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Wire Taps: Nationals send Ross Detwiler to Rangers as Winter Meetings end

As the Winter Meetings were wrapping up, the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers agreed on a trade that sent Ross Detwiler to Arlington in return for two minor leaguers. The Nats' '07 1st Round pick's time in D.C. is over...

By Patrick Reddington
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The rumored big trade for one of the Washington Nationals with one year of team control left never materialized, though the Nats reportedly talked and are still talking to as many as 10 teams according to Washington Post writer James Wagner.

The Nationals didn't lose any prospects (or take any) in the Rule 5 Draft.

The 40-Man roster was full, so there was no pick in the major league phase and the Nats passed on making selections in the minor league portions, while no one took any prospects away from the organization.

As the Winter Meetings in San Diego were wrapping up, however, a smaller trade went down which, when it is officially announced, will send Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers in return for minor league infielder Chris Bostic and right-hander Abel de los Santos. The move, which comes after Detwiler's representatives reportedly suggested a trade might be best for the 28-year-old lefty, ends the 2007 1st Round pick's time with the Nationals, who drafted him sixth overall out of Missouri State University.

While Detwiler's had an up-and-down career thus far in the majors, the one moment which stands out now that he's gone has to be his outstanding outing in Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS. Faced with an elimination game against the St. Louis Cardinals and with the baseball world lamenting that Detwiler was lined up when another Nats' starter could potentially have pitched, the southpaw starter rewarded the faith Davey Johnson showed in him during his time as the Nats' manager by coming through with a solid start which saw him give up one unearned run on three hits in six innings of work in the game that ended with Jayson Werth's walk-off home run.

"He pitched. He didn't start the game overthrowing. He pitched. He used his -- in crucial spots, he used his changeup for a good strike. Used his curveball. Went in and out. He was just totally in control..." -Davey Johnson on Detwiler in Game 4 of the 2012 NLDS

"I tell you," Johnson said after the Nationals' win over the Cards.

"I was so proud of [Detwiler]. He pitched. He didn't start the game overthrowing. He pitched. He used his -- in crucial spots, he used his changeup for a good strike. Used his curveball. Went in and out. He was just totally in control against a good-hitting ballclub. It was great. Fun watching."

Werth said he and the rest of the Nationals had faith that Detwiler would come through.

"Yeah, [the] media can say whatever they want," Werth told reporters. "We know the type of guy Ross is and what he brings to the team. I said yesterday, I felt good about where we were at. I felt like Ross would handle his business."

Detwiler did that night. He struggled with injury issues in 2013 and struggled in a bullpen role last season as new skipper Matt Williams worked to figure out how best to use the left-hander as a reliever.

Detwiler was told he will get a chance to start with the Rangers, which is something the lefty, who was out of options, wasn't likely to get in the nation's capital.

Detwiler to the Rangers stories:

• "The Nationals drafted Detwiler with the sixth overall pick of the 2007 draft, but he didn’t fulfill the top-of-the-rotation hopes placed upon him." - "Nationals agree to trade Ross Detwiler to Texas for minor leaguers" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "Both minor leaguers the Nationals are receiving in the trade played at high-Class A Myrtle Beach this season. Neither is considered an elite prospect, but each offers some potential for big-league success." - "UPDATED: Nationals trade Ross Detwiler to Rangers for 2 minor leaguers" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Ross Detwiler lost his spot in the Nationals rotation before last season and now he's moving on." - "Nationals Pastime: Reports: Nats deal Detwiler to Rangers (update)" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Even when the Nationals needed an emergency starter, Detwiler was bypassed, and he was not on the Nationals' postseason roster." - "Source: Nats send lefty Detwiler to Rangers" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

Rangers Detwiler stories:

• "Detwiler, 28, can become a free agent after the season, but could also give the Rangers potential rotation depth." - "Source: Texas Rangers acquire pitcher Ross Detwiler from Washington" - Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News

• "Bostick came over to Texas, along with Michael Choice, in the deal that sent Craig Gentry and Josh Lindblom to the A's." - "Texas Rangers acquire Ross Detwiler from the Washington Nationals" - Adam J. Morris, Lone Star Ball

