Washington Nationals, Michael Morse Agree On Multi-Year Extension.
by Patrick Reddington on Jan 20, 2012 5:02 PM EST
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• Updated - 5:18 pm EST: According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats) the deal is a two-year deal, though the $'s are still not known. So if you were thinking "multi-year" deal meant the end of the Prince Fielder rumors, sorry, not just yet.
• Original Story: The Washington Nationals announced on Friday afternoon that they'd avoided going to arbitration with 29-year-old 1B/OF Michael Morse by agreeing on what the team is describing as a "multi-year contract extension." Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Nats in their tweeted announcements on the deal, or in the press release on the deal, but they did say on the Twitter that, "This contract was agreed upon prior to arbitration figures being exchanged and was contingent upon a since-completed physical."
A report from CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) earlier this week said the two sides had exchanged arbitration figures with the Nationals submitting $3.5M while the player's side filed at $5.0M dollars. Morse is coming off a breakout year in his seventh MLB season. The 6'5'', 230 lb slugger hit 36 doubles and 31 HR's, taking over at first after Adam LaRoche went down with a shoulder injury and posting a .303/.360/.550 slash in 146 games and 575 plate appearances over which he was worth +3.4 fWAR.
Morse avoided arbitration last winter by agreeing to a 1-year/$1.05 million dollar deal before putting together what was by far his best season at the major league level. Asked in an MLB Network Radio interview earlier this winter for the reasons behind his big year, Morse told the hosts it was just a case of finally getting an opportunity. "The biggest thing for me was I got an opportunity," Morse said, "I got an opportunity to play and I got an opportunity to get that comfortable feeling and get a chance to just relax and tell myself that, 'You know what, if I don't get a hit today, I'm going to be in there tomorrow.'"
In 276 games following the June '09 trade with Seattle that sent Ryan Langerhans to the Mariners in exchance for the oft-injured Morse, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-born White Sox' 3rd Round pick (2000), has a .295/.353/.536 slash with 51 doubles and 49 HR's in 923 plate appearnances.
More info on the deal when it's available...
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Day. Made.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Jan 20, 2012 5:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
+1!!!
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." -Lance Berkman....
I wanna watch the "... tape-measure-testing, laser-throwing, eyeblack-oozing baseball cyborg."
by cat daddy3000 on Jan 20, 2012 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
Ladson just tweeted two years
no dollar figures.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.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 Jan 20, 2012 5:13 PM EST reply actions
so you're happy, and RobBobS is happy..
and all Morse lovers are happy.. everyone is happy!
by dc Roach on Jan 20, 2012 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
yes, two year deal stabilizes team salary structure
allows Rizzo to make concrete offer to Fielder knowing what he has on the table. this just makes Werth the CFer for two years.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.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 Jan 20, 2012 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
either way, Morse is in left field this year
whether they sign Fiedler or stick with LaRoche.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.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 Jan 20, 2012 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
Werth's bat plays well in center...
#jokesaboutWerth’sfirstyear
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, 2012 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
indeed.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.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 Jan 20, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
You better duck, Morse lovers are going to start throwing stuff...
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, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
For the record, #istillthinkhe'lleventuallybeexposed:)
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, 2012 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
Quack
I love Michael Morse, what do you mean?
c’mon, he’s the only player in history to hit 30 home runs with a greater that 4:1 K/BB ratio. how could he be exposed?
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.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 Jan 20, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, what?
Juan Gonzalez (1992) hit the most homers (43) while striking out at least four times as often (143) as he walked (35). Furthermore, Morse only struck out 3.5 times as often as he walked.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
was being facetious and trying to be funny. sorry.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at www.DistrictSportsPage.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 Jan 21, 2012 2:06 AM EST up reply actions
oh i figured that
i was laughing with, not at, you
by William.Hatheway on Jan 21, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions
I'm happy Morse is signed...
I definitely worry he’ll be exposed on his O…and he’ll DEFINITELY be exposed on his D.
Morse in LF and slide-and-miss Werth in CF threatens to make my eyes bleed. That combo better be for just 1 year…or, preferably, less.
Rizzo’s carefully constructed SPAD might turn into SPA with a hint of D or a helping of O.
MOAR SPADO all the time!
"player development" should not be gladiator games. by cat daddy3000 on Aug 6, 2011
by MissB on Jan 20, 2012 8:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’m just curious whether this deal ends up increasing or decreasing his trade value (would probably only be marginal either way unless that 2nd year is a real doozy, I guess).
