Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Nationals Rumors

Odds & Ends: Huff, Posey, Lewis, Yankees, Johnson

By | at

Congratulations to Dallas Braden on throwing the 19th perfect game in MLB history.  Let's check out some links from around the web..

Nationals Designate Matt Chico For Assignment

By | at

11:22am: In an update to his blog post, Goessling has quotes from GM Mike Rizzo on the move.  Rizzo explains that it was necessary to DFA Chico in order to put him in the minors because he was on the major league squad for just one day.  He added that there is zero risk of the club losing the 26-year-old.

10:30am: The Nationals have designated pitcher Matt Chico for assignment, though he will soon return to the club's 40-man roster, writes Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com.  The move is concurrent with Washington's purchase of Doug Slaten's contract from Triple-A Syracuse.  

Chico, 26, made his first big league appearance in nearly two years when he got the start against the Marlins yesterday.  In five innings, Chico allowed two runs, registered three strikeouts, and didn't walk any batters.  

Slaten has been golden in 17 Triple-A innings this season.  The 30-year-old has not allowed a single run while racking up 17 strikeouts with just one walk.  In 126 career big league outings, the lefty has a 3.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.

Goessling adds that he is unsure as to why Chico is being DFA'd only to be retained.  Nats GM Mike Rizzo is scheduled to give a more detailed explanation of the move later this morning.

Berkman Willing To Waive No-Trade Clause

By | at

7:59pm: Berkman shared his side of the conversation he had with GM Ed Wade, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:

"I'm not demanding to be traded," the five-time All-Star said. "I'm perfectly content to be a Houston Astro. We were just talking hypothetical."

McTaggart also points out that Berkman has said several times in recent years that he would be willing to waive his full no-trade clause if the situation was right.

5:48pm: Some within the Astros believe that Berkman may be trying to employ reverse psychology in an effort to pressure the club into picking up his option, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Houston owner Drayton McLane is not a fan of giving up on seasons or trading away veteran players.

Meanwhile, GM Ed Wade doesn't seem terribly concerned about Berkman's comments.  He recounted the conversation he had with the outfielder last night:

"Don’t worry about it, players have every right to make whatever comments they want to the media. Focus on showing up and winning tomorrow."

The 34-year-old is hitting .213/.327/.404 with 2 HRs in 55 plate appearances this season.

10:28am: Lance Berkman would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if the Astros approach him with a deal to a contender later this season, reports Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle.  Berkman explained his feelings:

"If it was me and I was running the show here, if we didn't make a great comeback like we did in '05 and be sort of around .500 by the All-Star break, I'd try to trade every veteran I could to reload.  That's the quickest way you're going to be able to reload and get it going in the right direction.  As a player, if they came to me and said, 'Hey, we've got a deal to go to a contender,' I'd take it. Heck, it's only a three- or four-month deal. It's not like I'm signing on for 10 years with another team."

Berkman opined that the Astros should try to avoid what he calls "baseball purgatory — where you're not really getting young and you're not really (competing). Where you're in this deal where every year you're signing a marginal veteran and you just never get in the mix."

Berkman's "take one for the team" approach to his no-trade clause is an interesting position, as a few months ago he talked about taking his ball and going home if the Astros didn't exercise his $15MM club option for 2011 after the season.  He does still prefer to retire an Astro.

As I mentioned yesterday, quitting on a season is not the Astros' style.  But Berkman, even at age 34 and coming off knee surgery, could give a contender an offensive boost while saving the Astros over $5MM.  The Red Sox, A's, White Sox, and Mariners could be fits if Berkman is open to DHing, while it's more difficult to find an NL contender with a first base opening.  Perhaps the Braves, depending on how Troy Glaus is doing a month or two from now.

Dunn Doesn’t Think There Have Been Contract Talks

By | at

Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn doesn't think that there have been discussions about a contract extension between his agent and the club, writes Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post.  Dunn explained that he cannot be certain as he does not concern himself with contract matters.

Earlier today, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com wrote that someone familiar with the Nationals' way of thinking expects Adam Dunn to return to Washington in 2011, though not necessarily via an in-season extension.

Kilgore points out that Dunn's defense has improved this season, as evidenced by his -5.7 UZR/150.  This is a marked improvement over his career average UZR/150 of -19.8 at first base.  Meanwhile, after a slow start at the plate this season, Dunn is now hitting .231/.386/.484 with 5 HRs in 114 plate appearances.

Dunn, 30, is set to earn $12MM this season on the back end of a two-year, $20MM pact.

Odds & Ends: Marlins, Pena, Jeter, Angels, Prior

By | at

Links for Thursday..

