Wire Taps: Washington Nationals Trade Chatter: Pudge Rodriguez, Todd Coffey.
by Patrick Reddington on May 26, 2011 10:09 PM EDT
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PrintUpon learning of the extent of the injuries suffered by Giants' catcher Buster Posey in a collision at the plate last night with the Marlins' Scott Cousins, anyone following the Nationals' backstop situation this season had to wonder if San Francisco would come calling on Washington to see if either Pudge Rodriguez (or Jesus Flores who's in Triple-A) was available to fill the void Posey's unfortunate fate created. Sirius/XM talk show host and former Nationals' GM Jim Bowden suggested that the Giants should check out veteran free agent catcher Bengie Molina and suggested that Washington should call San Francisco to offer them Pudge.
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) later confirmed that it was the Giants who called, as he wrote on the Twitter, "No surprise: #SFGiants already have asked #Nationals about Pudge Rodriguez."
That's not the only Nats' chatter out there either...
MLB.com's Bill Ladson wrote tonight too, in a blog post entitled, "Rangers have inquired about Nats’ Coffey", that a "baseball source" told him that the, "Rangers have inquired about Nationals right-hander Todd Coffey," in their search for, "...a setup man, but the two clubs are not in serious talks at the moment." Neither rumor is all that surprising. After finally using occassionally erratic right-handed flamethrower Henry Rodriguez in a tight situation during the series in Milwaukee, Nats' Skipper Jim Riggleman explained to reporters, as recorded in Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore's article entitled, "Henry Rodriguez will have an increased role", that the former A's prospect would be taking on an increasingly important role:
"'To cut to the chase, I’ve got a guy throwing 100 miles an hour down there,' Riggleman said. 'If I can pitch him in the eighth inning, he’s going to pitch.'"
The plan going forward, as it was laid out, had Rodriguez and Tyler Clippard setting up, Sean Burnett vs lefties and Drew Storen in the ninth when the Nats have the lead. Coffey? No mention of the veteran reliever actually. The 30-year-old right-hander has given up five runs, four earned in 18 games and 19.0 IP over which he's K'd 9.00 K/9 and posted a 1.89 ERA, 2.53 FIP. The Nationals may be able to cash in on yet another non-tender signing as they did last year with Matt Capps, sending the former Pirates' pitcher to Minnesota for Wilson Ramos...not sure they'll get the same return on Coffey, but it's worth exploring.
Add Jason Marquis' name to the list of potential veterans that could be traded before this year's Non-Waiver Deadline. Laynce Nix? He's done nothing (aside from some questionable throws from the OF) to harm his reputation as a strong fourth outfielder. But is it time to start breaking this team up already? The Pudge talk makes sense only because the Giants are probably desperate. Would the Nationals trade Coffey now? Should they if the Rangers are serious? Can the Nats part with Pudge with Jesus Flores continuing to build arm strength following shoulder surgery and not exactly lighting it up at Triple-A? Pudge, while still strong behind the plate, has a .205/.256/.342 slash line at the plate with a .236 BABIP. How much are the Giants going to be willing to part with for Pudge? Enough to make it worth it? San Francisco's probably desperate, the Rangers less so, but Coffey would probably bring a more significant return...
Are the Nationals ready to start dealing?
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Those desperate Rangers...
You’d think Coffey would bring a larger return but Texas has been reportedly asking EVERYONE for reliever help. There were reports just the last two days of them inquiring about Joel Hanrahan and K-rod so while they’re clearly looking for a reliable arm, there are lots and lots of options out there and I doubt they break the bank for Coffey. I would say the amount of desperation the Giants have is of significant note and Pudge seems like the kind of guy they’d go for. They’d love a vet with a low-babips whom they perceive to be underrated.
by Tony Farrar on May 26, 2011 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I (really) like the depth of the Nats bullpen, but Coffey is on a 1 year contract, and selling now is selling high.
I’m sure Rizzo is 90% focused on 2012 right now, so if he saw a good deal I have no doubt he’d pull the trigger.
by dc Roach on May 26, 2011 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Bingo
Coffey will never be much better than he is now. Sell high while you can.
I honestly believe without the running to the mound charade, he’d be entirely forgettable
Hmmmm
I just think it is kind of rude to refer to his sprint, which serves a purpose to him, as a charade. His stuff speaks for itself, he is a useful reliever right now, that is where his value is. No reason to come down on the guy for how he takes the field.
