The Nationals have announced the signing of infielder Brendan Ryan to a minor league deal. He’ll receive an invitation to major league camp.
It’s been something of an odd offseason thus far for the 33-year-old veteran, who kicked things off by exercising a $1MM player option with the Yankees. But he found himself dealt to the Cubs along with Adam Warren in exchange for Starlin Castro, only to be released shortly thereafter by Chicago — indicating that the organization took on his salary as part of the financial maneuvering in that swap.
Ryan will enter a crowded infield situation in D.C., which already has added fellow former Yankee middle infielder Stephen Drew and second baseman Daniel Murphy this winter. And the Nats already feature Anthony Rendon, Danny Espinosa, and prospects such as Trea Turner and Wilmer Difo.
But the Nationals have a history of trusting roster spots to solid veterans, and Ryan could still have something to offer as a depth option in the team’s utility mix. He only slashed .201/.244/.271 while battling injuries over two seasons in New York and has never really done much at the plate. But Ryan rated as an immensely valuable defender when he featured as a regular shortstop and is capable of playing anywhere in the infield dirt.
Yankees when healthy have best pitching staff in the AL
That’s adorable.
Best bullpen, maybe. Best pitching staff? They don’t even have a #1 or #2 pitcher on their staff.
Tanaka is not a #2? And best bullpen? Most likely, not maybe. Having three of the best five relievers in the game will do that for you.
Bettances has been worked like a mule and Miller had forearm strain last year they may be two of the best but their is a real reason Chapman was brought in, Yankees have more injury concern than any team I’d say. If all 3 stay healthy with out a doubt they are the best but that is a pretty big if.
Only Miller missed time last year. I don’t think Chapman did, but I’m not certain. Chapman was brought in because he was acquired cheaply and it created a three-headed monster in the back of the pen. Not sure why it’s a “pretty big if” that all three stay healthy. They aren’t injury-prone. In that case, can’t we say the same about any pen out there?
No pitcher is injury prone before his first TJ
see Kansas city royals
The Royals have the best reliever, but i dont see how their bullpen as a whole is better
Bullpen maybe. Pitching staff? sorry. I don’t think anyone will agree with you there.
Having watched him for 2+ years with the Yankees, where he got into a total of 113 games, I would day he’s a competent backup-late inning replacement. But I would not characterize him as an “immensely valuable defender” unless he shows something as a regular that’s not really been there the last couple of years.
I said he was an immensely valuable defender when he was a regular SS. Which he was. Just reflecting an element of what made him valuable and where his skill was at his peak.
Any chance the Nats are interested in Ellsbury, lol?
Baseball123 you should take that act to a comedy club.