Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo appeared on today’s Baseball Tonight Podcast with Buster Olney (audio link) to discuss an number of topics, ranging from Ryan Zimmerman‘s return to prominence in the National League to his team’s plans at the trade deadline to his own personal philosophies on making trades (Rizzo joins the show at roughly the 26-minute mark, though the entire podcast is a good listen).
The Nationals, of course, lost standout young shortstop Trea Turner for the foreseeable future last week when the 23-year-old suffered a nondisplaced fracture in his right wrist after being hit by a pitch. However, while there’s been some speculation about the Nats pursuing a trade for a shortstop (including some from myself here on MLBTR), Rizzo threw cold water on that notion.
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked by Olney if the Nationals would pursue shortstop help outside the organization. “Right now, we like the leadership, and we like the veteran presence that Stephen Drew gives us. He’s a very competent, steady defensive shortstop. … We know we have to protect his legs. He’s got the ankle issue that he’s had for a couple years now. We think with the combination, the mixing and matching that Dusty [Baker] will do with Stephen Drew and with [Wilmer] Difo, I think that we can weather the storm until Trea gets back.”
Of course, it wouldn’t exactly behoove Rizzo to broadcast that his team is actively seeking shortstop assistance, so perhaps he’s a bit more open then he let on. A number of shortstops (or at least shortstop-capable players) figure to be available, including Zack Cozart, Jed Lowrie and Eduardo Nunez.
Then again, Rizzo also had no reservations in acknowledging that he not only plans to seek bullpen help but has already actively been doing so. While the Washington GM characterized his current status as “testing the market,” he added that he’s already spoken to a number of GMs around the league to see where they’re at in the process.
“It’s no secret that we’re going to be looking for upgrades in the bullpen,” Rizzo stated. “With that said, people aren’t going to want to help us out of the goodness of their hearts. We’re going to have to see what deal makes sense for us in the long-term and short-term, and see if we can do our part, do my part, to improve this bullpen.”
Whether that means acquiring a top-end closer or simply bolstering the ‘pen with one or more quality setup types remains to be seen and is “going to be a fluid decision,” as Rizzo characterized the matter. “The good thing is that we have a good team and we know what our flaws are,” he added. “They’re pretty clear. We’re going to have a strategy to see if we can improve it.”
As for a timeline of a move, Rizzo expressed an openness to getting something done in the near future but also suggested that other clubs may not be on that timeline just yet.
“I’ve always been willing to move,” he stated. “When I see a deal that I like, that works for us, I’m willing to make a move. I don’t need a lot of conversations or meetings with our staff. I’m constantly in conversations with my people. … I hate wasting other GMs’ time with deals that never come to fruition. For every deal you do, there’s 20 deals that you put just as much work into and don’t get done. To me, the most frustrating thing is if we were to talk about a trade, and I’m serious about the trade, and then it falls through and all this work is done, then that’s bad business for both guys.”
Olney suggested to Rizzo, however, that a number of people to whom he’s spoken are anticipating a late-moving trade market in 2017 due to the extreme level of parity in the American League. The Rays currently hold the second Wild Card spot in the AL, for instance, but there are six teams within two games of staking that claim. Rizzo agreed with the sentiment, suggesting that even though some contenders may be willing to move right now, other teams are going to “take most of that month of July to assess where [they’re] at and what [their] ownership wants to do.”
The entire interview with Rizzo spans about 10 minutes and includes insight into his strategies and tactics when negotiating with other clubs as well as his own assessment of the 2017 Nationals. It’s well worth checking out for Nats fans but also anyone who closely follows trades in baseball, as Rizzo’s thoughts on doing business with other clubs offer interesting perspective into the life of a GM this time of year.
Justin Wilson, Alex Wilson, Shane Greene andJose Iglesias all make sense for the Nationals. Tigers and Nationals should try and make a trade.
This is the Nats – they will wait until you DFA them, then anoint them as closer until they don’t.
Iglesias is the only one in that group I would be interested in.
Both of them are pretty decent relievers (Wilson’s) and Justin would do as a closer in a pinch for the Nat’s.. He’s not bad compared to what they have in their pen right now.
