Nats in mix for Guardado, Capps (Signed)

[Jollay]

Looks like Guardado is in for a one-year deal with the team. He's a veteran left-hander with 187 career saves who was in the mix for closer duties some last year after Texas acquired him from Minnesota. He won't be anything of the kind for the Nationals, but he's a dependable guy who performs well under pressure.

He's 39, so he'll likely only be around for a year. In fact the rumor was he might retire this year. Have to wonder if the signing of Pudge convinced him to come here. Another nice fairly low-budget and low-risk signing by the Nats.

He'll be the second lefty in the pen with Burnett. His arrival will make it very difficult for lefthanders such as Victor Garate and Doug Slaten who are (as of now) on the 40-man roster.

Capps is apparently still deciding between the Nats and the Cubs. If he comes here, he's a favorite to close over Bruney. He's only 26, and it does seem like his bad year last year might be a bump in the road, not the norm.

There were a bunch of teams interested in Capps, so if he comes here, it might be because the Nats will overpay slightly, like with Pudge. His bad season last year helps with the price, though.

A two-year contract would be good for him, with alot of elevators in his contract. But as Storen will almost certainly be the closer soon, is it worth committing to him for any significant length, or money?

[Jollay]

Nationals closing in on Capps for one-year deal...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4768894

Rodriguez two-year deal, Marquis two-year deal, Guardado one, and Capps one. Not bad at all. I'm always skeptical that the Nats will actually spend the money necessary to significantly improve themselves, but it appears they have done so without making themselves beholden to long, multi-year contracts.

[Jollay]

Done deal--Capps for 1 year, 3.5 million, with the chance for him to make 425,000 grand more in incentives.

I would have just arbied MacDougal and brought him back in the fold (likely in the 2.5 range) but there's no question Capps has a higher ceiling.

The Nats can offer Capps arbitration next year if they so choose.

[Jollay]

Guardado cut. He had been terrible so far, but then, so had everyone else.