• "As the Texas Rangers front office was boarding a plane to head back to Dallas from the winter meetings, the club finalized a deal with the Washington Nationals..." - "Rangers trade for Ross Detwiler" - Calvin Watkins, ESPN Dallas

• "The Rangers’ work at these meetings seemed to move them away from one-year fits, such as Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister, Johnny Cueto or Justin Upton..." - "Rangers not panicking after slow meetings" - Jeff Wilson, The Star Telegram

• "A small move was made Thursday afternoon when the club traded two minor leaguers to the Washington Nationals for left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler." - "Patience is the key for the Rangers" - Calvin Watkins, ESPN Dallas

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

• "The White Sox used the process last year to select catcher Adrian Nieto from the Washington Nationals." - "White Sox decline Rule 5 gamble" - Doug Padilla, ESPN Chicago

• "Their general manager, Mike Rizzo, told me that they continue to try to balance what is right in going for it next year while not sacrificing too much long term." - "Nationals still have to figure out pitching glut" - Joel Sherman, New York Post

• "Rizzo does not believe he is being a good steward for the franchise if he gets to next November and all of those players walk away." - "Clarity from Cubs, Dodgers at MLB’s Winter Meetings; Nationals remain a mystery" - Barry Svrluga, The Washington Post

NATS MINORS:

• "Still nothing concrete to report on the Nationals' front, but general manager Mike Rizzo doesn't feel a need to complete a move by the time he leaves the Winter Meetings." - "Nationals Pastime: Jim Callis on Giolito, Taylor, Fedde and a look at Nats' minor league system" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "The biggest name left unprotected was Matt Skole, a power-hitting corner infielder whose stock has dropped in the last two seasons." - "Nationals neither select nor lose anybody in Rule 5 draft" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Doug Harris, the Nationals assistant general manager and director of player personnel, went into the Rule 5 unsure of whether he could keep the organization intact..." - "Nationals Pastime: Nats leave Winter Meetings with major league, farm rosters intact" - Pete Kerzel, MASNSports.com

• "Hagerstown Mayor David S. Gysberts said Thursday night that the Hagerstown Suns have not been the most community-minded baseball team." - "Mayor wants Suns to be more engaged in Hagerstown" - Dave McMillion, Herald Mail Media: Local News

• "As night falls on San Diego, another frenetic day of baseball's Winter Meetings has come and gone." - "Senators GM Randy Whitaker takes us through another exciting day at Baseball Winter Meetings" - Randy Whitaker, Harrisburg Senators GM, PennLive.com

NATS BEAT: 2B Search, Zimmermann chatter + more:

• "A weak free-agent class is headlined by Jed Lowrie, Stephen Drew and Asdrubal Cabrera (still a potential fall-back option after performing admirably for the Nats down the stretch this season)." - "Market for second basemen is thinning" - Mark Zuckerman, Nats Insider

• "Zimmermann has been the Nationals’ most consistent starter in recent years and had his finest season in 2014, tossing a no-hitter and nearly adding a playoff shutout." - "Mike Rizzo meets with Jordan Zimmermann’s agent, Bryce Harper’s grievance hearing and other notes" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

• "As one person in the organization put it, it's going to be hard signing all five players, but the team will not give the players away in trades." - "Quiet Meetings leave Nats looking at busy couple months" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com

• "At last check on Wednesday night, the Nationals were in active discussions with as many as 10 teams." - "With the Winter Meetings over, Nationals are still listening and talking" - James Wagner, The Washington Post

NL EAST UPDATES: Mets not dealing Wheeler; Latos to Fish, Hamels...to nowhere yet:

• Phillies: "But, after seven starting pitchers changed hands from Wednesday night into Thursday, there was less clarity about where the biggest fish, Cole Hamels, could land." - "No resolution in sight on Hamels" - Matt Gelb, Philadelphia Inquirer

• Marlins: "While all of that is going on, Mat's wife Dallas Latos was keeping track of all the rumors on Twitter..." - "Mat Latos' wife followed rumors on Twitter before trade to Marlins" - Mike Axisa, CBSSports.com

• Mets: "According to a source, the Mets asked the Red Sox about Cespedes toward the end of the season but were told it would take Zack Wheeler or Jacob deGrom." - "Mets weren't willing to give up young pitchers to acquire Yoenis Cespedes" - David Lennon, Newsday

• Braves:

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