Washington Nationals Rumors

Nats Notes: Guzman, Desmond, Carroll, Dunn

The Nationals are considering a number of options up the middle. Here's the latest: MLB.com's Bill Ladson expects the Nationals to try trading Cristian Guzman this offseason. It won't be easy, given his $8MM salary. Manager Jim Riggleman likes Ian Desmond, but others within the organization believe the infielder needs more minor league seasoning. Could Ronnie Belliard return to play second base? Ladson doubts it. Jamey Carroll doesn't seem likely to return to Washington, either. At least nine teams have interest in the 35-year-old. The Nats are considering a couple defensive shortstops, too. Since 2007, no fielder has cost his...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Drawing Interest In Willingham

Washington is drawing strong trade interest in left fielder Josh Willingham, but may not be willing to part with him, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Willingham turned in a slash line of .260/.367/.496 with 24 HRs in 502 plate appearances in 2009. The post identifies the Braves as a team that likes the 30-year-old, but says that they have concerns about his back and are less than enamored with his defensive play. Willingham, they suggest, might be a better fit in the American League where he can be a DH. Earlier this month, Tim...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Interested In DeRosa, Gonzalez

The Nationals have expressed interest in free agents Mark DeRosa and Mike Gonzalez, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Washington had the worst bullpen in baseball last year, posting a league worst 5.09 ERA in well over 500 IP. Gonzalez and his 2.42 ERA and 10.9 K/9 would be a welcome addition to the Nats' end-game picture. DeRosa, meanwhile, could be a fit for all 30 clubs given his versatility, though Ladson says the team most likely sees him as a second baseman or leftfielder.   Continue Reading

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Nationals Looking At Defensive Shortstops

The Washington Nationals are interested in shortstops Alex Gonzalez and Adam Everett, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. With the Nationals tentatively planning to move Cristian Guzman from short to second base, a major league source tells Rosenthal and Morosi that the team is looking to add a strong defensive shortstop. Gonzalez posted a +10.5 UZR/150 in 2009, while Everett's UZR/150 was +13.6. Gonzalez and Everett could each still re-sign with their respective teams, the Red Sox and Tigers, in which case the Nationals might look elsewhere for middle infield help. In a separate article...   Continue Reading

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Giants, Orioles Pursuing Dan Uggla

THURSDAY, 9:10pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say that while the Orioles and Marlins are discussing Uggla, it might not be a match. The Orioles aren't sure how Uggla would produce in the American League, and may be reluctant to give up young talent for two years of his services. Indeed, check out Andy MacPhail's general comments to Jeff Zrebiec: "I just don't see us giving up a young and talented player for a short-term fix. If we give up a young and talented player and fill a different position that we thought was a greater...   Continue Reading

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Jim Riggleman Named Nationals Manager

THURSDAY, 1:33pm: The Nationals have officially named Riggleman their manager, according to a team press release. WEDNESDAY, 6:08pm: The Washington Nationals will bring back interim manager Jim Riggleman in 2010, according to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM's MLB Home Plate (via Twitter). Bowden does not have any specific details yet, but says the deal "is done." Riggleman took over the as the Nationals' skipper halfway through 2009, leading the club, which was 26-61 at that point, to a 33-42 record over the rest of the season. Riggleman had been considered the favorite to earn the full-time job throughout the search,...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Lackey, Tigers, Reds

Jon Heyman of SI.com's last few Twitter updates have provided a variety of intriguing information from around the league. Let's check them out.... The Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners could pursue John Lackey, but won't offer a deal worth up to $100MM. FOX Sports suggested earlier in the week that the Brewers weren't likely to be major players for Lackey, but that wasn't necessarily because the team didn't have the money. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski insisted the team wasn't having a "fire sale," but Heyman suggests that the club might listen to offers for Brandon Inge, along with Curtis Granderson...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Gordon, Uribe, D'backs, Igawa

Links for a busy Wednesday, as writers, agents, and GMs catch their flights out of O'Hare... Welcome to Twitter: ESPN's Buster Olney. ESPN's Keith Law assesses the Mark Teahen, J.J. Hardy, Jeremy Hermida, and Akinori Iwamura trades. The Royals are committed to Alex Gordon as their third baseman despite acquiring Josh Fields, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Fields instead could play left field in the event David DeJesus is traded. DeJesus' name popped up in our left field trade market post. Rosenthal and Morosi also note that the Giants are talking with Juan Uribe...   Continue Reading

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Eight Teams Inquire On Mark DeRosa

Jon Heyman must have bumped into Mark DeRosa's agent today, because the SI reporter lists eight clubs that have already called on the player. Heyman's tweet indicates the Yankees, Mariners, Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Orioles, and Giants have inquired. That seems to be an indication that DeRosa's November wrist surgery will not limit his market.   Continue Reading

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Diamondbacks Considering Hernandez

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic hears that the Diamondbacks are considering free agent right-hander Livan Hernandez. The 35-year-old posted a 5.44 ERA in 31 starts with the Mets and Nationals last season, but as Piecoro notes, Hernandez's primary role in Arizona would be to serve as both a positive clubhouse influence and to eat some innings at the back of the rotation. If Hernandez did sign, he would be joining his fifth different team in three years. It would also be his second stint in the desert --- Hernandez made 43 starts for Arizona over the 2006 and 2007...   Continue Reading

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