RealGM

By the deadline last night.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02675.html

To me this is a bad move. The Nationals haven't signed anybody yet to replace Olsen, although its presumed that they will. Brian Bruney is a good acquistion, but its not like he's a guaranteed good closer or the one guy that instantly turns the bullpen from bad to good.

These guys would have gotten 5-6 million between them. When you're payroll is in the 40's, why not offer them and go to arby? As wild as MacDougal is, he saved 20 out of 21 last year and helped to solidify the bullpen. Olsen had a terrible year but certainly could rebound and pitch like 2008.

The article says the Nats "spared themselves from committing several million dollars to a pair with injury concerns."

Big deal, they would have been one year contracts at a risk of about 6 million dollars combined.

So Olsen resigned with an incentive-laced contract with around a one million base that could elevate to just under four if he performs well.

Well, if they prefer that to just an arby deal of around 2.75, fine. Whatever floats their boat.

Now hopefully they do the same to Macdougal--considering the contracts Brandon Lyon and Latroy Hawkins have already gotten.