RealGM

According to sources

The Washington Nationals have acquired outfielder Jonny Gomes from the Cincinnati Reds, along with cash considerations, for outfielder Bill Rhinehart and lefty pitcher Chris Manno.

Gomes is batting .211 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs in 77 games this season for the Reds.

Expect some home runs, a lot of K's, and a tough attitude.

We loved Gomes in Tampa when he wasn't striking out. His spirit for the game is undeniable though.

I like it. Gomes/Nix is a nice platoon to keep a seat warm for Bryce Harper, if ever there was one.

It's nice not having to start a Jerry Hairston or a Brian Bixler in left against lefties, and hey, this is an all or nothing offense these days, so Gomes fits that mold!

Trouble is, he's an UFA year this offseason, so it kind of makes you wonder. More than one source speculates he'll be flipped in another deal...

Or we keep him. Type B free agent = 2nd round pick.

Nats looking for a center fielder now. Denard Span is rumored for Drew Storen. Personally I'd rather keep Storen and roll the dice with Bernadina, even though I think he's a fourth outfielder probably.

Bernadina not on the lineup card Friday night, which indicates he has either been sent down to make room for Wang, or traded.

Certainly in a deal for a leadoff hitter teams would appreciate getting Roger as a piece back...

Marquis gone to the D-Backs for a single-A shortstop, mid-level prospect.

Span to the Nats for Storen is close, but there's rumors it could be Clippard instead of Storen, but it's unlikely the Twins take that. Storen is under control for a good deal longer than Clippard.

Yankees are said to be inquiring about Clippard, though, and one baseball rumor site raises the possibility of a three-way...

Nats also deal Jerry Hairston to the Brewers for a mid-level outfielder.

I still don't get why we want to trade Storen so badly. He's cheap, young, talented. How many closers are out there that can close 40+ games? Hm?

Rafael122 wrote:I still don't get why we want to trade Storen so badly. He's cheap, young, talented. How many closers are out there that can close 40+ games? Hm?

I agree. I know the conventional logic is relievers are more replaceable, but Storen's under control for a long while, and he and Clippard are highly marketable.

Definitely need a leadoff hitter for next year though. He was gone anyway but it also kind of smarts to see Nyjer Morgan batting .320 for a contender at the top of their lineup.

The Nats are at a point where they have to identify what their core group of guys will be and stick with them. That's how you build a team. Look at Philly, their core guys are Howard, Utley, Rollins, Halladay, Hamels, etc. They're not going to be traded, won't even be in the discussion. Trading Storen would be like Rizzo giving the finger to the fanbase, he drafted him in 2009, developed him, and now he's our closer, so we're going to trade him for Denard Span 2 years later. Awesome?