2010 Offseason Wheeling and Dealing

[JCA-CrystalCity]

There is still Damon and his asking price is ONLY 25% more than Dunns salary (LOL)

Yes, and most everyone say he'll be lucky to get half of Dunn's salary.  When the price drops, stop laughing and sign him.

[DPMOmaha]

I wonder if they move Willingham for a pitcher or middle infielder whether they would then sign Johnny Damon, who is dirt cheap.  Morgan and Damon at the top of the order, followed by Zimmerman and Dunn, would grind up pitchers with long counts.  I'm not quite so keen on lefties in 3 of the top 4 spots, but perhaps you slot in Desmond or Guzman and bat Damon 3d. 

Getting back to the observation that this may be a triple-friendly park good for lefty pull hitters, you could see Damon run up some impressive numbers here.

Interesting theory. 

How about this.  Sign Garland.  Sign Hudson.  Trade Hammer for Lowrie as has been surmised above.  Let him and Desmond battle it out for the SS position.

This would be a fun lineup:
TPlush
Damon
Hudson
Dunn
Zimm
Dukes
Flores/Pudge
Desmond

Why not.  What to do we have to lose?  I bet we could do all that and keep the payroll under $75 mil which is still a fairly modest payroll.

[UMDNats]

Ladson tweeting that we have interest in Orlando Cabrera.

[I can Throw]

I think Lowrie's future will be at 2b.

[Lintyfresh85]

Interesting theory. 

How about this.  Sign Garland.  Sign Hudson.  Trade Hammer for Lowrie as has been surmised above.  Let him and Desmond battle it out for the SS position.

This would be a fun lineup:
TPlush
Damon
Hudson
Dunn
Zimm
Dukes
Flores/Pudge
Desmond

Why not.  What to do we have to lose?  I bet we could do all that and keep the payroll under $75 mil which is still a fairly modest payroll.

One... we still have Guzman who will throw a nag fit if he doesn't hit in the two hole.

So he has to be moved.

But a lineup of

Morgan
Damon
Zimm
Dunn
Dukes
Hudson
Desmond
Pudge

Does look awfully pleasing.

[Lintyfresh85]

And also... just say no to Cabrera.

From rotoworld.com

The Nationals have interest in free agent Orlando Cabrera as a second baseman if they are unable to sign Orlando Hudson, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

Awful. The potential signing would mean that Cristian Guzman would remain at shortstop, giving the Nationals a middle infield of two guys who only add value because of their batting average, not their ability to get on base or field their position. Cabrera, 35, hasn't played a single inning at second base since 2000 with the Expos. The only reason he's considering a switch is because so few starting shortstop gigs are available.

Source: Bill Ladson on Twitter

[cmdterps44]

I like Cabrera but I agree. Guzman and Cabrera... wtf would that look like come opening day. Yuck

[PANatsFan]

Throw money at Wang.

Yes, I know how that sounds.

[Lintyfresh85]

That sounds like a fantastic idea.

[PANatsFan]

I'd like to see what Morse could do in the lineup everyday too.

The big man can hit. His pinch hitting skills could keep him employed Matt Stairs style for years to come if he keeps it up.

[amanuel]

Throw money at Wang.

Yes, I know how that sounds.

been saying that since the first day of free agency as odd as that sounds

[tomterp]

Yep, Rizzo needs to grab Wang as fast as he can.

[PANatsFan]

Yep, Rizzo needs to grab Wang as fast as he can.

That Wang has balls that seem really heavy to the guy holding the bat.

[tomterp]

That Wang has balls that seem really heavy to the guy holding the bat.

Well Wang had better sign before he pisses away this opportunity.

[Nathan]

Huhuhuhuh.  Wang.

[UMDNats]

Huhuhuhuh.  Wang.

[Nathan]

It works in multiple ways.

[imref]

We should sign Wang only if after every home game Wang comes out in Yankee uniform and tosses a pitch to Zimmerman that Ryan can knock out of the park, recreating the greatest moment in Nationals history.

[DPMOmaha]

One... we still have Guzman who will throw a nag fit if he doesn't hit in the two hole.

Yes, I know, I meant to mention that we'd have to do something with him.  It's not a fool proof plan, but more of a day dream...

[Minty Fresh]

And there are a lot more FA outfield options than middle infielders.

I like Nady, Dye, and Winn.

Ugh.  No, no and no thanks.  I'd rather have Hammer and Hudson than replace Hammer with any one of those choads.

[JMW IV]

I like Willingham but I like this as well. Maybe we can get solid people back. Just please god, Dont move Dunn to the OF.

I just hope we don't deal Willingham for crap. Hes an important part of our lineup!

agreed. especially about dunn. keep him at 1B.

There is still Damon and his asking price is ONLY 25% more than Dunns salary (LOL)

but then we'd have to sign a Mid-Left-Fielder to make the relays from Damon to Guzman/Desmond.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

OK, I'll stay out on an island by myself on this, but if Willingham were traded (not saying I would, but just saying if he were), I think Damon would be a terrific backfill.  I don't see him as more of a liability out there than Willingham defensively (range balancing arm), I think the lefty pull pop and his speed are a great fit for the ballpark (v. Willlingham's tough home / road splits), and I love his plate discipline. I also think anyone who still is thinking that Damon is going to sit out this season if he does not get $12m, or even $10m, is a bit behind in their reading.  Just a guess - he'll sign in March for $6m, 1 year.  

This article says his hottest pursuers are offering $2m - ATL, DET, and NYY.  Were the Nats to trade Willingham for, say, McAllister, an MLB MR, and low A SS prospect in the NYY top 10, I would love to see us pounce for $5m.

[houston-nat]

I'm with you, JCA. If we can get a nice haul for Willingham, ideally something that fills one of our other holes, then turn around and grab Damon for a one-year deal. I would lay stress, though, on getting something back for Willingham which we can use to fill one of our other holes right away - that "Zimmermann-quality starter" or similar.

[houston-nat]

BTW last night I had a dream where Jordan Zimmermann died. That was odd.

[PatsNats28]

Damon would be fine with me as long as he's not anything but a rental.