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Offseason Outlook: Washington Nationals
Check out our previous offseason outlooks here. Today let's take a look at the 2009 Washington Nationals:
C - Jesus Flores - $400K
C - Wil Nieves - $400K
1B - Nick Johnson - $5.5MM (wrist surgery June '08)
2B - Emilio Bonifacio - $400K
SS - Cristian Guzman - $8MM
3B - Ryan Zimmerman - $465K+
IF - Dmitri Young - $5MM
IF - Ronnie Belliard - $1.9MM
IF/OF - Willie Harris - $800K+
LF - Elijah Dukes - $400K
CF - Lastings Milledge - $403K
RF - Austin Kearns - $8MM
OF - Wily Mo Pena - $5MM club option or $2MM player option (shoulder surgery July '08)
SP - Tim Redding - $1MM+
SP - John Lannan - $400K
SP - Jason Bergmann - $404K
SP - Collin Balester - $400K
SP - Shawn Hill - $402K (arthroscopic elbow surgery September '08)
RP - Joel Hanrahan - $400K
RP - Garrett Mock - $400K
RP - Saul Rivera - $436K
RP - Jesus Colome - $1.25MM+
RP - Ryan Wagner - $450K+
RP - Charlie Manning - $400K
RP - Steven Shell - $400K
Non-tender candidates: Chad Cordero - $6.2MM, Ryan Langerhans - $500K+
The Nats have about $40MM committed for '09 before arbitration raises. After that they could be around $45MM (mainly due to Zimmerman and Redding). The Nats entered the '08 season at $55MM, so they can add a few free agents without increasing payroll.
Odalis Perez was a nice signing for around a million bucks; the Nats should re-sign him at a small increase or attempt to find a similar veteran to stabilize the rotation (they pursued Bartolo Colon last year). Beyond that, they can just let guys fight it out. Hill will try to stay healthy, Bergmann has potential (he was recently removed from the rotation). Prospect Jordan Zimmermann looks interesting and nearly ready. Redding could have value on the trade market, but there's no rush to deal him.
Young and Kearns are the team's worst contracts, and they'll be near-impossible to move. If everyone's healthy next year, hopefully Manny Acta will ensure regular playing time for Dukes and Milledge. Pena may choose to stick around for $2MM.
The bullpen is questionable, but it'd be best not to spend significant money there for a team not expected to compete. Big-name free agents in general would be a mistake. Last year the Nationals pursued Torii Hunter and Andruw Jones; neither would've been a good signing for them. Hopefully Jim Bowden won't become too obsessed with Adam Dunn this winter (assuming Bowden keeps his job). Dunn doesn't fit on this team. They're in the beginning of a long rebuilding process.
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Trading Da Meat Hook would involve a salary dump, but you have to wonder if he couldn't help somebody as a pinch-hitter/DH/part-time player.
Maybe not ...
Posted by: ink-stained scribe | September 10, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Nationals would be crazy to sign Dunn. He doesn't even like baseball and you don't want to taint your future with that kind of attitude.
Posted by: Victor | September 11, 2008 at 02:02 AM
I had heard that, if he doesn't resign with the Braves (and if he doesn't retire), that Tom Glavine could wind up in DC for a year.
Posted by: metssincekindergarten | September 11, 2008 at 04:24 AM
Adam Dunn doesn't like baseball? Wow, I think you're the first person to mention that. Seriously, that is the most tired joke, it wasn't funny the 783rd time I heard it, and it won't be funny when people are saying it all winter.
Posted by: bs | September 11, 2008 at 08:31 AM
It's a little early to think about it, but I'd love to see the nats go after some upside guys who aren't ready in the rule 5 draft. Their pen will probably be lousy next year, they may as well start the season by loading it with arms. They managed to hide flores on the bench for a whole year that way. I also wouldn't mind seeing them go after a guy like lowe or pedro...someone who really knows how to pitch. A vet with a solid clubhouse presence would really help those kids.
Posted by: SkiBolton | September 11, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Thanks for another one of these Tim. :)
One idea/suggestion that you don't necessarily have to take:
Maybe you could include a section near the bottom, along with "Non-tender candidates" and "Buyouts" called "Possible impact rookies", in which you speculate on what young players might be arriving for their respective teams in 2009?
(Matt Wieters for the Orioles being a prime example--his possible promotion in 2009 was discussed in the comments for the O's offseason outlook.)
Just a thought. :)
Posted by: StarryEyed | September 11, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Kearns would be a decent fit for Detroit, Toronto or Houston as a guy off the bench. Maybe they'd eat half of his 09 contract.
Posted by: Michael M | September 11, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I think the Nats need to get an impact bat (preferably a lefty) who can play both 1B and Outfield. I doesn't make sense to go out and get another player who can only play 1B when they already have 2 under contract, and for a combined $10+Mil. I don't think Adam Dunn is that guy, and it's looking more and more likely he'll be staying in Arizona, but who else available via FA or trade would fit that bill?
Also, the Nats don't need to worry about losing picks to compensation for signing a FA, FLA's win last night guaranteed their pick will be before #15.
Posted by: estuartj | September 11, 2008 at 10:59 AM