We've seen them connected to Jermaine Dye and heard that they've discussed trading for various outfielders, but the Nationals are in no rush to add a right fielder, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Nationals expect to rely on players in the organization if the Willie Harris–Willy Taveras platoon doesn't work out. Utility player Cristian Guzman, who has been playing in right, and Mike Morse are among the players GM Mike Rizzo could turn to.
The Nationals haven't had any talks with Dye, though the Brewers had interest. Ladson reports that the Nationals would not be willing to offer Dye much money.
Speaking of right fielders did anyone just see Heyward touch up my Cubs for a three run shot in his first ML at bat. Wooooooow.
Yeah that was an absolute blast.
Heyward is an absolute beast. My only consolation was that I picked him on my fantasy team!
The Nats are content with Harris, Taveras, Guzman, and Morse in right?
That’s absolutely brutal offensively.
and defensively.
Defensively it’s way better than Jermaine Dye.
Am I the only who’s glad the Cubs didn’t seem to seriously consider dumping Fukudome on the Nationals for peanuts? He makes gobs of money but he’s still their best rightfielder…somebody needs to play good defense and get on base for our team.
Well, if they get rid of Fukudome then they have “gobs” to spend on a replacement.
But I’m not sure how much salary the Nats wanted the Cubs to eat.
My guess is the Nats wouldnt pay much because teams are pretty set with their budgets at this point. The other problem is who are they going to get at this point? There’s not much left on the free agent scrap heap. And who’s going to trade us a cheap replacement who can get on base 37% of the time and play good defense? I just don’t see the point unless the Nats take on most of the cost — and it’s highly unlikely they would do that.
You can get…
Dye, if you can tolerate his defense.
Cust, if you can tolerate his defense.
Nady in a starting job.
Balentien.
But I agree, trading Fukudome, eating his salary, and not getting much in return is kind of counterproductive. Unless the Nats take most of the salary, then the Cubs should jump all over that.
Like I said…the scrap heap. I wouldn’t want to see Dye or Cust in RF with Soriano in LF. Nady can’t throw from RF to 3b, he’ll only play LF (and sparingly at that) until at least May. Those would be some horrific outfields. Balentien…eh…he’s got some talent but it’s certainly not worth it if the Cubs will be paying Fukudome’s salary anyway. Assuming no team is going to pay for that huge salary, I don’t see any worthwhile deal to be made.
I know he had a slow Spring, but why not give RF to Justin Maxwell? He seems to have the most upside of the Nats’ OF’s.
How about a platoon of Jack Cust and Jermaine Dye? Now that would be interesting on many levels.
I thought the Nats might be a Jack Cust destination. Cust played 51 games in RF last year and the Nats had Dunn roaming the OF for them. Any other possible Cust destinations? CHW DH?
I apparently am the only member of the Cristian Guzman fan club. He had 151 hits last year, nothing to sneeze at. Not even one of those girly sneezes. I can’t believe he can’t crack the starting lineup, and can’t start over Kennedy at 2B. He’s got limited range? Sounds like 2B is perfect to me!!! Kennedy was a backup like on two previous teams. Guzman is a singles masher, and makes 8 mil. And worst of all, my fantasy team is in limbo!
This Article should be titles, “Nats front Office Content with Worst RF Combo in MLB”
Maxwell could have had the job but batted about .110 this spring.
I’d like Cust’s bat, but the Nats wouldn’t be doing the pitchers a favor by fielding Dunn, Willingham and Cust at the same time.
As for Guzman, he’s too much of a free swinger, and while he may bat .300, his OBP is also .300 since he refuses to walk, if he took some pitches, he could bat 2nd and help the guys behind him. But he won’t change at this point in his career.
Morse/Taveras/Harris/Bernadina, this is what us Nats fans have to look forward to for the next 161 games. Ugh.
I’m just happy they aren’t overpaying another veteran to take up space out there. Morse can hit, so I wouldn’t mind him, and Taveras had a decent Spring, so maybe(fingers crossed) he could regain his pre-2008 form, but that’s wishful thinking. I really wish Bernadina and Maxwell would learn how to hit something–I was excited about seeing those two play in the Bigs but it seems neither can hit worth a lick.
I’m just happy they aren’t overpaying another veteran to take up space out there. Morse can hit, so I wouldn’t mind him, and Taveras had a decent Spring, so maybe(fingers crossed) he could regain his pre-2008 form, but that’s wishful thinking. I really wish Bernadina and Maxwell would learn how to hit something–I was excited about seeing those two play in the Bigs but it seems neither can hit worth a lick.