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Nats Swap Langerhans For Mike Morse

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Pete McElroy informs us that the Nationals have sent Ryan Langerhans to the Mariners in exchange for Mike Morse.

Morse, 27, was a third-round pick by the White Sox in the 2000 draft. He was off to a fine .312/.370/.481 start in the Pacific Coast League this season, and has managed a .300 batting average in 107 career major league games.

Langerhans, 29, has been posting a nice season at the Triple-A level as well, hitting .278/.371/.488 with 9 home runs on the year.

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times confirms the deal and says that Langerhans will likely be a part of the big league club starting this Tuesday.

Interestingly, during a chat that Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik held with fans a few days ago, one reader suggested making a move to acquire Langerhans. Zduriencik's reply: "Good suggestion."

Nationals Scouting Outfield Options?

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Talks have swirled this weekend about the Nationals' pursuit of Pirates CF Nyjer Morgan, but it looks like he's not the only outfielder on the team's radar. Bill Ladson at MLB.com has updated his previous post on the discussions, and this time he throws Braves CF prospect Jordan Schafer's name into the mix as a potential target for the Nats.

Ladson says the Nationals are seeking an improvement in their outfield defense, as they have apparently concluded that Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham profile more as designated hitters and Elijah Dukes still makes too many mental errors. Schafer was sent down earlier this season to make room for Nate McLouth, but it isn't clear if the Braves would be willing to move him.

It seems like the Nats are looking for a young, cost-controlled and speedy outfielder as well as a defensively adept one. Who else comes to mind that might be attainable for the Nationals?

Pirates, Nationals Discussing Swap

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SATURDAY, 3:51pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson has confirmed through a source that the Nationals are in hot pursuit of Morgan.  Milledge was offered, but the Pirates are seeking a starting pitcher or middle infielder.

Washington infielders Alberto Gonzalez and Danny Espinosa probably aren't going anywhere, and the Nats seem to like their young nucleus of starters (mainly Stammen, Jordan Zimmermann and John Lannan).  Ladson suggests Anderson Hernandez could be part of the move, but he surely won't "wow" Pittsburgh's upper management.

FRIDAY, 9:58pm: Via Twitter, Ed Price of Fanhouse.com says the Pirates and Nationals have been discussing an outfield swap of Nyjer Morgan for Lastings Milledge but that talks stalled when Pittsburgh asked for right handed starter Craig Stammen as well.

Milledge is currently recovering from a broken finger sustained in Triple-A. Morgan is having a fine breakout season hitting .267 with 18 stolen bases; however, Pittsburgh has a glut of up-and-coming outfielders in Andrew McCutchen, Delwyn Young, and Steven Pearce.

What To Do With Hanrahan?

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Pete McElroy of MASN Sports thinks the Nationals should consider moving Joel Hanrahan. Since Hanrahan is out of options, this would mean either designating him for assignment or outright releasing him.

McElroy sees Hanrahan without confidence on the mound. Despite a more than a strikeout per inning, the former Dodgers top pitching prospect has a 7.71 ERA and lost the closers gig twice in '09 and shown no improvement. Perhaps a change of scenery would be best?

Nationals Team President On Acta

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According to Chico Harlan and Mike Viera of the Washington Post, Nationals team president Stan Kasten "gave his firmest-yet support" of Manny Acta during a speaking engagement Wednesday afternoon, expressing hope that he can "serve as long-term manager" for the club.

"In Manny's case, I happen to be a big fan of his," Kasten said.  "I think he has the demeanor to be a long-term solution as a manager.  He has the demeanor of a Bobby Cox and others who have been successful.  I had this great talk around the batting cage last night with Terry Francona, the young, possibly genius manager of the Boston Red Sox.  And I said, 'Terry, I remember when you were a dummy as manager of the Phillies.'  And he says, 'Stan, I promise you, I'm still a dummy, I just have better players.'  It's so true.  And I have always from the beginning supported Manny.  I can't predict whether it will work here, but I think he will.  I think he's going to serve as a long-term manager here.  That's my hope."

