Nationals ask Guzman to switch to 2B for 2010

[Nathan]

http://therocket.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/09/nats_ask_guzman_to_play_second.html

The Nationals may not be looking to sign a free agent like second baseman Orlando Hudson this offseason.

It was learned that general manager Mike Rizzo and interim manager Jim Riggleman had a private meeting with shortstop Cristian Guzman on Thursday afternoon and asked him to switch to second base for the 2010 season.

Guzman, who did not give Rizzo and Riggleman an answer, was in shock and told them he never played second base in his life. The only other position Guzman has played other than shortstop was in the 2008 All-Star Game when he played third base for the National League team.

If Guzman agrees to the switch, that means the Nationals most likely will look for a shortstop during the offseason.

Will Ian Desmond get that chance to become the everyday shortstop? It's hard to tell, but he got off to a quick start on Thursday night by going 2-for-4 and driving in four runs in his Major League debut against the Phillies.

Washington has been concerned about Guzman's defense almost all season. They have been alarmed that Guzman is having a problems going to his left on groundballs.

In the past, Riggleman believed that a foot injury has hampered Guzman's ability to go to his left, but no one knows how Riggleman feels now because he was not available for comment.

Both Rizzo and Guzman declined to talk about the possible move to second. 

So, Whaddya think about that?  I'm not too sure about ID / Guzman / Dunn covering most of the infield, but who knows, it could work.

[DPMOmaha]

...but who knows, it could work.

Isn't that what we said about our pitching staff circa Feb. 13th?

[Nathan]

Isn't that what we said about our pitching staff circa Feb. 13th?

Story of the Washington Nationals since 2005:

"Who knows, it could work..."

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Just do it, Guzman. Be a team player. Don't be an Alfonso.

[hleeo3]

Guzman never was much of team player. When he was moved down to the 6th spot he moped around in a slump until Riggles asked if he liked being in the 6th and he said no... Then I think he had a brief hot streak when he was put back in the 2 spot.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Fangraphs likes the move if we sign a good glove SS.  If we believe he is losing range, or has a bit below average range as an SS, then moving him to a position that would have fewer balls hit to it and putting a better glove at the position that handles more groundballs makes some sense.  Plenty of cheap good gloves that could fill in for a year (MacDonald, Everett, Gonzalez) that would not burn us much in terms of dollars if a Desmond pushes him aside by being the real deal. 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/cristian-guzman-and-position-changes

[blue911]

So with Dunn and Guzman manning the right side, will the Nationals go with a Ryan Howard type shift on a full time basis? If Guzman can't play short, trade him or sit him. But he isn't going to be any less on a liability at second.

[cmdterps44]

If Guzman says yes, I say we go with Mark DeRosa and have him switch SS and 2B and play ID whenever Guz sits. I dont know though, I do hate this 'it could work' strategy.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

I dont know though, I do hate this 'it could work' strategy.

I do too.  I say just sign a whole new MI.  Get Aki/Hudson/DeRosa to go with a good defensive SS and be done with it.

[cmdterps44]

I do too.  I say just sign a whole new MI.  Get Aki/Hudson/DeRosa to go with a good defensive SS and be done with it.

Yea, I would've said sign two new infielders but I know they probably wont do it... which they should

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So with Dunn and Guzman manning the right side, will the Nationals go with a Ryan Howard type shift on a full time basis? If Guzman can't play short, trade him or sit him. But he isn't going to be any less on a liability at second.

How many takers do you think there would be for him at $8m next year?  How much of his contract would you eat to move him?  Would you just look for a 2d baseman and let Guz stay at SS? 

If you had a choice between a strong glove at SS and mediocre one at 2d, or a mediocre one at SS and a strong one at 2d, do you think it is basically a wash?  Or are you down on the move because you think it will only f-up Guz worse to move him after all this time, and it is better to play him where he's been comfortable and get your patch at MI from a guy who is a natural 2d baseman?

