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Rizzo On Gonzalez, Pitching, Center Field, Bench

By Mike Axisa | December 23, 2011 at 7:42pm CDT

The Nationals and Athletics made the Gio Gonzalez trade official today, with Derek Norris, Tom Milone, Brad Peacock, and A.J. Cole going to Oakland as expected. Washington also received Robert Gilliam in the swap. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo discussed the trade and other topics with reporters during a conference call this evening, so let's recap…

  • The two sides started discussing Gonzalez "probably over a month ago," and they first exchanged names just before the winter meetings. Rizzo said he met with the Athletics several times in Dallas, and they increased their efforts to acquire Gio after losing out on Mark Buehrle.
  • "Being left-handed was really a key for us," said the GM, noting that Gonzalez can slot between power righties Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg in the rotation. "[The trade] gives us a young core of starting pitchers at the major league level."
  • "To acquire a player like this you need to give up some painful players in return," said Rizzo. "[It took] four players that are near and dear to our heart … They'll be sorely missed."
  • When asked about Gonzalez's walk rate – career 4.44 BB/9 and an AL worst 4.05 BB/9 in 2011 – Rizzo said "we see his walks trending in the right direction, we see him having general command, and as he progresses into his career, he's going to improve on his command each and every year." Gio has improved his walk rate every year of his big league career, and the team believes the "changing of leagues will positively affect [his] performance."
  • Rizzo said they like Gonzalez's "moxie and attitude on the mound," and noted that they've clocked his fastball as high as 95 mph using the PitchFX system.
  • "We feel we have great depth in the starting rotation," said the GM, noting that Tom Gorzelanny and Craig Stammen can start with Sammy Solis and Alex Meyer representing the next wave of pitching prospects. "We feel that we're still very deep in starting pitchers. We like the talent level of our pitching staff, and it's going to be great competition to see who comes out of [Spring Training] as the starting five."
  • Rizzo confirmed that Solis has not yet visited Dr. Yocum about his sore elbow due to strep throat. Once that clears up, he will have his elbow checked out.
  • "We're always looking to improve our ball club," added Rizzo, who said they will "certainly be aggressive" if the opportunity to acquire a long-term center fielder via trade or free agency presents itself.
  • When asked if Adam LaRoche will be the Nationals first baseman in 2012, Rizzo replied flatly: "That is correct." The Nationals have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Prince Fielder this offseason.
  • "We'd like to improve our bench. We'd like to improve our depth in the minor leagues to help us if need be at the Major League level," said Rizzo when asked what else he'd like to accomplish this offseason.
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Washington Nationals Gio Gonzalez

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44 Comments

  1. ironnat

    14 years ago

    “[The trade] gives us a young core of starting pitchers at the major league level.”  That’s the key.  They gave up a lot of “potential” talent and I am sure a couple of those guys are going to have stellar careers, however I believe DC fans were getting a little impatient on the rebuilding process and wanted something more than just baby steps.  I still think there is another big shoe to drop.

    Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      14 years ago

      Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them suddenly up the bidding for Fielder. Gio Gonzalez gives them a potentially solid arm in the front of the rotation. They may have overpaid but the Nats are better off. All else being equal I would be surprised if the Nats don’t go down to the wire for a playoff spot.

      Does anyone know if the second wild card is being added in this season or next season when the Astros move to the AL.

      Reply
      • nats2012

        14 years ago

        Yeah but if you get Fielder, Michael Morse has to play the outfield for the rest of his career, we just need a centerfielder so by 2013 you can have an infield with Ramos C., Morse 1B, Rendon 2B, Espinosa SS, Zimmerman 3B, Harper and Werth in the corner spots.

        Reply
        • brett m.

          14 years ago

          Exactly. I still would like WAS to go after Parra. However, there should be quite a few good CF next year in FA

          Reply
          • nats2012

            14 years ago

            I like Parra too and your right next year has good centerfield free agents. And again, Michael Taylor is gonna be a stud.

            Reply
            • brett m.

              14 years ago

              I think Goodwin is probably the CF of the future if Rizzo has his way

              Reply
              • nats2012

                14 years ago

                I heard if we didnt sign Goodwin he would have been a top 5 pick next year.

                Reply
                • brett m.

                  14 years ago

                  I really think it is a testament to the scouting and development staff that despite the package we gave up, we still have an above average farm system 

                  Reply
  2. User 4245925809

    14 years ago

    LaRoche’s approach at the plate have to wonder how long he will be able to even go with it when he does get himself fully healthy…

    that flat footed style, bat held so low.. It is an awful awkward like stance and he has to do a lot of movement for a guy heading to early-mid 30’s to generate power, plus it’s not like he is/was a glove guy standing out there at 1B.

    He really is going to need to change that style pretty soon have a feeling, his arms always were his power and it took a LOT of movement with them before to generate the power.. Just don’t see him keeping it up much longer without using his legs more and changing his stance considerably.