Boston can give them Fernando Abad for anything also. He’ll give them outs and is buried at the bottom of their pen.
Actually, The Nats could use Justin Wilson and Alex Avila and they would be the best Tigers to acquire for any team.
You obviously have no clue how good Justin Wilson is because he’s a lights out LHP who will be in high demand.
Lol yeah try Nunez at short, see how that works
“As for a timeline of a (bullpen) move, Rizzo expressed an openness to getting something done in the near future but also suggested that other clubs may not be on that timeline just yet.”
Clearly, that timeline does not involve the White Sox in regards to closer David Robertson or some other bullpen piece that might benefit the Nationals. The perceived value of those pieces is another matter altogether.
Btw-The White Sox may also have a couple of versatile infield assets that may interest the Nats as the trade deadline approaches. Yolmer Sanchez and Tyler Saladino can each play SS in addition to backing up at 2B and 3B. Sanchez is having a career year as the White Sox primary second baseman but his days there are numbered with top prospect Yoan Moncada’s likely promotion later this month. Saladino, who is probably the better defensive SS ot the two, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in AAA this week and figures to be activated from the disabled list soon after. Each could be an added component in a potential expanded deal for Robertson as the deadline nears.
I’m still shocked they didn’t include Robertson in the Eaton deal.
Can’t know for sure, but I doubt there was a second team that was offering a package like that for Eaton, and given Robertson’s performance last season, his age, and the money owed to him, I feel like they probably could have secured him by throwing in a few mid-level prospects.
They tried to get both. Hahn said it had to be separate deals. Then they agreed to a DRob deal in ST, which was nixed by Nats ownership.
It has been reported that at the time of the Eaton trade, the Nationals and White Sox had a separate deal in place of: David Robertson + $12M to the Nationals with Jesus Luzardo and Drew Ward going to the White Sox. The deal was vetoed at Nats ownership level b/c of the remaining salary obligations to Robertson. Robertson would probably cost the Nats more now (prospects or less/no salary offset).
Saladino!?
Can’t stay healthy and – .200/.302/.273 with terrible baserunning.
Saladino also put up comparable numbers during the second half of last season when he replaced the injured Brett Lawrie at 2B to what Yolmer Sanchez has produced in the same role this year. Again, he might be a cheap short term option to replace the injured Trey Turner, provides additional infield bench depth and be a potential add-on to help facilitate a bigger trade involving closer David Robertson.
Sanchez himself might also be an option but lacks the arm strength of Saladino at SS. Both Saladino and Sanchez are versatile “grunt” type players that could provide value to any contender.
With their salary sitting at around 177mln the question is how much they can add to it. Because a guy like Madson or Robertson wouldn’t cost them a lot of prospects, but with the luxury tax they might decide to sacrifice prospects for guys like Hand or Doolittle.
Perhaps. You can also add Tiger southpaw Justin Wilson to that list. The question with him, Hand and Doolittle might be whether the Nats would trust them to close games down the stretch and into the postseason with their limited experience in that role. Do they envision Wilson or Hand as the next Andrew Miller?
The guy they will aqcuire will clearly be their best guy in the bullpen, so if I were the Nationals I’d clearly be using them when needed most. Perhaps they will try to get both Madson and Doolittle from Oakland, but as an A’s fan I’d want a lot in return. I want to have a feeling the A’s will be a better team next year after this trade. I don’t think the Nats will trade Robles, maybe a package led by Feede could do it. I think adding just one guy might not be enough for them, the Giants though Melancon would solve all their bullpen problems, but now the Giants are not a contender and he is injured.
Robertson is averaging 13.20 k/9, 3 bb/9, and all the pitching estimators say he’s around a 3.00. Robertson won’t come cheap cause he’s already been paid roughly half his 12 mill salary this year so Nats would only be responsible for 6 mill and comes with a 13 mill option next year.
Madson is averaging 8.54 k/9, 1.65 bb/9 and pitching estimators put him under a 3. He’s made roughly half his 7.7 salary meaning the Nats would be on the hook for about 3.9 mill this season and 7.7 next.
