On this date in 2003, the Mets signed Cliff Floyd as a free agent. He went on to hit .268/.354/.478 with 81 homers during his four years in Flushing. Here's the latest from the NL East…
- Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post makes a case for the Nationals to sign John Lannan to a modest multiyear contract extension. He speculates that a three-year deal worth approximately $20MM could work for both sides. Lannan is projected to make $4.8MM his second time through arbitration this winter.
- In a separate piece, Kilgore presents three theories about why it's taking Prince Fielder so long to sign. He says the Jayson Werth contract could be making the Nationals hesitant about Fielder, another Scott Boras slient.
- The Mets waived Fernando Martinez earlier today, and Adam Rubin of ESPN New York says (on Twitter) one reason he is likely to get claimed is because he has a minor league option remaining. Martinez will take up a spot on the 40-man roster, but any team can send him to the minors without a problem in 2012.
- Rubin also notes (on Twitter) that last summer's Francisco Rodriguez trade is similar to the Billy Wagner–Chris Carter trade in that it was a salary dump meant to look like something more. The Mets also waived Danny Herrera today, who they acquired from the Brewers for K-Rod.
I like the idea of the Lannan signing. Strasburg Zimmerman and Lannan would form a solid core of a rotation
yeah, who needs that Gio Gonzoles guy.
Red Sox didn’t get him, so it’s best to just pretend he doesn’t exist.
Haha whoops. Knew I forgot someone. Well go ahead and add Gonzalez to the mix. And cards2WS I happen to follow baseball in general very closely so I’d rather you not assume I’m a typical idiot Sox fan. It’s called a mistake
haha my bad. knew I was for getting someone.
im sorry ive seen nothing from Lannan that even makes him worth being tendered.
You linked the wrong Chris Carter…i think
I wouldn’t be surprised if K-Rod is traded again this summer.
I kinda expected the Red Sox to trade for him, getting the Brewers to kick in cash. But that was before the Bailey deal turned out to be cheaper than I expected.
But my bet is KRod only gets traded if the Brewers are out of it by the all star break or they get an MLB ready player that fills some need. Things do look bad for the Brewers without Fielder and a third of a season from Braun… but it’s still a weak division so maybe a solid bullpen could save them.
John Lannan is good, but replaceable. Having the top three rotation spots locked up means that the Nats can now basically can rotate in young, cost-controlled talent for the back end of the rotation. To name just a few arms in the nats that should be viable by 2014, when Lannan is set to hit free agency: Ross Detweiller, Sammy Solis, Danny Rosenbaum, Matt Purke, Alex Meyer, Robbie Ray, etc. Not to say that all these guys will work out, but you don’t need them all to. Why pay a premium for Lannan’s FA year(s) when you can get comparable, if not better, production from guys coming up through the pipeline?
My suggestion: let Lannan go year to year through arb and take care of 2014 in 2014.
Lannan has an option left. Both Detwiler and Wang do not. He could end up in AAA as veteran rotation depth. Detwiler a 1st round pick and Davey Johnson favorite should make the rotation. He had the best spring last year but was optioned anyway. Then there’s Chien-Ming Wang. Lannan isn’t good at relief pitching. He’s at the top of the Syracuse rotation mark my words.
I’ve always liked Detwiler, and he pitched very well in a late season audition. The kid has a good feel for pitching and making the most of his less than elite stuff. If he can cut back on the walks he’ll have a nice career.
What is a Boras slient?
Scott Boras has trademarked the word “Slient”. It’s a combination of “Scott and “client”.
MLBTR should have capitalized the S and dropped the trademark in there.
Slient™
I’d like to think more ‘sleezy’ and ‘client’; especially if we’re talking about Boras…
Boras is probably holding prince and jackson until the owners decide if the new playoff format is going to be put in place for 2012.
I’m pretty sure he is waiting for the Rangers to sign Darvish.
Nah everyone knows Darvish will sign. He’s just trying to get more from the mariners by using the Nats as leverage even tho Prince will need the DH in 3 years. Mariners made the biggest offer but it’s not what Scotty is hoping for at this point. Trying to get the Mariners to bid against themselves, Same ol’ scumbag tactics by the super agent!
Would the Nationals use a 6 man rotation? Gives Stras and Zimm some extra rest and takes them longer to reach their IP limit
Zimm didn’t pitch well on extra rest last year, and he isn’t on a innings limit anyway. I don’t know how they are going to get creative with Stras, but I am sure they will work something out. Oh, and Wang will be on the DL by May–they shouldn’t even try pitching his reconstructed shoulder in the cold.
LOL I seriously thought I read that the Mets signed Cliff Floyd today…Well, it seems like a Mets-like move………
The Pirates should sign Fernando Martinez to compete in right of left field.
Your fourth best starter gives you on average 160 IP & a 1.50 whip over the previous two years and signing him for 3/20m is a consideration? Man, the Nats may have bottomless pockets, but that doesn’t look terribly appealing to me.