FEBRUARY 6: At least twelve teams have inquired with the Nationals about Espinosa's availability, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. However, the team remains unlikely at present to deal Espinosa, Ladson says.
Though Anthony Rendon has the inside track at the starting gig at second, Espinosa will have a shot at taking his job back. Alternative outcomes include Espinosa making the club as a reserve or starting out in Triple-A on optional assignment. But Espinosa represents important middle infield depth and still has tantalizing upside at age 26, leaving the Nats uninterested in selling low.
DECEMBER 10: The Nats are balking at moving Espinosa despite interest from the Yankees, among other clubs, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
DECEMBER 9, 6:29pm: One Nationals executive told Kilgore that the Nats aren't shopping Espinosa. Beyond that, GM Mike Rizzo plainly stated that he expects Espinosa to be his team's utility infielder in 2014, noting that despite a lack of experience at the hot corner, Espinosa has the tools to play third base. Kilgore writes that Espinosa has a big proponent in Rizzo, and the Nationals are determined not to sell low on the switch-hitter.
4:25pm: The Nationals are shopping Danny Espinosa in trade talks, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Passan adds that if the Nats are unable to find a deal they like for Espinosa, the infielder could fill the utility role vacated by Steve Lombardozzi.
After a couple solid seasons in Washington, Espinosa saw his production fall off a cliff in 2013 due in part to injuries. In 2011 and 2012, he was an everyday player for the Nats, hitting 38 homers with a .727 OPS in over 1300 plate appearances.
GM Mike Rizzo told reporters today, including Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com (Twitter link), that the Nats will be "open-minded" and won't be afraid to make a trade. However, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says (via Twitter) that he'd be surprised if the team moves Espinosa, having already rebuffed teams like the Rays and Cardinals, who have tried to buy low.
IMO would be good pickup for Yankees, if they they have the chips, and,
do not have to give up too much, which I know is a lot of “ifs.”
If 12 teams are asking about Espinosa, that gives me hope that the Brewers will be able to move Rickie Weeks, assuming of course they eat plenty of salary.
Lifetime .230 hitter? Big deal…
He’s an above average defender who can play 2nd and short. That’s the only reason they’ll keep him as a utility player. He played through an injury last year, so maybe he’ll hit better this year. I doubt it, but one can always hope.
He’s plays great defense at SS and 2B, has decent power and plus speed. That’s valuable, despite the low average.
When healthy, he is a potential 20/20 guy with good-great defense. I’d give him a shot. What do the Nationals need though? Bullpen depth? If so, go talk to the Jays.
But, I think the Nats would be foolish to trade him. He is the perfect utility infielder.
Yeah, i think hes a great utility infielder option as well. Im gonna be real shocked if the nats decide to move espinosa before the opener. He needs to prove he can hit better than last year. Ill take his 2012 avg in a heartbeat.
Hot damn, I’ve never noticed that he strikes out so much and I even had him on my fantasy team for a while. Led the league this year *whistle noise*
Rays probably wanted him for Lobaton
I probly wouldnt like that trade. I highly doubt Rizzo sells low on Espinosa, at least right now