Speaking to reporters Sunday, Nationals president/general manager Mike Rizzo acknowledged that now-traded middle infielder Danny Espinosa would have been “frustrated” as a bench player. The executive downplayed the notion that sending Espinosa to the Angels on Saturday had anything to do with the 29-year-old’s reported discontent with a diminished role, however. According to Rizzo, he didn’t speak with either Espinosa or his agent after the team acquired outfielder Adam Eaton on Wednesday, and he added that the Espinosa deal had been in the works for a while. “I have no beef or problem with Danny Espinosa. Never have,” said Rizzo. “And I still consider him a good player that gave everything he had” (all Twitter links via Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post, Chelsea Janes of the Post and Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com).
Here’s more on the reigning NL East champions:
- Trea Turner’s emergence as a rookie last season was one of the factors that ultimately made Espinosa expendable, but the up-and-coming star didn’t expect the veteran to go anywhere. “Little surprised, he was a big part of us last year,” Turner told Zuckerman. “But I think that’s direction we’re heading after Eaton trade.” Turner’s a natural shortstop, though he saw action there in just two of 75 games in 2016 because of Espinosa’s presence. The 23-year-old is now set to move back to his typical position next season after mostly working in center field (45 games) and at second base (28 games) in 2016. “I think that’s where I’m most comfortable,” Turner said regarding shortstop. “I look forward to proving that I can play there at a high level” (Twitter links).
- Washington is one of the teams in the race for the best pitcher remaining on the free agent market, closer Kenley Jansen, and Rizzo revealed Sunday that he and the longtime Dodger’s agent have stayed in touch throughout the offseason. Other options are under consideration, though, per Rizzo (Twitter link via Janes). Those options could perhaps include the White Sox’s David Robertson and the Rays’ Alex Colome – two closers whom the Nats have pursued via trade.
- Right-hander Stephen Strasburg slider/cutter was his second-most-used pitch in 2016 (he threw it 17.1 percent of the time), tweets Jamal Collier of MLB.com. However, Strasburg will rely less on the pitch going forward because he believes it put too much stress on his arm during an injury-shortened campaign, he said Sunday. Strasburg inked a seven-year, $175MM extension in May, but he subsequently landed on the disabled list multiple times – once because of elbow soreness in late August. He then returned from his elbow ailment for one start, a Sept. 7 outing in which tossed 2 1/3 innings, before missing the rest of the season with a flexor mass strain. Fortunately, Strasburg expects to be fine for 2017 (Twitter links via Janes and Zuckerman).
That Strasburg deal…..I’ll say it again like I said back in May, there’d better be a massive health insurance policy attached to it. He’s a remarkable talent, but those mechanics have always given me pause.
Espinosa is a great defender, but man, the guy seemed like jerk. Not attending FanFest is just the most recent example of his purported arrogance and controversial personality. By all reports, him and Werth were the two main clubhouse organizers in seeing that Matt Williams was out the door at the end of 2015. Additionally, the dude always whined when he didn’t start and refused – very similar to Ian Desmond – to alter his swing in any way, no matter the situation. Whether it’s 0-0, 2-0, 3-1, 0-2, 1-2, Espinosa swings out of his shoes and always goes for the 800 foot, 6-run HR. Don’t bother trying to coach the guy, it’s clear he thinks he’s the best player on the field, bar none.
Espinosa was getting a physical in LA. The Nats and Espinosa knew he was getting traded.prior to the event.,
Source?
Am I missing something? Is FanFest Mandatory? Why shouldn’t he think he’s the best player on the field? Maybe that’s what got him to the ML’s. BTW… Majority of BIG Leaguers aren’t coachable.
He shouldnt think that because its a joke for him to think that at this level. Other levels, he may have been. Doing that now just hurts the team. Its not his job to be the best player and play hero. Get on base and stop swinging out of your shoes. Maybe thinking he is the best is whats preventing him from making actual changes.
THANKS Natsgm! Way to tell a Big leaguer what he shouldn’t
Players with tons of talent aren’t coachable because they don’t need it. That however doesn’t make up most of the league.
So what you’re saying is, he DOES change his swing when the count is 2-2?
If Robertson is traded to Washington, who are they going to get? I doubt Robles or Fedde. Maybe the Sox will ask for the ballpark naming rights. LOL
like Juan Soto and Joan Baez. Robertson doesn’t have huge value.
Haha, I think every GM in baseball would like a chance to fleece Rizzo and the Nats. He should spread the wealth to other teams. He already severely overpaid for a RFer who already proved in 2015 to be a horrible CFer. Maybe he’ll trade Bryce for Robertson and move Eaton to his preferred RF. Haha, Rizzo is a joke, he’ll be fired soon.
Hmm…… The same GM who pulled off the trade for the decade? Can’t win them all. Turner and Ross for a bag of balls was HUGE!!!!!!! Turner for #mvp
At the time, it seemed SS signed his extension too soon with the thin market this off-season.
But with the injuries, I doubt he would have topped that.
This is just a bad move by a bad organization. We don’t need to make it difficult, it’s really just that simple.