[blue911]

How many takers do you think there would be for him at $8m next year?

I think Guzman's contract is a non mover. Teams that are in contention rarely are in the market for an offense oriented shortstop and if you aren't in contention, why would you want to take on the salary?

  How much of his contract would you eat to move him? 

Depends, If I could work a trade with Seattle for Jack Wilson, I'd eat a couple of Mil. (remember I would also be taking on Wilson's $8.4M contract). But I wouldn't be willing to eat contract just to get him off of the team.

 Would you just look for a 2d baseman and let Guz stay at SS? 

Looking at the free agent middle infielders, there isn't anybody sexy at short. Cabrera will be 35 & Scutaro will be 34 before the new year. Jack Wilson and Orlando Hudson will both turn 32. SO I'd go with Hudson. He's younger than the shortstops, is an above average defender and the Nationals don't have a natural secondbaseman close to being ready. The Nat's do have Desmond and Espinosa that may be able to compete at the MLB level within the next year or two.

If you had a choice between a strong glove at SS and mediocre one at 2d, or a mediocre one at SS and a strong one at 2d, do you think it is basically a wash? 

Shortstops are harder to find because of the combination of arm strength and range. At second, arm strength isn't as vital, so I'd go with the shortstop.

 Or are you down on the move because you think it will only f-up Guz worse to move him after all this time, and it is better to play him where he's been comfortable and get your patch at MI from a guy who is a natural 2d baseman?

I think the Nationals are further along in developing a shortstop, and Orlando Hudson is the best MI free agent.

[LARRYbroadway]

Desmond will eventually play SS.  Might be the beginning of next season, might be later on in the season, but I'm getting the impression he's on the verge of making it.  I remember him making a real nice impression on Frank Robinson at his 1st big league camp back in the day.

I say you start the season with Guzman at SS and look to move him when someone gets an injury.  I'm not sure we can get anything for him at this point as there is no desperation for a SS now.

CF Morgan
2B Hudson
3B Zimmerman
1B Dunn
LF Willingham
RF ????
C Flores
SS Desmond

Makes for an interesting lineup if we can find a good RF to hit 6th.

[PatsNats28]

Dukes at RF?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Thanks Blue.   

I'm a bit more willing to try the Everett / McDonald / Alex Gonzalez type as a plan B to Hudson, who I agree should be plan A.  The veteran glove SS's I mention would be bridges to the in-house SS options like Espinosa or possibly Desmond (I'm a skeptic on his minor league numbers, but as you know, I probably lean too much on projections off numbers). 

The Jack Wilson idea would be cool, but I've got a hunch that Seattle is going to stay a defense first team.  I think they made their choice this year between Wilson and Guz and went with Wilson. 

LarryB - I suppose if the Nats were to sign a Hudson, then what you say makes a lot of sense.  Plan on Guz in the majors, Desmond in Syracuse, and Espinosa in Harrisburg the first half of the year, and plan on dealing Guz and bumping one of the two prospects up to the majors when Guz is moved.  All things being equal, Desmond before Espinosa, but nothing carved in stone.

[sportsfan882]

Thanks Blue.   

I'm a bit more willing to try the Everett / McDonald / Alex Gonzalez type as a plan B to Hudson, who I agree should be plan A.  The veteran glove SS's I mention would be bridges to the in-house SS options like Espinosa or possibly Desmond (I'm a skeptic on his minor league numbers, but as you know, I probably lean too much on projections off numbers). 

The Jack Wilson idea would be cool, but I've got a hunch that Seattle is going to stay a defense first team.  I think they made their choice this year between Wilson and Guz and went with Wilson. 

LarryB - I suppose if the Nats were to sign a Hudson, then what you say makes a lot of sense.  Plan on Guz in the majors, Desmond in Syracuse, and Espinosa in Harrisburg the first half of the year, and plan on dealing Guz and bumping one of the two prospects up to the majors when Guz is moved.  All things being equal, Desmond before Espinosa, but nothing carved in stone.