I never said there was anything wrong with a charade
It serves its purpose
I agree with selling high
I’m OK with the sprint, though. He says he gets overly jacked up and it tires him out enough to calm him down. He’s not a small guy, so I’m guessing he is kinda winded by the time he gets in.
My thoughts
Pudge – Why move the guy who is helping Zimmerman develop as a pitcher and Ramos develop as a catcher? If Ramos can call a game like Pudge, then maybe, but I wouldn’t throw in the towel on Pudge yet.
Flores – Makes the most sense. He has major league experience and is a strong catcher and not a prospect. He could help an ailing team at the catcher spot immediately. Biggest selling issue is his arm.
Marquis – Smart to move him at the deadline. He could be sent to Colorado now that de la Rosa is out for the season. Good innings eater guy who is having an alright year so far. Probably has the highest trade value right now.
Coffey – With a pen that just got rocked recently and no help currently in sight, I would expect him to be moved closer to the deadline. Rizzo will try to catch lightning twice with this year’s equivalent of the Matt Capps deal.
Nix – Makes no sense to move him unless this team decides to let the season go. I don’t think anyone is in the “sell everything” mode just yet, but with a struggling offense, you probably shouldn’t deal the strongest hitter unless you get something really good in return. Doubtful that this happens for Nix, who is a hard hitting journeyman at best.
With all that said, what do the Nats ask for in return? MLB ready SP? Not happening with any of those guys. A CF leadoff guy? Is this guy MLB ready or does he need developing? A big bat? Why do this if the “big bats” are starting to heat up. I would assume that a catcher, Marquis, and Coffey all get moved by the deadline and in return somewhere in there is a high end CF prospect, RP/SP prospects, and possibly a first baseman prospect. I don’t see anything that screams “MLB ready” from these moves, unless someone is really really desperate, Giants, and willing to give in.
Name a number between three and five.
.............
.............
Threeve.
Probably can't get much for Flores, I think that's probably the biggest problem
I agree with Pudge/Ramos splitting time, I think what they’re doing now is a good for all parties involved kind of move.
Flores just doesn’t have the time or proven rehab time to show everyone what he’s still made of yet. At this point in time today, I think other teams view him as an almost pure coin flip gamble, and would go after him only as a last resort. The fact that he was called up for just two AB’s was complete mismanagement as well. Especially during all those rainouts/doubleheaders where Flores might could have started a game and showcased SOMETHING other than riding the pine.
I think the Rockies are going to be looking for lefties first seeing as how they don’t really have one, so I wouldn’t think Marquis is going to be as big a target of theirs until the deadline.
I’d like the thought of keeping Nix myself.
Not Flores
Posey will be back next year so the Giants only need a 1 years solution. And we don’t want to sell low on Flores. Keep him at AAA and bring back Maldonado for the 1 game/week role behind Ramos.
If we can get something useful for Coffey I would definitely favor that. I see CF/leadoff prospect as our biggest need.
Break up the Nats!
I can haz ML-ready prospex?
"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.
by Doghouse on May 26, 2011 11:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
+1
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
"Nobody’s got a monopoly on good writing, or the facts. If you can come up with one or the other or (ideally) both, you’re in the club." --Rob Neyer, Feb. 2, 2011
by Dave at District Sports Page on May 26, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Who's first to go?
I’m assuming this would be under the Tampa/Marlin model…
My first to go would be……oh crap I can’t do this.
Zimm's only the biggest hole in the cheese.
Ramos’ game-losing defense of the dish has nearbout caused me to have kittens more’n once – that womanish, footsteps-hearing dropped ball t’other night, and his godawful FAIL on the legendary “sweep tag” being the most egregious. Plus, he sems to have caught the dreaded momIcanthitnomore bug. I been a big Ramos fan since I first set eyes, but must confess that I’d be reluctant to see Pudge leave just now.
We got three left-fielders; and when you got three left-fielders, you got no left-fielder.
Starting pichers starting to act like self-sacrificing and diligent home-makers who done everything expected of ‘em, but got only no-account, unemployed, and faithless hubbies who run around on ’em. Pichers have throwed down their dish-towels and gone on strike – or at least they’re fixin’ to, which is evident – and wutdye expect, ice-cream?
Team’s struggling, but can’t trade away the problems, and salvation ain’t coming outa’ the bushes – not this year, anyway.
But our biggest problems are tactical, and that means leadership. Sorry, Jim – you’re a heckuva nice guy, but you’re not producing. Time to go. That’s my slant.