Those two won’t be as cheap as you think. The White Sox and Athletics would want a good return to part with both as they always have the option to hold on to them and deal them at the winter meetings during the off season.
Well, I think its hard to expect something more than a guy like Soto or Stephenson, these guys could have signed with anyone, but the Nats didn’t sign them then. So it is admitting that other team did a good move. And the salary loss is important for these teams that are trading relievers, the A’s for example could really be starting to think about signing Lorenzo Cain in the offseason.
Nats will get the quality of bullpen help they pay for in prospects. Incredible offense and weak division has helped them be patient with that train wreck, but unfortunately for them better caliber prospect like Soto needs to be on the table to get necessary arms to feel better against Dodgers/Cubs, etc. Hope it’s the Sox for Robertson and Kahnle, but if not, sure plenty of clubs with alternatives close or better will want similar prospect value.
The Red Sox also need bullpen help and I bet there could be other teams interested, so there should be suitors for good bullpen guys even if the Nats decide to trade with the Padres or A’s.
Sign Alexei Ramirez
Not that they should ever do this deal but the Mets and nats actually make sense. The two biggest needs for the nats are short stop and closer. Cabrera and reed for victor robles. Boom.
Ha. Those two meh players for a top 10 prospect?
To get quality you have to give up quality
If you want to give up quantity… here is insert 4 worst prospects in the marlins/angels/Os system
not even close in value robels without fetch way more hrs one of the top 10 prospects in the league!
While I think the Nats could be a match for Reed, Cabrera is a significant downgrade from even Steven Drew. I don’t see any value at all for Cabrera.
This is throwing something against the wall to see if it sticks- trade for Verlander and make him the closer?
I like that idea for Verlander. I actually see him being a closer to close out his career.
The only issue is his contract. Either Detroit eats a ton of money in a deal or the acquiring team WAY over-pays for an unproven reliever.
Who was the last reliever to make 28 mm/yr? I just don’t see that. I think we’ll try to move Verlander, but I doubt anyone is looking at him as a relief pitcher.
Nats targets on the Detroit roster have to be J Wilson(maybe A Wilson or S Greene… or longshot B Rondon). And if he was bluffing about looking for a SS, Iggy or Dixon Machado.
Only one of them I see bringing in anything resembling a decent prospect is Justin Wilson
Call Huntington about Niciaso and Watson.
I agree with Rizzo this will probably be a late market. Next week is the all-star break. With so many American League teams around .500 it’s almost a game of chicken. Which ones will blink first and start selling or down out it?. Teams like L.A, Houston, Wash, even Col and Az can afford to wait to fill their holes until there are clearly more sellers.
The Nat’s owners killed the deal for Robertson before the season began I don’t see them as the type to change their minds now. Wash. will add arms to their bullpen just not expensive arms
Robertson and Quintana have been on the market all year and so far clubs have said no, despite starters and relievers going down. That tells me that clubs are not willing to pay the asking price. After the season might be a different story.
Well
I’d have to imagine some of the pieces for teams that will be traded will be during all star break
Especially those that plan on trading their lone all star
I figure Preller will be trading Hand after the all star game. And give as much time as necessary for Cahill and Solarte to sort out the injuries. But Preller doesnt have to trade Hand or Solarte- he can wait till the off season to do such. Cahill Chacin Richard have to go though. Everyone else can be shopped during the off season.
If the Nats really want Hand Fedde and Kieboom are two pieces the padres would want plus 1 or 2 more pieces like Watson and maybe someone else- otherwise Preller will either A. Take the best deal or B. Wait till the offseason to deal him with more suitors. Hand won’t be cheap given his year and a half success as a reliever with the ability to face R and L handed batters plus cheap team control.
Yes I agree
He is the lone all star
They won’t trade their lone all star until after the game
Possibly during the break
The nl or al east would be a good place for him
He would have a chance to see his family more often since they live in Florida
Hand won’t be traded until after the All Star game unless the Padres are overwhelmed with prospects.
Fedde and Kieboom would be enough to get Hand. A top 50 prospect and a another very good prospect. Not sure the Nationals will want to give up two of their top 4 prospects though. The Padres reportedly asked for Torres for Hand in talks with the Yankees, so Preller could be asking for more than Fedde and Kieboom.
