« Olney's Latest: Peavy, Hoffman, Sabathia | Main | Twins Rumors: Blake, Escobar, Hardy »

Rosenthal's Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez

By Sarah Green [November 8, 2008 at 1:46pm CST]

We've already touched on Ken Rosenthal's Matt Holliday update, but there are other good tidbits in the article as well:

"Club officials believe" that the Nationals are "reasonably close to a breakthrough." They blame 2008's sorry performance on the raft of injuries Washington suffered, which is why they're willing to spend now for a big bat -- the key names floating around have been the aforementioned Holliday, Adam Dunn, and Mark Teixeira, though Rosenthal seems skeptical they could snag any of them. But what about Manny Ramirez? "Jim Bowden, the Nats' unconventional GM, probably would love the idea, but D.C. might not be big enough for Manny and Barack Obama." Looking at the impact that Manny has had on the LA's attendance, and looking at the empty seats at Nationals Park, it could make sense.
Obligatory Jake Peavy update: Padres discuss keeping the ace, Braves grow impatient. Cubs are still in the mix, while the Dodgers and Yankees are "on the backburner." (Buster Olney had a subtly different take posted a few hours later -- that Peavy would be dealt before the turkey hits the sideboard.) Rosenthal also quotes Pads GM Kevin Towers as wanting to move the fences in at Petco (which is hard enough just to write without typing in "cavernous" as an automatic prefix).
The Mets, among other ballclubs, are interested in Rays' righties Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson, but the Rays are in no hurry to make a deal.
"The White Sox are in an ideal position with" Javier Vazquez if they wait until Peavy, CC Sabathia, et al are placed and then shop him, Rosenthal argues. The 32-year old righty will make $23 MM through 2010, which he calls "a bargain for a pitcher who has produced four straight 200-inning seasons, albeit with a 49-51 record and 4.41 ERA." On the other hand, Vazquez has also hit the 200-strikeout mark in each of the last two seasons.

Sarah Green can be reached here.

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e2010535e32967970c

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Rosenthal's Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez:

Comments

The thread below this one Olney says there is a feeling Peavy is delt by turkey day. Not that I believe any report.

I know, negotiations and analize the deals...blah, blah. It just looks silly when the threads are back to back like no one has a clue.

Posted by: studio179 | November 08, 2008 at 02:11 PM

I was able to see the nationals a little this season and imo i don't think they are 1 big bat away from contending.. However, I read that they had the lowest tv rating for any other team.. With that said, it might be worth it to sign or trade for a big name

Posted by: #1O'sfan | November 08, 2008 at 02:53 PM

To be fair to WSN, their team had the worst luck out of any team in baseball last year offensively. Based on their actual offensive performance, they should have scored 766 runs, and in reality they scored just 641. That's roughly a 13 win swing without improving at any position, if everyone hits just as well as they hit this last year.

If a couple of the milledge/kearns/zimmerman types actually reach their potential, and Nick Johnson can play a full season, they could really surprise people. I could see them being a 75-80 win team with a few minor moves.

Posted by: SleepyCA | November 08, 2008 at 03:50 PM

I would love to see the Mets trade for Vazquez to solidify their rotation. Trade for him and resign Perez and they have a solid rotation. The true block buster would be for Vazquez, Swisher and Jenks but I don't know what the White Sox would what in return.

Posted by: metsfan | November 08, 2008 at 06:27 PM

With Kenny trading a lot for Swisher and Jenks being their closer he would probably want a decent amount of players

Posted by: Larsen101 | November 08, 2008 at 09:28 PM

we would want Reyes or Wright thats what we'd want.

Posted by: ChiCity Sox | November 09, 2008 at 01:37 AM

anyone hear about this brad holt guy coming up in the minors???... Supposedly by some scouting reports he is comparable to joba chamberlin. And after peeping at his stats from his rookie league season, it might be an acceptable comparison. This guy is lights out, un-hittable! Cant wait to see him pitch in Citi, though it is a couple years off...possibly one. do some research on this guy, nothing but the ceiling awaits this guy!

Posted by: give me vlad and fuentes | November 09, 2008 at 04:18 AM

5–3 with a 1.87 ERA, while striking out 96 batters in 72 innings, during which opponents hit .171 against him – left-handed batters hit just .115...and he's right-handed. pretty impressive in my book...and my book doesn't come close to the one boras wrote about oliver perez ;) lol

Posted by: give me vlad and fuentes | November 09, 2008 at 04:22 AM

John Manuel called Holt the best pick in the draft over at baseball america. I caught a bunch of brooklyn games this year, and his secondary stuff isn't too consistant though. When his sliders on though, he looks unhittable. Luckily Holt is still unable to be traded...he signed in mid-june so they have to hang on to him for now.

Posted by: SkiBolton | November 09, 2008 at 09:18 AM

Holt's slider had apparently made some strides since the Cyclone season ended.

Posted by: nrmax88 | November 10, 2008 at 09:41 PM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Rosenthal's Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez

TrackBack

Comments

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Post a comment

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats


Home Contact About Advertise Archives Widget Twitter RSS Usage