2012 Spring Training (Ryan Zimmerman Extension)

[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.

[Jollay]

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.

What disturbs me about this is apparently a four for one is being discussed. Fine with it, but not sure I want to part with the farm for him, especially if it weakens the pen with Clippard or Storen, or if it involves Desmond, Lombardozzi, or Espinosa.

Really just want a CF.

[Rafael122]

It looks like Peacock and Norris have been mentioned. Should be interesting what happens.

BTW, team is close to signing Mark DeRosa. He's been hampered by injuries but he'd probably be one of the big bats off the bench, can play 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and I believe left and right field.

[Jollay]

It looks like Peacock and Norris have been mentioned. Should be interesting what happens.

BTW, team is close to signing Mark DeRosa. He's been hampered by injuries but he'd probably be one of the big bats off the bench, can play 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and I believe left and right field.

Sure for DeRosa off the bench, why not?

Boswell today ripped the Nats for standing pat this offseason, blaming the Lerners. I think that's somewhat unfair though, especially after Jayson Werth. Still, I will be disappointed if the Nats cannot acquire one top of the order guy, preferably in CF.

Or else it looks like fourth place, even if they do get Gonzalez.

[Rafael122]

Nats trade for Gio Gonzalez for Millone, Peacock, Norris and Cole.

Steep price but they had to do it. This is why you build up a farm system to make a trade like this. Gio will be slotted behind Stephen and Jordan, that is a formidably 1-2-3 rotation right there.

Only player I hate to lose is Cole, only because he's 19. Still has room to grow.

[Jollay]

Well, nice to have pitching depth to make such a trade, for an established guy. And as someone that wants a good season next year, can't complain.

But the A's got a frickin' HAUL for Gonzalez. Cole, Milone, and Peacock and Norris? Excluding Harper and Rendon, Peacock and Cole are the highest rated players in a top 5 system in baseball.

A's got three major league future starters and a starting catcher. I don't think any of the pitchers will be aces, but I think they'll all end up somewhere in #2-#4 range.

[Rafael122]

We will see how it turns out, there's some word that Peacock and Millone may end up being bullpen guys anyway. Nationals system still has 3 very good pitchers in Purke, Meyer and Solis.

[Jollay]

We will see how it turns out, there's some word that Peacock and Millone may end up being bullpen guys anyway. Nationals system still has 3 very good pitchers in Purke, Meyer and Solis.

I think that was more because there wasn't room for them currently as starters, but I could be wrong.

Definitely with the depth you mention the Nats still have, still worth the risk I think.

Stras, Zimmy, and Gonzalez could be scary good.

[Jollay]

So I guess the plan is for Werth to be the center fielder and wait until next year's free agent class, or see who becomes available during the year (Span? Bourjos? Unlikely but who knows?)

I'm cool with that short-term, as Jayson seems more interested in center, but it would be certainly nice to have a defensive replacement late...

[Rafael122]

Nothing new to report, pretty much everyone is waiting for Fielder to sign with the Nats.

[Jollay]

Boswell column on the Washington Borases...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/na ... sports_pop

1. Brian Goodwin, a first-round Nats draft pick last year, or Michael Bourn , a free agent next winter, who has gold gloves and base-stealing titles, is in centerfield. Both are left-handed-hitting speedsters and natural leadoff men.

2. Anthony Rendon, paid $7.2 million to sign, takes over third base from Zimmerman. A stat clone of Lance Berkman in college at Rice, Rendon is projected as a .300 hitter, Gold Glove candidate and good No. 2 hitter early in his career.

3-4. Bryce Harper and Prince Fielder , like Ruth-Gehrig, or, okay, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, are back-to-back tape-measure lefty sluggers to anchor the order. Fielder, comfortable at cleanup, protects young Harper.

5. Jayson Werth , then age 35, moves to left field so Harper can play right field, where his value as a free agent someday will be greater.

6. Danny Espinosa moves to shortstop, his natural position, improving the team’s defensive reliability and making him a more valuable (read: expensive) player.

7. Wilson Ramos, catcher, may feel a little lonely in the lockeroom, but maybe he can find a Nat-appropriate agent.

8. A Boras-client second baseman to be named later, perhaps taken with the Nats’ top choice in this year’s draft, because the team’s top three picks last year were all Boras clients. Or Ian Desmond could stay at shortstop and Espinosa at second.

9. Stephen Strasburg . You’ve heard of him.

By 2014, or before, the Nats also assume that 6-foot-9 Alex Meyer, a right-handed pitcher who has touched 100 mph, will either be in their starting rotation, along with Jordan Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez and perhaps lefty Matt Purke, or the back of their bullpen.

[Rafael122]

Nats sign Gio Gonzalez to an 5 year contract extension worth $42 million. The team has 2 option years on top of that that can push the deal to $65 million over 7 years. Gio was one of 7 arbitration eligible players for the Nats this year. It would be smart of them to lock up some of these guys long term if they want to make a push for Fielder.

[Jollay]

Nats avoid arbitration with Morse, but only go 2 yrs./10.5 million. Certainly leaves them options with Fielder.

[Rafael122]

Nationals solidify their bullpen by signing Brad Lidge to a 1 year/$1 million deal. Great signing, his fastball is almost gone but his slider is filthy. Bullpen is definitely very solid right now. Rizzo needs to solidify that bench though.

And obviously the Nats didn't get Prince Fielder. 9 years/$214 million deal, just insane all around.

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Love the moves this offseaon! Nats now have an elite pitching staff on par with the Phils & Giants which gives them a shot.

Outfield of Morse, Werth & Harper could put up huge numbers. Infield is solid.

[Rafael122]

Still need a lead off hitter and center fielder though.

BTW, Baseball America ranked the Nats farm system as #1 in baseball. But that was before the Gio trade. According to Jim Callis, they still have a top 10 farm system.