Nationals Rumors

Nationals Notes: Storen, Dunn, Desmond

By Mark Polishuk | October 21, 2009 at 5:20pm CDT

MLB.com's Bill Ladson answered a few questions from fans about the D.C. nine today and here are a few of the more relevant details….

Ladson "could see" Drew Storen making the Nationals as the team's set-up man, in just the right-hander's second year of pro ball. Storen had a 1.95 ERA and an eye-popping 11.9 K/9 in 28 appearances for Washington's Single-A, Single-A advanced and Double-A teams last season after being taken 10th overall in the 2009 June Entry Draft.
Whatever Washington's rebuilding plans entail, they won't involve dealing Adam Dunn.
Ian Desmond and Justin Maxwell have yet to entirely prove themselves to Nationals management and "must have a great Spring Training" for either of them to even make the Opening Day roster, let alone get playing time.
Ladson thinks the Nats might at least inquire about Pedro Martinez if the future Hall-of-Famer becomes available in the off-season, but the price tag will likely be too high for Washington's taste.
Mark DeRosa's versatility is what would attract the Nationals most if they made a play for the veteran free agent.

Odds & Ends: Yankees, Cardinals, Astros

By Howard Megdal | October 21, 2009 at 4:51pm CDT

Here are some links to take you through the end of your workday, instead of, you know, working.

The Yankees aren't satisfied to simply win the 2009 World Series. They are concurrently planning to take 2010 as well, with Jon Heyman reporting that they are atop Matt Holliday's preferred list of teams, and Lohud.com's Chad Jennings writing that the Yankees should be meeting with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman soon, though GM Brian Cashman wouldn't confirm it.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Jason LaRue would be a good fit for the Cardinals in 2010, and breaks down the other catching candidates as well.
Manny Acta had his second interview for the Astros' managing job, while Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin are candidates to take Acta's former position as skipper for Washington.
Tim Wakefield had successful back surgery for the Red Sox, who have a number of 2010 contract options to consider, include Wakefield's. Alex Speier of WEEI.com runs it down nicely.
The Rays hired Derek Shelton as their new hitting coach. Shelton had been the hitting coach for Cleveland.
Former Mets' first base coach Tom Nieto is the new manager for Rochester, Minnesota's Triple-A farm team, among other minor-league hires.

Heyman On Jaramillo, Holliday, Mets, Nationals

By Luke Adams 2 | October 20, 2009 at 11:24pm CDT

11:24pm: Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com says the Cubs will announce the signing of Jaramillo tomorrow. The Cubs paid up for the hitting coach's services – three years, $2.42MM.

6:01pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman discusses a variety of hot stove topics in his latest column and in an appearance on WFAN, which Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog summarizes. Here are a few of Heyman's main points….

The Mets will be the main player for Matt Holliday, with the Giants and Braves in the mix as well. In addition to the Cardinals, the Red Sox and Yankees are also contenders for the star outfielder.
Rather than make a run at Roy Halladay, the Mets may be more inclined to sign free agents and keep their top prospects.
Intermin manager Jim Riggleman is the favorite to manage the Washington Nationals in 2010.
The Mariners' management is glad that Kenji Johjima opted out of his deal, since they "never thought much of him as a player." That's Heyman's quote, not anything from the team.
Rudy Jaramillo, who seems likely to become the Cubs' hitting coach, has had success working with Alfonso Soriano in the past. Heyman hears that Jaramillo will sign a multi-year deal with Chicago that will make him the highest-paid hitting coach in the league.

Nationals Notes: Manager, Desmond, Maxwell

By Luke Adams 2 | October 20, 2009 at 8:13pm CDT

Byron Kerr of MASN.com spoke to Washington Nationals interim manager Jim Riggleman, who is the favorite to manage the team in 2010, according to Jon Heyman. A few highlights of the conversation….

Riggleman indicates that the Nationals' managerial hunt is working around the playoff schedule, and that it will probably be after the World Series before a manager is named.
He suggests the Nationals could use another veteran starter.
He says that although they don't necessarily need to sign a big-name closer, Washington would benefit from some bullpen help.
Cristian Guzman's offseason progress is important. If he's not able to throw, the Nationals could look to add infielders, and it could mean more playing time for Ian Desmond.
Riggleman feels Justin Maxwell's spot on the 25-man roster is his to lose, and that Maxwell could start against lefties.

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Astros, Reds

By | October 17, 2009 at 4:29pm CDT

A few more items before the Angels and Yankees get underway in a cold and rainy New York City…

Dave Perkin of Baseball America dissects Stephen Strasburg's impressive Arizona Fall League debut. The 21-year-old right-hander, who signed a record rookie deal in August, threw 3 1/3 innings and induced eight groundball outs against the Scottsdale Scorpions on Friday evening.
Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin found time between NLCS games to interview Saturday for the Astros' managing vacancy. He later addressed the media, including MLB.com's Alyson Footer. "I think I have a wealth of experience after 40 years in baseball to draw on," said Mackanin. "…There's a good core of people [in Houston]."
According to C. Trent Rosecrans of CNATI.com, the Reds have named Bryan Price as their new pitching coach. Dick Pole's contract was not renewed after the Cincinnati pitching staff posted a 4.18 ERA in the 2009 regular season.