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Is this constructive?
If you hate that much about the team then don’t watch. I think it is pretty sad that you have to call out Wilson Ramos for his play on the field. The guy has a lot of positive things to look at to not focus on the negative. Also, remember what we got him for, if anything we should be happy that we basically made him appear out of thin air and havea serviceable young catcher with the organization. Can’t we view this team as what they are; instead of treating them like we have the expectations of the actual good teams in baseball? I support my guys and understand that it is a long process and isn’t going to come to fruition any time soon. Riggs is a good guy to have around these players right now, and maybe if he can’t handle when the expectations are higher then we think about someone new. No disrespect to anyone but I like this team.
I think Marquis may be going soon
Especially if the rumors about him and Riggles hating each other is true. I agree on selling high with Coffey, although that could mean more Slaten in our lives.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents. As are we all."
---Malachi Constant
by The Herndon Kid on May 27, 2011 8:22 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
That's interesting; I back Riggleman completely for Baltimore
Marquis had sucked so far in that game (8H, 3BB, 5R in just 4 innings – blech). In the aftermath of a six run explosion in the 5th (and 11 more runs overall) it’s easy to forget that It was a one run game when the decision to pull Marquis was made. One of my primary beefs with Riggleman (after the bunting) is his tendency to manage for player statistics rather than team wins (for example, leaving pitchers in to give them a “chance for a win” when giving them that chance hurts the ballclub). The emphasis has to be on winning, IMNSHO. I regarded his hook in that situation to be progress.
Only 2 of those runs should have been earned
Bernadina dropped a flyball in CF which would have been the last out of the inning, instead 3 runs scored. Just because the scorekeeper is an idiot and somehow didn’t rule it an error makes his stats look bad.
Here is the clip
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14993539
pretty amazing to rule that not an error
If I'm Marquis, I'm ticked. No starting pitcher wants to be yanked with a lead before five innings.
I need to learn to write more the first time.
Hey, if I was Marquis I'd be ticked off, too
It’s costing him money, after all. I get that. He’s a competitor, and he wants the chance to redeem himself. I get that, too.
But I still side with Riggleman that yanking Marquis was the right thing to do. Even if you discount the dropped fly ball, it’s still 7 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings – a smooth 2.50 WHIP. That’s terrible. After the previous week of offensive futility he can’t assume that the offense is going to keep scoring runs.
It's inconsistant with what Riggleman had been doing
Livo, Lannan, and Gorzo have all been able to go 5 with over a 2.00 WHIP.
I don’t find the stat line of (if Bernie’s error is scored correctly)
4.0 IP 7H 5R 2ER 3BB 2K
as something you get pulled after 4
Of course Marquis was pissed. Starting pichers are all alpha-dogs, with strong personalities.
Riggleman, on t’other hand, fancies himself some kinda’ perfessor o’ baseball, and f’ya ask me, he tinkers way too much. I half expect him to call pitches from the dugout via signals to the catcher – and don’t laugh, he wouldn’t be the first block-head manager to do it.
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Sell if there is a real prospect offered for Pudge; you're not going to get that for Flores
As much as I like the “Guzman twins” (Tatusko and Roark) that Rizzo was able to steal from Texas last year, I wouldn’t take that equivalent (two just barely above “organizational depth” type prospects) for Pudge right now. With Ramos starting essentially 2/3 of the games Pudge is a bit more effective at the plate, and he’s been aces defensively. He’s also a good mentor for catchers, and the pitchers like throwing to him. More importantly you’re not going to get any return on Flores either way until he proves he can play every day for extended periods of time. He’s not there yet, and he’s not going to prove that he is there sitting on the bench in DC behind Ramos.
As for Coffey, again it depends on what is offered. Due to the depth in the bullpen and his one year contract (he’s not really part of the future here) I’d be more willing to move him, especially if the team could get a high-minors decent prospect – especially for an OF, 1b or an infielder. They’re not going to get a frontline starter for him, although if there is a gem deep in the Rangers’ system I’d consider it.
Can we trade Pudge for SF's team Doctor?
The only time his shoulder was in pain was when he threw the baseball. LaRoche was told that he could play the entire season with the injury.
However, by last weekend, LaRoche wanted to get a second opinion on the shoulder and went to New York on Sunday night.
