Roster Moves 2024

[imref]

FIP was about a run higher than his ERA. So that probably scared teams away. Don’t recall ever seeing this guy although he has been around.  Oh well. Roll the dice.  No harm done.

Vernon Law was good with the Pirates. Looked it up and he is still alive at 93. Vernon’s son Vance played in MLB also.  Don’t think this guy is related. 

If he makes the team he'll get $1.5 million plus incentives. He can opt out.

[Natsinpwc]

If he makes the team he'll get $1.5 million plus incentives. He can opt out.

Opt out when?

[Natsinpwc]

Not just one but three opt outs. 

https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1760429183367589964

[hotshot]

FIP was about a run higher than his ERA. So that probably scared teams away. Don’t recall ever seeing this guy although he has been around.  Oh well. Roll the dice.  No harm done.

Vernon Law was good with the Pirates. Looked it up and he is still alive at 93. Vernon’s son Vance played in MLB also.  Don’t think this guy is related.

The Senator from Idaho, Herman Welker, was instrumental in the signing of Law with the Pirates and Harmon Killebrew, with the Washington Senators. Politicians apparently played a role in MLB signings back in the day.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nats sign RHP Derek Law to a minor league deal / ST invite.

Wasn't terrible last year - https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lawde01.shtml

They may have thought they were signing Derek Lowe.

[Natsinpwc]

The Senator from Idaho, Herman Welker, was instrumental in the signing of Law with the Pirates and Harmon Killebrew, with the Washington Senators. Politicians apparently played a role in MLB signings back in the day.

Maybe they should get involved again. Since they can’t accomplish anything positive in public policy. 

[imref]

Todd Boss shares option statuses for the 40-man: http://www.nationalsarmrace.com/?p=18341

Out of options: Kieboom, Adon (that was surprising), Weems, Luis Garcia, Rainey, Vargas, and Ruiz. He speculates that Kieboom and Adon are DFA candidates unless they decided to keep Adon in the rotation over Irvin.

Still have options: Alu, Irvin, Rutledge, Cavailli, Millas, Ward, Call, Young, Ferrer, Thompson, Willingham.

Options, but aren't making the team: Herz, Mitchell. Parker, Cole Henry, Brzycky

[imref]

Nats reportedly close to signing RHP Matt Barnes

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nats reportedly close to signing RHP Matt Barnes

wow. I loved the guy at his peak with the Red Sox. I hope he's fixable, but then why would he sign here? Maybe the old Hickey "just throw the f'ng thing, and let's see your changeup, too" approach will work after the analytics failed.

[imref]

Mlbtr suggested it might be a major league deal which seems crazy. He says he had a hip issues that’s now healed

[Natsinpwc]

Worth the risk.  Might do well and you can trade him. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Mlbtr suggested it might be a major league deal which seems crazy. He says he had a hip issues that’s now healed

Guy can close if it truly was a hip issue and he can throw. He was an All Star off his first half of 2021, and wasn't bad in 2022.

Floro, a healthy Barnes, and Rainey behind Finnegan and Harvey would be 5 guys that you could throw anytime, any leverage. Add Ferrer and still probably  Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia  as lefites, and that looks formidable.

[imref]

Per Chris Cotillo, it's a minor league deal for Barnes.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Per Chris Cotillo, it's a minor league deal for Barnes.

makes more sense. That leaves 2-3 spots for Weems and a long guy (I assume Hunter/Jerry has a slot; he'd be the 3rd guy)