Nationals Rumors

Nationals Plan To Hold Onto Willingham

By Mike Axisa | December 10, 2009 at 1:10am CDT

The Nationals plan to hold onto outfielder Josh Willingham, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Mets asked Washington who they'd want in exchange for The Hammer, but were apparently rebuffed.

The 30-year-old outfielder hit .260/.367/.496 with 24 homers in 502 plate appearances last season, and stands to get a nice raise over his $2.95MM salary in his second year of arbitration. Willingham is certainly no stranger to the trade rumor circuit.

Odds & Ends: Livan, Cameron, Matsui, Mulder

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 9, 2009 at 9:26pm CDT

Time for another round of links…

The Nats have "some" interest in Livan Hernandez, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
The Red Sox "appear interested" in Mike Cameron, according to Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal.
We know the Dodgers want pitching for Juan Pierre. Ned Colletti told SIRIUS XM radio that he'd accept a back-of-the-rotation pitcher, according to Diamond Leung.
Jon Greenberg of ESPN.com takes a look at the influence technology has on the Winter Meetings. Within the article, a Cubs exec calls Tim Dierkes his hero, so it's worth a read for that line alone.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman says the Curtis Granderson acquisition doesn't mean the Yankees can't bring back Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
Mike Scioscia told Lyle Spencer of MLB.com that the Angels would "definitely consider" Hideki Matsui.
Padres manager Bud Black expects Adrian Gonzalez to return to the Padres in 2010, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Brewers met with Mark Mulder's representation today. He's also drawing interest from the Royals, according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel.
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros only offered LaTroy Hawkins a one-year deal, so he signed with the Brewers.
The Orioles will meet with Aroldis Chapman's agents, though they remain "a longshot" to acquire the Cuban pitcher, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
MLB.com's Lyle Spencer confirms that the Angels still have interest in Chapman.
Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox have not spoken with Justin Duchscherer's agents since they met Sunday night. Apparently 11 teams are interested in Duchscherer.
Keith Law of ESPN.com says it makes sense for the Yankees to keep bringing Andy Pettitte back on one-year deals. Law doesn't mind the Randy Wolf deal, either.
There may come a time when the Cardinals have to force Matt Holliday's hand, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Twitter Rumors: Lyon, Holliday, Counsell

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 9, 2009 at 7:34pm CDT

Looking for more rumblings and analysis? These tidbits are all 140 characters or less…

The Rangers are talking to Jason Kendall, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. The Royals have made the veteran backstop a two-year offer.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says Brandon Lyon is asking for $9MM over two years. Speaking of Lyon, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com says the Phillies are pursuing him and Fernando Rodney with equal interest.
MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that the Blue Jays expressed interest in Craig Stammen. However, the Nats aren't likely to trade him.
Yahoo's Steve Henson hears that the Yankees will be strong players for Matt Holliday.
The Brewers still have interest in Craig Counsell, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the two sides met and continue to talk. He expects them to reach a deal.
The Indians have no money to spend, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Ruddy Lugo signed a minor league deal with the Tigers, according to Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com.
Arangure's colleague, Jayson Stark, has a similar update. The Dodgers could soon sign Jay Gibbons to a minor league deal.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn't consider Aroldis Chapman an option for the team's rotation next year, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. They'll still watch him throw in Houston, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
The Red Sox will be there too, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN.
MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that the Padres are considering some options in the Rule 5 draft.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark says the Royals inquired on Brett Gardner after the Yankees acquired Curtis Granderson.
The Phillies asked Cliff Lee's agent to fly to Indianapolis this week to discuss an extension, according to Scott Lauber of the Journal News.
You can expect the D'Backs to pursue Bob Howry, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.

Multiple Teams Eyeing Joel Pineiro

By Tim Dierkes | December 9, 2009 at 12:38pm CDT

Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets of six early suitors for free agent righty Joel Pineiro, who is perhaps now the best free agent starter available aside from John Lackey. Brown names the Yankees, Mets, Nationals, Cubs, Orioles, and Angels as interested teams. ESPN's Jayson Stark says Pineiro wants more than $10MM a year.

