Nationals third baseman/left fielder Ryan Zimmerman has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 hamstring strain, reports MLB.com’s Bill Ladson (via Twitter). That is the most severe form of hamstring strain, involving a tear of half or more of the muscle, and could shelve Zimmerman for a significant stretch. The injury took place on July 22.
The Nationals have already been said to be probing the market for a possible third or second baseman, with the presumed intention of utilizing Anthony Rendon at whichever spot is not filled via trade. The seriousness of Zimmerman’s injury could increase the likelihood of an addition. Of course, the team could stick with its current alignment, with Danny Espinosa and Zach Walters sharing time at the keystone and Rendon playing his natural hot corner.
If Washington looks to make an addition, it would look to a market with relatively few everyday regulars seemingly available. Among potentially available third basemen, Adrian Beltre of the Rangers is the clear prize — if he’s put up for sale. The Nats were reportedly “rebuffed” in an earlier inquiry, but Texas is said to have had eyes on Triple-A Syracuse last weekend. The second base market does not contain many names that appear to be likely fits, though Aaron Hill of the Diamondbacks could be a possibility. His Arizona teammate, Martin Prado, has spent time at both positions and has been mentioned as a possible fit.
Is this guy EVER healthy?
Nats have to make a move for a 2B-3B. Espinosa can’t hit RHP and Walters is unproven. Team is 2-4 since the injury, all in games the starting pitching has been lights out. Have also been shut out twice.
Jose Altuve would be perfect if he’s available
He has a high average and on base percentage, something the nats entire roster currently lacks aside from werth who is also injured right now
not available. Springer and Altuve are the future of Houston.
But Matt Dominguez might be available. Some pop, never gets on base, very good defense. It probably won’t cost WSN too much.
Very little chance they would move him.
I suppose at this point Altuve has pretty much established himself as atleast a top five 2nd basemen thus would require a king’s ransom.
Zobrist would be another player that would be a huge upgrade over any current Nats 2nd basemen though I’m not sure if the rays are still in selling mode given there recent win streak
Zobrist would be a great fit — I actually mentioned that a few weeks ago on the site (my speculation) — but that holds true for a lot of teams and it doesn’t seem like the Rays are likely to deal him at this point.
In part because there aren’t any really good pure rental options, I think any deal will be made with 2015 in mind as well. The Nats are fascinating b/c they have so many linked decisions — e.g., could ultimately part ways with either or both of Span and LaRoche in the offseason, with implications involving Zimmerman/Rendon and current/offseason acquisitions/promotions.
Maybe Rizzo will call up the Cubs and a deal involving the Nats young pitching and Starlin Castro could develop. Just a fun thought.
I’d be stunned, but late nights in the midst of the deadline market height are definitely the right time to be dreaming up such scenarios!
Getting twitter responses that this isn’t a trade rumor. It obviously has some impact on team needs going forward, and is therefore relevant. (Not that most of our readers needed to have that explained.)
Steven Souza jr for Nick Franklin couldn’t make more sense for both teams
Not sure that Franklin is enough of an immediate upgrade. My guess is they look for a more proven player, if anything.
This unfortunate development sure spices up the Nats deadline decision making. Their system is extremely top-heavy. Giolito is as untouchable as is gets. If they want to make a big splash I assume they will have to give up AJ Cole. They can give up lesser prospects for a less impactful upgrade.
Yeah, don’t see them moving Giolito, though you can be sure that’s who the Rangers would be after if discussing Beltre.
Depending on who they pursue, guys like Espinosa and (especially) Detwiler would have value and could be parted with. But that would only be part of a package, presumably.
What would it take to land beltre or possibly someone like an utley if he waives no trade clause
Probably Giolito as the center piece and I’d have to say some combination of Michael Taylor/AJ Cole/Blake Treinen/Taylor Hill/Taylor Jordan, etc.
Giolito is enough by himself, maybe alongside a lesser prospect imo.
There is no chance the Nationals would trade both Giolito and Taylor in the same trade unless it was for a young, long controllable upgrade.
Just can’t see the Phillies letting Utley go to the Nats to play against them for three years, and I don’t think they’ll trade him at all.
Beltre … that’s tough. He’s 35, but he’s really, really good, and his contract is very manageable. ($18MM next year, $16MM option for 2016 that is voidable if he is not fully healthy.)
Could see TEX standing on a demand for Giolito and maybe another one of the team’s better young players. Or a package of something like 3 of the best (give or take) non-Giolito prospects plus Detwiler. His age and price tag would hold it down somewhat, but he’s still a fairly elite player and I don’t think the Rangers want to deal him unless somebody brings a big offer.
Do either Luis Valbuena or Emilio Bonifacio make sense for Washington?
They would just go with what they have already over them IMO.
Guess it’s possible, but probably not. Valbuena’s been good but he’s having a career year and comes with control, so may be overpriced. And neither he nor Bonifacio have been more than average big leaguers at their best.
Espi/Walters/a little Frandsen is not the worst situation imaginable at second base — great defense, pop, grit, and plenty of matchup options. Don’t know that those guys add much to the equation.
The only untouchable in the Nats organization is Giolito, Rizzo will not trade him. After the 2015 season is over Fister and Zimmermann are free agents, I think Rizzo will try and sign 1 of them back to an extension. The other will probably sign elsewhere and the Nats will take the compensatory draft picks. Cole or Giolito will take that open spot made in the rotation. Cole is closer to the majors and doesn’t have as high a ceiling, he’s definitely tradeable as Rizzo has traded him before for gio Gonzalez.
I would argue Taylor and Goodwin are also on the untouchable list.
I am in no way a scout but I’ve gone to see both of them play and they can both be had in a trade do the right pieces. They both have a flaw in their game and obviously Rizzo wouldnt trade both but they are both centerfielders so you really only need one.
With the recent news that Cleveland would be willing to move Cabrera, I can’t help but wonder if he might be a fit for the Nationals at 2B.
Could probably get Juan uribe from dodgers for a prospect or pitcher
Hairston, Espinosa and McClouth for…. well, anyone with a heartbeat and the ability to fog a mirror.
Zimmerman is the new Chavez
Switch Rendon to third base to acquire Nick Franklin in a three way trade between the Mariners, Red Sox, and Nationals since Franklin can use a change of scenery playing in the National League on top of bring inexpensive of acquiring either of them.
Aaron Hill would not cost nearly that much. He’s been below average in all facets of the game this year and is still owed $24MM over the next two years. Factor in defense and baserunning, and he’s probably somewhere between a minor upgrade and a wash vis-a-vis Espinosa.
Not outside the realm of possibility, but if they added Hill, the D’backs would probably eat salary and get a marginal return.
Are the Mets still having trouble in the extension talks with Murphy? That would be a lot of guys coming into free agency in 2016, but next year would still look manageable.