2010 Offseason Wheeling and Dealing

[houston-nat]

I'd be shocked if we hadn't at least touched base. Maybe Rizzo prefers a stronger clubhouse presence?

Maybe. If I were Rizzo, I'd bank on Adam Dunn opening the Duke up.

[sportsfan882]

http://masnsports.com/2009/12/riggleman-on-pudge-and-more.html

So are you still looking for middle infield help?

Riggleman: "We are good in the middle infield. We have Guzman, Desmond, Orr, Harris and Gonzalez. We could go into the season and I would feel comfortable about all those players. They are all big league options."

How close are you to getting a starter?:

Riggleman: "We are interested in getting a front line starting pitcher. With guys like Jon Garland and others, they are waiting to see what the market will bring so I think that will take a little more time."

On Cristian Guzman possibly moving to second base:

Riggleman: "Of course, Cristian would prefer to play shortstop. But if second base is the place we need to play him, that is an adjustment that will have to be made."

[The Chief]

I hope that's just what Rizzo told him to say

[Minty Fresh]

Riggleman: "We are good in the middle infield. We have Guzman, Desmond, Orr, Harris and Gonzalez. We could go into the season and I would feel comfortable about all those players. They are all big league options."

Right now Willie Harris may be the best of those and he's an outfielder.

[The Chief]

SF will be along momentarily to tell you he already posted this somewhere

[Minty Fresh]

SF will be along momentarily to tell you he already posted this somewhere

I hope so, I stole the quote from him.  

EDIT:  There.  I fixed it.   

[Lintyfresh85]

Wow that's depressing.

[houston-nat]

Boof Bonser just got DFA'd. Would he be interested in a long relief job?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Boof Bonser just got DFA'd. Would he be interested in a long relief job?

I just want to be able to chant his name.

Bonzo!

[fake edit - oh.  never mind!]

[houston-nat]

The Rangers are listening to offers on Kevin Millwood and are even offering to pay for part of his contract depending on the quality of the prospect offered in return. Millwood is a one-year rental, though. Thoughts?

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Right now Willie Harris may be the best of those and he's an outfielder.

QFT

Riggleman might be just as delusional as Manny Acta.

[sportsfan882]

Nats interested in Vicente Padilla:

This, from Sheinin: The Nats have interest in free agent pitcher Vicente Padilla, according to a source familiar with discussions. Various news reports mention at least a half-dozen teams that are interested in the righty, and no agreement appears imminent; it's all tire-kicking, for now. But add Padilla to the list of veteran starters that Washington might be gunning for. Padilla, of course, is coming off a strange season in which he was both designated for assignment (ending his time with the Rangers) and picked up by the Dodgers, where he keyed their run to the playoffs.

[sportsfan882]

QFT

Riggleman might be just as delusional as Manny Acta.

give him a chance, notld. he will be head and shoulders above acta.

[UMDNats]

Well, to be fair to Riggleman, what's he gonna say, "Yea, my options all suck right now. I have no confidence in any of these guys."

[PatsNats28]

QFT

Riggleman might be just as delusional as Manny Acta.

I think he's just saying the party line.

And I thought we wanted character guys, Padilla is NOT that.

[JMW IV]

What is millwood's contract?

[sportsfan882]

washtimesbb: One exec I talked to today said he would expect the #Nats to start negotiations on a contract extension with John Lannan this year.

washtimesbb: Lannan is arbitration-eligible after this season and could get big money with another strong season.

washtimesbb: The exec, who is familiar with the #Nats, said he'd start at 4/$10 MM and see what Lannan does with it.

[houston-nat]

We don't have what it takes to get Josh Johnson. The Rangers offered Neftali Feliz AND Justin Smoak and Florida said no.

[PatsNats28]

What is millwood's contract?

IIRC, it was originally 60 mil/5 years, so we'd have him on the books for ~12 mil.

at the lannan #s. I was expecting a contract less than jon lester's (5 years, 30 mil).

[Nat of the Living Dead]

give him a chance, notld. he will be head and shoulders above acta.

We'll see where that sentiment stands after the first losing streak.

[Vega]

If we trade Willingham, I think Xavier Nady would be a decent bargain bin signing. Back when he was healthy, he was pretty comparable with Willingham. Granted, he has had injuries in the past, but so has Willingham.

[JMW IV]

Bill Ladson is KILLING IT on twitter. Much respect due. I think he found his niche.

he says the nats are targetting Jon Garland, Joel Pineiro, Vicente Padilla, Jarrod Washburn, and John Smoltz.

they showed interest in Jose Valverde, but his asking price was too high.

Luis Ataliano (sp?), Craig Stammen, and Collin Balester are candidates for the Nats 2010 bullpen.

[sportsfan882]

where did he get the stuff about moving those three pitchers to the pen?

I think Atilano would be a good fit there.

[Potomac Cannons]

The Pirates are talking to Justin Duchscherer. Why aren't we?

He's 32, has one year of starting experience, has had an elbow injury, has never pitched more than 141.1 innings and sat out last season with clinical depression.  Maybe he works out, but you'd have to load the contract with incentives and anything more than one year is a major reach right now.

[UMDNats]

He's 32, has one year of starting experience, has had an elbow injury, has never pitched more than 141.1 innings and sat out last season with clinical depression.  Maybe he works out, but you'd have to load the contract with incentives and anything more than one year is a major reach right now.

I think we'd all agree that giving him guaranteed big money is a mistake. Most of us think taking a flyer on him would be a nice risk.