ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talks about the Nationals in today’s column. A few hot stove nuggets:
- Crasnick talked to several agents and execs who just can’t see the Nationals ponying up $20MM+ per year for Mark Teixeira.
- The Nats crave a lefthanded slugging first baseman, so Adam Dunn could fit the bill. Crasnick talked to a couple of officials who suggested Dunn might have to settle in the three-year, $36MM range. However, the Nationals may have to pay a premium to convince any prominent free agent to sign.
- Crasnick says the Nationals have explored many interesting names: Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez, James Loney, Joey Votto, and Zack Greinke. They may not have the young talent to pull off that kind of deal though.
- The Nats are "looking forward to the opportunity" to select Scott Boras client Stephen Strasburg in next June’s draft.
Glad they got Straus no matter how screwed up he is now he got us a chip!