Nats Fire Sale?

Interesting article from Ken Rosenthal today.  He mentions how the Nationals' new management, in an attempt to build long-term could consider trades for Livan Hernandez, Jose Guillen, Alfonso Soriano, Nick Johnson, and Brian Schneider.

Johnson could bring an incredible bounty, especially if he continues to hit for this kind of power and stays healthy.  Back in March, Jim Bowden signed Johnson to a deal well below his market value.

PECOTA calls for another nice year for Hernandez, though no one could've seen all of these HRs allowed coming.  We could be looking to a season akin to his 1998 if this keeps up.  Still, a team with a significant void in the rotation like the Mets could gain a few wins with him.  Same goes for Guillen, who can handle either outfield corner capably.  Should be a fun team to watch from a trade rumor perspective; I'll try to establish some sources.

Comments

[JerseyMetFan]

assuming we would be paying the majority of his contract, we wouldn't give up much (Diaz?), and i wouldn't mind seeing Livan in a Met uniform. I would rather pay him all that money than see Lima throw another pitch.

Pedro
Glavine
Livan
Trachsel
Bannister

[Crash]

I can't see them dumping Schneider or Johnson, but Soriano will be gone , likely before the All-Star break, hopefully for pitching. He is convinced that he can still make the Hall of Fame as a 2B and the Nats have no plans for him there right now.

Nick Johnson is a stabilizing force at 1st, possibly the best NL 1B not named Pujols or Lee.

Schneider is in a slump, but is still an excellent catcher.

I think that Bowden will be retained by Kasten and the two of them will rebuild the team almost from the ground up. No expensive free agents, just young guys with talent, heart, drive and desire. With any luck, in a few years, they could look like the 2006 Rockies.

[Dev0]

I'd really like to see the Jays take a stab at Livan. He'd make a nice 3rd in the rotation guy. The Jays actualy have extra pitching once people get healthy or extra MLB ready I'd have to say atleast.

[thegogglesdonothing]

Guillen or Soriano to the Yankees? They suddenly have a hole in leftfield.

[RotoAuthority]

I would be surprised to see a Sori return, but stranger things have happened.

Guillen makes sense to me, but do the Yanks have the goods to pull it off? They are not giving up Philip Hughes in any minor deal.

[scatterbrian]

"I would be surprised to see a Sori return, but stranger things have happened."

people probably said the same about billy martin...but you're right, soriano would probably cost hughes, and that ain't happening...

[dave]

Are you going to do an entry runing down the other guys the Yankees with likely be looking at for outfield, and who they would have to and most likely give up?

[thegogglesdonothing]

IMO, Buster Olney's suggestion that the Phillies would be willing to trade Abreu to the Yankees because of his contract makes no sense. The Phils are only three back of the Mets and they're playing hot right now.

I think the Hunter, Stewart, Reggie Sanders, et al. suggestions in the previous post about the Cardinals now seem more applicable to the Yankees.

[scatterbrian]

the Yankees seem more likely to take on a bloated contract rather than trading prospects...

I'd include Raul Ibanez in the discussion....but I could also see Steve Finley getting into the mix

[thegogglesdonothing]

Cliff Floyd seems like he could be a real possibility, depending on the Mets' faith in Milledge.

[walkoffblast]

There has been a lot of speculation that the Yankees will soon have an excess of pitching that they will trade for a Matsui replacement. Am I the only one who does not understand how getting two overpaid questionable pitchers back is going to make their staff expendable. Not to mention who in their right mind would trade for anyone actaully available. Offense still should not be that big of a problem for this club. They made minor deals last year because of their farm and will have to continue that trend this year. Small chance Washington panics on the Soriano situation and moves him for less than his supposed value.

Another random speculation. It seems like a Barry Bonds to the Angels trade later this season matches up so well that it just might happen. Is it just my imagination?

[Teetz]

Whenever it's possible for newly signed free agents to be traded.....Jacque Jones to the Yankees.

[junbun]

please don't get me excited teetz.