Most of the current chatter surrounding the Nationals focuses on a certain free agent first baseman, but as Amanda Comak of the Washington Times explains, the team also seeks bench and bullpen help. Here are the details:
- The Nationals haven’t ruled out bringing Rick Ankiel back, partly because they like his defense and influence in the clubhouse.
- We shouldn’t expect the Nationals to re-sign Ivan Rodriguez or Livan Hernandez, Comak writes. The door has been ‘closed’ on Hernandez, as the team no longer has room on its roster or openings in its rotation.
- There's a 50-50 chance free agent reliever Todd Coffey returns to the Nationals, tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Ladson says the Brewers still have interest in Coffey, who has also drawn interest from the Angels and Mets.
I think I can speak for all Nationals fans when I say that we are all gratified that the team has outgrown Livan Hernandez, but that we all love the guy nonetheless. I hope he gets to play a couple more years if he wants to, and again finds uncanny success.
+1/2St.
Should be the sentiments of all Nats fans, including myself. Thank you Livo!
Ditto Pudge.
livan hernandez has been one of my favorite players of all time, even when he wasn’t effective. he should get another shot this year. he would make a great 5th starter for a team, and every once in a while he throws a gem like his 3 hit CG shutout against the cards this year. although that is usually followed by giving up 8 runs, but nonetheless. i do agree on bringing back ankiel and coffey if we don’t pay to much. pudge rodriguez, as much as i love him (one of my other favorite players) has no place with the nationals, but would make a great backup on a team with a young staff (cough, cough tampa bay?)
I just enjoy watching Coffey sprint in from the bullpen
I remember Livo saying he would come back as a reliever only for the Nats. He must have backed off of that statement because he fits the veteran long-man position that Davey Johnson keeps talking about
Livan will forever be loved by Nationals fans for the good work he did the years he was in D.C.
That being said, the only person mentioned in this article that I’m interested in the Nationals signing is Ankiel.. Nationals are still short a few outfielders
Agreed…I’d like to see Ankiel play center and hit in the 6/7 hole. Sign Fielder and let Desmond hit leadoff. Desi, Danny, Zim, Fielder, Morse, Werth, Ankiel, Ramos, pitcher…or maybe Desi, Zim, Fielder, Morse, Werth, Danny, Ankiel, Ramos, pitcher…if no Fielder then let Bernadina play in left until Harper is ready.
pudge would definitely accept a backup catching role. that’s what he did with the nats and it’s not like anybody is going to sign him as a starter at this point in his career