Nationals Rumors

Johnson Wants To Play, Would Accept A Trade

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 11, 2009 at 11:02pm CDT

According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Nick Johnson will not accept a bench role with the Nationals, who will "most likely look to trade" him. Johnson said he "would rather play every day" than accept a role as a reserve. Now that the Nats added Adam Dunn, Johnson doesn’t fit as a starter so he said if the Nationals choose to trade him "that’s fine."

Ladson writes that the A’s, who have had interest in Johnson, aren’t near a deal with the Nats. Oakland doesn’t have a clear spot for him either, though.

Glavine, Braves Have ‘Positive’ Meeting

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 11, 2009 at 8:36pm CDT

8:36pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman heard from Glavine, who also described the meeting as "positive." He said he wants to sign with the Braves and sounds hopeful that he will. Frank Wren said he had a "good meeting" with Glavine.

Since Glavine’s willing to accept a contract with deferred money, Bowman suggests this deal could work: $2MM guaranteed with up to $4MM in deferred incentives over the next five years.

7:38pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Braves met with Tom Glavine today and offered him a deal that could be worth up to $3MM. Rosenthal’s sources confirm Jerry Crasnick’s earlier report: the deal would guarantee Glavine $1MM, pay him another million for making the team out of Spring Training and pay him the final million if he’s on the Braves’ roster for 60 days.

Glavine’s agent, Gregg Clifton described the meeting as "amicable and positive" and said the two sides are still exchanging ideas. The Nationals are an option for Glavine if he doesn’t reach an agreement with Atlanta.

The Braves have $6-8MM left to spend, but they’d also like to add an outfielder. Rosenthal describes Nick Swisher, who makes $5.3MM this year, as the Braves’ most likely option. If Atlanta expects the Yankees to pick up any of Swisher’s salary, they’d likely have to part with "higher quality prospects."

Rosenthal adds that Glavine could wait until March, when he turns 43, to sign. If injuries occur in Spring Training more teams could need starters.

Durham Turns Down Offer From Nationals

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 8:32am CDT

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent second baseman Ray Durham turned down a minor league offer from the Nationals potentially worth $850K plus incentives. Durham would require more than that, and is 50-50 on retirement. The offer from Washington was Durham’s first of the offseason.

A note from Crasnick regarding the Cardinals:

The Cardinals, who expressed interest in Durham earlier this winter, released second baseman Adam Kennedy on Monday. But early indications are that St. Louis plans to fill the void from within. If general manager John Mozeliak does pursue a free agent, Orlando Hudson would probably rank ahead of Durham on the priority list.

Durham, 37, authored a strong .380 OBP in 426 plate appearances last year.

Nats Avoid Arb With Scott Olsen

By | February 8, 2009 at 7:08pm CDT

7:08pm: The Washington Post’s Chico Harlan gathered a quote from Olsen just moments after he OK’d the deal:

"Well obviously I was happy. I think where we settled at was a very fair number in terms of if you look at where everybody else sort of slotted in. I’ve never been through the arbitration process before, so it came down to two days before we were gonna go to trial. I don’t think a whole lot of people ever do want to go to the hearing, especially player-wise, because the team wins 60-percent of the time."

5:44pm: According to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, the Nationals have agreed to terms with left-hander Scott Olsen on a one-year, $2.8MM contract.

Olsen, acquired from the Marlins back in November, requested $3.5MM when arbitration figures were due. The Nats countered with a $2.5MM bid. Olsen, 25, went 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA last season and was one of just 18 National League pitchers to eclipse the 200-inning plateau.

The Nationals still have hearings pending with Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham.

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Red Sox Non-Roster Invitees

By Nat Boyle | February 8, 2009 at 12:21pm CDT

Some Odds and Ends around the league:

In a good piece by Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nats GM Jim Bowden says Stephen Strasburg is "as good a pitcher as we’ve seen in the draft in 10 or 15 years." He could be in the rotation as soon as September. Amusingly, Strasburg’s mother described Scott Boras, who is advising the phenom, as a "Rottweiler."
WEEI’s Alex Speier lists the Red Sox 19 non-roster invitees. 13 of them have Major League experience. Brad Wilkerson is also expected to be present.
David Lennon of Newsday.com reports that Omar Minaya has achieved his offseason goals. "The reality is that we’ve pretty much filled all our priorities," Minaya said. "I’m set to go with this team."
Phil Rogers touches on the absence of interest in Frank Thomas who is not working out while he’s out of camp. Rogers notes the Players Association needs to organize a spring training camp for out-of-work players. He suggests the White Sox abandoned Tucson complex.

Shawn Hill Wins Arb Case

By Alex Walsh | February 7, 2009 at 2:02pm CDT

According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill has won his arbitration case, and will be paid $775,000 in 2009.

The Nationals had offered $500,000.

Left on Washington’s list of arbitration-eligible players to settle with are Ryan Zimmerman, Scott Olsen, and Josh Willingham.

The Corner Outfield-DH Market

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 7, 2009 at 1:12pm CDT

There are still many jobless players who could contribute as a corner outfielder or a DH, so it’s a good time to take stock of the market. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are the big names, but Garret Anderson, Andruw Jones, Luis Gonzalez, Jim Edmonds and Ken Griffey Jr. want jobs and Jermaine Dye, Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher could be available through trades.

