Yesterday, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that he wants to return to the club in 2013 and GM Mike Rizzo is eager for him to return as well. Johnson is likely to be back in Washington as it will just take ownership approval to get a new deal ironed out. Here's the latest out of Washington, courtesy of MLB.com's Bill Ladson..
- The Nationals had preliminary talks about a contract extension with Ian Desmond earlier this season, a source told Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Ladson adds that it would not be a surprise to see the Nats and the shortstop start up talks again this winter. Recently, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post suggested that Desmond could be in line for a six-year, $45MM deal.
- A source indicated that opposing teams have expressed interest in Tyler Moore. The Nats may also look at trading Michael Morse. Both players are best suited for first base and their fit in Washington will hinge largely on what happens with LaRoche. As it stands now, both players figure to be involved in left field alongside Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.
- The source told Ladson that there could be a possible domino effect if Adam LaRoche isn't re-signed this winter. Ryan Zimmerman could potentially be moved to first base while Anthony Rendon would be given a chance to start at third.
- The same source quantified the odds of Edwin Jackson returning to the Nats at 50/50 as it seems doubtful that Rizzo would give the pitcher a long-term deal.
- It's almost a given that John Lannan will be non-tendered this offseason, according to a baseball source. Lannan earned $5MM in 2012 and spent the bulk of the year in Triple-A.
Resigning Desmond now would be buying, high. Thats my only issue with it. Other than that, let Jackson go. I’ve seen enough of him, and no way he is worth a long term deal on.
I’m not terribly sure why we’d move the best defensive third baseman in the National League to first base. It would make more sense to just keep Morse & move him to first, or give Rendon a shot there. (All that is assuming LaRoche doesn’t come back, which I’m not sure is very likely).
Zimmerman’s throws from third are tearing his body apart. He can’t play 150+ games starting third, and he throws are more and more wild every year. I wonder if he’s even league average defense at 3B now. He will be at first sooner rather than later.
His throws are tearing his body apart? Pretty sure Ive never heard anything like that before…Hes an athlete I dont think making a couple throws from third to first each game will “tear his body apart.”
It’s hyperbole, but his throws are certainly contributing to his shoulder issues. The Nationals actually tried to get him to rework his throwing motion.
With all due respect Adam, giving someone who had the best offensive year for a short-stop a 7mil a year deal would actually be buying LOW. Desmond would likely earn at least 7 in arbitration, and 10+ in free agency.
i know but I would like to see him put up similar numbers again next year before committing that much money to 1 great year
I think Moore’s bat at a stage where you have to give him full time playing job, but Nationals should keep him on bench. You never know with injuries and all these days. I think Davey also like his bat off the bench as a serious threat that can turn the game around in one swing.
The Red Sox should be looking at Morse to play LF or 1 B. He would be a great addition if they are unable to get LaRoche.
I think that the Red Sox should look into the Nats 1B options. If they let Laroche go, he would be a good free agent signing on a 3 year 36 million deal. If they keep him and decide to trade Morse than maybe an ellsbury for morse and a pitching propsect would work. The nats have a solid team that with the right moves should be able to contend for a while. Harper and their young pitchers are only going to get better. I think they should let Jackson go for a draft pick and sign Sanchez away from Detroit.
They would be selling low on Morse. He was injured this season but when he came back he had some good stretches offensively. If anything they should keep him until the all star break and shop him then.
I hope the Pirates make a run at Morse or Moore. We are gonna trade Gi Jones for something in a seperate deal so they would compete with gabby for the starting 1st base job. Maybe Presely whose bat plays good as cf and something could be done. Presely takes over cf and let Harper move to lf
Of course ‘other teams’ are interested in Moore he’ll be a bona-fide star in MLB and he’s developed, no MLB learning curve.
Best move is to ditch Morse and replace w/ Moore and leave him there (as with Harper) until the situation at first base is clarified.
As for Davey … nnnnnyet.