The Washington Nationals' scouts/talent evaluators were in attendance this past weekend in St. Petersburg, FL's Tropicana Field for the Red Sox and Rays' Friday night matchup which featured much-discussed left-handers David Price and Jon Lester facing off on the mound.
There were also some relievers of interest pitching in the series between the AL East rivals...
#Braves, #Orioles, #Mariners, #Cubs, #Nationals also have top evaluators present for Price-Lester.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2014
Per @PeteAbe, teams with top scouts at the Trop Friday included #Braves, #Giants, #Mariners, #Nationals, #Orioles, #Phillies, #Pirates
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 26, 2014
Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post wrote this afternoon in a rumor round-up that the Nationals' scout who was in attendance, "... was just on his usual coverage," but noted that, "... the Nationals also had one of their top evaluators in Boston the previous weekend when the Red Sox were playing the Royals."
While Lester, whose name is in the headlines right now, pitched in each series, the WaPost's Nationals beat writer suggests that the Nats, who are rumored to be in the market for relief help to add depth to the bullpen, "... were likely eyeing relievers Andrew Miller and Koji Uehara, both of whom are also free agents after this season."
GammonsDaily.com founder Peter Gammons wrote today that Miller was the Red Sox' reliever who, "has attracted the most interest," from several teams from, "... the Braves to the Dodgers to the Pirates to the Nationals."
While Boston would prefer to re-sign Miller, the 29-year-old, '06 1st Round pick (by the Tigers), who is headed for free agency, has put up a 2.45 ERA, a 1.82 FIP, 13 walks (2.90 BB/9) and 65 Ks (14.50 K/9) in 48 appearances and 40 ⅓ IP.
The cost might, however, be prohibitive for any teams interested in "renting" the 6'7'' southpaw.
In discussing the sort of return the Red Sox might be looking for in return for two months of Miller's services, ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes wrote today that though Atlanta's top pitching prospect Lucas Sims is likely "out of bounds" in a deal for a rental reliever, the Braves, "... have a 19-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder in Victor Reyes," and, "... a speedy center fielder in Jordan Schafer, who is stuck on the Braves' roster as a fourth outfielder."
Edes also mentions Pittsburgh as a team with interest and throws out names like the Pirates', "... slugging switch-hitter Josh Bell and 2013 No. 1 pick Austin Meadows, who is ranked among Baseball America's top 50 prospects," as talent the Bucs could deal.
The Royals, who are rumored to have interest, "... have two outfielders, Jorge Bonifacio and Elier Hernandez, ranked among their top 10 prospects by Baseball America," Edes writes.
An equivalent package from the Nationals... Michael Taylor/Brian Goodwin and Steven Souza?
The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore threw another name out if the Nationals are in fact in the market for a reliever, mentioning Astros' lefty Tony Sipp as a reliever in Houston's system who, "... best fits the Nationals’ preferences," while noting that a source with knowledge of the situation said the AL West's 'Stros, "... scouted both Class A Potomac and Class AAA Syracuse over the weekend."
Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo was asked in an interview this weekend with MLB.com's Bill Ladson about the rumors of interest in relief help. Here's what Rizzo said:
MLB.com: There is also a report that you could try to improve the bullpen.
Rizzo: We're pretty good. We are solid there.
MLB.com: So you are saying you are not going to acquire anyone to help the bullpen?
Rizzo: I don't know who we are going to acquire or not going to acquire. We don't have any pressing needs. We like the team that we put together right now. They are jelling, we are starting to flow and get some rhythm in our lineup. The rotation has been great. The bullpen has been great. We like where we are at.