Desmond in Syracuse... why?

none of that makes any sense. why get a defensive specialist SS who can't hit for a lick? what does that do for us?

[blue911]

Desmond in Syracuse... why?

none of that makes any sense. why get a defensive specialist SS who can't hit for a lick? what does that do for us?

You nag about Adam Dunn being a crappy defender and don't understand the value of a plus defender at short?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Desmond in Syracuse... why?

none of that makes any sense. why get a defensive specialist SS who can't hit for a lick? what does that do for us?

SF - I think there is no real room for Desmond (or Espinosa) to play every day if we sign a Hudson. I think we would not be able to move Guz in the offseason, so I would see SS-2d in that casebeing handled by Guzman and Hudson.  I don't see Desmond playing ahead of Guzman at SS because, like it or not, we will play Guz to keep him on people's radar for atrade rather than bury him.

If you are saying we should move Guz to 2d, not sign Hudson, and open up the SS slot for someone new, then I would not concede SS to Desmond without competition from a veteran glove.  Most of the guys I mentioned would not sign for albatross-type big contracts. McDonald and even an Omar Vizquel at this point play multiple positions and have sat on a bench, so if Desmond or Espinosa kicked the door in with outstanding play, then great.  Otherwise, we are covered.  If we did end up with a veteran glove SS, I'd want Desmond to play every day at AAA rather than sit on the bench, play only 2 times a week and pinch hit.  At this point, that what A-Gon is for.   Desmond has had less than 200 ABs at AAA.  I don't think he be hurt by another half season there.

[sportsfan882]

From Ladsonn:

Shortstop Cristian Guzman is still not sure if he wants to play second base in 2010. He has talked to agent, Stanley King, about the situation, but will not talk about his plans until after the season.

"Right now, I don't know yet," Guzman said on Monday.

It was learned on Sept. 10 that general manager Mike Rizzo and interim manager Jim Riggleman had a private meeting with Guzman and asked him to switch to second base for the 2010 season.

Guzman, who did not give Rizzo and Riggleman an answer, was in shock and told them he never played second base in his life. The only other position Guzman has played other than shortstop was in the 2008 All-Star Game when he played third base for the National League team.

The Nationals feel that Guzman will prolong his career if he makes the switch and no longer has the range to play the shortstop.   

If Guzman agrees to the switch, that means the Nationals most likely will look for a shortstop during the offseason. The Nationals are debating if Ian Desmond can get the job done at short. There is a positive feeling that he can.     

Guzman may not have a choice but switch to second because he is expected to have an MRI after the season. He has a ailing right shoulder, which has bothered him for a month. Guzman said the shoulder grew worse when he twice threw to home plate against the Dodgers last Thursday.

Guzman will not the play shortstop for the rest of the season and is regulated to pinch-hitting duties.

"I kept playing and I threw to home plate against the Dodgers and my arm stretched a little bit and I felt it. I had to stop because I knew [something was wrong with the shoulder]," Guzman said. "I went to the doctor and I knew."

[natstime]

I would be shocked if we dont trade guzman this off season, I really dont think guzman will go for the switch

[tomterp]

He may have reinjured his labrum.  If so, he may be toast. 

[blue911]

Why are they waiting until after the season to get a MRI?

[Evolution33]

Is it possible for Guzman to be non-tendered?

[blue911]

Is it possible for Guzman to be non-tendered?

His money is guaranteed for 2010.

[Ray D]

Guzman is not guaranteed a dime if he doesn't meet his end of the contract.  If they tell him he is playing second base, then if he doesn't play second base he isn't meeting his end of the contract.  I'm tired of hearing about the team "asking" him and about whether he will "agree" to play second.

So they asked him, as they should have, in order to maintain the illusion that it's his decision.  And he said he'd think about it, in order to maintain that illusion.  So enough. Now tell him he's playing second.  The ultimatum worked with Soriano.

And if Guzman refuses, we're out of his contract.