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Kikuchi, Rangers

By Mike Axisa | October 17, 2009 at 12:41pm CDT

Here's some links to check out while you hope the weather doesn't interfere with Game Two of the ALCS tonight…

Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com has the details on Stephen Strasburg's Arizona Fall League debut last night. ESPN's Keith Law also filled us in on some of the more impressive prospects playing out in the desert this year.
According to Kyodo News, Yusei Kikuchi "said on Saturday all 12 Japanese baseball clubs would be appealing, if he decides to play in Japan." Never a bad thing to keep your options open.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale says the Rangers will ask for one final bid next month, and "are expected to be sold for about $525 to $550 million."
Courtesy of Baseball America's latest minor league transactions, you can add about two-dozen players to the free agent pool. Among the notables: Billy Traber, Tony Graffanino, Adam Eaton, and Wilfredo Ledezma.

Odds & Ends: McCourts, Strasburg, Cotts

By Mark Polishuk | October 16, 2009 at 8:38pm CDT

Some tidbits from around baseball as we enjoy Game One of the ALCS…

Bill Shaikin and Harriet Ryan of the L.A. Times have some ominous news for Dodgers fans surrounding the separation of Frank and Jamie McCourt: his attorneys claim he is the sole owner of the Dodgers, while her lawyers say the team's ownership is split 50-50 between the soon-to-be ex-couple.
On the night of Stephen Strasburg's professional debut in the Arizona Fall League, Jack Magruder of the Washington Times notes that Strasburg won't pitch much in the AFL.
Reliever Neal Cotts doesn't know if the Cubs will non-tender him, but he is just focused on pitching somewhere in 2010 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July, reports MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel relates a nice anecdote about Craig Counsell to illustrate why he thinks the Brewers should bring back the veteran infielder in 2010.
MLB.com's Mychael Urban praised the young, talented and affordable Oakland bullpen in his ongoing team report card series.
Manny Acta and Bob Melvin "have to be 1-2" for the Houston manager's job thus far, says MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (via Twitter)

Odds & Ends: Pujols, Cubs, Strasburg, Wagner

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 16, 2009 at 3:01pm CDT

Another round of links for the afternoon…

The Cards were surprised to hear that Albert Pujols isn't thinking about a contract extension, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Cubs have now asked the Rangers for permission to speak with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
First overall pick Stephen Strasburg makes his AFL debut tonight, according to the AP (via ESPN).
Earlier in the week, the New York Post reported that Billy Wagner was leaning towards retirement. Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports this week that Wagner plans on playing next year.
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says there's no question: the Red Sox will enter Spring Training with at least five starters. Even if they pick up Tim Wakefield's option, as expected, they will likely add another arm.
The Brewers sent cash to the Reds to complete the David Weathers trade, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
Bobby Valentine side-stepped questions about the Marlins on 790 The Ticket this morning, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale says (via Twitter) that it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Padres hire Jed Hoyer or Jerry DiPoto to be the team's next GM.

Odds & Ends: Nationals, Cardinals, Rangers

By Howard Megdal | October 16, 2009 at 9:05am CDT

Still tired from last night's NLCS?

This should brighten your morning…

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo describes Jim Riggleman as "a terrific in-house candidate" for the managerial position.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak expressed "surprise" over Albert Pujols' lack of urgency to sign an extension.
NPB Tracker takes a look at possible acquisitions by the Hanshin Tigers, both from Japan and the United States.
The Rangers will begin meetings with groups interested in purchasing the team.
Carney Lansford, recently-fired hitting coach of the Giants, has some harsh departing words for San Francisco's hitters.
Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle thinks the McCourt divorce could lead to big trouble for the Dodgers.

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Nationals, Myers, Hudson

By Luke Adams 2 | October 15, 2009 at 9:01pm CDT

A slew of Thursday night links from around the majors….

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (via Twitter) that coveted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo appears likely to join the Chicago Cubs.
Byron Kerr of MASN.com doesn't expect Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to name a new manager until at least November. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the team will consider Chip Hale, Bobby Valentine, Bob Melvin, and perhaps Dave Duncan (if he's available), in addition to interim skipper Jim Riggleman.
Meanwhile, another managerial search continues in Houston. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com writes that candidate Ned Yost thinks he benefited from a year away from a baseball job.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com wonders if Brett Myers is done in Philadelphia. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that even though Myers didn't make the team's NLCS roster, that doesn't necessarily mean the righty won't be back in 2010.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that it doesn't sound like Will Clark will be a candidate for the San Francisco Giants' open hitting coach position.
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution follows up on the recent Tim Hudson speculation. O'Brien thinks the Braves and Hudson might be able to agree on a three-year deal worth about $27-30MM.
Eric Byrnes met with Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes and manager A.J. Hinch to discuss his future in Arizona, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.

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