Stark On Gordon, Dunn, Lowell

By | at

The five most untradeable contracts in baseball?  ESPN's Jayson Stark's poll of baseball executives say it's Alfonso Soriano, Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner, Carlos Lee, and Barry Zito.  Hard to argue; check out our Bad Contract Swap Meet from last year for a look at other ugly deals.  It was interesting to see Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kosuke Fukudome nab honorable mentions in Stark's poll.  On to his other rumblings…

  • Stark's conversations led to repeated mentions of the new collective bargaining agreement, which will go into effect in December of 2011.  The uncertainty will have an impact – will 2011 draftees lack leverage, knowing that a slotting system could be installed the following year?  Does it make sense to worry about Super Two status for Mike Stanton now, when that provision might not exist in 2012?
  • Teams have kicked the tires on Alex Gordon, but the Royals have no interest in trading him.  MLBTR's Luke Adams led a discussion post on Gordon yesterday.
  • The Dodgers are scouring the trade market for starting pitching, while the Royals and Phillies seek bullpen help.  The Mariners and Braves are trying to add offense.  The Diamondbacks are actually more interested in starting pitching than relief, and are expected to have Chris Snyder available once Miguel Montero returns.
  • A "baseball man familiar with the Nationals' thinking" expects Adam Dunn to return in 2011, though not necessarily via an in-season extension.
  • A friend of Mike Lowell tells Stark the third baseman would love to play for the Twins or Angels if the Red Sox plan to trade him.
  • The Phillies have recently adopted a stance against full no-trade clauses, which is reflected in the Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard extensions.

Could The Nationals Be Trade Deadline Buyers?

By | at

The Nationals are off to a 14-13 start, which puts them two games behind the Phillies in the NL East.  However, based on their runs scored and allowed totals, the Nationals project to finish with 72 wins.  If they can hang around in contention for another month, should the Nats add reinforcements for an unexpected playoff run?

The Nationals' rotation has a 5.19 ERA, third-worst in the NL.  Their starters are averaging only 5.32 innings per outing.  If Livan Hernandez comes back to Earth (0.99 ERA in 36.3 innings), they could be in really bad shape.  Multiple starters are already on the way:

  • Jason Marquis, dealing with bone chips in his elbow, is on a throwing program according to MASN's Ben Goessling.
  • Goessling says Jordan Zimmermann, Chien-Ming Wang, and Ross Detwiler will all begin rehab assignments several weeks from now, with Detwiler being the closest.  While the reports are promising and we should see these three in the second half, it'd be unwise to rely on them.
  • Stephen Strasburg could join the big club in June (and avoid Super Two status), giving the team a potential ace.
  • The Nationals' rotation could really use a shot in the arm right now as opposed to June or July.  They could try to sign Pedro Martinez or Jarrod Washburn, but the free agents would need weeks to be big league ready.  In May only a couple of teams will be realistic about their playoff chances.  Potentially, the Orioles or Indians could be willing to deal.  Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, and Jake Westbrook might be available. 
  • The Nationals' bullpen has been respectable, and Drew Storen was promoted to Triple A a week ago.

How about the offense?  At 4.30 runs scored per game, the Nats rank 13th in the NL.  They're lacking at second base, where Cristian Guzman and Adam Kennedy have combined for a .261/.284/.351 line.  Dan Uggla would be a huge addition, but it's hard to picture the Marlins making that deal right now.  Ty Wigginton might be easier to acquire.  Right field has been a bigger problem, with a .157/.294/.326 aggregate performance.  The Nationals acknowledged this a month ago upon releasing Elijah Dukes, as they inquired on Corey Hart, Kosuke Fukudome, and B.J. Upton in trade talks and had discussions with free agents Gary Sheffield and Jermaine Dye.  Sheffield or Dye would require sacrificing defense for offense.  Another name to consider could be the Royals' David DeJesus.

Nationals Not Considering Tim Chambers

By | at

WEDNESDAY, 4:18pm: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said the team is not considering Chambers for a scouting job, tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

TUESDAY, 6:02pm: The Nationals are working to hire College of Southern Nevada coach Tim Chambers as a scout, reports SI.com's Jon Heyman. Chambers, of course, currently coaches Bryce Harper, who Washington is expected to take with the first overall pick in next month's draft.

Despite the connection to Harper, assistant GM Roy Clark insists that the hiring is unrelated, pointed out that he employed Chambers for a decade while he was with the Braves. Heyman mentions that many college coaches are employed by MLB teams as associate scouts, and that it's possible the Nats were impressed with Chambers during their many visits to see Harper.

