« Phillies Decline Option On Pedro Feliz | Main | Week In Review: 11/1/09 - 11/7/09 »

Nationals Notes: MacDougal, Dukes, Flores

By Zach Links [November 8, 2009 at 7:02pm CST]

Let's take a look at some Nationals tidbits courtesy of the latest mailbag from MLB.com's Bill Ladson and Phil Wood of MASNsports.com:

Mike MacDougal is currently the favorite to be the Nats' closer in 2010. In 52 appearances last season, the 32-year-old posted an ERA of 3.60 but had as many walks as he did strikeouts. However, the club could be looking to upgrade as Ladson hears that they are interested in acquiring free agent reliever Mike Gonzalez. If they ink Gonzalez, Ladson sees the two men sharing the closer role.
Don't expect Washington to make a move for free agent right fielder Jermaine Dye, as Elijah Dukes will be allowed to showcase his potential as the starter.
The Nationals are not content with Wil Nieves as their starting catcher as they await a clean bill of health for Jesus Flores. Instead, they would like to get a catcher who can play every day in the event that Flores is not ready for Spring Training or Opening Day.
Wood writes that while it is something of a long shot, the Nationals have the cash available this offseason to sign Rich Harden. While the 27-year-old wouldn't come cheap, he will not require the forfeiture of a draft pick as he is a Type B free agent.

Comments

No Chance Gonzo goes to the Nats. I still think he remains with the Braves.

Posted by: Darion | November 08, 2009 at 07:17 PM

Not getting anywhere for a bit. Trade Zimmerman, Ryan for a great package, and Adam Dunn for prospects, they have the talent to compete in 3 or 4 years, but right now they should add on for that time.

Posted by: patsfanatic83 | November 08, 2009 at 07:18 PM

All the more reason to offer both Soriano and
Gonzo. Soriano is looking at multiple years and getting Gonzo to acept arbi would be just as good as collecting picks. With Soriano, Gonzo, and LaRoche getting arb offers we would be getting nice one years deals or up to six 1-2rnd picks next year. Not a bad situation.

Posted by: bbxxj | November 08, 2009 at 07:20 PM

Harden would be a great pick up for the Nationals. Offer him 2 years with a team option on a 3rd. 7M/8M/9M and he just might do it.

If he is good and the Nats still aren't pushing .500 they can always trade him or hold him for the full 3 years. He's an expensive gamble but not one that should be on the books for long.

Add Polanco or Hudson on similar deals to play 2nd. Trade Guzman for a prospect and let Desmond play 150 games at short.

Add another starter and reliever for cheap and wait for Strasburg.

Posted by: 2Captain2 | November 08, 2009 at 07:36 PM

The Nationals? They still exist?

But yeah, Gonzo would make a nice addition. And he would have full ownership of the closer role, no competition.

Hopefully Gonzo stays in ATL, though.

Posted by: WS2009 | November 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM

white sox trade for dunn, fills the hole of a left handed power hitter, put between cq and pk, not sure how much the sox would have to give up, but it would be worth it

Posted by: eiubaseball | November 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM

People seem to foget the Nats have money to spend.
They need bullpen help. Too many young arms on that staff. Not only should they persue Gonzo, one of the low risk/high reward pitcher should also be looked into as well. This by no means is a call to blow the wad out there in free agency, but they must re-stock that staff and protect the young arms.

Posted by: Tomahawk368 | November 08, 2009 at 08:02 PM

Posted by: patsfanatic83 | November 08, 2009 at 07:18 PM"

With Zimmerman's value at its highest that would be a good idea.

But I think the Nats signed him to that deal to show the fanbase that they want to content in the future and signing him was a start..

With a few decent pieces already and a farm system in helium mode, I would think Nats fans would like to keep Zimmerman.

If they get a Haren/Bedard type deal then they might listen.

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | November 08, 2009 at 08:22 PM

In helium mode. Clever. lol. Yea they are very much on the rise. Can help but thinking for a team that NEEDS so much to compete, that 4 or 5 solid to good players is better then 1 star. And Zimmerman would command a heck of a return.

Posted by: patsfanatic83 | November 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM

Zimmerman's value isn't at it's highest. And by that, I mean it has the potential to be huge. He's still improving, and just had a monster season. It would be a mistake to trade him. He's an ideal guy to build around, and he's still very young. With Strasburg likely leading the rotation, and a guy that could be an MVP in a year or two, that's not something you trade away. The future is bright for the Gnats.

Posted by: WS2009 | November 08, 2009 at 08:29 PM

damn dunn would be a beast in u.s cellular field. bout 60 hr. potential

Posted by: soxsider4life | November 08, 2009 at 08:55 PM

Call me crazy, but I don't see Ryan Zimmerman being traded while he's on his current contract. Believe it or not Rizzo actually has something decent to work with and Zimm is one of the better third basemen, the kind that you can build a team around. Give it a couple of years to see what the farm produces, if Strausburg turns out to be the ace everyone thinks, etc... So pretty much, unless Rizzo gets an offer that he'd be too embarrassed to say no to, hold on to Zimm.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | November 08, 2009 at 09:40 PM

Ryan Zimmerman is the face of the franchise. He isn't getting traded unless it's for a ridiculous haul of prospects and #1 starters.

Posted by: DC Nats Fan | November 09, 2009 at 09:54 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.

Nationals Notes: MacDougal, Dukes, Flores

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