In his latest piece for AOL Fanhouse, Tom Krasovic discusses Carlos Gonzalez's ascension, Matt Kemp's benching, and Madison Bumgarner's potential, among other topics. Here are his hot stove notes:
- Agent Scott Boras says it's "up in the air" whether or not Jarrod Washburn still wants to pitch this season, adding that a pennant race could be appealing to the left-hander. I'm a little skeptical about Washburn's ability to contribute much to a contending team this season, given how long he's been away from the game.
- A major league executive tells Krasovic that the Phillies are "evaluating the trade market" for Jayson Werth. With Werth in the final year of his contract, and top prospect Domonic Brown waiting in the wings, it makes sense for the Phils to explore their options. As Krasvoic points out though, Philadelphia's lineup suffered a hit with injuries to Chase Utley and Placido Polanco, making a Werth trade especially unlikely.
- The Phillies may find it hard to make an impact move this month, since they'll want to hang on to Brown and their farm system doesn't have the depth it did last year at this time.
Werth is only slugging .451 on the road. Can’t wait to see which GM doesn’t notice a Philly outfielder’s home/road splits in a career year walk year. Once again, I’m looking at you, Brian Sabean.
Jarrod Washburn should be called Washed-up. He had one good year and has been trash since. It’s even more amusing that he’s turned down offers that he didn’t think were enough. Good thing he has Boras to break down negotiations and keep him out of baseball.
He’s near the end of his career and has made over $50 million. It’s unreasonable for him to expect a team to actually value him at $x million, but it’s not unreasonable for him to decide that that’s how much it will take to get him to move and leave his family again if there’s not a ring on the line.
There’s better options out there. He couldn’t perform for the Tigers last year, and I would think that with Boras for an agent, his career is not near the end, it’s over.
And I’m saying I don’t think it’s Boras. I think he might see no reason to do something like pitch for the Nationals for a million bucks. And I don’t blame him.
Agreed there. The Nationals are in a unique situation though. I don’t think a lot of players would want to play there. Not until they prove that they have the slightest chance.
Why would anyone even think of Washburn? He is done. He had one good half a year, and then was complete crap in the second half for my Tigers. As far as i’m concerned his value is nothing.