Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Weekend In Review. No On Yu Darvish, No On Norichika Aoki.
by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2011 12:04 PM EST
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• Nats Weekend In Review: Friday night we learned that the Washington Nationals did not place a bid on 25-year-old Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' right-hander Yu Darvish. Rumor has it Toronto won the bidding, announcement to come tomorrow. Norichika Aoki sounded like a potential solution for the Nats' center field/leadoff issues, but the Milwaukee Brewers won the bidding according to an announcement this morning. No word on whether or not the Nats bid on the 30-year-old Yakult Swallows' center fielder. Will Washington make a play for Hisashi Iwakuma? Are the Nationals still thinking they'll find a CF? Has the pitching search ended? Prince Fielder? We talked about that too, it was a long weekend...Here's what others following the Nats were talking about this weekend. Links and lots of 'em, RIGHT NOW!!
• THE BIG STORY!!! (tie):
• Audio: "Dmitri Young: 'There's a lot of life to live'" - Craig Heist, WTOP.com
• "(Hey! That's Yeonis Cespedes in a Curly W lid during the Yeonis Cespedes Encore video.)" - "Yeonis Cespedes in a Nats cap." - Nats Enquirer
(ed. note - "Disclaimer - Cespedes just happened to be wearing a Nats cap during his latest video. Including this link here does not represent our opinion that the Nationals will sign the 26-year-old outfielder.")
• NATS BEAT:
• "Now Rizzo has to weigh whether a potential acquisition is important enough to part with an established major leaguer and two or three top prospects." - "Rizzo must decide if rising price for pitching is too high" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com
• Twitter: Don Nomura (@donnomura): "Fighters will announce tomorrow late morning, 明日日ハムは受理する、#ダルビッシュ#darvish"
• "The Nationals made a series of minor league signings recently in order to augment their depth at Class AAA..." - "Catching up on Nationals’ minor league deals" - Adam Kilgore, Nationals Journal - The Washington Post
• "The Nationals' 2011 payroll was about $64 million, ranking them 22nd overall. They spent roughly $21 million less than the Orioles, who won 11 fewer games." - "The green argument" - Phil Wood, MASNSports.com
• "Closer Drew Storen is only 24. All-Star Tyler Clippard will turn 27 just before pitchers and catchers report for spring training." - "Does bullpen need bolstering?" - Mark Zuckerman, NatsInsider.com
• "The Nationals, given their history with Boras clients, will always be a whispered dark horse -- even though team sources have said repeatedly the Nats aren't in the running." - "Fielder still seeking a Princely sum" - Brian McNally, Washington Examiner
• "So after starting slow and then tearing up Single-A, Double-A and the Arizona Fall League, why not give Harper a shot with the Nationals out of spring training?" - "Where will Bryce Harper be on opening day?" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Twitter: FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi): "While #BlueJays emerge as potential winners in Yu Darvish bidding, sources indicate they are unlikely to sign Fielder."
• "'Diet and exercise,' Young said. 'As funny as that sounds, it’s true. I cut down on meals, on the size of the meals, four or five [smaller] meals a day...'" - "Dmitri Young explains his weight loss and comeback" - Dan Steinberg, DC Sports Bog - The Washington Post
• "With Darvish out of the picture, the Nationals are likely to stick with the rotation they currently have..." - "Nats out on Yu Darvish, likely to stick with rotation" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News
• "Without a solidified rotation, is the door then more wide open for them to make a huge impression in spring training and make the team?" - "Peacock's role gaining importance as free agent market dwindles" - Byron Kerr, MASNSports.com
• Your Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama): "The best tribute to honor and remember Václav Havel is to work as best we can towards building a more peaceful, open and just world."
• NATS MINOR/WINTER LEAGUES:
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Zulia 5, Magallanes 1 - Carlos Maldonado (ZUL) - 1 for 3, 1 BB, 1 K; Jesus Flores (MAG) - 1 for 4 - Box Score.
• Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Aragua 6, Lara 5 - Wilson Ramos (ARA) - 0 for 0, 1 BB - Box Score.
• "Perfect for before a Nats game (what the hell, why not Little League too?) or just a summer picnic..." - "On The Fifth Day Of Nats-mas My True Love Gave To Me…" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• "Washington Nationals Preliminary Prospect List" - John Sickels, Minor League Ball
• "Sickels Releases Preliminary Prospect List" - NationalsProspects.com
• NATSTOWN:
• "Brian Bixler - Age 29 - Just over 1 year of MLB Service Time. How he became a Nat: Was "purchased" by the Nats from the Pirates in August of 2010 - essentially a trade for cash." - "A Few Good Men: 43 - Bixler" - Mac, Capitol Baseball
• "Perfect for before a Nats game (what the hell, why not Little League too?) or just a summer picnic..." - "On The Fifth Day Of Nats-mas My True Love Gave To Me…" - Keara Dowd, Win For Teddy
• "The Washington Nationals are still in search of their big pitching signing this offseason, and GM Mike Rizzo has officially turned to the trade market." - "Report: Nationals Interested in Gio Gonzalez, John Danks" - Joe Drugan, The Nats Blog
• "Another edition of mlb.com beat reporter Bill Ladson’s inbox, dated 12/12/11. I’m a bit behind this week but the questions are still current." - "Ladson’s inbox: 12/12/11 edition" - Todd Boss, Nationals Arm Race
• NL EAST UPDATES:
• Mets: "The Mets officially have announced the signing of closer Frank Francisco, with whom they came to terms two weeks ago." - "Francisco signing official" - Adam Rubin, Mets Blog - ESPN New York
• Marlins: "Had a good Twitter discussion last week about some of the Marlins’ best and worst ever prospects." "Miami Marlins: All-time best and worst homegrown players" - Juan C. Rodriguez, Sun-Sentinel
• Braves: "The Atlanta Braves and Disney are supposed to be good friends, but apparently even friends can have disagreements once in a while." - "Braves And Disney Having A Trademark Spat" - gondeee, Talking Chop
• Phillies: "Top secret files from the Phillies front office show the depths to which the team was prepared to go to terminate Billy Wagner's retirement. With extreme prejudice." - "Alpacalypse Now: Billy Wagner and the Heart of Darkness - Part One" - WholeCamels, The Good Phight
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even though spoofing the opening of apocalypse now is one of the most played things ever
the good phight still did a fine job
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
FWIW:
RT @Buster_ESPN: Most folks guessing/assuming Jays have won Darvish bidding. But just got off the phone with an AL exec who speculates smart $ is on Rangers.
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 19, 2011 1:30 PM EST via mobile reply actions
My thought is this: Do the Jays have enough money to pay a huge post and a contract acceptable to Darvish?
The Rangers do.
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
First off let me say that we dont need another pitcher for the big team, Det is fine IMO
but I think we should go after Julio Borbon or Craig Gentry from Texas. Gentry could be had fairly cheap due to his age, and at worst he is a good OF 4, but if he puts up number like last year he could be a good leadoff guy. I think that we could get him for Derek Norris and maybe a low minors starter, or Roger Bernadina
MOAR SEVERINO!
Heck I think that Gentry could be had for just Bernadina
but I would be willing to put throw someone else if needed. The guy is a near perfect fit if he produes
MOAR SEVERINO!
Det is not ideal, but definitely good enough.
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
When you add in Milone and Peacock
and assuming we sign a decent AAA SP, I feel confident
MOAR SEVERINO!
Gerardo Parra
just became available (presumably) now that that Diamondbacks signed Jason Kubel. Parra won a Gold Glove in LF last year, and is really more equipped for CF anyway (he played 360 innings there in 09’). Parra is also cheap and controllable at 24 years old. Definitely someone to add to the trade possibility list going forward.
Dbacks want to keep Parra as 4th outfielder, they say.
But I’m sure they’d listen to a reasonable offer.
