clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2013 MLB Winter Meetings Day Two: Nationals Rumors On Relievers, Links, Tweets

On Day 2 of the 2013 MLB Winter Meetings, new Washington Nationals' manager Matt Williams met with the press for a wide-ranging discussion about his first Spring Training, lineup construction and the sort of reliever he'd like to see the Nats add to the bullpen...

By Patrick Reddington

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

We've heard plenty about what Washington Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo is looking for as he tries to add the final piece(s) to the Nats' 2014 bullpen. In a meeting with the press Tuesday at the 2013 MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World's Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida yesterday, new Nats' skipper Matt Williams shared his thoughts on what he'd like to see the Nationals add to their bullpen. "It's interesting because there are options within the club currently," Williams told reporters. "But there [are] also options for, again, it's well noted that Detwiler is going to compete for the 5 spot in rotation. So if that happens, if Ross is that guy, then who do we have that would be the lefty out of the bullpen?":

"I personally like a lefty specialist, if you will, that can come in and ‑‑ for that two‑out situation and get them out. I also like a guy that can do that, that we can stretch to another inning. As an example you've got a lefty in that fifth inning or whatever it is, or sixth inning, and then you've got left, right, left following. And he can go back out. The guys that Mike is talking about fit that bill.

So, again, it's a question of who's available? What it costs? Or in a trade situation what some other team may want, all of that comes into play. In a perfect world you'd like a short lefty, short righty, the problem with baseball is it's not perfect. Those are the wish list things, and we'll see what we can come up with."

A few new names emerged late last night if you went to sleep early, all of them are included below. Will Rizzo and Williams get the left-hander they're after? Links and lots of them, starting... RIGHT NOW!!!:

• THE BIG STORY!!!:

• "As each shared their view on the team and Zimmerman’s role, Williams posed a question to the Nationals’ franchise player: 'Do you own a first baseman’s mitt?'" - "Ryan Zimmerman will see time at first base in 2014" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• NATS BEAT:

• "The first 25 days of spring training are already accounted for, with schedules set down to the minute from fielding drills to batting practice." - "Matt Williams doing all he can to immerse himself in Nationals organization"Brian McNally, - Washington Times

• "Ideally, Manager Matt Williams would like to have two left-handed relievers — a specialist and a long reliever capable of pitching two or three innings." - "Matt Williams’s bullpen preference" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "Instead, a high school student named Chris Cotillo typed seven words into his Twitter account last Monday at 7:42 p.m.: 'Source: #Nationals acquire Doug Fister from #Tigers.'" - "High schooler Chris Cotillo balances MLB scoops, Spanish homework" - Nathan Fenno, Washington Times


• "Since being named Nats manager more than five weeks ago, Williams has tried to hit the ground running." - "Nationals Pastime: Williams meets the press" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Williams did share a few other thoughts. Span will continue to lead off, hoping to build off his strong second-half performance." - "New Nationals manager Matt Williams contemplating lineup construction" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "The pitcher, Williams joked, will bat ninth in the lineup. 'I know that much,' he said with a smile." - "Matt Williams’s lineup possibilities" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "Williams believes Zimmerman's right shoulder problems are a thing of the past. However, Zimmerman's right arm needs to get stronger." - "Nats skipper Williams high on Zimmerman" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Williams revealed on Tuesday that he has talked with Johnson since he was hired by the Nationals and even invited him to spring training." - "Matt Williams talks with Davey Johnson, invites him to spring training" - James Wagner, Washington Post

