Adam Kilgore from the Washington Post provides us with some info on the Nationals as their season draws to a close this weekend:
- The quartet of Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan, Roger Bernadina, and Mike Morse have seen the majority of the outfield time this season, and Kilgore says it's likely that those four do the same in 2011. It would be tough for the Nationals to land a top outfielder like Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth, and beyond that there's not many attractive free agent options. Personal speculation, but if they do choose to look for free agent offense in the outfield, they could try to buy low on Magglio Ordonez.
- Manager Jim Riggleman says that despite Justin Maxwell's offensive struggles this season, the soon to be 27-year-old is too talented to give up on. Riggleman thinks everything will click for Maxwell next season and hopes he'll be a part of the club. He says there's no "last chance" situation with Maxwell.
- GM Mike Rizzo also said they're committed to Nyjer Morgan in 2011. That may have been in question with some fans as a result of his behavior and multiple suspensions this season.
- The Nationals are known to be looking for front-line starting pitching, and have Japanese phenom Yu Darvish on their radar. Darvish wouldn't be cheap, but he'll likely be more affordable than the market's only proven Major League ace — Cliff Lee. Kilgore says it would be "speculative" to gauge Washington's interest, but notes that their scouts have seen him pitch in person at least nine times and recommended him to the front office.
I think instead of the Nationals being commited to Nyjer Morgan he should be committed.
I think the Nationals should be agressive with the pitching this off-seaon. What I mean by that is, sign Kuroda, trade Meyers, Peacock, and Norris for Matt Garza, acquire Carlos Beltran, and sign Scott Downs.
They really don’t need Downs. Their bullpen is pretty solid.
That Garza trade would make Nats fans happy, but I think the Rays would want a better package for him.
Do you know about the prospects I suggested? If anything, it would be hard for the Nats to part with them. Maybe some other package involving Chris Marrero would be good as well but the bullpen isn’t a “sure thing”. It is good, but with Batista gone and again, no sure thng, they might want to upgrade.
Yeah, I know who they are. I just don’t think teams think of Meyers as a top prospect (yet). He did have a great season this year, though.
I think they’d want at least one Major League-ready guy. Maybe Zimmermann or Storen along with Meyers and/or Norris.
That’s way too much for Garza I think. The. Pitching depth is there for the Rays but no long term answer at 1B or C even though JOC is a C. What about one of Marrero and Norris, two of Meyers, Peacock, and Hood. And maybe one of the Nats ML relievers.
Peacock would probably be left out of any deal made for Garza, but the other guys might work.
I wonder what other GMs think of Norris. He’s an on-base machine, he has good power, he Ks too much, and he’s not looking too good as a catcher yet (but he does have a gun). I think he’ll be a good major leaguer someday. Probably as a first baseman.
He’s also young and raw. Like him a lot though and I still think he’s a C.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Tyler Green was three years younger?
Maxwell is just too inconsistent at the plate. He is a good outfielder, though.
Morse deserves a starting spot next season.
What about a three way deal involving maybe Beltran going to the Nats, Ellsbury going to the Mets, and Wimer Flores, Bobby Parnell, and Derek Norris going to the Red Sox?
Doesn’t look too bad, but I don’t think Rizzo would want to give up Norris for Beltran.
Maybe. But if they keep Norris, I still think Beltran would be a tremendous fit on the Nats.
I think you just want to unload Beltran on some rubes.
not really. Just think he’d be better with the Nats rather than the Mets.
not really. Just think he’d be better with the Nats rather than the Mets.
I think you just want to unload Beltran on some rubes.
I think everyone but Yankee fans and Rangers fans would love to see Cliff Lee go to the Nats.
What about Braves, Phillies, Marlins and Mets fans? I don’t want to see Lee back in the NL East.
Stop being selfish! Lee on the Nats is good for baseball.
I’m not being selfish, just realistic. No NL east fans want to see Lee on the Nats. Also, it’s a moot point because Lee is going to get a monster contract next year and the Nats don’t have the money to spend $20 million a year on anyone, no matter how good they are.
I’m not being selfish, just realistic. No NL east fans want to see Lee on the Nats. Also, it’s a moot point because Lee is going to get a monster contract next year and the Nats don’t have the money to spend $20 million a year on anyone, no matter how good they are.
Stop being selfish! Lee on the Nats is good for baseball.
What about Braves, Phillies, Marlins and Mets fans? I don’t want to see Lee back in the NL East.
Would Nats take a chance on Zambrano? Zambrano and $10M for Marquis and a prospect. Nats get big name pitcher at semi reasonable price – about $11M per when you take Marquis salary into the equation. Marquis was average P for cubs and Pinella is gone so maybe will be solid #4 and cubs save $18M in 2012 they can use to be in the fielder/Agon sweepstakes. In a perfect dream world Nats take Sori too but thats asking too much for even my warped thinking to propose
More like big-tempered pitcher
So you are suggeting maybe Stolmy Pimentel? Destin Hood? Tyler Clippard maybe?
I don’t see how a losing team spending more than they can afford on an overpriced ace is good for the Nationals, or for baseball. One more team saddled with a massive contract that makes them less competitive in the long run is bad for baseball. Period. I’m not even sure why it’s being discussed, as it will never happen. I like the Nats a lot, they have a solid core of young players and they will be contenders in the future. Strasburg and Harper signing with the Nats? Good for baseball. Twins extending Mauer? Also good for baseball. I don’t really see how Peavy to the White Sox or Lee to the Nationals is good for baseball. I think it would be a good move for the Nats to go after Brandon Webb, though.