Pineiro had a fine 2009 season, using a sinker to get tons of groundballs and walking very few. But while he's a couple years younger than Randy Wolf, I can't see Pineiro getting a four-year deal. I think he'll be hard-pressed to get three. And regarding the Cubs' interest, I'd be surprised if they found the cash. The Yankees also seem unlikely.

Odds & Ends: Unit, Rhodes, Crisp, Valverde

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 8, 2009 at 10:36pm CDT

Twitter Rumors: Mets, Granderson, Matsui

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 8, 2009 at 7:26pm CDT

More links from Twitter. Be sure to follow MLBTR on Twitter for all your updates.

Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. tells Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he is not interested in Aroldis Chapman.
It doesn't look like the Reds will be spending big on a shortstop like Orlando Cabrera or Miguel Tejada, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
The Nationals see John Smoltz as a starter, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Ken Rosenthal says Smoltz could return to St. Louis.
John Lackey, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, Jon Garland and Doug Davis all have the Mets' attention, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The D'Backs will look to add a position player and solidify their bullpen now, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
The Red Sox discussed a Curtis Granderson trade with the Tigers, according to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe. Apparently, the Tigers wanted Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury (Michael Silverman reporting).
The Dodgers were interested in Jackson, but didn't want to meet the Tigers' asking price, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times.
The Dodgers like Paul Maholm, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins and Robb Quinlan may be a fit for one another. The Rockies are interested, too.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Marc Carig of the Star Ledger that he only has interest in Hideki Matsui as a DH.
Bobby Seay, Dusty Ryan and Jeff Larish are all available in trades, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Nationals Sign Jerry Owens

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 8, 2009 at 5:00pm CDT

The Nationals signed Jerry Owens to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The 28-year-old outfielder has a .625 OPS in parts of four MLB seasons. Owens, who stole 32 bases for the White Sox two seasons ago, will compete for a roster spot in Spring Training.

Nationals Interested In Vicente Padilla

By Tim Dierkes | December 8, 2009 at 4:38pm CDT

The Nationals have interest in free agent pitcher Vicente Padilla, writes Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post. The Dodgers appear to have some interest in re-signing Padilla to a one-year deal, but we haven't heard much otherwise.

Padilla, 32, was released by the Rangers in August. He signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers and pitched well in nine starts (two of which were in the postseason). The Nationals have also been connected to starters Jon Garland and John Smoltz in previous reports.

Nationals May Non-Tender Mike MacDougal

By Tim Dierkes | December 8, 2009 at 10:17am CDT

ESPN's Jayson Stark tweets that he's hearing there's a good chance the Nationals non-tender reliever Mike MacDougal. The Nats acquired Brian Bruney yesterday, and will give him a chance to win the closer job.

Non-tendering MacDougal would be wise. After earning $2.65MM in 2009, his agent can argue for a decent raise on the basis of his 20 saves in 21 opportunities. Since MacDougal walked 38 and struck out 34 in his 54.3 innings, he's not a good bet to repeat his success in 2010.

Nationals To Sign Ivan Rodriguez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 8, 2009 at 9:30am CDT

9:30am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes that this contract "immediately prompted questions within the industry." Scott Boras just has a knack for getting teams to overpay, as you know.

TUESDAY, 12:09am: Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says the deal pays Pudge $2.5-3MM per season.

11:41pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson says it's almost certain that Wil Nieves will be non-tendered now.

11:30pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (via e-mail) that the deal is done, pending a physical.

MONDAY, 11:20pm: The Nationals agreed to sign Ivan Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $6MM, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. The Rangers will obtain a supplementary rounder in next year's draft because Pudge signed elsewhere after they offered arbitration.

This is a coup for Scott Boras: a multi-year deal for a 38-year-old catcher in a market filled with comparable options. Pudge hit .249/.280/.382 for the Rangers and Astros last year.

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