoscoeNats on Jan 30, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

Not a fan

All I can remember about Batista is he and Omar Daal got lit up Larry Walker when he was with the Rockies, playing in Olympic Stadium. Walker took Batista deep three times once, all on curveballs.

I wanted the Nats to bring in old-Expos, but not Miguel. Go after Orlando Carbrea now.

Why not us? Why not now?

by Expos4 on Jan 31, 2010 3:37 AM EST reply actions