Nationals Rumors

Bowden Comments On Nats’ Trade Strategy

By Tim Dierkes | July 4, 2008 at 1:44pm CDT

Nationals GM Jim Bowden explained his trade deadline strategy today. Basically, he is completely flexible. Very few players are off-limits, and Bowden realizes the Nationals are not going to win this year.

The team’s two most interesting players are shortstop Cristian Guzman and closer Jon Rauch, in my opinion.

Nationals Close To Signing Cristian Guzman?

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2008 at 12:44pm CDT

FRIDAY, 12:43pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Nats "reportedly are close to signing" Guzman to a two-year extension.

Here’s the thing though – usually when a journalist says "reportedly" he or she means that the info comes from someone else’s published report. So maybe Rosenthal is just reading into the below MLB.com article about the Nats’ offer. Or, maybe he has his own source saying an agreement is close. I’m not sure.

WEDNESDAY, 7:28pm: According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals have offered shortstop Cristian Guzman a two-year extension. This comes as a surprise, as the two sides were expected to wait until after the season. Guzman, 30, is hitting .312/.334/.433 in 351 plate appearances.

Ladson once suggested Guzman might cut the Nationals a break since he was injured for much of his current four-year deal. Ladson says Guzman’s camp was not insulted by the team’s two-year offer.

There are only a handful of respectable shortstops in the next free agent class. Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal are the main two.

Orioles Interested In Felipe Lopez

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2008 at 12:37pm CDT

12:37pm: Ken Rosenthal says the O’s "have engaged in substantive conversations" to acquire Lopez. The likely return: just a marginal prospect.

9:49am: According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have intensified their hunt for a starting shortstop.

Zrebiec runs through some options and suggests Felipe Lopez would make sense. The O’s have scouted him before. Jim Bowden’s asking price shouldn’t be too high – Lopez becomes a free agent after the season and hasn’t hit well for years.

Here’s a look at our shortstop market post. One player I omitted from there who has been connected to the Orioles in the past is Juan Uribe.

Draft Roundup: Skipworth, Crow, Hosmer

By Tim Dierkes | June 25, 2008 at 11:05am CDT

Got a few draft items today, so let’s put them into one post.

According to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, the Marlins have signed top draft pick Kyle Skipworth to a $2.3MM bonus. There was never any doubt. Skipworth, a high school catcher, was chosen sixth overall. This video gives a brief look at the kid.
Negotiations are dragging between the Nationals and Aaron Crow, disappointing GM Jim Bowden.
No deal is imminent for the Royals and top pick Eric Hosmer.

Molony’s Latest: Minaya, Oswalt, Arroyo, Redding

By Tim Dierkes | June 19, 2008 at 11:45am CDT

MLB.com’s Jim Molony tackles the hot stove in today’s article.

Molony says Omar Minaya is on the hot seat, though others feel his job is relatively safe.
Roy Oswalt is not available, but he was recently scouted by the Angels, Braves, Mets, and Phillies.
The Yanks have scouted C.C. Sabathia and Bronson Arroyo but haven’t made any offers. I just don’t see how Arroyo could be effective back in the American League.
The Phillies are still looking for a lefty reliever. Looking at my Trade Market post, Alan Embree, George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, Eddie Guardado, Damaso Marte, John Grabow, Ron Mahay, or Jeremy Affeldt could fit the bill. It still doesn’t seem like a pressing need to me, though.
Molony speculates that Tim Redding could be a popular name on the trade market. Redding has a 4.10 ERA, but it’s propped up by a .258 BABIP (as a team, the Nationals have a .307 BABIP).

Possible Replacements For Bavasi In Seattle

By Cork Gaines | June 18, 2008 at 2:46pm CDT

John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that the Mariners already have a list of names that they are considering to replace the fired Bill Bavasi.

Yesterday, we saw several sources that speculated on the next GM. Hickey spoke with a former GM who came up with a list of eight names that could possibly fill the post.

