Nationals Rumors

Odds & Ends: Alvarez, Strasburg, Church, Rays

By Zachary Links | March 20, 2010 at 9:18pm CDT

Links for Saturday…

Pirates' GM Neal Huntington said that Pedro Alvarez will remain in the minors so he can get more at-bats against lefthanded pitchers, though Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentions that it could have to do with pushing his service time clock back.
ESPN's Keith Law broke down Stephen Strasburg's demotion to the minors, and says that "what he does need to improve is only going to improve in the big leagues."
Ryan Church spoke to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo about his opportunity with the Pirates, saying that "It's either reestablish yourself and be one of the main guys or just be a fourth outfielder from here on out."
Rays Executive VP Andrew Friedman says the club will explore internal and external options to replace J.P. Howell, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Tampa Bay hopes to have the lefty back by May.
Most players never shed the dreaded "4A" label, but the Pirates' Garrett Jones did, writes Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
Tom Tango will be a big part of the Blue Jays' front office, writes Robert Cribb of The Toronto Star.
Indians closer Kerry Wood could miss up to two months with a strained back muscle. Brady Gardiner of SIRIUS XM tweets that this is a blessing for the Tribe as Wood's option for 2011 likely will not vest. The 32-year-old would make $11MM in '11 with 55 games finished in 2010.
Dodgers manager Joe Torre has confidence in Ronnie Belliard's ability to play first base, writes Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. This will likely leave first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz on the outside looking in as he jostles with Garrett Anderson for the club's left-handed pinch hitting spot. However, Belliard still must weigh in at 209 pounds or less at some point during Spring Training to guarantee his deal.
At the age of 47, Jamie Moyer has no interest in retiring, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN. Moyer is entering the final season of a two-year, $13MM deal.

Nationals Option Strasburg To Double-A

By Mike Axisa | March 20, 2010 at 10:19am CDT

The Nationals have optioned 2009 first overall pick Stephen Strasburg to Double-A Harrisburg according to a team press release. He performed as expected in Spring Training, striking out 12 and allowing just two runs in nine innings pitched.

Strasburg would have to remain in the minors for approximately two weeks to have his free agency pushed back one year, and about two months to push his arbitration years back. His salaries are already set for the next three years by the Major League contract he signed out of the draft, so in 2013 the Nats would not be able to offer him less than 80% of the $3MM he will earn in 2012, even if he is still in his pre-arbitration years.

ESPN's Keith Law has also mentioned that the Nationals could be helping out their minor league affiliates, as a Strasburg start would surely drive up attendance.

Dunn Has No Deadline For Extension Talks

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 19, 2010 at 4:09pm CDT

Adam Dunn doesn't want extension talks to drag into the summer, but he doesn't have a deadline and would be open to continuing discussions once the season starts, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Dunn makes $12MM in the last year of the two-year $20MM deal he signed last offseason. He would like to work out an extension, but says he's flexible to a point.

"If we are close to getting something done and it drags on for a couple into the season, OK," Dunn said. "But I don't want it to drag on until the All-Star Break or things like that."

He'd prefer not to hear his name in trade rumors this summer, but hasn't given Nats GM Mike Rizzo a firm date by which the possible extension must be finalized.

"It's not a deadline," Dunn said. "There is progress being made, but I don't want distractions during the season."

Like Dunn, Rizzo doesn't see Opening Day as a hard, fast deadline for an extension. Rizzo characterized talks between the two sides as "amicable and upbeat" yesterday.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Jays, Bell, Davis, Dunn

By Mike Axisa | March 19, 2010 at 11:10am CDT

On this date in 2002, the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network launched. Although the regional network barely broke even that year, YES has gone on to generate millions in revenue, much of which goes right into the Yankees' pockets. As recently as 2008, there was talk that the network was worth more than the team itself.

After you wrap your head around that, here are some links to check out from around the baseball blogosphere…

The Baseball Opinion says that the Adeiny Hechevarria signing caps off an impressive offseason for new GM Alex Anthopoulos.
The Friarhood examines the trade market for Padres' closer Heath Bell.
Phillies Nation has some fun with internal discussions after the Albert Pujols–Ryan Howard rumors.
DRays Bay wonders if Andy Sonnanstine will start the season in Tampa's rotation so they can send Wade Davis to the minors and push his service time clock back.
Around The Majors wonders if the Nationals should really be trying to sign Adam Dunn to a contract extension.
The Dodgerhater says that Sergio Romo and Dan Runzler are the key to San Francisco's bullpen this year.
Bronx Bombers Beat wonders if Robinson Cano can take that next step towards being a middle of the order hitter for a team with some aging core hitters.
SPANdemonium looks at some players drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft who have already had an impact in the big leagues.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Odds & Ends: Lo Duca, Pujols, Strasburg, Guzman

By Tim Dierkes | March 18, 2010 at 2:35pm CDT

Links for Thursday…

The Mariners watched free agent catcher Paul Lo Duca this spring, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch weighed in on the Cardinals' Albert Pujols extension situation in his chat yesterday. Strauss gives a 75% chance Pujols remains a Cardinal for life.
Using Tim Lincecum for comparison, Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post estimates delaying Stephen Strasburg's Nationals debut until late May could save the team $18MM.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told MASN's Ben Goessling that while he considers all trade possibilities, he's "certainly, certainly not" trying to trade Cristian Guzman.

