Nats Rained Out In Lakeland; Next Set Of Cuts; Hill Traded For PTBNL
The Nats got an extra day off (well, kind of) just before the one official off day in spring training with a rainout of the Nationals-Tigers game in Lakeland.
In a related story, the Nationals announced that Ross Detwiler has been dropped from the battle for the 5th starter’s spot and will being the season in the bullpen. As noted on Twitter, the logical deduction is that Sammy Solis will remain a starter.
Sure enough, within an hour or so, the Nats announced that Eury Perez and Steve Souza were optioned to Syracuse, Solis was optioned to Harrisburg, while Brian Goodwin, Mike Fontenot, and Koyie Hill were reassigned to minor-league camp.
While searching for the appropriate bulldog pic this post was being written, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reported that Hill was subsequently traded to the Phillies for a PTBNL or cash. Two days ago, the Nationals made a similar deal with the Royals for journeyman IF Brandon Laird.
While there may or may not be a relationship between those two trades, one could also infer that Chicago may be edging towards making a decision on Rule 5 pick Adrian Nieto. Yesterday, Tyler Flowers was named the starting catcher for the White Sox, thus, the battle for who will back him up has been whittled down by one and there are rumors that Chicago is interested in Yankee backup Francisco Cervelli. Therefore, the trade of Hill may be a signal that Nieto is returning to the organization, which is not a particularly clairvoyant observation as Rule 5 position players are far less likely to “stick” than Rule 5 pitchers.
Good point on Nieto. I had almost forgotten him.
Souza certainly got everyone’s attention this year with his 1.200+ OPS and terrific 2013. Luke, you and the other PNat regulars were witness to so much of his immaturity over the years that seemed destined to sidetrack his career. It must be satisfying to see him grow up & blossom.
It seems, apparently, it wasn’t maturity per se’ but becoming a fierce zealot for Christianity. Kind of like Darrell Green or Reggie White. It seems to have worked a miracle.
I think the folks in Hagerstown — who saw him for parts of four seasons — are more qualified to comment since they saw more of his lows than I did.
Souza is a love/hate type player. More hate than love for most Hagerstown folks, though. Running joke was that he had been on the Suns for so long that he could run for mayor or even qualify for a pension. 🙂
All jokes aside, you could see the potential skills, yet the door wasn’t large enough for his head to fit through. And that was the burr under the saddle, so to speak. If he’s finally realized the error of his ways, or the good Lord has made him realize what he needed to do to finally make the team, then super. The faith that the Nats organization had in him has paid off. I think many other organizations would have bailed a long time ago, especially after the 50 game suspension.
Hahahahaha I need to send that one to my sister with the 2 bulldogs.
Good assumptions, Sherlocks!!!!
I thought Koyie Hill might be a future
Catching instructor in nats farm.
Well St Michael has proven that once a catcher
Always a catcher ‘s fan as GM
Daubauch will love the lefty lumber in
City Isle.
Imagine the guy coming over from phillies for hill
Should be asked – you ever take the sledgehammer
To sens wreck in reading??? Lol
I agree that Nieto is likely to come back at some point, but I don’t see it happening until / unless the White Sox make that trade for another C. I assume they want Phegley to play every day in AAA, so could keep Nieto as the occasional start (and pull up Phegley if Flowers gets hurt or fails, since they both have options). Obviously, there are often veteran C that come available late in ST (see Koyie Hill), so the Sox may likely find another option.
In the interim though, the Nats picked up Hill before the Lobaton trade, so they also probably just figure they have enough depth at the top of the minors with Leon & Solano, and especially if Snyder said he was willing to stick around, and might as well get something for Hill now.
Nieto hasn’t gotten a long look with the Chisox, only 13 ABs, producing 231/333/231. It will be a significant boost to the organizational depth at catcher if he is returned.