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Nats Option Four More to AAA

Well, ask and ye shall receive, no?

After yesterday’s 4-1 win over the Astros at the BotPB, the Nationals optioned Brian Goodwin, Matt Grace, Rafael Martin, and Pedro Severino were optioned to AAA while AAAA Emmanuel Burriss was reassigned to minor-league camp.

None of the moves were unexpected (just long delayed). There are now 37 players left in camp, including eight non-roster invitees and watchlist players Koda Glover and A.J. Cole.

Given his Glover’s role in the current closer soap opera, his continued presence in camp is expected, but Cole’s is not. This feeds into the other contrived drama* regarding manager Dusty Baker’s preference for a long man, and of course, the omnipresent third option of a trade, which is also expected to solve the “battle” between Adam Lind and out-of-options Clint Robinson. *Excluding this softer-than-a-baby’s-bottom story.

UPDATE: UT Brandon Snyder was also reassigned to minor-league camp on Sunday morning.

The Nationals have five games left in Florida before they head north to play a pair of cash grabs exhibitions against the Red Sox on Friday and Saturday.

16 Commments

  2. I should really know this by now, but does Snyder has the right to refuse the reassignment? He performed well, and his versatility might help him if he wants to sign instead with a team more likely to bring him up from the minors more quickly. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t care whether I signed with a playoff-caliber team. Give me the greatest number of MLB at bats and weeks of salary, and I can look up from the cellar if I have my chance to shine.

    1. Not sure of his service time, but give him credit for trying to stick with the hometown club.

    2. No, he only has a shade more than two years’ MLB experience. He more than likely signed a split contract like he did with the Braves last year.

  3. I’m more interested in whether some of the pitchers will be willing to go to Syracuse. My guess would be that Turner will, Albers, probably will, and Worley, Guthrie, and Nathan probably won’t. Worley and Guthrie have pitched in the minors recently, though, and Guthrie even went and played in Australia in an attempt to regain his mojo, so it’s possible. Albers has been very good during the spring. Turner doesn’t even turn 26 until May, so he’s somewhat younger and higher-ceiling than the typical arms a team gets to fill out the AAA rotation.

    It will also be interesting to see whether Clint Robinson would be willing to go to Syracuse if he goes through waivers unclaimed. Considering how late it is in the process, and how mediocre he was last year, it’s possible he makes it through waivers.

    1. Albers and Nathan got released today. Worley pitched today, so he’s apparently still in the conversation.

  4. Royals sent Billy Burns to AAA today. While it was long ago, seem to remember some lament here about the trade when the Nats sent Burns to the A’s. Billy turns 28 this year, becoming increasingly clear he is AAAA player.

    Also, Jays advised Mat Latos today that he will not make the opening day roster. Not clear if he will accept an assignment to AAA or try to catch on with someone else.

    1. Thanks. I thought there was a chance he might be grabbed in the Rule 5. An electric arm. Can’t wait to see him this year.

  6. They should bring Latos back if they can … he seems like a decent bet to pitch himself to the 6th starter role in Syracuse. Right now, given Cole’s spring, Voth, etc. no one appears to have won the 6th hot spare starter job. Best bet appears to be Fedde who will be starting out in AA. But he is a rookie with no major league experience. Rizzo loves insurance, he likes to have a backup plan B, backup plan C, and a backup plan D. Some like Latos could conceivably pitch himself back into that role. As we’ve seen this is a critical role. Maybe Valdez and Mapes raise their game? Rookies again … Latos knee and shoulder seem to be issues with most of the franchises …

    Otherwise, its Cole, Voth, Hill, Worley, Fedde, Valdez … this doesn’t look like Rizzo depth to me.

  7. Nats released Worley. Sent Cole, Turner, Gott, Cotts and Solano down.

    Looks like Guthrie may be the long man.

    1. Probably right. Guthrie simply outpitched Worley this spring. With the Nats being so thin in SP depth, Guthrie’s ability to spot start makes him valuable.

      1. If they straighten out Turner’s control issues, he’s a find. He’s only 25 (turns 26 in May) and threw consistently in the mid-90s in the game on Tuesday night. I’m glad he accepted the minor-league assignment. He may be the “6th starter” at the moment. He’s definitely been better than Cole. Voth didn’t get a long look from the big club, which I found curious.

        I believe the reports said that the Nats offered Worley the chance to go to Syracuse, but he asked to be released. Guthrie outpitched him all spring.

    1. I’ve seen (per radar gun clips on TV) Roark get it up to 94-95mph as a starter; but usually sits a tick or two lower at 92-93.
      I’ve heard (per newspaper reports) of low 90’s (91-92 tops) for Voth.

      Roark has great fastball command when he’s on, combined with movement that looks like a screwball. He arguably works best when he’s sitting low to mid 90’s – when he relieved for a season, I heard he was hitting 96-97 as he was only going for an inning – but the command and movement wasn’t there.

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