"I know my body well enough to know when I’m feeling good at the plate … and it was not there," LaRoche said. "That’s the reason I went to New York. I wanted somebody to tell me, ‘Listen, your shoulder is fine. It should not be affecting your swing. Get back out there and play.’ Or ‘There are some Major issues.’ That’s all I wanted to confirm."
It was confirmed that LaRoche has major issues in the shoulder.
Dump the Team?
Trade to improve the team, not out of frustration and panic. Do you really want to trade Marquis, probably the best starter this year? Don’t complain in August when some "prospect goes 0-6 with a 6.00 era as his replacement. Trade Pudge? For what? Bowden suggesting the Nats contact SF first shows how much he know about negotiations and why he’s a talking head rather than someone responsible for real decisions. Trade Coffey? The bullpen is the best aspect of the team. Why break it up unless the Rangers come forward with a serious proposal. Nix? He’s one of the best players we have on an offensively challenged squad. If Rizzo trades any of these guys, it should be done to get a clear addition to the team (Ramos trade was such a trade). Again, this is not the Redskins. Serious teams do not dump players and hope for the best because of a losing streak. I want this team to be buyers, not desperate sellers.
Don't trade Marquis for a bag of baseballs
But if a team offers a ML-ready prospect at a need position, then the team would have to at least consider it. Given Marquis’s track record, having Marquis go 0-6 with a 6.00 ERA after the trading deadline is quite possible. There is a risk that he’s already peaked this season, but even given that I agree there is no real urgency to move him at this point.
Not the skins at all,
Yet when you have guys with one year left on their contract or o e year deals they were essentially brought in as trade bait to begin with. It would make little sense to hold onto guys like Marquis and Coffey for this reason. Last contract year, playing alright to good, and they are 30 or older. Neither is considered a high quality arm but both are serviceable journeymen and can go to a team willi g to pay for their services in turn for prospects. Yes the downside is that the team gets stuck with using young guys that may or may not be ready for the role but that is why you trade late knowing that you won’t be competing for a playoff season.
B the time Marquis and/or Coffey get traded, if the even are, I expect that the FO will decide who becomes the replacements but I somehow expect Maya and Ballestar to be the ones brought up due to their elligibility on the 40 man. That being said if Meyers continues to do what he has been doing, it wouldn’t surprise me if Mock finally gets let go and Meyers’ contract gets purchased giving him the call up.
Nix could be a long term bench option for the club who doesn’t have anyone in that role currently. Trading him should only be done for maximum value since having him off the bench instead of say Kevin Mench is honestly a threat.
Pudge, well just don’t trade him. Let him develop Ramos and the young pitchers more. His value probably is low due to his batting average. I’d continue Flores in his role at AAA until he shows he is worth MLB time again. I’d even go as far as to say offer Pudge a contract for a year or two to give Norris time to develop. Transition Pudge to a true backup catcher since no one will use him as an everyday guy anymore and that holds us over until the future.
Name a number between three and five.
.............
.............
Threeve.
Ahem. Marquis has NOT been the Nats' best starter
Zimmermann. He’s got the best WHIP, the lowest home run rate, the best SO/BB rate, the lowest walk rate, the second-lowest hit rate, and a sparkly .654 OPS-against, which is 100 points below the league average and everyone else in the rotation.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
Yeah, but can he hit?
He can? Okay, then.
"I don't believe in luck, but it was just one of those things where it wasn't really skill, either." --Jerry, jr.
by Doghouse on May 27, 2011 5:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Patrick, other than your throwing his name out there, has there been any indication that another team is interested in Nix?
I’d find that hard to believe.
No, just fits model of a veteran on a one-year deal...
Probly should’ve stated that clearly.
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 May 27, 2011 11:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
When Rizzo traded Willingham for H-Rod, not many of us liked it.
I think it is turning out to be a great deal for us. We won’t know for a while, but it’s looking good. Rizzo has a great eye for prospects and is obsessed with baseball(as he should be), I would trust him trading any of these players for some prospect that we don’t yet know much about, which is what will happen anyways.
Skins rule
He Scares the Hitters as well.
Hitters are trying to survive the at bat. I like it. Just hope he doesn’t blow out his arm.
That rubber-armed b*sterd just needs more confidence and if he ever gets it, look out.
Turn into the kinda guy who’ll walk two, strike out three – then stroll off the mound, whistling. I sh*t you not.
"Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July." - Earl Weaver
Let him pitch like that for some other team
I can’t stand watching pitchers like that.
Rob
-- In baseball we trust.
by RobBobS on May 27, 2011 4:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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