Some news from the NL East…
- "Folks seem to think the Nationals are going to make [a] big play for C.J. Wilson," tweets Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated. Heyman thinks the Nats will offer Wilson a contract worth around $75-80MM. In August, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes thought Wilson could fetch a $100MM deal this winter given the lack of quality starters in the free agent market, but Wilson's postseason struggles will probably prevent him from that nine-figure contract.
- Dealing Domonic Brown or keeping him in the minors in 2012 would be a short-sighted move for the Phillies, argues CSNPhilly.com's Casey Feeney.
- "With supply seemingly exceeding demand" on the free agent closer market this winter, the Mets can look beyond the biggest names (Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Madson and Jonathan Papelbon) and still find a solid closer at a reasonable price, writes Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Rubin also says the Mets are looking for another left-handed reliever to pair with Tim Byrdak, as the club worries that Danny Herrera will become less effective as opponents become more familiar with him.
- The Marlins haven't discussed moving Hanley Ramirez away from shortstop or asking Ramirez about a position change, club president David Samson tells MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- From that same piece, Samson says the Marlins will be "very active" this winter with their expected rise in payroll. "We're going to be very aggressive, but we're not going to be foolish," Samson said. "That's the key. When you raise your payroll, you've got to do it smartly, because if you don't, you are losing 90 games at a higher payroll."
- The Braves haven't yet decided if they will exercise Eric Hinske and Nate McLouth's 2012 options, reports David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. McLouth's $10.65MM option will certainly be bought out for $1.25MM, that's a no-brainer. As for Hinske, he's a useful reserve — he can play first base and both corner outfield spots, and he had a .754 OPS against right-handed pitching last season. Hinske's option is worth just $1.5MM so my guess is Atlanta brings back the former AL Rookie of the Year.
If you look at Wilson’s history, it doesn’t seem like $75-80MM would be an albatross contract, and I think it’s wrong to write off Jayson Werth. Last year was very flukey based on his history, and many players have a rough first year after changing teams. No matter how you look at it, the Nationals need one or two front of the rotation guys to go along with Strasburg, with Wang and Zimmermann rounding the rotation out in an ideal world, bumping Lannan out of the picture. To get that front of the rotation talent, they will use the resource that is most expendable to them… money. It seems senseless for a team like the Nationals with an ambitious, deep-pocketed owner to clean out their farm system on a trade rather than grabbing a young ace with a stellar history during his time in the bigs. I think it makes all the sense in the world.
CJ Wilson isnt really “young”. Although ive always though that he looks younger than he is for some reason…
But his arm is “young.” Only two years starting, so a lot of mileage that someone like a Felix Hernandez will have on his arm at CJ Wilson’s age, he doesn’t.
I’m afraid of Wilson, speaking as a Nats fan. I think he’ll get FAR more money than he’s worth, and we’ll be paying him like a #1 when he’s really a #3.
Also, he has awesome hair.
As a Nats fan… I too am hoping the Nats do NOT sign Wilson. All I see is an OLDER version of John Lannan. Wilson only throws high 80’s, low 90’s, walks more than he should, lefty, and had a couple good years pitching for one of the best offenses in the AL.
In my opinion, if you put Lannan on Texas- he could win 15 games too.
Call me crazy… but I would be content with the Nats resigning Wang, and trying to sign someone like Oswalt (bad back and all) to a 2 yr deal. Let Oswalt be our veteran starter, we have enough pitching depth now to fill in for him when he hits the DL because of his back. He could slot in anywhere from #1-3 for us.
Use the money saved to go after offense, and/or trade for a CF’er.
Our pitching was in the top10 this past year (without Stras)
my 2 cents. Go Nats!
Don’t you have Denard Span, Jayson “U Ain’t Werth It” And Harper/Morse for the OF? Plus a potential trade for BJ Upton I’m hearing rumors about.
Nate Mclouth will look good in a KC uniform next year
Scorn me if you wish, but if we are looking for a “spark” for the Braves outfield–why dont we see what Cleveland does with Grady Sizemore? is it to much to wish that he could just play near the level he did with those great Indian teams? or do you think the Injury Bug has stained his career forever? I would love to see him in left. Yes I realize that he is Left Handed, but the reward could be soooo high.. (of course this is all useless blabbering if the Indians pick up his option)