• "A 16-year veteran, the left-handed-hitting Chavez could provide pop off the bench." - "Nats looking at veteran infielder Chavez" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "On Tuesday afternoon, Mike Rizzo shot down the notion he’s even received a formal offer for either reliever." - "Rizzo: No actual trade offers for Clippard, Storen, Span" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Williams isn't about to get caught up in whether the fact that foes don't have a book on him constitutes an advantage for the Nationals early in his tenure." - "Nationals Buzz: The evolution of Matt Williams' managerial style" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• "Williams fits in perfectly in team meetings. He has had sessions with the team's scouts, analytical people and coaching staff on how to improve the team." - "Washington manager Matt Williams focused on areas Nationals can improve" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "Among the names added to the list of free agents on the Nationals’ radar: the Pirates’ Justin Wilson and the Athletics’ Jerry Blevins." - "Nationals exploring trade market for left-handed relievers" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "One of the Nationals' top targets when it came to left-handed relief, Eric O'Flaherty, could be close to coming off the market. And it certainly appears that he won't be landing with the Nats." - "Nationals Pastime: As the market for lefty relievers turns" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "There have been reports that the Cubs were interested in both right-handers. I had heard that the Tigers were kicking the tires on Clippard and Storen." - "Nationals Pastime: Rizzo discusses trade rumors surrounding Clippard, Storen, Espinosa" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Three Nationals players -- Stephen Strasburg, Adam LaRoche and Bryce Harper -- are expected to be 100 percent by Spring Training, according to manager Matt Williams." - "Nats trio expected to be ready for Spring Training" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "If Price, a No. 1 pick with a Cy Young Award to his credit, can be on the market, it's hardly a stretch to put Strasburg there." - "Trades that could shock the baseball world" - Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

• "Talking to reporters Tuesday at the winter meetings, Williams said the Nationals are motivated by what happened in 2013 when the team underachieved and missed the playoffs." - "New manager Matt Williams: Nationals will rely on ‘big, hairy guys’" - David Brown, Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports

• "'If you look at his numbers, they stack up with anybody,' Williams said at the winter meetings Tuesday. "Top 10, 15 in baseball. And we’re glad to have him.'" - "Nationals thrilled to add ex-Tiger Doug Fister to already-stacked rotation" - Tony Paul, The Detroit News

• "Adding a veteran lefty out of the bullpen is one of the offseason priorities for the Washington Nationals, and three players have emerged as strong possibilities." - "Nationals' bullpen targets" - Joe Kaiser, MLB Rumors Blog - ESPN

• "Free agent left-hander Matt Thornton is drawing interest from six or seven teams including the Washington Nationals, according to a source." - "Matt Thornton drawing interest from 6-7 teams" - Chris Cotillo, MLB Daily Dish

• "Espinosa saw former first round draft pick Anthony Rendon take his job in Washington while he suffered through an abysmal year caused at least in part by injury." - "Yankees trade target: Danny Espinosa" - Harlan Spence, Pinstripe Alley

• NATSTOWN/MINORS:

• "While winter weather raged outside, the Washington Nationals brought holiday cheer to children at the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital on Tuesday." - "Washington Nationals host holiday party for kids at Medstar Georgetown" - Maria Giordano, wusa9.com

• "Bloomberg values the Orioles at $1.1 billion and ranks them seventh in Major League Baseball, while it has the Washington Nationals valued at $850 million and ranked 13th overall." - "Television revenue the main difference between values of Orioles and Nationals" - Joshua Axelrod, WTOP.com

• "'We also got to mix with former players -- now staff -- Bob Boone, Bill Singer and Randy Knorr. Team owner Mark Lerner was there as well.'" - "Randy Whitaker's Small World: the intern issue, meeting Matt Williams, and a night out in downtown Disney" - Geoff Morrow/Randy Whitaker, PennLive.com

• "The NationalsProspects.com Top 10 Pitchers" - Luke Erickson, NationalsProspects.com

• "Video: Matt Williams meets with the media at winter meetings" - NatsEnquirer

• NL EAST UPDATES:

• Phillies: "'We're built to win. I like our lineup. I'd like to add some pitching to it. I think we've got a pretty good lineup as it stands today.'" - Ruben Amaro - "The Phillies' argument for their lineup" - David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News

• Mets: "'A lot of the people that I have met in New York have always said that true New Yorkers are Mets fans, so I’m excited to get a chance to see them all,' Granderson said with his trademark smile Tuesday.'" - "Granderson takes a swipe at Yanks" - Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.com

• Marlins: "As the Marlins on Tuesday continued fielding calls from teams with an interest in acquiring Morrison, they announced the signing of Garrett Jones, the player who will take his job." - "LAKE BUENA VISTA: Miami Marlins’ addition of Garrett Jones puts Logan Morrison on trading block" - Clark Spencer, MiamiHerald.com

• Braves: "While Gattis is projected to receive a majority of the playing time behind the plate, Gerald Laird might be utilized more frequently than most backup catchers." - "Fredi: Gattis 'ready' to be Braves' catcher" - Mark Bowman, braves.com: News

More From Federal Baseball