Both CSNWashington.com's Mark Zuckerman and MLB.com's Bill Ladson conducted Q&A's with Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo on Sunday, so let's round up the news…
- "[We're] always looking to improve," said Rizzo when asked about specific needs before the season begins. "But we think we're pretty set, we're pretty solid in a lot of aspects of the club."
- The Nationals have built up some depth, and there's a chance teams will come calling as they look to fill holes on their roster. "From what I've heard and the phone calls I've gotten, I think we're going to be heavily scouted and heavily watched for that reason," said the GM.
- "Long-term, we want to keep them all in the pipeline," said Rizzo, referring to his catching depth. "We'd have to make a trade that really makes a lot of sense for us and really strengthens us in a position we're weakest at."
- When asked about the team's pursuit of an ace-caliber pitcher, Rizzo said: "We knew going into the offseason, it was a priority for us to improve our rotation. It was probably not the best move to announce to the world that it was our main goal, but that's me. I made the statement because that was what I thought. It was a need of ours. What I found out was, ace pitchers are very difficult to acquire. It's much better and much easier to develop your own. We are always looking and we are still trying to improve ourselves, but they are very difficult to get."
- Rizzo believes the Jayson Werth deal is the beginning of an era when really good players start coming to Washington. "What it did prove is, we are here to win games. We have an organization that is willing to spend money to acquire talent. We showed it, not only in the last two drafts, but in the free-agent market."
Rizzo also provided updates on the health of Stephen Strasburg and Chien-Ming Wang, the plan for Bryce Harper, and the expiring contract of manager Jim Riggleman.
The Facebook dude interviewed Rizzo?
But Werth is the beginning of an era where good players come to Washington? It’ll be difficult to afford them until the Werth contract expires, won’t it?
That’s Zuckerberg who made facebook.
Well they went after Lee after they got Werth so it looks like they have a lot more money left
So the era didn’t begin IMMEDIATELY after getting Werth, I guess?
I think Werth is going to have an awful year compared to his past two seasons.
Why is that?
doesn’t every player who receives a contract like that in his 30’s that goes to a new team become an awful player? it is just common sense. Now i’m not saying werth is going to become a third-tier outfielder, but i would expect a line of around 270/350/450, which isn’t what that kind of money should buy
Just seems like a bad fit. Big ballpark, not a lot of energy in the stands, a complete 180 from the atmosphere in Philly. If the saying “baseball is 50% mental” holds any validity, Werth is going to be playing at 50%.
Plus, Rizzo seems to be hyping this guy up to be the next Babe Ruth. After watching Werth everyday last year, I can assure you he is not a player that wants to be labeled as “the guy.” He likes to fly under the radar. Pressure from the front office, hard ballpark in which to hit homeruns, not a whole lot of thump in that lineup besides him and Zimmerman, not a whole lot to be playing for once August comes around, and I see a 10-15 home run season with 70-80 RBIs and a 260 B.A.
izzo believes the Jayson Werth deal is the beginning of an era when really good players start coming to Washington.
Tends to happen when you overpay by 20 million.
“What it did prove is, we are here to win games. We have an organization that is willing to spend money to acquire talent.” More like it proved you can monumentally overpay for talent and screw up the market for every other team, Thank’s Rizzo.
So… who will be the first really good player to come to Washington?
Papelbon would be a good fit next year.
No need there with Storen and Clippard in town.
I thought he said good player?
Papelbon’s not good? He is one of the top 10 closers in the league.
Washington had to prove that it had a market to sustain a major league team before the Expos moved there so it’s not totally implausible that Washington can generate enough revenue to afford high-priced talent. At the same time, you don’t go overpaying Jayson Werth setting a precedent of desperation. I want to see Washington succeed, not get into bad habits of overpaying for mediocrity. Not implying Werth is mediocre, but not worth the ridiculous contract he got.
if i remember correctly they had to prove that both them and the O’s could survive together and isn’t there owner like one of the richest ppl in the world… if they get rollin i could see them going yankee all up in here!!!
Rizzo’s statement on ace pitchers makes him sound like an idiot…
“What I found out was, ace pitchers are very difficult to acquire.”
I think overall, Rizzo really painted himself to be an amatuer GM in this interview. What about this statement:
“It was probably not the best move to announce to the world that it was our main goal, but that’s me.”
I think most other GMs in the game know what the needs of each of the 29 other teams are regardless of any announcements etc. Scouting? Trading / signing to address needs isn’t the same as trying to trade a player after they’ve publicly requested a trade.
The DC area is bullet proof when it comes to the economy. Out of the top 15 richest counties in the country the Nats draw from 6 of them. On top of that the Lerners are billionaires. When DC turns it around the Nats will be an upper echelon franchise for a long time. Let’s face it what other team in baseball did major league baseball own and drive into the ground. There are new owners and the Bowden regime it behind us. Watch out!!!!
I want to agree. but just remember D.C. sports have a curse
Werth is the man.
I love the Phillie fans who wanted so badly to keep Werth, now he is gone and he is over-rated, he will only hit 230 and 15 home runs, give me a break, I would take Werth over any right fielder in the game right now. Choo is the only one close to Werth.
I just want the Rizz to pull off a Colby Ryan Rasmus Trade. I will be very happy NATs fan.
I think it would be risky for any NL team to commit to the length of a contract Fielder will demand next season. Seems likely that he ends up a DH in the later years of whatever contract he signs.
You don’t need to upgrade the farm when you have the likes of Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasbugh, and Will Ramos.
I love D.C. It is basically a ghetto surrounding a forest where the sports and government suck
fair enough, but signing someone you might have to trade because he’s a defensive liability half way through his contract is still something I would consider “risky” is all I meant I guess. Obviously the market for Fielder won’t be limited to AL teams.
Ramos, really? The same Ramos who struggled to maintain a .690 or so OPS in AAA last year? Why do people think this guy is going to be useful with the bat? I’m not sure about his defensive capabilities though, but his bat will likely never be anything special.
I hope that was sarcasm. Depending on Harper’s call-up timeline, all 3 very well may never see the minors again within a year’s time. The actual farm needs love too. Never deprive them of their farm love.
Yes, Ramos. Really.
The Nats have a lot of nice, young talent. I’m not sure which one of those you haven’t heard of. I’ll throw Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmerman too.
No, it’s still risky because if they get Fielder it will be all but a guarantee that it’ll be heavily backloaded, just like Werth’s. They do that and Fielder starts declining after the first couple of years, they’ll be in trouble with the money they have tied up into Werth and Fielder, both who are expected to decline sooner rather than later.
There’s a reason the Twins gave up Ramos for a rental closer, and the reason likely is that Ramos’s bat isn’t anything special at all. What makes you think otherwise?
The entire point of a farm system is so that the older players that retire/leave can be replaced. There is really no need for a great one when you have so many young players with talent.