The Former Nationals Watch (2023)

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Fred Valentine, an outfielder who played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Senators in a career that spanned the 1959-1968 seasons, died last week at age 87. Nicknamed “Squeaky,” the Tennessee State University product had 16 home runs and a 133 wRC+ for the Senators in 1966.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-brewers-prospect-tyler-black-wants-to-bash-not-broadcast/

1) will insert yearly break here if there's no comments on Cishek.
2) Yes, I'm usually hard core about distinguishing this franchise for the now Twins and the now Rangers, but I figure this is closer to belonging on this topic than digging through a DC history topic.

[imref]

Nelson Cruz to the padres on a one year deal

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nelson Cruz to the padres on a one year deal

no doubt to protect Soto.  From what, I don't know. 

[imref]

Sandy Leon signs a minor league deal with the Rangers. It's amazing how long he's managed to stay at or near the major league level.

[skippy1999]

Sandy Leon signs a minor league deal with the Rangers. It's amazing how long he's managed to stay at or near the major league level.

lol it really is! Good for him, I always liked ol' Sandy.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

fake mahi mahi

no doubt to protect Soto.  From what, I don't know. 

[nfotiu]

no doubt to protect Soto.  From what, I don't know. 

Like a hockey enforcer type role?

[imref]

Protect him from the ladies?

[imref]

just a fantastic piece on Jayson Werth - https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jaws-and-the-2023-hall-of-fame-ballot-jayson-werth/

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I had no idea that Werth was a yeoman farmer.

[imref]

Tres Barrera signs a minor league deal with STL

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Tres Barrera signs a minor league deal with STL

good for him.  Plainly, there was no future for him here.  I think Pineda's development and Millas doomed him.


His D may be good enough to be a backup elsewhere. Oddly, except for 2021 in AAA, he's hit OK in the minors at all levels, including last year at AAA.  He's a year older than Sandy Leon when Leon got his break with the Red Sox.

[Natsinpwc]

Michael A to the Twins.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Michael A to the Twins.

and AJ Alexy DFA'd to make room for him. MAT traded for a couple of minor leaguers.

[welch]

and AJ Alexy DFA'd to make room for him. MAT traded for a couple of minor leaguers.

So trade Robles, Antuna, and two more minor leaguers to the Twins for MAT. That settles CF until Hassell is ready, if Hassell makes it.

[Dave in Fairfax]

César Hernández to the Tigers on a minor-league deal.

[imref]

Wander Suero to the Dodgers on a minor league deal. I never expected to hear that name again.

[dracnal]

Wander Suero to the Dodgers on a minor league deal. I never expected to hear that name again.

I just hope they don't use the Dave Martinez flowchart that had 'and for some reason, Wander Suero,' as an option to go to in the late innings of a close game. I can't remember who posted it but it was a spot on and hilarious graphic

[Natsinpwc]

I just hope they don't use the Dave Martinez flowchart that had 'and for some reason, Wander Suero,' as an option to go to in the late innings of a close game. I can't remember who posted it but it was a spot on and hilarious graphic

The Dodgers will fix him and you will see him in the playoffs. Just the way it usually goes.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The Dodgers will fix him and you will see him in the playoffs. Just the way it usually goes.

this may be closer to the truth than we think.  The thing Suero had was a ton of movement and spin on his cutter. This was a very good pitch in 2019 & 2020, but fell apart in 2021. He hung out a bit in the Angels AAA last year (20 appearances, 23 innings) but was similarly ineffective.  The dodgers are pretty good at working with pitchers strengths, so it would not be surprising to see them figure out how to fix him. 

[welch]

this may be closer to the truth than we think.  The thing Suero had was a ton of movement and spin on his cutter. This was a very good pitch in 2019 & 2020, but fell apart in 2021. He hung out a bit in the Angels AAA last year (20 appearances, 23 innings) but was similarly ineffective.  The dodgers are pretty good at working with pitchers strengths, so it would not be surprising to see them figure out how to fix him. 

As I remember, he often had pretty good movement on a 90 mph fastball. Sometimes he got tired over a season or if he was used often. And sometimes batters spotted the movement on 90 mph. Wander was never someone to trust in the 8th or 9th innings.

[Natsinpwc]

Josh Harrison to the Phillies. One year. $2 million.

[imref]

Joe Ross to the Giants on a minor league deal. I don’t understand not signing him

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Yep - a drop in the bucket of money to knackered pitchers.  Maybe he wanted to go home. 

[Elvir Ovcina]

Joe Ross to the Giants on a minor league deal. I don’t understand not signing him

He's an alleged starting pitcher who has thrown 188 innings...in the last 5 years, total.  Does that answer the question?