The Nationals have made multiple extension offers to third baseman Anthony Rendon, GM Mike Rizzo told reporters (including Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com), with Rizzo noting that both sides have interest in a long-term deal. Rendon is entering the final year of his contract, and he put himself in line for a major payday after his strong numbers in 2017-18. Extending Rendon would add yet another big contract on the Nationals’ long-term books, and between locking up Rendon and signing Patrick Corbin to a six-year, $140MM pact, it would seem that Washington could be pricing itself out of Bryce Harper’s market. More on that and other Nats-related topics here…
- After Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner recently commented that the team’s ten-year, $300MM offer to Harper would be its best and final offer for the star outfielder, Scott Boras (Harper’s agent) was in touch with the team expressing concern about Lerner’s statement, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports. Specifically, Boras had some dismay that Lerner had violated league rules about how teams can publicly discuss contract talks with players, though Boras hadn’t contacted the MLBPA about the situation. Janes outlines how Lerner’s statement didn’t technically breach the rule, though “even those within the Nationals organization were a little surprised to see their new controlling owner speak with such candor.” Regardless of what has or hasn’t been said, however, Boras said on Monday that his negotiations about Harper and the Nats will be with family patriarch Ted Lerner, a relationship that has paved the way for many Boras client to land in Washington over the years.
- The Nationals are looking for a first base complement to Ryan Zimmerman that is also capable of playing second base, MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman writes. This player would spell Zimmerman occasionally or take over at first base entirely if Zimmerman was injured, while under normal circumstances playing second base a few times per week (with Howie Kendrick and Wilmer Difo also being in the mix). Zuckerman speculates on a few names that would fit this description, ranging from Marwin Gonzalez to less-pricey options like Daniel Descalso, Neil Walker, Derek Dietrich, or Yangervis Solarte.
I thought Harper was going to stay a Nat. So much for that! Hahahahaha
Yankees!!
Scott, please talk directly to Ted. Your relationship with him has been building exactly to this moment. I don’t want my baby to go, even if it makes all of the sense in the world for him to walk. Talk to Ted and get the deal done.
The fact that Boras can go over the head of both the sorta owner as well as the GM / #1 baseball guy is why the Nationals will never win the big one.
Being open to paying a kings ransom to Bryce Harper, yet not giving Rizzo the authority to pay the going rate for experienced managers to bring in Bud Black to manage 2 years ago is the epitome of “penny wise pound foolish”. The Nationals problem for at least 5 years has been the inability to bring along pitchers. They have to buy them in free agency and trade for them…..with most flaming out within a year or two. Black could have helped there.
I know that Mike Rizzo sees the Nationals as his baby, loves the area and fans. But if an owner or ownership group of even a middling market team would see its way to give him a decent budget and the authority to run baseball ops without interference……..
I’m a Rizzo fan and he has a decent budget. Nationals have are top 10 in payroll the last 3 years and the Lerner’s just shelled out 140 mil to Corbin.
Boras says a lot of things and you should believe any of them.
I realize the winter meetings have just begun but so far watching MLB network has been like watching paint dry. Very boring.
Don’t fall for Boras BS MLB!
I hope Ted tells Boras he needs to talk to Mark.
He added “Go Yankees” so his comment wouldn’t get removed
Go Yankees
You forgot 1 pest.
Thanks for the quick damage control
I noticed that
Children must play
I wish MLBTR stop ignoring the harassment…
The Fake accounts is getting a little personal..
Go yankees
Big fan of his
Go yankees
MLBTR is officially being taken over by the worlds entire grade 8 population it seems.
Thank xabial for this. Without him none of us would be here
Go yankees
Grade 8! I remember grade 8. Learned about Geometry and Biology. Was fun. Go Yankees.
Just like the White House.
It was taken over by 8th graders years ago. These are those same clowns, only now they are graduating high school and these people are entering the real world. Scary.
Nope, Xabial isn’t the problem. It’s the 10 of you who bait and add absolutely no dialogue or meaningful comments whatsoever.
Look at the ones that think Ocasio Cortez is intelligent
We’re doomed.
@baseball1600
You should remember 8th grade. It was just a few years ago.
JD, thanks for transmitting the Truth!
Lmao, MYRS, I’ve been out of 8th grade for a while now. The Yankee threads or any threads containing Xabial help me feel like an 8th grader again, so thanks for this. Helps keep my mind off real life.
@Dodge it’s more like “graduating college” I first went on MLBTR in 2014 fresh off when the Giants won their title. I was in the middle of grade 11. I don’t see why “high schoolers” and “college students” aren’t allowed to post their opinions, many of them are demonetized and demoralized on these threads because of age. Xabial himself is a college student, many high schoolers are on these threads. I only troll towards the Yankee fanboys Slevin, Pinstripes, and MYRS. Xabial is just someone I have fun with.
xabial – someone wants to be you now! Must be nice to be loved.
“Boras said on Monday that his negotiations about Harper and the Nats will be with family patriarch Ted Lerner”
I’m not sure telling the principal owner that you’re going over his head to tell his dad on him is a winning long-term move.
Boras has been running that franchise for years.
Big big fan of Daniel Murphy!!! Come on Nats. Bring him back home.
They will and at an inflated salary if he’s a Boras client…….
Who cares if he can barley play 1B, and is a butcher at 2B.
“This player would spell Zimmerman occasionally or take over at first base entirely if Zimmerman was injured, while under normal circumstances playing second base a few times per week”
How about a reunion with Daniel Murphy? He also fits a L/R platoon with Zimmerman.
What they don’t want to pay $300 million for a self hyped overrated hippie? Wow imagine doing something WISE and moving on.
Hippie?
Could Murphy fit in there?
Harper to the Cubs! Theo is working on ways to shed payroll and add Harper.
Can he pitch?
The last day of the season offer has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard for an outgoing stud free agent. If he made it that far you think he’s signing on the last day for a deal that’s projected way less than he’ll get. Lol. Just idiotic and so they can tell their fans they tried. Pathetic
Can anyone explain the legality of the owner’s comments on Harper’s offer?
I heard the interview. Lerner said that they had made their best offer and that he doesn’t expect Harper to return to DC. He went on to say that Harper feels like part of the family, after seven years in the organization and that there are no hard feelings. They’re happy for him.
IDK what the “violation” was. Maybe the fact that he pretty much said they are no longer negotiating? I’m sure Boras wants every team to think that he has 29 other offers on the table.
As much as I’d like to see Matt Adams return and platoon with Zimmerman at 1B, the idea of a guy that can start at 2B and also back up Zimmerman at 1B makes a lot of sense.
To the redsoxs for couple of prospects and and bogey or JBJ