Nationals GM Mike Rizzo addressed the Washington media following their loss to San Francisco this afternoon. Let's take a look at some highlights courtesy of MLB.com's Bill Ladson:
- The team's performance over the next few weeks will not affect what the club does at the Trade Deadline. Rizzo added: "We are trying to win as many ball games as we can in 2010 and do it the right way and build for the future."
- Rizzo went as far as to say that it would take an "extraordinary offer" to pry away Adam Dunn in a trade. However, he would not rule out the possibility of dealing the slugger, nor did he nix the idea of trading Dunn and pursuing him in free agency after the season.
- Despite publicly stating his desire to sign a new deal with the Nats, the club still hasn't approached Josh Willingham about an extension, Ladson tweets.
I hope the Nats can get something hammered out with both Willingham and Dunn. I enjoy seeing both of them swinging the bat in the middle of that line up. I know it won’t be easy to get both of these guys locked up and it may not happen, but Dunn has been great with this club and seeing as how he wants to stay I think it’s a win win. Assuming of course he can keep putting up 30+ home run years for the next few years.
Willingham’s had a great year, but he’s absolutely the kind of guy who could fall flat at 33. I wouldn’t extend him.
Why do you think that? I don’t see anything that would make him more likely to fall flat at 33 than anyone else.
It’s not a guarantee, but he fits the type. Guys who establish themselves late tend to decline earlier. Guys with old player skills, little defensive value, little foot speed, and injury histories tend to decline earlier. If you look at his most similar players on Baseball Reference, you see a lot of guys like this. Craig Wilson, Bubba Trammel, Butch Huskey. Guys who really contributed in their late twenties, then fell off in a real hurry.
Ah, I definitely see what you’re saying, and you’re right on with the guys who fit his kind of mold that came a few years prior, and how they just kind of fell off the map. It’s definitely something to think about when talking long term with Willingham.
The Rays have been linked to both of these names. Dunn is the only one that may seem likely because Pena will probably leave next year. Willingham has a great bat, but the Rays don’t need another outfielder. Too bad Dunn strikes out a ton…
If strikeouts are the price to pay for a hundred walks and forty home runs every year, I’m just fine with that.
The Rays don’t need anymore K’s with Upton and Longoria in the lineup
The Rays need to add a productive bat. Dunn will keep them from making 27 outs so quickly. Who cares if a few extra are strikeouts?
As a sox fan:
A. Upton will be traded sooner rather than later.
B. Adam Dunn is the most consistent (not the best) player in baseball. He is going to hit 38 to 43 bombs a year with a high OBP. and SLG…
Does he strike out a bunch? sure, but he obviously walks and gets his hits as well and he is a very very productive offensive player. He seems like a good teammate and him hitting behind longoria would be pretty dam scary from an opposing team’s point of view.
Do the Rays have a chance at competing next year when they lose both Crawford and Pena to free agency though? I think we all know that neither of them are going to stay when big market teams come running with a 5 or 6 year deal (for Crawford) and double the salary per year that the Rays can offer (for Pena).
They may want to keep Upton and let the kid take over in left.??
I may be mistaken, but doesn’t Willingham play 1B as well as outfield?
What makes you think Dunn or Willingham would stay?
I kind of hope the Nationals do keep Dunn and Willingham. Dunn’s going to do what he does every year, and I love that back to back left-right punch of Dunn and Zimmerman in the line up. Willingham is worth keeping around because he’s an excellent on base machine, and they don’t really have anyone to replace him. But Willingham has had back and leg issues his entire career, so if he’s intent on a long term contract, well, I wouldn’t give him anything more than 2 years. Dunn is also popular with the fans and his teammates; that counts too, and has to be part of the decision making, because they are trying to build a fan base.
Now if Dunn and Willingham aren’t on the Nationals already, I wouldn’t add them. Since they are already there, I see no harm keeping them, as long as they aren’t taking all of the money. And if someone offers you something too good to pass up, don’t pass it up.
Well if the Nationals deal Willingham to the Rays for Jeremy Hellickson or Alexander Torres plus Brett Nommensen and Tyler Bortnick.
Then trade Dunn to the White Sox for Dan Hudson / Tyler Flowers / Dayan Viciedo maybe throw in a Justin Greene to make it a deal the Nationals couldn’t even think about turning down.
Then the Nationals put themselfs in line to compete for may years and with these 2 deals make their minor league system one of the best. These deals get you a few major league ready guys who are blocked and several depth players to boot, couldn’t see the Nationals turning either deal down IMO.
While you’re at it, ship Livan Hernandez to the Yankees for Jesus Montero, Hector Noesi, and Dellin Betances. And maybe you can allow the Twins to take Cristian Guzman back, but ONLY if they’re generous enough to give you a Kyle Gibson/Aaron Hicks package, with either Ben Revere or Anthony Slama thrown in just to make sure it’s a fair trade.
@sportsnut969 … HAAAAAA
Willingham for Hellickson????? The best minor league pitching prospect for Willingham? And to top it off you think the Rays should throw in 2 additional players for WILLINGHAM???
Lay off the glue dude
He said or, not and. He still needs to lay off the glue, but it’s only Elmer’s, not the strong stuff.
NO..
it’s the strong stuff… any teams best pitching prospect for an impending free agent corner OF is questionable. I don’t know if i would put him in a package WITH TWO OTHER PROSPECTS for a rental of Dunn, let alone a rental of WILLINGHAM. I get the dude’s general idea to get rid of your impending free agents for prospects (especially a guy who’s not a type A in Willingham), but that is just not even close.
to be fair, *DUNN* is the impending FA. willingham is still under team control for 2011.
but yes, he’s still huffing paint.
i think dunn could be a nice fit for the giants.
Anyone who could add pop to the SF offense would be a good fit, lol.
it takes a really big guy to add pop in SF.
Dunn would be a great fit for any team. I like his HUGE swing. But, I think it’s better for him to stay in D.C. and help them build a contender. His attitude & experience may help them progress faster. Depending on which way the club decides to go.
how about Dunn for Bay and and Washington pays the difference?
Because the Nationals aren’t Met fans?
I thought it was an obvious enough joke. kind of like Corey Hart for Francoeur.
ronny he isnt a impending free agent till after the 2011 season meaning he has this season and all of next season under team control and his value may never be higher than it is right now
so no not the strong stuff
@EdinsonPickle i believe he played 1st base when he came up with with the marlins then moved to the outfield but never played 1st with the nats
willingham played all of three games at 1B in the major leagues, neither of which he started (at least according to thebaseballcube.com). twice in 06 in FL and once in 09 w/the nats.
he played a bit more at 1B in the minors when he was with the marlins.
Dunn is FA after this season. Dunn for Hellickson in that scenario may not be that uneven, what with the comp that Dunn would bring back as Type A. Rays need to go for it this year. After this year, they lose a couple of pieces, the Yanks will add Lee, Sox will get healthy and add a piece or 2. Result = less of a shot next year for the Rays.
In a perfect world, the Nats trade Dunn and get really good prospects, then re-sign him in the offseason (not losing their 1st round pick). That’s a big risk though. Willingham should be extended if no good offer is available.
How would the Nationals be able to trade Dunn, then resign him as a FA and still not lose their pick? That is a pretty perfect world you’re dreaming up there.
They won’t lose their 1st round pick for signing a Type A if they finish with one of the 15 worst records, which they will.
Oops, I forgot about the first 15 picks being protected.
Oops, I forgot about the first 15 picks being protected.
They won’t lose their 1st round pick for signing a Type A if they finish with one of the 15 worst records, which they will.
The Nationals are 13.5 games out of first place at the break. Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York are all playing good ball, and the Marlins can always go on a run. The team’s performance over the next few weeks won’t affect what happens at the deadline, because it won’t affect what happens in the 2010 baseball season, at least not as far as the Nationals themselves are concerned. With Strasburg and Storen, it seems like there’s upside for the pitching staff. Would some sort of trade to the Giants involving Dunn and Bumgarner legitimize them, especially if they then go out and land a FA starter in the offseason? I dunno. It always seems like this team should be better than they are; but they never are.
And assuming that they won’t part with Bumgarner, would Zach Wheeler be a good enough piece to get a deal through. Just curiosity on my part; not overly familiar with either of these two teams.