Scott Olsen Rumors

Odds & Ends: Phillies, Nationals, Mariners

There's no such thing as an offseason- just different kinds of on-seasons. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com believes the Phillies will find a replacement for Eric Bruntlett among John McDonald, Omar Vizquel, Jamey Carroll, Ronnie Belliard and Juan Uribe. According to Scott Olsen, arbitration-eligible member of the Washington Nationals (for now, anyway), his shoulder is now 100 percent. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times discusses how Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson, and John Lackey would look in Seattle. Tyler Hissey at Around the Majors talks Yankees' roster strategy. Dave Cameron tells us which minor league free agents are most worth pursuing, including...   Continue Reading

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Mike Rizzo Chat At The Washington Post

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post chatted with Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, and posted the full Q&A on his blog. A few hot stove highlights: Starter Scott Olsen had surgery in July to repair a small labrum tear in his pitching shoulder. Having earned $2.8MM this year, the Nats would have to pay him at least $2.24MM in 2010 if they tender him a contract. Rizzo said he's getting health reports on Olsen daily and the team will use the coming months to decide whether to non-tender him. Rizzo says closer Mike MacDougal has "done a great job." MacDougal represents...   Continue Reading

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Why Are So Many Pitchers Still Unsigned?

We are nearing Memorial Day, and many pitchers whose resumes would normally have landed them at least a minor-league deal by now remain unsigned. Pedro Martinez is still homeless. While the complication may be in part due to Pedro's salary demands, it is surprising that nobody has signed him. Yes, his ERA was an unsightly 5.61 in 2008, but his 2007 stint was far better-2.57 ERA in 28 innings. His 87 strikeouts against 44 walks in 109 innings also suggests a pitcher who can help a team on the back end of a rotation. Given that it is Pedro Martinez,...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Olsen, Willingham, Millwood, Peavy

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new column up. Stark looks at a few trades that didn't happen. Aside from the Angels' run at Aaron Harang at the end of Spring Training, they also talked to the Nationals about Scott Olsen. Stark says Dustin Moseley, Shane Loux, and Jason Bulger were three names kicked around in the Olsen talks. Earlier this spring, the Rays inquired on Washington's Josh Willingham, apparently dangling Jason Hammel. Willingham is currently unhappy about being on the Nationals' bench, a situation that probably would not have improved in Tampa Bay. Kevin Millwood could be attractive midseason trade...   Continue Reading

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Nats Avoid Arb With Scott Olsen

7:08pm: The Washington Post's Chico Harlan gathered a quote from Olsen just moments after he OK'd the deal: "Well obviously I was happy. I think where we settled at was a very fair number in terms of if you look at where everybody else sort of slotted in. I've never been through the arbitration process before, so it came down to two days before we were gonna go to trial. I don't think a whole lot of people ever do want to go to the hearing, especially player-wise, because the team wins 60-percent of the time." 5:44pm: According to Alden...   Continue Reading

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Shawn Hill Wins Arb Case

According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill has won his arbitration case, and will be paid $775,000 in 2009. The Nationals had offered $500,000. Left on Washington's list of arbitration-eligible players to settle with are Ryan Zimmerman, Scott Olsen, and Josh Willingham.   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Manny, Varitek, Madson, Swisher

SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up... Heyman says half the teams in baseball may still have a big deal left in them, with roughly 100 free agents remaining. Manny Ramirez continues to wait patiently; Heyman guesses the Dodgers go to three years for him. They'd be bidding against themselves, unless Manny has an offer we don't know about. When John Henry asked Jason Varitek why he didn't accept their offer of arbitration, Varitek responded that he didn't believe it would've guaranteed him a spot on the team. Heyman finds it odd that first-year arb closers are getting more...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Sabathia, Peavy

A look at what is being written about the hot stove in the Blogosphere... Fire Brand of the American League looks at the ramifications of the Coco Crisp trade and what could happen if the Red Sox acquire Mark Teixeira and are unable to move Mike Lowell. Baseball Opinion says the Crisp deal leaves the Royals with a crowded outfield and a depleted bullpen and wonders if Mark Teahen or David DeJesus will be the next to go. Nationals Pride sees the Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham trade as a good start towards building a team with a core of...   Continue Reading

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Olsen/Willingham Trade Roundup

It's official - the Marlins traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinksi, and P.J. Dean. Let's round up commentary on the surprising deal. Jim Bowden says he acquired Willingham as an outfielder, not a first baseman. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro has Larry Beinfest saying the Marlins will move forward with both Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla. Mike Berardino and Juan C. Rodriguez also believe Uggla will stay put this winter. Olsen talked to Frisaro and the Palm Beach Post's Joe Capozzi about the trade. He's happy it's over, but doesn't sound bitter. Also at...   Continue Reading

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Nats Trade For Olsen, Willingham

9:44pm: Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel was assured this evening that Dan Uggla will not be traded this winter. Additonally, Mike Berardino says the Marlins won't be signing Ivan Rodriguez for a second stint. 6:34pm: According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Nationals acquired Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham from the Marlins for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor league players, pitcher P.J. Dean and shortstop Jake Smolinski. Bonifacio was the prospect the Diamondbacks traded straight up for Jon Rauch. He fits into the "speed and defense" plan. Smolinski was ranked 11th among Nationals prospects heading into...   Continue Reading

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