We'd need to see the specifics
A front-loaded contract is always better for trade bait. Although it does seem less likely that Rizzo would turn around and shop the guy immediately. But, stranger things have happened…
Immediately is relative. Extension or no, they probably don’t even think of trading him before the midpoint of this season (once they know Harper is set in MLB), unless they’re blown away by an offer. But it probably all comes down to what alternatives Rizzo can find in the outfield. This gives them a bit stronger fallback position but I don’t know if I’d believe it changes whatever their primary goal would have been.
but next years FAs are strong in CF
so im not sure we would do that
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
im replying to the Werth in CF for two years post
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Werth could be OF 4 for 1 season
assuming we have the payroll. Harper will be cheap, Morse will be fairly cheap, and unkown CF could be expensive, but I think Werth could ride the pine if he cant get his bat going
MOAR SEVERINO!
not a huge fan
but one season after three screams small sample size
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
[Insert GIF of Morse Singing/Dancing to "Take on Me"]
Good for Morse, now go out there and mash baseballs into the forbidden zones of the league’s parks.
Any word on a Zim extension? The garbage factory known as ESPN MLB rumors had a blip about that being a logical next area of business for the Nats. Is this just a rehashing of the obvious, or is there some credence to the hearsay?
Ladson said they were talking the other day, but Kilgore later wrote that they've been talking all along...
No new developments. So that’s fwiw.
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, 2012 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
Right and I think Zimm
has every reason to drag it out. 1.) He is coming off a down year and 2.) if the Nats make any sort of run next year there will be panic in the fanbase which will increase the pressure on ownership to get a deal done, 3.) Rendon is coming off of injury and I don’t think we should expect him to get off to a hot start (which will relieve the let Zim go and play Rendon crowd, if it exists).
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!
The "extend Zim" crowd
Could someday soon become the “dump Zim and play Rendon” crowd, but no one in there right mind (even me) would be actually in favor of that right now.
It’s not a good time for Zimm or for us to be signing a long-term agreement.
what about a j.zim extension
i know they took care of arb, but come on, id want him long term way more than Gio, who i like btw
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
AdamKilgoreWP:
To be clear: Nats are thrilled Morse is theirs, don’t want to trade him. If circumstances change, deal makes him a more attractive asset.
$10.5M
acomak:
The Associated Press reports that Morse’s two-year extension is worth about $10.5 million. #nats #nationals #mlb
Morse speaks
“It makes me feel very excited and wanted,” Morse said via telephone. "This is a place where I want to be because of the direction the team is going in. I want to be a part of it.
“Signing the extension is great. It’s something that both sides agreed on; it’s not like I’m breaking the bank or anything.”
Yeah, not breaking the bank like that greedy free agent guy is trying to!!
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, 2012 7:26 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, crane kick!
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
by RobBobS on Jan 20, 2012 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow. That's big.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
My all-time favorite #Nats/#Expos to cover: 1. Vidro, 2. Cabrera, 3. Harris, 4. Zimmerman, 5. Carroll 6, Johnson, 7. C. Cordero, 8. Morgan, 9. Dunn, 10. Willingham. #MLB
AND THAT is a tweet by Bill Ladson. I feel like it explains quite a bit.
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!
HEY, lay off Johnson
top 30 of about 10,000 with 7,000 PAs in BB% all time
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
Ladson is sometimes inexplicable.
Heh.
"player development" should not be gladiator games. by cat daddy3000 on Aug 6, 2011
by MissB on Jan 20, 2012 8:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Seems like the Nats are taking steps to make their budget more predictable
To me that screams big trade or signing of Fielder or Zim to a long-term deal.
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!
why am i double posting
i really dont think im that special. must be the ipad…
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 8:42 PM EST reply actions
Another great name in out minor league system we signed today
Austin Bibens-Dirkx sign a minor league deal with the nats
MOAR SEVERINO!
i just custom ordered his jersey to offer as a federal baseball fantasy league prize...
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
which is saying something
because i got killed last year
speaking of which, i just signed on for a suicide FBB mission, in a league versus two fantasy writers, including the head guy fot the hardball times … for cold cash!
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
im screwed probably
but it so fun playing against good, committed players. otoh I managed fifth in my first season as a replacement in one of those guys other leagues last year … and have Stras, Harper, and j.zim as redrafts at 15th, 16th, and 17th pick.
oops, forgot the most boring thing in life is someone elses fantasy team!
by William.Hatheway on Jan 20, 2012 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe I can avoid crashing and burning in the playoffs like last year
The Mxylplyx jersey is mine.
"I was a victim of a series of accidents. As are we all."
---Malachi Constant
by The Herndon Kid on Jan 20, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions
Quite possibly
But embrace it. Somewhere out there, an Atahualpa is smiling.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
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