Kevin Towers, current San Diego Padres GM: Hickey notes that Towers has stuck with San Diego through a recent front office transition and may prefer to stay with the Pads.
Brian Cashman, current New York Yankees GM: The M’s wanted to talk to Cashman in ’03 but were rebuked. They may get a better chance this time to land a GM that once said "who wouldn’t want [The Mariners] job."
Kim Ng, Los Angeles Dodgers assistant GM: Was previously a candidate for the Dodgers job and is considered ready to be a GM.
Jerry DiPoto, Arizona Diamondbacks director of player personnel
Tony Bernazard, New York Mets vice president of player development: Previously a candidate for the Pirates job, Hickey wonders if Bernazard might want out with the Mets in flux.
Chris Antonetti, Cleveland Indians VP of baseball operations: Hickey notes that Antonetti may prefer to stay in Cleveland, having previously turned down an offer from the Pirates to interview for their GM post.
Mike Rizzo, Washington Nationals assistant GM and VP of baseball operations
Dave Forst, Oakland Athletics assistant GM

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex and can be reached here.

Odds And Ends: Lo Duca, Cabrera, Nady, Bay

By Cork Gaines | June 16, 2008 at 3:16pm CDT

A few more minor notes from the MLBiverse…

Jay Gibbons joins the Long Island Ducks.
The Giants may have to trade for a long-reliever. Bruce Bochy admits that his team is without a long-reliever and will work to find extra innings from his middle relievers.
With Paul Lo Duca coming off the DL, the Nationals will now have three catchers. Chico Harlan feels the Nats will hope that Lo Duca plays well in his return to increase his trade value.
Nick Cafardo believes that the White Sox will let Orlando Cabrera walk at the end of the season as a free agent, feeling that their double-play combination of the future is in the system and not far away.
Bob Smizik doesn’t see the Pirates landing any top prospects for Xavier Nady or Jason Bay, should they be dealt.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Inde x and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Bowden, Strasburg, Draft

By Tim Dierkes | June 9, 2008 at 10:59am CDT

Today’s link collection.

Joel Sherman puts on his GM hat and proposes five trade offers the Yankees should make.
Troy E. Renck doesn’t believe the Rockies are ready to start trading off veterans.
Jon Heyman heard rumblings that Nationals GM Jim Bowden "could be in trouble."
Dave Cameron discusses next year’s frontrunner for the #1 draft pick, college pitcher Stephen Strasburg. The pick could be made by Bill Bavasi’s replacement.
The MLB draft is definitely gaining popularity, but Nick Friedell’s suggestions would provide a big boost.

Draft Day Roundup

By Tim Dierkes | June 5, 2008 at 8:57am CDT

The draft is just four hours away. We’ll be live-blogging it here at MLBTR. Here are today’s draft links.

Baseball America’s brand new top 30 projections.
According to Keith Law, Mariners doctors gave the thumbs up on Tanner Scheppers and the team could take him at #20.
Law says the Nationals seem to be debating between Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Crow at #9.
Law adds that first baseman Yonder Alonso has an $8MM rumored asking price, which could cause him to drop. Alonso is roughly the 11th-best player in the draft, combining various expert rankings.
Speaking of huge demands, Buster Posey’s people are floating $12MM. Perhaps for that reason, the Rays will go with Tim Beckham.
The Pirates seem a near-lock to take Pedro Alvarez at #2.
Jonathan Mayo is "fairly certain" the Reds will take Gordon Beckham at #7.
Nick Piecoro tosses out some possibilities for the D’Backs at #26.
Tom Haudricourt has three names for the Brewers at #16.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Zimmerman, Vizcaino, Hawkins

By Nat Boyle | June 1, 2008 at 9:20am CDT

Some random musings around the league:

As MLBTR noted before, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also believes the Pirates will take Pedro Alvarez if the Rays pass on him.
Ryan Zimmerman may be looking for David Wright money (six years, $55MM), but the Nationals may be willing to pay him Ian Kinsler money (5 years, $22MM), according to Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post.
In this piece by Tony Jackson on the LA Daily News, 39 year-old Jose Vizcaino may try to make a comeback in 2009. He’s currently a special assistant with the Dodgers.
Troy Renck suggests the Rockies could be interested in LaTroy Hawkins if he continues to struggle for the Yankees.

By Nat Boyle

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