Blue Jays Return Zinicola To Nationals

By Tim Dierkes | March 18, 2010 at 12:46pm CDT

The Blue Jays were forced to return Rule 5 righty Zech Zinicola to the Nationals, reports MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Bastian learned that the Blue Jays attempted to work out a trade with the Nats, but Washington declined and instead paid the $25K to get Zinicola back. The 25-year-old Zinicola posted a 5.33 ERA, 7.8 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9 in 54 minor league innings last year. Two years ago, Baseball America suggested Zinicola "has the stuff to be a late inning reliever in the Majors, but he needs to be more consistent with his command and mental approach."

Bastian notes that at least eight pitchers are still vying for four Toronto bullpen spots, and Merkin Valdez, Shawn Camp, and Dana Eveland might have a leg up because they're out of options.

Rizzo Optimistic About Dunn Extension

By Tim Dierkes | March 18, 2010 at 11:40am CDT

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told MASN's Ben Goessling yesterday that extension talks with Adam Dunn's agent Greg Genske are "amicable and upbeat." The two sides have met since the beginning of Spring Training. Rizzo does not consider Opening Day a hard-and-fast deadline.

Dunn, 30, hit .267/.398/.529 in 668 plate appearances for the '09 Nationals, logging 540 innings at first base and 685 in the outfield. He's set to earn $12MM as he enters the second year of a two-year contract. In the opinion of Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post, a three-year, $40MM extension would be a win for the Nats.

Rizzo spoke very fondly of Dunn to MLB.com's Bill Ladson in February, even suggesting the slugger has a shot at the Hall of Fame. Rizzo said Dunn will work hard to become an average defender at first base.

Odds & Ends: Guzman, Sonnanstine, Jukich

By Tim Dierkes | March 17, 2010 at 9:15pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

The Mets have no interest in trading for Cristian Guzman, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Guzman could have played shortstop in New York while the Mets wait for Jose Reyes to get healthy.
Dave Allen at FanGraphs thinks the Rays should use Andy Sonnanstine as a long reliever to start the season with an eye towards trading him if something comes up. Sonnanstine is going to get squeezed out of Tampa's rotation in a numbers crunch, but he has minor league options remaining.
The Cardinals are in trade talks with the Reds in hopes of keeping Rule 5 lefty Ben Jukich, reports Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Indians signed righty Justin Germano to a minor league deal, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Germano, 27, posted a 4.38 ERA, 4.97 K/9, and 1.18 BB/9 in 76 innings for the Softbank Hawks last year.
After working out for the Diamondbacks, Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo will audition for at least four more teams according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Dan O'Dowd told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times he hopes Troy Tulowitzki retires a Rockie.
Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues explains why he does not expect the Yankees to sign Joe Mauer even if the superstar catcher reaches free agency.
Kiko Calero received calls from a dozen teams this winter, reports Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News.
Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner finds Seattle to be lacking in middle infield depth.

Nationals Have Not Discussed Jermaine Dye

By Tim Dierkes | March 17, 2010 at 1:35pm CDT

1:35pm: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that "the Nationals will consider looking outside the organization for a replacement, although the team has not discussed free agent Jermaine Dye." Those are Kilgore's words, to be clear.

12:58pm: The Nationals strangely released Elijah Dukes for baseball reasons earlier today, opening up their right field job. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, they have interest in free agent Jermaine Dye as a potential replacement. The Nats are also mulling platoons involving Justin Maxwell, Willie Harris, and Mike Morse.

Dukes is an injury-prone 25-year-old with a .262/.364/.446 CHONE projection; it's still unclear why the Nationals are giving up on him now. As recently as February 20th, GM Mike Rizzo spoke of hope for "the re-emergence of a productive Dukes." Regardless, it's good news for Dye, who's still out of a job after turning down $3MM and $2MM offers during the winter.

Nationals Release Elijah Dukes

By Tim Dierkes | March 17, 2010 at 9:11am CDT

The Nationals released outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a team press release. According to a tweet from MASN's Ben Goessling, the move had nothing to do with off-the-field issues. This is very surprising news, as Dukes projected as the team's starting right fielder and has a minor league option left. Goessling talked to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, who said the team made many attempts to trade Dukes but could not find an interested team (Twitter link). Dukes' time with Washington was marked by injuries and a disappointing '09 season.

Dukes, 25, hit .250/.337/.393 in 416 plate appearances last year, playing a below-average right and center field (according to UZR). He also played 22 games in the minors. Dukes has avoided off-the-field problems since Jim Bowden acquired him from the Rays in December of '07, with a June '08 dugout confrontation with Manny Acta probably his worst offense. Just a couple of weeks ago Goessling noted that the Nationals had "taken the reins off Dukes — letting his personal adviser go and allowing him more freedom with the media."

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