Flores and prospex for Parra and prospex?
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
Stop trading Flores!
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
by RobBobS on Dec 19, 2011 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Nothing like selling low.
But let’s wait to see if Flores is back to the player we wanted him to be in 2009 before we start trading him.
if Jesus is back to the way he was, he'll be starting...
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
2nd-year man may have to step back...Flores was good.
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions
++ "Stop trading Flores!"...
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
My argument for trading Flores is dependent on the following assumptions:
1) Ramos > Flores.
2) Therefore, Flores is backup catcher.
It is a known fact that Flores is dissatisfied with being a backup catcher. I simply think that we can get better value from him as a trade to be a starting catcher somewhere else than we can with him playing less than 1/3 of the games. As such, of course we should wait to see just HOW good he is, since the better he looks the more we can get for him. But even if Ramos < Flores, I still think we should be focusing on trading Flores because of the fact that Ramos is cheaper and is under team control, whereas Flores is in arb years right now.
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
Who says you can't have two good catchers?
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
if Ramos is truly better, then it's his job...
but all indications are that Flores is 100%, and that will be hard to keep on the bench or get rid of. Ramos might have to yield to the veteran and bide his time like every other former rookie…
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 7:59 PM EST up reply actions
Definitely a good possibilty
I cant belive that Arizona signed Kubel to replace him, considering he was probably the most popular player in AZ, he even had his own cheering section. He would also be fairly cheep, which is nice. I would offer Norris and Shark for Parra
MOAR SEVERINO!
I wouldn't move Norris for a guy the D'Backs wouldn't want to hold.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
But I think they do want to hold Parra
How bout Shark and Norris for Parra and a prospect
MOAR SEVERINO!
Perhaps
I don’t really want to move NOrris unless it’s for a major piece, a solution to one of our long term needs. I’d move NOrris as part of an Upton package but I don’t think Parra is in the same category.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/borboju01.shtml
Needs to walk more. I wonder if the Rangers would do Shark and a low end prospect for Gentry
MOAR SEVERINO!
I don't see how Borbon is that big an upgrade over Bernadina
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
I agree Bernadina is what he is at this point
But it seems to me that Borbon has had trouble getting on base and he’s not that young himself.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Parra probably isn't worth Norris and the Shark.
His high-OBP is helped along substainally by being the guy before the pitcher. Nearly 35% of his walks were intentional, or about the same percentage as Prince Fielder. I sincerely doubt that Parra is as serious a threat as Prince Fielder. Parra’s OBP falls off a cliff if he isn’t an 8 hitter.
Ken Rosenthal saying Nats agree to deal with Mike Cameron...
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 19, 2011 3:25 PM EST reply actions
Interesting
Give him a shot in Center, and wouldn’t be complaining about a Ankiel/Cameron CF solution for the short-term. Not ideal however.
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
federalbaseball RT@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: #Nationals reach agreement with free-agent OF Mike Cameron. #MLB #Indians about 1 minute ago ·
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
It's got to be a major league deal at this point
I think that he showed enough in Florida to expect an MLB deal. Bench player money, perhaps, but MLB deal. Of course, Cameron does nothing to solve our leadoff issues. The breeze from his Ks will be felt in the Presidents’ Club.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Minor league deal according to Ladson
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
Wow.
If so, that’s great. Can’t be much money and low risk. Like it.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
38-year olds could give out at any time...
CF platoon, huh?
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Must be nice being Boston
They paid 15M for basically 2 years of hurt Mike Cameron and still had Jacoby Ellsbury to save their bacon.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
please Bernadina, workout the baseball muscles this off-season, PLEASE!!!
“you’re our only hope…”
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
Nope
He’s a statue in right at this point and he’s got a declining bat.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Depends on the cost, if the Angels were willing to eat a major portion of his contract
then I would grab him as bench bat.
Really surprised Nats didn’t bid more (if they bid at all) for Aoki. Figured he’s a perfect fit for them. Perhaps they will go harder after Cespedes.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
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