Yesterday we heard that Harper and Scott Boras were expected to demand a contract in excess of Stephen Strasburg's $15.1MM deal, the all-time draft record. Nats' GM Mike Rizzo recently scouted Harper in person for the first time.

Capps, Kelly Johnson Under Team Control For 2011

By | at

Matt Capps and Kelly Johnson signed one-year deals during the offseason, yet they're both under team control for 2011 as well.  How did that happen?  It's the beauty of signing a non-tendered player who has fewer than five years of service time.  Both players will be arbitration-eligible after the 2010 season.

Capps, closing for the Nationals, was named MLB's Delivery Man of the Month for April after saving ten games with a 0.68 ERA.  The Pirates non-tendered Capps after the '09 season, signing Octavio Dotel for the same $3.5MM.  The Bucs have a $4.5MM club option on Dotel, so they've got two years of control for their new closer.  The difference is that Dotel's option becomes mutual if he's traded.  Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette feels that the Pirates could've signed both pitchers, and a comparison of the two misses the point.

Johnson is off to a blazing .301/.389/.677 start in 108 plate appearances, his nine home runs already exceeding last year's total.  Much like Capps, the Braves couldn't find a trade suitor and cut Johnson loose for nothing.  They're happy with Johnson's replacement Martin Prado, who's off to a .337/.397/.452 start.  In hindsight, could the Braves have moved Johnson back to left field and thrown him into the mix?  Melky Cabrera and Matt Diaz looked like solid options heading into the season.

Injured pitchers Chien-Ming Wang and Jose Arredondo were also non-tenders.  The Nationals can control Wang for 2011, while the Reds can keep Arredondo through 2014.

Odds & Ends: Crawford, Raynor, Lackey, Strasburg

By | at

Links for Tuesday, as Tim Lincecum reclaims the MLB strikeout lead…

  • Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times spoke to Crawford, who said he was misquoted in the upcoming Sports Illustrated piece mentioned below. "Nothing's changed, no decisions," he said. "I don't know what Carlos [Pena] is doing.''
  • Pirates' GM Neil Huntington told Chuck Finder of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he tried to made a deal with the Marlins that would allow Rule 5 pick John Raynor to remain with the Pirates, but to no avail. Raynor was returned to Florida today.
  • John Lackey said he wasn't surprised when the Angels let him depart as a free agent given their trade record with letting home grown players leave, according to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles. "It's different," said Lackey. "The way they preach the team game and giving it up for the team. That's a little suspect. You're supposed to give it up for the team. When the time comes, they might not want to give it up for you. But I totally knew that was a possibility. I was prepared for that. That's the nature of the game today."
  • Stephen Strasburg has been promoted and will make his Triple A debut Friday against Freddie Freeman and the Gwinnett Braves, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.  ESPN's Rob Neyer notes that Strasburg seems to be on the Mark Prior path to the bigs, perhaps delayed a few weeks for cost savings.
  • MASN's Ben Goessling says Nats 2006 first-round pick Colton Willems has decided to retire.  The team has the pitcher on the restricted list in case he changes his mind.
  • An upcoming Sports lllustrated piece on Carlos Pena features this quote from Carl Crawford: "This core group is going to still be together, me and Carlos are the only two guys that are going to be leaving."
  • The Royals granted reliever Roman Colon his release so he can sign with the Kia Tigers of Korea, according to the team.  Just three months ago, Colon and Juan Cruz were in the mix to be Joakim Soria's primary setup man.  The Royals' bullpen sports an AL-worst 5.56 ERA in 81 innings.
  • White Sox GM Kenny Williams wouldn't rule out a fire sale at a later date, but said the team's aggressive nature will probably prevent it (Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reporting).
  • ESPN's Buster Olney explains that his Saturday story about Cliff Lee being likely to reach free agency was prompted by a call Olney made to Lee's agent.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Blue Jays attempted to sign Kelly Johnson to play left field during the offseason, offering more than the $2.35MM Johnson received from Arizona.  Johnson told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic in March that he strongly considered offers from the Blue Jays, Pirates, and Indians.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out that the upon acquiring Javier Vazquez, the Yankees considered two 2011 draft picks part of the deal.  Already, Vazquez's Type A status and arbitration offer are in question.  We'll be able to give you Vazquez's exact Elias standing later this month, when Eddie Bajek makes his first pass at 2009-10 rankings.
  • Dejan Kovacevic's latest article for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests the Pirates were overly optimistic about Akinori Iwamura, currently their highest-paid player.
  • Click here to listen to my radio appearance on KFNS St. Louis from earlier today.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top