Four More Optioned
Following Monday’s split-squad games, the Nats made the following roster moves:
Optioned: RHPs Jimmy Cordero, Kyle McGowin, Tanner Rainey, Austin Voth
Reassigned to Minor-League Camp: RHP JJ Hoover, OF Hunter Jones
The moves effectively narrow the Opening Day roster down to the last two bullpen slots and the last man on the bench. While watchlister (and 40-man roster guy) Austen Williams would appear to have an advantage over the handful of veteran NRI relievers still in camp—presuming both Erick Fedde and Joe Ross are both sent down to start in the minors—the out-of-options Pedro Severino gives GM Mike Rizzo the option of simply waiving the longtime backup and using that spot for one of the NRIs, a free agent, a waiver pickup, etc.
That also applies to the bench, though as some have pointed out, carrying a third catcher (i.e. Spencer Kieboom) gives the Nats the option of using either Yan Gomes or Kurt Suzuki off the bench while also providing a backup to Matt Adams, who’s already backing up 1B Ryan Zimmerman and perhaps Wilmer Difo as the 5th OF. UT Adrian Sanchez also provides a lot of flexibility as the backup to Difo (and would seem the more logical choice).
In other words, there are more paths of least resistance for the Nats to use players with more MLB experience, but who can also be readily passed through waivers (or used as bait to pick up someone from another organization) than for any watchlist player not named Victor Robles to make the Opening Day roster.
If Miller is healthy and won’t have to go on the DL, I think there’s one final bullpen spot open. Candidates would be Ross, Williams, Nuno, Suero, and Copeland, this year’s out-of-nowhere vet. I think Fedde is bound for Fresno to be stretched out.
Stevenson probably makes the 25-man by default if Taylor isn’t ready to go. With Taylor already jogging, I doubt they acquire someone else. Longer term for this season, OF depth looks like a real problem, as Stevo hasn’t hit enough to be with the big club for an extended period, and there’s very little else in the upper minors.
I’ve been saying all winter that Severino would have to be DFA’d, which has led some to say that I don’t like him. It’s not a matter of “like”; it’s a matter of baseball reality. He’s out of options, and the Nats have two quality MLB vets, so Sevy isn’t going to be on the 25-man. I do think, at this time of the year, that there’s a good chance he makes it through waivers and remains with the organization. People forget that they DFA’d S. Kieboom a couple of years ago and he passed through waivers.
The other question is whether Kendrick will have to start the season on the DL. If so, there’s another roster spot, probably for either Sanchez or spring miracle Jake Noll. I’m skeptical that they would put Noll on the 40-man at this point for what would probably be only a two-week call-up, though.
Noll has put himself in a good spot. He might be second from Rendon on the depth chart at third base if there’s an injury (knock on wood). I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a guy who has shown advanced feel and some power at the plate and can play at least three positions on the 40-man. The Nats may feel otherwise, but they certainly are giving him a look.
I applaud Noll for making the most of his opportunity, and I’ll agree with everyone that he would be a tremendous boost to upper-level INF depth if he proves to be legit. I’ll remain a skeptic, however, until he goes back to the minors and posts something better over an extended stretch than his .687 OPS at AA. That was significantly behind guys like Davidson (.846), Ward (.833, and younger than Noll), and Keller (.823). Noll’s OPS at Potomac was .813, so it’s quite possible that he’s capable of the leap in improvement, but I want to see him do it over a longer period before I get on the bandwagon. Perhaps some Noll success would help the Nats get over their odd and statistically unsubstantiated fascination with Adrian Sanchez.
I’m not too worried about the results at Double-A. Ward has been stuck at the level for what feels like forever, and he hasn’t done much when given chances. Carter Kieboom’s OPS wasn’t much better at .721, and they were promoted at the same time (yes, I know Noll is a few years older, but I’m not arguing Noll is a future All-Star or even an everyday MLB player). Both did better in the AFL, and both have looked very comfortable against major league pitching this spring.
Noll getting more minor league reps would be great, but ultimately, I think he’s a bench player now or he’s a bench player later. The Nats have the opening now for him as an injury reserve. I say give him the cup of coffee. The worst he can do is go, like, 0-for-7 and then get sent down. Big deal.
Surprisingly enough the Nats after all stocked up the Cabinet ( Wash terminology ) .
Collier , Taylor , Jones, even Goeddel could play one aaa/AA
CF depending how the assignments push down Guys even to the point where Sundberg plays CF in Potomac with Esthay and Canning around him. April should be interesting guys
You know you’ve made a splash when even the Post beat writer gives you a good writeup.
Good for Noll, he’s made the most of his chances this spring.