2012 Spring Training (Ryan Zimmerman Extension)

[Rafael122]

According to Bill Ladson, we have offered Mark Buerhle a contract. He's looking for a no-trade clause.

[Rafael122]

Latest Ken Rosenthal tweet suggests that the Marlins and Nationals are the two teams left for Mark Buerhle. Marlins, however, have offered Wilson a year contract, so if Wilson accepts, that would assume Buerhle goes to t he Nats.

1. Strasburg
2. Zimmermann
3. Buerhle
4. Wang
5. Lannan

Solid rotation 1-5.

[Jollay]

It definitely is looking like that. As always it'll be interesting to see who signs where first, because it'll set a chain of events in motion. No one wants to set the market for anything under their maximized value though.

I hope the Nats trade some of their young pitching depth in this case for a cf. If Mark B. signs...

[Rafael122]

Buerhle to Marlins, 4 yrs/$58 million. WOW.

[Jollay]

That pretty much eliminates the Nats or any other sane team going out and getting starting pitching. Almost 15 million a year? No thanks. It's said the Nats will turn to Oswalt now, no thanks if it's anywhere near this cost.

Guess Detwiller, Peacock or Milone might actually get a chance this year now...

[Rafael122]

$14.5 million for a guy who would be at best our #3 starter is a lot of coin.

[Rafael122]

With the way the Pujols saga played out, I really hope the Nats look into extending Zimmermann as soon as possible. If the guy is killing it through June of next season, lock him up.

[Jollay]

With the way the Pujols saga played out, I really hope the Nats look into extending Zimmermann as soon as possible. If the guy is killing it through June of next season, lock him up.

Agreed.

[Jollay]

Nats trade Balester to the Tigers for Ryan Perry.

Perry was a first rounder in 2008 and throws hard like Balester. Has control problems though, that I guess the Nats are hoping they can improve upon ala H-Rodriguez. Probably also did it because Balester is out of options, Perry is not.

Lateral move I suppose.

[Jollay]

So the Nats are interested in Mike Cameron apparently. He's 39 and about done, but he probably can still play an okay center field.

Although they're supposedly looking at him purely as a bench bat, it shows the Nats might be cooked in their pursuit of a centerfielder.

I suppose Ankiel/Cameron would be a passable combo in center for a year. If they can even sign Ankiel and not give a Lance Nix-type of effort.

Yu Darvish (SP) was posted and I would bet the Nats bid. We will see about that as well.

[Rafael122]

Just have Bernadina in center, it's not this difficult. Yeah, Bernadina isn't a threat with the bat, but he's fast and plays solid defense. I'm sure we could be OK with Roger there for another year, or push comes to shove, move Werth to center, Morse in right until Harper comes up.

BTW, looks like the Nats didn't even a submit for Yu.

[Jollay]

Also discouraging when the Brewers submit the winning bid for Aoki.

For 2.5 million.

[Rafael122]

The way I see it, at best Yu would have been our #3 starter. You don't pay $100 million for a #3.

[Jollay]

Looks like Mike Cameron picked the Nats over the Indians. Yayy Nats.

[Rafael122]

Hot rumor on Twitter reported by Ken Rosenthal that the Nats are closing in on a deal for Gio Gonzalez of the Oakland Athletics. Lefty, one of the top young pitchers in baseball and best of all under team control through 2015.

I would assume one of Millone/Peacock/Detwiler will be traded, followed by either Flores or Norris.