Here’s a look at the teams who have reportedly had interest in this type of player, starting in the AL:

White Sox: They thought about Abreu and Dye’s been involved in rumors all offseason, much to the frustration of Kenny Williams. Dye will earn $11.5MM in 2009.
Angels: They aren’t interested in Dye, but they could be interested in Abreu or Dunn at the right price. Don’t look for them to make a play for Manny though; GM Tony Reagins said it won’t happen. Garret Anderson won’t be back.
Mariners: The Ms could sign Griffey, but they prefer Abreu and Anderson.
Braves: They are the top suitor for Swisher and they have some interest in bringing back Jones. Atlanta has about $5-9MM to spend, so they could change plans and pursue Dunn or Abreu if they’re willing to accept a deal worth under $10MM. Don’t rule out a Nady trade, either.
Nationals: The Nats have offered Dunn a contract, which he’s been sitting on for a while. They’re also monitoring the Manny market.
Mets: Abreu and Ramirez won’t sign with the Mets this offseason. If Griffey’s willing to sign at a major discount, he could sign with the Mets, but indications are he wants $5-6MM.
Dodgers: The Dodgers have targeted Manny Ramirez all offseason, and he’s rejected two contract offers from them. The first was for $45MM over two years with a club option; the second was for $25MM over one year. Dunn appears to like the Dodgers, and Abreu’s an option, too.
Giants: The Giants are also courting Manny, but some have said they just want to prevent the Dodgers from getting a deal. Abreu could also fit in San Francisco.
Reds: Yet another team that could pursue Abreu, the Reds spoke with Luis Gonzalez’s agent ealier in the winter. Adam Dunn won’t return to Cincinnati this offseason.

Shawn Hill First To Arbitration

By | February 6, 2009 at 6:01pm CDT

According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Nationals’ Shawn Hill became the first player in the major leagues to go to a salary arbitration hearing this year.

He asked a panel Friday for $775K while the club offered him $500K. A decision will be made on one of the two figures sometime this weekend. Hill, 27, was 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 12 starts last season. He hit the disabled list on June 25 with a sore right elbow and finally underwent surgery to repair the issue on September 5.

Odds and Ends: Hudson, Twins, Sisco, Dunn

By Tim Dierkes | February 6, 2009 at 1:50pm CDT

Links for Friday…

Tim Hudson wants the Braves to pick up his 2010 option for $12MM, though he has the right to void it if they do.
Indians GM Mark Shapiro has no regrets about signing Kerry Wood for $20.5MM in early December.
Twins CEO Jim Pohlad says the team is not done, in talking to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He believes signing Joe Crede makes sense, but his baseball people have the final decision.
Michael Fleming of Variety says Brad Pitt continues to "circle" the Moneyball movie, in which he could play Billy Beane.
Athletics Nation takes a good look at free agent lefty Andy Sisco.
Austin Kearns commented on his friend Adam Dunn, in talking with Chico Harlan of the Washington Post.
An amusing "25 facts about 25 random Yankees" from Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
The Rays signed pitcher Winston Abreu to a minor league deal; he spent last year in Japan.
RotoAuthority ranks the shortstops for fantasy baseball.
Deals for Jason Varitek, Brad Wilkerson, and Ken Takahashi were finalized today. Jeff Bailey was shuffled to Triple A to make room for Varitek, says Dan Barbarisi.

Stark On Andruw, Swisher, Hudson, Pedro

By Tim Dierkes | February 6, 2009 at 11:50am CDT

The latest from ESPN’s Jayson Stark…

Stark looks at all the factors influencing this year’s slow-moving free agent market, talking to all sorts of anonymous execs. It’s a good read.
Among all the teams, the Phillies have added the most to their payroll this winter ($30MM+). Only ten teams raised payroll this year. The Phils are still looking at the same cast of righthanded bench bats, and are also looking to sign a reliever for one year. Names of interest: Joe Borowski, Rudy Seanez, Will Ohman, Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, and Randy Flores. Stark notes that Flores is out until June due to shoulder surgery.
Andruw Jones is looking for a team that will give him playing time. One of Stark’s sources says Braves manager Bobby Cox is "lobbying harder for Jones than the rest of the baseball operation."
The Braves are the top suitor for Nick Swisher, but their suggestion that the Yankees eat some of Swisher’s contract was shot down.
Stark has heard that Angels owner Arte Moreno is ticked at Scott Boras and Mark Teixeira for the way they handled negotiations.
Stark received conflicting answers on whether the Elias formulas "can be changed without a special negotiation." It figures that the players union would push to eliminate the Jason Varitek/Juan Cruz/Orlando Cabrera situations we saw this winter. The D’Backs may have interest in re-signing Cruz, but don’t look for a Cabrera-White Sox reunion.
The Yankees and Mets have not pursued Orlando Hudson, despite Hudson’s statements of their interest. Stark sees a one-year deal with the Nationals or Dodgers in his future.
One assistant GM doesn’t think the WBC will be a good gauge for Pedro Martinez’s abilities, since he’ll be doing short stints.
Stark has details on Eddie Guardado’s contract, which has interesting provisions if he is to be traded.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Nationals Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect