Re: Nationals trade for ... Derek Norris

[imref]

Per mlbtr Nats have placed Norris on Waivers. Expectation is that they'll release him if he clears.  They'll only have to pay him $700k

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/03/nationals-place-derek-norris-on-waivers.html?fv-home=true&post-id=87173

[mitlen]

Per mlbtr Nats have placed Norris on Waivers. Expectation is that they'll release him if he clears.  They'll only have to pay him $700k

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/03/nationals-place-derek-norris-on-waivers.html?fv-home=true&post-id=87173

Serious question:     Is this a surprise?

[imref]

Serious question:     Is this a surprise?

I hadn't heard any previous mention of their ability to get out of paying him.

[mitlen]

I hadn't heard any previous mention of their ability to get out of paying him.

Guess this means Lobaton and Wieters are the guys.

[whytev]

I hadn't heard any previous mention of their ability to get out of paying him.

It's the same thing they did to Kevin Fransden when he got cut.

[_sturt_]

Serious question:     Is this a surprise?

Not really... but I was one of those who thought we'd end up keeping him. Logic of that? With Severino almost ready, and with Lobaton out of options yet more attractive as trade bait (relatively young, switch-hitter, content with the role and good clubhouse guy, easy on the payroll budget), I figured we'd end up dealing him to some team in emergency need of a catcher... and just thought Rizzo was very much content with Norris as the back-up, based on the conviction with which it was maintained that he was considered a prime prospect for a big bounce-back year.

[NatsAllThe Way]

Serious question:     Is this a surprise?

I don't know if it's a surprise, but if he gets picked up and has a monster year and Wieters is a bust and we lose the division by a game to the Mets I'm going to be extraodinarily cross.

[rileyn]

I don't know if it's a surprise, but if he gets picked up and has a monster year and Wieters is a bust and we lose the division by a game to the Mets I'm going to be extraodinarily cross.

Or, Wieters could have a strong year as he plays for his next contract, while Norris flames out in Minnesota or somewhere. 

[Slateman]

I think a bigger issue is why did we trade for Norris is the plan was to sign Wieters?

[mitlen]

I think a bigger issue is why did we trade for Norris is the plan was to sign Wieters?

I think that's where the "surprise" part came in my question.     Why go for Norris and then go after Wieters as well?      Rizzo maybe figured what the hell, pops said I can spend the money and the deal was right.

[imref]

I think that's where the "surprise" part came in my question.     Why go for Norris and then go after Wieters as well?      Rizzo maybe figured what the hell, pops said I can spend the money and the deal was right.

He didn't expect that he could get wieters for the deal we got.

[_sturt_]

I think a bigger issue is why did we trade for Norris is the plan was to sign Wieters?

I suppose b/c the GM knew, worse case scenario that Wieters didn't cooperate with the plan, he had a plan B, and best case scenario that he did cooperate, he'd only be out $700K for the gamble.

[Ray D]

I hadn't heard any previous mention of their ability to get out of paying him.

people are confused about this. ....
http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/washington-nationals/derek-norris-8605/
...  says it's guaranteed.

People think we can get out of it because they think it's an arbitration contract. It's not, they avoided arbitration and agreed to a normal contract.  I think it's guaranteed.

[Optics]

I think a bigger issue is why did we trade for Norris is the plan was to sign Wieters?

I think the plan was to trade a C for bullpen help but it didn't work out.

[imref]

I think the plan was to trade a C for bullpen help but it didn't work out.

This was posted before, Rizzo gave an interview just after the signing in which he said that they initially wanted Wieters but thought the price was too high.  Once his price came down, they jumped on him.   I assume at the start of free agency Boras was seeking at least a 4 year deal probably for well north of $10 million a year. 

[whytev]

people are confused about this. ....
http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/washington-nationals/derek-norris-8605/
...  says it's guaranteed.

People think we can get out of it because they think it's an arbitration contract. It's not, they avoided arbitration and agreed to a normal contract.  I think it's guaranteed.

It's the arbitration years. Same thing. Frandsen was the same.

[Smithian]

I didn't understand this acquisition after Severino's solid showing last season and then when they pursued Wieters it made less sense.

[Natsinpwc]

I didn't understand this acquisition after Severino's solid showing last season and then when they pursued Wieters it made less sense.

They went to Plan B when they thought they could not pull off Plan A. And then Plan A worked.

[varoadking]

They went to Plan B when they thought they could not pull off Plan A. And then Plan A worked.

Plan?  I don't see a plan at all.  (Paraphrased from what movie?)

[Natsinpwc]

Plan?  I don't see a plan at all.  (Paraphrased from what movie?)

Uh.....?

[varoadking]

Uh.....?

Apocalypse Now.  Martin Sheen to Marlon Brando...

[mitlen]

Apocalypse Now.  Martin Sheen to Marlon Brando...

Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriste, I've never seen that movie either.

[varoadking]

Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeriste, I've never seen that movie either.

One of my all time favorites...

[Squab]

It'd be kind of sad to just see them release what will probably be a nice player this year for someone just because of money. I'm not even sure he's worse than Wieters now, he's also sure to land on the DL at some point.

I'd rather have him and Wieters split time and trade Lobaton for a penny with Severino backing them up. The difference is 2.6 million.

[aspenbubba]

It'd be kind of sad to just see them release what will probably be a nice player this year for someone just because of money. have him and Wieters split time and trade Lobaton for a penny with Severino backing them up. The difference is 2.6 million.

+1