2010 Offseason Wheeling and Dealing

[cmdterps44]

20 games would be fantastic, but I'm not gonna bet on it.  I really think they'll only win 65-70 this year.

The problem that I think a lot of people are overlooking is health.  This team was really lucky last year with their position players - the core was able to stay healthy by and large.  If you lose Z, Dunn, or Hammer for two months, that's gonna kill this offense.  I doubt the team will be so lucky this year.  I'm kind of expecting bad luck to strike, or at least "normal" luck.

Health is a big thing this team has seen the past few years. Another thing is the 'sucking ass' phase. Zimmerman usually started off slow. Dukes did for two months in '08. People never got there bats around and we just went into the crapter by the end of April.

If this team can start off smooth and avoid and major injuries like you said, this team will finish fourth or higher. So far it looks like the caliber that could.

[ronnynat]

I agree. no reason we could not have done that.

We probably did offer him that amount. Maybe even more.

[JMW IV]

We probably did offer him that amount. Maybe even more.

http://goo.gl/dZ4q

according to rosenthal, we offered him something similar to marquis.

which makes me say freak Garland. he just told us to kiss his ass.

[Kevrock]

Well that is disappointing. I wonder if we'll get a trade done to add another starter or if this is what we're looking at.

So who's left on the free agent market? Smoltz, Livan, Washburn...

[sportsfan882]

http://goo.gl/dZ4q

according to rosenthal, we offered him something similar to marquis.

which makes me say freak Garland. he just told us to kiss his ass.

ugh. that's freaking disappointing.

freak you garland you stupid nag.

ugh, we would be looking very good right now.

[sportsfan882]

Well that is disappointing. I wonder if we'll get a trade done to add another starter or if this is what we're looking at.

So who's left on the free agent market? Smoltz, Livan, Washburn...

Washburn looks real good right now from where we are sitting 

[Kevrock]

I agree, ASSCLOWN. 

FederalBaseball is saying:

...and FOXSports.com's Jon (Paul) Morosi just Twittered that the Twins, Mets and Cubs were interested in Washburn, no mention of the Nationals, and after Ben Sheets chose Oakland over New York this afternoon, the Mets have apparently turned their attention toward Smoltz.

http://www.federalbaseball.com/2010/1/26/1271349/washington-nationals-twenty-ten#storyjump

[sportsfan882]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-offseason-buzz-012010

Hudson talks remain fluid — 1:43 a.m. ET

Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson looks like he will have a choice.

Take a strong financial offer from the Nationals. Take perhaps a lesser contract from the Rays. Or take a deal from another club that might put him near the Nats financially and the Rays competitively — if such an opportunity exists.

The Nationals and Rays both are pursuing Hudson, but his negotiations remain fluid, major-league sources say. At least one, unidentified team might still be in the mix. That team could be the Twins, who are known to have interest in Hudson, major-league sources say.

So far this offseason, the Twins have been linked more with third basemen than second basemen. Nick Punto and Brendan Harris, however, can play both positions. Punto, in fact, was the regular third baseman during the second half of the 2006 season, helping the Twins win a division title.

Hudson, a Gold Glove defender at second, would hold particular appeal to the defensive-minded Twins — more than say, Miguel Tejada, another player the Twins liked, but who would have needed to move from shortstop to third base.

The question for the Twins would be price, just as it would be for the Rays. Rather than invest in Hudson, the Twins ultimately might prefer to sign a starting pitcher.

The Rays, facing their usual payroll constraints, would require some "interesting accounting" to sign Hudson, one source said. But the move clearly would make the team stronger, with Ben Zobrist moving to right field.

The Rockies only will sign Hudson if they can get him at a bargain price, sources say. The Mariners could add Hudson if they traded Jose Lopez. The Cubs are prioritizing another reliever over a second
baseman, and Tigers plan to play Scott Sizemore at second base.

[hammondsnats]

Damn, if true, Garland turned down a lot of cash from us.  I'll credit the Lerners for making that offer.  

We still need another quality starting pitcher though.   

[Minty Fresh]

John Garland signed elsewhere?  Now we'll NEVER win the World Series!!!!!!!!

[The Chief]

(no Stammen-a, har har )

bwahahahaha!

don't see any reason why Hudson signs with the Nats when he could sign with the Rays.

Because they're the Rays?  One lightning-in-a-bottle trip to the series followed by one mediocre winning season doesn't suddenly make them a glitzy big market winner.  Especially in the AL East.  I think if we offer a contract more to his liking, we look better.  Neither team is going to the playoffs in 2010.

http://goo.gl/dZ4q

according to rosenthal, we offered him something similar to marquis.

which makes me say freak Garland. he just told us to kiss his ass.

Agreed on this.  Screw him.  He must reeeeally like the West Coast, b/c it's not like the Padres are knocking on the post-season door this year.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

While Hudson is dickering with us, I hope we keep a line of communication open to Adam Kennedy.  Hudson is my preference, but I'd prefer we do not get caught without a plan B.  We could bring Kennedy in for one year at Ronnie Belliard money and make a play for Bedard, who is apparently interested in going back to the Os, or Wang.  I like the reports that we have no interest in Washburn.

[PANatsFan]

That's a very low offer. No way of knowing if the Nats made an offer or how much it would be. Seems he wanted to go to SD.

I TOLD YOU SO, ASSCLOWNSESES!!!!

[sportsfan882]

Lefty Noah Lowry is set to throw for teams Tuesday, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.  The 29-year-old seeks a one-year contract after battling thoracic outlet syndrome the last few years.  His last truly effective season was 2005.

Crasnick expects about 15 teams to attend the session, including the Reds, Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, Astros, Dodgers, Mariners, Cubs, Nationals and Mets

jcrasnick: Hard to imagine the Yankees having interest in Randy Winn as a RH OF bat. Winn, a switch-hitter, hit .158 in 120 RH at-bats last year.

jcrasnick: Winn wants to play regularly, but at this point he might fit better as a 4th outfielder for the Nationals or Dodgers.

we don't need anymore 4th OFers

[Obed_Marsh]

Sometimes this team is like the dorky rich kid who cannot get a date to the the prom.

[mikehughes]

Rick Ankiel said that the Nationals, Marlins, and Yankees were in it until the end, reports Doug Tucker of The Brownsville Herald.

[DPMOmaha]

Sometimes this team is like the dorky rich kid who cannot get a date to the the prom.

The dorky rich kid often ends up with a trophy wife who wants him just for his money.

[Obed_Marsh]

So who are you saying is the trophy wife? Bedard?

[DPMOmaha]

So who are you saying is the trophy wife? Bedard?

The trophy wives turn 18 next off-season.

[cmdterps44]

Wow Garland wanted that pretty bad?

Wang or Bedard. Lets get one of them!

[sportsfan882]

please don't settle for livan

[hammondsnats]

Should we start making a heavy push for Smoltz?

Smoltz / Lannan / Marquis / Strasburg / Detwiler ?

[DPMOmaha]

Except I don't think SS will be/should be in the opening day rotation.  Also, Smoltz would be in the back of the rotation at this point of his career.  Might actually be better out of the bullpen if he's willing to take that role.

[sportsfan882]

Smoltz is suited for the pen. He will not be acceptable.

He won't sign with the Nats to be a reliever anyways.

[Lintyfresh85]

Stras will likely be held back to delay arbitration for an extra year.

It'd be the smart business decision for the Nats to make.

The team isn't going anywhere this year... better to have SS for an extra year... six years from now when the team should be contending than wasting time on the team now when they'll be battling for 4th place in the East.