Nationals Rumors

Nationals DFA Julian Tavarez

By | July 19, 2009 at 5:16pm CDT

MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports the Nationals have designated right-hander Julian Tavarez for assignment.

Tavarez, a true journeyman at this point in his career, had a 4.89 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP in 35 innings with the Nats. He's 35, but a club desperate for bullpen depth might decide to give him a shot. Either that, or he'll end up back at Washington's Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse.

Odds & Ends: Holliday, Kearns, Pirates, Padres

By Mike Axisa | July 17, 2009 at 8:05pm CDT

A few more Friday night links…

AOL Fanhouse's Jeff Fletcher tweets that the Braves are "not involved with the A's on Matt Holliday."
Bill Ladson of MLB.com mentions that there doesn't seem to be any takers for Austin Kearns, who has gotten just 17 plate appearances in the team's last 22 games.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington says that the contract extension talks with Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez need "to be resolved quickly, one way or the other," according to Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tibune-Review.
Andy Marks of The Star Banner notes that the Padres aren't close to signing fourth rounder Keyvius Sampson, who was a borderline first round talent in last month's amateur draft.
ESPN's Keith Law wrote about some players we'll see on Thursday's Cape Cod League All Star Game. The Cape is the nation's premier amateur summer league, and features some of the very best players available in next year's draft.

Chapman, Darvish And Strasburg

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 17, 2009 at 1:58pm CDT

Aroldis Chapman, Yu Darvish and Stephen Strasburg "represent the best pitching talent in the world that is not yet in the major leagues," so ESPN.com's Keith Law grades the trio of pitchers. Here's his take on each one:

Aroldis Chapman is a 21-year-old lefty who just defected from Cuba. He relies on a fastball that touches 100 mph and has the makings of a good slider. That combination could make him a top reliever and better secondary stuff could help him realize his ceiling and become a top starter.
Yu Darvish is a 22-year-old righty who pitches in the NPB and has said he doesn't think about pitching in the States. He relies mostly on a low-90s fastball and a slider, but has other pitches. Right now, Law says Darvish could do better in the majors than the other two pitchers because of his deeper repertoire and experience against top competition.
When the Nats selected Stephen Strasburg first overall in last month's draft, they got a pitcher who can touch 100 mph and throws a power curve. Law suspects that minor leaguers won't hit the 20-year-old righty, so he may have to learn in the majors. Of the three pitchers, Law says Strasburg is the best long-term choice to become an elite starter.

Odds And Ends: Lowell, Girardi, Pirates

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 17, 2009 at 11:00am CDT

Some links to read through this morning…

Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Red Sox will evaluate Mike Lowell's health tonight before deciding whether to pursue the likes of Garrett Atkins and Nick Johnson.
Sherman wonders what will happen to Joe Girardi if the Yankees miss the playoffs for a second straight year.
The Pirates have discussed the financial side of possible extensions for Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson, but only in general terms according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star says Julio Lugo would have been easier to acquire and probably more productive than current Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.
New manager, same result. The Nats lost their first game under interim skipper Jim Riggleman.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the MLB draft is broken and explains why he thinks teams should be allowed to trade picks.
ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. says the Dodgers are one of the teams relying on psychological data to select and handle their players.

Teams Interested In Johnson, Harris

By Mike Axisa | July 16, 2009 at 8:38pm CDT

MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that while he's readily available, the Nationals are asking for too much in return for first baseman Nick Johnson.Teams are just not willing to give up their top young players for the injury prone Johnson, even though he's hitting .305-.413-.425 on the season. He'll also be a free agent at the end of the year, another reason teams are reluctant to meet the Nats demands.

Ladson also mentions that "contending teams" have expressed interest in utility man Willie Harris. Capable of playing just about everywhere except pitcher and catcher, Harris is hitting .253-.370-..430 in 190 plate appearances this season.

Odds And Ends: Strasburg, Huff, Pedro

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 15, 2009 at 2:24pm CDT

Some links to read through this afternoon…

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Nats "absolutely, positively must sign" Stephen Strasburg this summer. The Strasburg saga is just one of Crasnick's nine stories to watch in the second half.
Stan McNeal of the Sporting News says a fringe prospect should be enough for the O's to ship Aubrey Huff and his $8MM salary away.
Pedro Martinez said he was pitching hurt with the Mets, but feels better now, according to the AP (via ESPN).
Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues says the Yankees would have to be prepared to give up a painful amount in a possible Roy Halladay deal.
Pirates reliever Tyler Yates had Tommy John surgery, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Check out my thoughts on the market for outfielders this offseason at NESN.com. Evans Clinchy of NESN.com believes it's now time for the Red Sox to lock Jason Bay up.

Heyman On GMs, Mulder, Bay, Reds

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 15, 2009 at 12:50pm CDT

SI.com's Jon Heyman identifies the GMs facing the most pressure heading into the second half of the season and passes along some rumors, too:

Despite "occasional rumblings" about Omar Minaya's job security, injuries are to blame for the Mets' disappointing start, so Minaya's bosses aren't about to blame him for the season.
The Nats plan on hiring a permanent GM soon and acting GM Mike Rizzo is in the running for the position.
Giants GM Brian Sabean saved one of his best showings for his walk year. He's put together a playoff contender and a talented crop of minor leaguers just as his deal's about to expire.
Royals GM Dayton Moore and Braves GM Frank Wren are expected to have some time to work with.
It doesn't look like Indians GM Mark Shapiro will ascend to club president this year.
Heyman likes the Phillies' acquisition of Pedro Martinez.
Mark Mulder could be the next pitcher to sign, as he's 95% ready, according to his agent.
Heyman thinks the Red Sox will be able to lock Jason Bay up once they start talking extension.
Look for the Reds to continue their hunt for outfielders.

Stephen Strasburg Update

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 14, 2009 at 4:48pm CDT

Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post says Stephen Strasburg hasn't heard from the Nationals since they drafted him last month. He's received nothing more than a minor league contract offer, which the Nats have to present as a formality. Though Strasburg seemed "a bit perplexed" by the slow pace of negotiations, the Nationals aren't expected to sign the first overall pick and Golden Spikes Award winner this month.

Boswell says the Nats, who are now under the uncertain leadership of an interim GM and an interim manager, can't afford to "poke themselves in the eye" by making an offer that agent Scott Boras refutes publicly. However, they don't want to alienate their top pick by failing to communicate.

Odds And Ends: Sano, Gonzalez, Royals

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 14, 2009 at 4:14pm CDT

Here's some more reading material for the afternoon…

ESPN.com's Buster Olney runs through his first half surprises, including Ben Zobrist and the Tigers. He also says Roy Halladay and the Phillies are a perfect fit.
As Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Miguel Angel Sano's future is still up in the air. The Orioles and Pirates and the favorites to sign the Dominican shortstop, but the Twins, Rangers and a couple other teams could still be interested.
Adrian Gonzalez told WEEI.com's Alex Speier that winning matters most of all to him. Gonzalez is one of the players Speier looks at as potential fits in Boston, along with Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez.
Here, Speier says Tim Wakefield has been one of the best bargains in baseball since 2002.
Cameron Smith of the Washington Post says B.J. Ryan could be a nice addition for the Cubs.
Dave Sheinin of the Post reports that Bud Selig said the Nats are "on the right track."
Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star says Royals GM Dayton Moore needs a better grasp of the game's statistical side.

Odds And Ends: Chapman, Nats, Buehrle

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 13, 2009 at 2:43pm CDT

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