More often than not, the competitive pressure among contenders to strike a deal as the clock winds down toward the trade deadline will net a seller their best yield of talent. No similar deadline exists during the offseason.
If the Twins fall out, Kinzler could be a target. He isn’t a huge strikeout threat, but he has gotten the job done over the last two years. He would also come at a fraction of the cost.
exactly he weighs be a great set up guy in a pen and is a rental
Madson and Lowrie for a fringe top 10 prospect.
Yep. Go big or don’t go at all. If Nats get a big time closer they’ll have as good a chance as anyone. If they go their typical route see you next spring.
Nats lost out on Drob because of salary and now the White Sox raised the price?
If I’m the Nats and salary is a concern if your gonna be forced to deal one or two of your your teams top ten prospects you reach out to the Yankees.
You offer two top ten and another top 20 prospect to the Yanks for Betances who is 28yo and his contract is perfect for Nats!
The Yanks can then try and deal a few prospects for Drob since they are not afraid to necessarily add money with big contracts coming off the books this year and no big contracts to resign! Of course Betances is much better then Drob at this point!
But the Yanks can continue their semi rebuild while contend philosophy as Drob will be the new set up man and the Nats get a young cost effective closer who has been an all star every year of his career. Nats Fans wouldn’t be that upset giving up some high end prospects to get an arm like Betances. I’m not so sure Yankee fans will love the idea but adding some more prospects to turn around and maybe make a few deals while not hurting your farm system makes sense since any Yankee fan can admit that the Yanks while exciting are not the Nats or Houston or Dodgers or Boston and one starter is not changing that!
I thought they could go after Herrera from the royals
How about they get Herrera from the royals or Madson
Reach out to Yanks
Betances 28yo
All Star every year
Great contract
Nats fans wouldn’t go nuts dealing two top 10 prospects and another top 20!
Betances is much more valuable then Drob based on production, age, cost!
Why would Yanks do this?
Rebuild while contend. Turn around and deal lesser prospects for Drob as they can afford to take info tract as they have expiring contracts!
Yankee fans have face the fact they are not Houston, Boston, Nats, and Dodgers and they are more then one starter and one lefty bullpen piece away!
This deal makes allot of sense for both teams!
Sorry about double post
The first didn’t go through until now?
My bad people!
I see two moves the Nationals could make which would potentially be logical deals.
For me, the first is to call up Rizzo’s old buddy Billy Beane and trade:
Nats: Sean Doolittle
A’s:Juan Soto
Carter Kieboom
Austin Voth
Rafael Bautista
Since Doolittle comes with multiple years of control the Nats have to give up 4 top 15 prospects, including 2 top 100 prospects. It hurts, but any trade will ultimately hurt.
The other selection I think will come at a bit cheaper price tag.
Nats get Pat Neshek
Phillies get P Joan Baez and 3B Anderson Franco
The problem remains you’re giving up all that and Doolittle has done little over the last three years to show he’s durable. That’s a huge package of depletion to hope he’s going to go to the post down the stretch. If I’m the Nats and I’m giving up that package Doolittle would have to come with.a guy like Madson. I can’t cross my fingers and hope in Doolittle’s track record.
WAYYYY too much for a guy that has never shown he can stay healthy. If I am Nats I hang up the phone on you if you make that offer. Maybe Kieboom and a couple of other lower level prospects. Maybe a high upside, high-velocity guy like Baez and a more projectable guy like Watson.
Nats fans, would you do this deal?
Nats get: David Robertson and $3M
White Sox get: Juan Soto, Jesus Luzardo and Tyler Watson
The Nats get their closer and only pay him roughly $16M over the next season and a half.
The White Sox may be asking for more than that right now, I’m not sure, but to me this is a fair deal considering where the Nats bullpen stands right now.
I think the Sox would need to eat more than $3M to get a deal done, and if the prospect coming back is Soto, I don’t think they’ll have a problem with that.
As a Sox fan I ask if we can get better prospects why not eat all DRobs salary? I bunch of money comes off the books next year I think