As some of you may remember, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal heard from a source two weeks ago that the Nats would cut ties with Acta on June 15.  SI.com's Jon Heyman confirmed the report hours later, but that date passed without a whimper and Acta still remains the skipper in Washington. The Nats are 20-49 this season, 17 games back in the National League East.

Stark On Lee, DeRosa, Phillies, Rays, Beltre

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Jayson Stark of ESPN.com calls this one of the slowest-moving trade markets in a while, but provides lots of rumors anyways:

  • Teams are making introductory calls now to set the tone for the next five weeks.
  • One official looking to add a reliever says no one is available.
  • With so few teams willing to part with players, sellers are asking for a lot.
  • The Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are among the teams to call about Cliff Lee. The Indians would still have to be overwhelmed to part with him.
  • The Cubs have considered trying to reacquire Mark DeRosa.
  • They've also done some preliminary searching for a bat, but they're not sure where they'd play a new hitter so that gives the versatile DeRosa extra appeal.
  • Stark's heard nothing to suggest Bobby Valentine will end up managing the Nationals.
  • The Phillies have given indications that they'd part with Michael Taylor and/or Jason Donald in a deal for a top starter.
  • However, they won't listen on these players: Dominic Brown, Lou Marson, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo.
  • Doug Davis and Ian Snell aren't Phillies targets.
  • The Rays are looking for long-term upgrades. They'd like to acquire "the next J.P. Howell."
  • They're asking about young corner outfielders, rather than Jermaine Dye types.
  • Pedro Martinez still wants a $5MM salary (prorated) plus incentives, so don't expect him to sign soon.
  • The Reds have the best minor leaguers in the division and some could become trade chips.
  • The Mets checked in on Garrett Atkins.
  • Tony Reagins believes 2009 free agent Vladimir Guerrero can still hit.
  • At least one scout can't imagine Adrian Beltre being traded. Makes sense, given his shoulder injury and contract.

Odds And Ends: Belliard, Atkins, Ayala

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Some links to peruse as we await the baseball equivalent of the Shaq trade…

Heyman On Strasburg, Pedro, DeRosa

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Jon Heyman of SI.com lists some of the best and worst starts to the season. Justin Upton and Marco Scutaro are two of the players to make the first list. Heyman's also got some rumors to pass along; here they are:

  • It is believed that Stephen Strasburg's people don't want him to pitch in the majors this year.
  • Strasburg's agent, Scott Boras, is believed to have mentioned Jose Contreras, who signed for $32MM, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who signed for $52MM, as comparable players.
  • It doesn't sound like former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker will end up as the Nationals' next GM, though the Nats are said to be considering names other than Mike Rizzo's for the permanent job. 
  • Heyman says a Doug Davis return to Milwaukee could make sense. 
  • The Rays would like to add a closer without adding payroll, which will be a challenge.
  • Rays GM Andrew Friedman hasn't ruled out Pedro Martinez, but says he's a long shot.  
  • Heyman hears that the Cardinals and Mets are two of the teams calling the Indians about Mark DeRosa.   

Nationals DFA Kip Wells, Call On Clippard

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MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals designated reliever Kip Wells for assignment to make room for Tyler Clippard. Wells, a 32-year-old righty, has an ERA of 6.49 in just over 26 innings, with 18 strikeouts and as many walks.

It's possible that Clippard will be the Nats' best reliever, as he's dominated Triple A so far this year. He backs up his sparkling 0.92 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 39 innings, and just 20 hits and 15 walks allowed.

Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says most believe the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg to a record deal of about $15-18MM this summer. Here are the details:  

  • Rosenthal describes doomsday scenarios for the Nationals and Strasburg to show that the two sides need to come to an agreement. 
  • The Reds can't even consider dealing Bronson Arroyo until Edinson Volquez returns. If Homer Bailey comes up and pitches well, it would be easier for the Reds to part with a starter.
  • If Akinori Iwamura can return this year, Ben Zobrist may become a super utilityman again. Rosenthal wonders if the AL OPS leader is more valuable when he plays multiple positions.
  • The Brewers, who would like to add pitching, could talk with the Braves, who have had interest in Corey Hart in the past.  
  • Nobody's interested in Jeff Francoeur, but the Braves have enviable pitching depth that would entice the Brewers.
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