    Reply
    • hallwagner

      14 years ago

      adam laroche is one of the best fielding 1st basemen in the mlb

      Reply
      • nats2012

        14 years ago

        Thank you.

        Reply
      • User 4245925809

        14 years ago

        Wouldn’t go that far there now.. Might have been a bit far when said he was not a glove guy, cause it’s his bat people want him for..

        Then lets not go put him into the category of tex, Kotchman, Gonzalez, Youkillis and a few others could name at 1B.

        Reply
        • hallwagner

          14 years ago

          i would

          Reply
        • Guest 5605

          14 years ago

          He’s actually pretty close…a lot closer than people give him credit for.

          In fact, he is a lot better than people give him credit for.

          Reply
        • Guest 5605

          14 years ago

          He’s actually pretty close…a lot closer than people give him credit for.

          In fact, he is a lot better than people give him credit for.

          Reply
  3. Josh Gedert

    14 years ago

    Geez, Rizzo makes it sound like the Nationals former prospects died or something..

    Reply
  4. Phil Aldrich

    14 years ago

    improve their depth in the minors?! so they trade 4 guys for a pitcher who is just like Dice-K?? interesting!

    Reply
    • grownice

      14 years ago

      What? DiceK? Odd comparison.

      Reply
    • Fifty_Five

      14 years ago

      Obviously if you trade your top prospects, you’re going to want to fill that void a little bit. Don’t see why you think thats so interesting. And Dice K? really?

      Reply
      • Phil Aldrich

        14 years ago

        bc he traded his depth for what?! someone proven to be great??? NO!! haha thats why its interesting

        Reply
      • Phil Aldrich

        14 years ago

        compare their stats bro. im a baseball sports writer. im not a complete fool haha

        Reply
        • nats2012

          14 years ago

          Dont say your a baseball writer and than write this. Please dont.

          Reply
          • Thomas Cassidy

            14 years ago

            Why not? He didn’t say he was a good one.

            Reply
            • nats2012

              14 years ago

              Good point.

              Reply
    • brett m.

      14 years ago

      Gio has dominated for 2 years and has won 15 games each year on a below .500 team. He is a very good young pitcher. 

      Reply
      • Thomas Cassidy

        14 years ago

        Very good trade for the Nats. But “dominated?” That’s tough. He dominates at home, in a terrible offensive division, in a huge park. Against teams with real offenses (Yankees, Red Sox, and Rangers) he gets killed. A very good pitcher, but not as good as the number suggest. At least he’s a work horse.

        Reply
        • nats2012

          14 years ago

          Its not that bad of a division because he doesnt get to face the A’s, Texas and the Angels arent that bad.

          Reply
          • Thomas Cassidy

            14 years ago

            Texas was great, but the Mariners and Angels were terrible last year. If you have Vernon Wells batting in the middle of your lineup, that’s a problem. I think he’s a very good pitcher, but not an ace.

            Reply
            • nats2012

              14 years ago

              I always liked Gio, he was one of my favorite players so I am probably not the right person to ask.

              Reply
              • Guest 5604

                14 years ago

                He is a likeable guy ( I was actually listening to an interview with him on MLB Network radio and right when they hung up they announced they just heard about the trade, that was my happiest grocery store shopping of my life).

                Reply
  5. Phil Aldrich

    14 years ago

    not at all…compare their stats per game…walks and era and k’s…go ahead check it out

    Reply
  6. brett m.

    14 years ago

    If I’m Rizzo; I may try to make a trade for a guy like Parra from Arizona. He could help solve the CF problem. 

    Reply
    • Phillies_Aces35

      14 years ago

      Isn’t Jayson Werth going to be the center fielder long term once Harper is promoted?

      Reply
      • brett m.

        14 years ago

        I  think a few things are in the air. Long term, they dont want Werth in Center

        Reply
      • Guest 5603

        14 years ago

        Not long term…not sure the exact plan to be honest, he could go there as a stop gate.  That wouldn’t be smart to put a guy in his mid 30s in center for the long run haha

        Reply
    • User 4245925809

      14 years ago

      Why not just sign Crisp??

      Reply
  7. nats2012

    14 years ago

    Yeah I agree we need a centerfielder, and Laroche isnt why we shouldnt get Fielder, Michael Morse is the reason, in the long run he is gonna be the first baseman with Ramos, Rendon, Espinosa, Zimmerman, with Harper and Werth in left and right, so we just need a Cfer.

    Reply
    • Thomas Cassidy

      14 years ago

      What about Harper in CF? With that speed and arm, it wouldn’t surprise me.

      Reply
      • nats2012

        14 years ago

        I also like Michael Taylor or Brian Goodwin in the future. But I think Harper can handle it too.

        Reply
        • Thomas Cassidy

          14 years ago

          He looks like he’s gonna be one hell of a player. He even needed contacts this past season. How scary is that for other teams? He didn’t even know he couldn’t see.

          Reply
          • nats2012

            14 years ago

            He is a beast.

            Reply

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