Offseason moves?

[blue911]

http://deadspin.com/5937686/this-is-how-relievers-try-to-pick-up-ladies-before-ballgames

I'd write Cope's number on it and toss it to a wildebeest

[BuckyHarris]

"I don't think a backup catcher is going to make or break our season - if that's our biggest problem, then we're in good shape.  Personally, my biggest worry is Adam LaRoche and if he bounces back - that's a bigger problem than a catcher who will play maybe once a week."

Boy is that for sure. Less Rendon, we're still the same starting 8 that folded like a five dollar suitcase last spring. Am not going to get excited for MONTHS, this time....

[Ray D]

Had bone chips removed from his elbow, then insisted in pitching for Mexico in the WBC (long before rehab would be completed) over the Nats' objection.  In fact, the Nats protested to MLB who ruled in favor the player.  Not too many pitches in - Tommy John time.

It's all coming back to me now.  Thanks Tom.

[Ray D]

  Personally, my biggest worry is Adam LaRoche and if he bounces back

Did they ever figure out what caused his weight loss?  Has he regained the weight?   That may have been a significant contributor to his poor performance.

[Dave301]

Did they ever figure out what caused his weight loss?  Has he regained the weight?   That may have been a significant contributor to his poor performance.

I thought it had to do with the new medication that he took for his ADD. Whatever the problem is, it should be fixed by now.

[PebbleBall]

And just what do you do if one of those beats him out for the fifth spot?   

His spot wouldn't be open to competion.  He's not bad:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml

[RobDibblesGhost]

"I don't think a backup catcher is going to make or break our season - if that's our biggest problem, then we're in good shape.  Personally, my biggest worry is Adam LaRoche and if he bounces back - that's a bigger problem than a catcher who will play maybe once a week."

Boy is that for sure. Less Rendon, we're still the same starting 8 that folded like a five dollar suitcase last spring. Am not going to get excited for MONTHS, this time....

One big difference:  Davey is gone   I think Matt Williams is going to approach things a lot differently and this team will play much better out of the gate this season.

[Mattionals]

And just what do you do if one of those beats him out for the fifth spot?   Burnett isn't going to provide depth. He isn't going to take assignment to Syracuse. And you can't trade him.   

In fact, I am sure he wants a no-trade clause.   And Rizzo isn't going to give him one.  So this is all a moot discussion.   He is not going to sign with any team except on his terms. If he doesn't get what he wants, he won't play; he's made that fairly clear.

You are mindfacting about a no-trade.  On a one year deal for say 15 Million, Burnett makes the rotation the best in baseball.  If he sucks, move him to the pen or DL him.  This moves Detwiler to the pen which makes the pen better.  He adds more depth for the rotation in case of injury.  He isn't a horrible pitcher as you seem to think.  He makes the team better, and if you forgot about last season, the Nats didn't get to the postseason.  Anyway the team can get better should be explored.

[Ray D]

He isn't a horrible pitcher as you seem to think.

I'm curious as to what I may have said that implies I think he is a horrible pitcher.  I think he's great.  Just don't think this is a good fit here.

[Mattionals]

I'm curious as to what I may have said that implies I think he is a horrible pitcher.  I think he's great.  Just don't think this is a good fit here.

I apologize for putting words in your mouth.  You didn't come out and say horrible but you did say that a rotation with Detwiler or another candidate in organization is as good or better than Burnett.  I'm in the belief that Burnett is a solid upgrade over any of the candidates for the number 5 spot.  That doesn't mean I think that Detwiler, Roark or Jordan couldn't do it, I just think Burnett is better at it then them.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Didn't Ayala get shot in a hunting accident (like Greg Lemond)? 

Perhaps this belongs in 'uncensored'

Luis "I don't need no stinkin' rehab" Ayala.  Well guess what Luis, you're a moron.

    

In positive news, I hear The Chief is tanned, rested, and ready.

[Ray D]

Didn't Ayala get shot in a hunting accident (like Greg Lemond)? 

More like Dick Cheney.

[mitlen]

Didn't Ayala get shot in a hunting accident (like Greg Lemond)? 

Perhaps this belongs in 'uncensored'

Wasn't that Harry Whittington?

[PowerBoater69]

Wow, that's interesting, if true.

So far, at least twelve teams have reportedly asked the Nats about a trade.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/7-mlb-players-making-trade-rumors-swirl.html/2/

[PebbleBall]

Wow, that's interesting, if true.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/7-mlb-players-making-trade-rumors-swirl.html/2/

Ladson is the source on that

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140206&content_id=67503040&vkey=news_was&c_id=was&tcid=tw_article_67503040

[PowerBoater69]

Ladson is the source on that

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140206&content_id=67503040&vkey=news_was&c_id=was&tcid=tw_article_67503040

Missed that, likely true since Ladson gets his info directly from the team, although it wouldn't surprise me if the Nats FO only heard from two MLB teams, but included their entire farm systems in the 12 count.

[PebbleBall]

Missed that, likely true since Ladson gets his info directly from the team, although it wouldn't surprise me if the Nats FO only heard from two MLB teams, but included their entire farm systems in the 12 count.

Think of all the backup catchers they've turned down.

[Slateman]

Ladson is the source on that

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140206&content_id=67503040&vkey=news_was&c_id=was&tcid=tw_article_67503040

Both can be true

Danny has very little trade value right now. It makes sense that the Nationals will give him a chance to win the starting job. Healthy, hitting Danny Espinosa is a great thing for this team.

[tomterp]

Both can be true

Danny has very little trade value right now. It makes sense that the Nationals will give him a chance to win the starting job. Healthy, hitting Danny Espinosa is a great thing for this team.

You don't think he'd fetch a pretty decent prospect?  Most prospects have greater risk than Danny does of being a productive major league player.

[Slateman]

You don't think he'd fetch a pretty decent prospect?  Most prospects have greater risk than Danny does of being a productive major league player.

What would you give up for a backup middle infielder with a torn rotator cuff?

[tomterp]

What would you give up for a backup middle infielder with a torn rotator cuff?

I don't accept the premise of your question.

Without the torn rotator cuff he's NOT a backup infielder.  Obviously a buyer has to kick the tires pretty hard.

[amanuel]

Think of all the backup catchers they've turned down.

[Slateman]

I don't accept the premise of your question.

Without the torn rotator cuff he's NOT a backup infielder.  Obviously a buyer has to kick the tires pretty hard.

Danny hasnt shown he's healthy.  Until he does, why would anyone trust him? He's had issues since 2012.

[NJ Ave]

Danny hasnt shown he's healthy.  Until he does, why would anyone trust him? He's had issues since 2012.

This isn't a real issue. If someone trades for Espinosa, they will pay full value. Otherwise Rizzo will not trade him, because he has no reason to.

Now I agree it's unlikely someone will pay full value for him, because of the risk involved, but that's the only way he's getting off the roster besides being optioned to Syracuse. Rizzo is not Ernie Grunfeld.

[NJ Ave]

Full freight on Espinosa, to me, would be a prospect in the 50-100 range and maybe a ML relief pitcher with a couple years of team control. Of course that sounds outrageous right now, which is why he won't be traded.

But why would the Nats trade him otherwise? If they think he's a distraction at the ML level with his "I wanna be the starter" business, he has two minor league option years left, and he'll have to nag pretty loudly to affect the Nats from Syracuse.