Of course, the big news this week in transactions were the signing of Dan Haren, pending a physical (best guess: announcement made tonight during the five o’clock hour for the benefit of talk-radio chatter) and the selection of four Nationals in yesterday’s Rule 5 draft. A couple of, well, minor signs have also been made …
For the second straight year, two Nationals were selected during the MLB phase of the Rule 5 draft — LHP Danny Rosenbaum and 2B Jeff Kobernus. Rosenbaum was selected third by the Colorado Rockies. Colorado Rockies blog Purple Row describes the selection: Rosenbaum will compete for a bullpen job vacated by Matt Reynolds. Josh Outman …
The Rule 5 Draft is this morning, the anticlimactic denouement to the 2012 Winter Meetings. As written last month, it’s nearly certain that the Nationals will not be taking anybody in the major-league phase, which is rather typical for first-division/contenders. Instead, there’s a chance that a couple of farmhands may be taken as they were …
The pattern of a (near-)unanimous few then the biases of the many continues with the votes for the Nationals’ Top 10 Pitchers. Thirty different pitchers received votes, but only two appeared on each of the thirteen ballots cast (Lucas Giolito and Nathan Karns) while two more were named on all but one (Sammy Solis and …
Let me get me this out there and put a more clear deadline. Like we did for the Nats bats, I’m soliciting votes for the NationalsProspects.com Top 10 Pitchers. The plan is to do the post on Wed., so send your Top 10 list to enfieldmass-top10arms[at]yahoo[dot]com (link will open your preferred email client) before 3 …
Compiling these was an interesting exercise this time around. The turnout was a little lighter, which is probably my fault for waiting so late on Friday to make a call for submissions, but I think there’s enough here to go on and make a post. The No. 1 guy was unanimous: Anthony Rendon. Like fans …
Like last year, I’ve decided to solicit your input to compile the NationalsProspects.com Top 10 Position Players. I use the terms “bats” as shorthand for that, which lends itself much better for formatting and keeps the visual puns PG-rated, so please consider both offense and defense when you vote. Here’s the dealio: Send your Top …
After coming up short in the postseason, the Nationals have traded RHP Alex Meyer to the Minnesota Twins for the long-coveted CF Denard Span.
The deal is being described early as a “win now” move and perhaps an indication that free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche may not be re-signed. Also possible, but less likely: a trade involving Michael Morse (if LaRoche does sign), Brian Goodwin or Eury Perez (Span is signed through 2014 with an option for 2015).
Centerfield, of course, has been craptastic (sorry to use the technical term) for the franchise for more than a decade.
Perhaps more important: Span gives the Nats a more traditional leadoff hitter, which enables the team to drop Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth lower in the lineup and slot them into more traditional run-producing roles. Defensively, Harper will most likely slide over to left field, though it’s possible that Harper will see time in right from time to time.
The 2012 Watchlist, which is technically inactive, has been updated nevertheless to reflect the trade.
The offseason Top 10, 11, 15, 20, 25 or 6 to 4 list season has begun, and it starts with Bullpen Banter’s Washington Nationals Top 15 List: No. Player Pos. 1. Anthony Rendon 3B 2. Lucas Giolito RHP 3. Brian Goodwin CF 4. Alex Meyer RHP 5. Matt Skole 3B 6. Tony Renda 2B 7. …
Picking up where we left off, now you can see how I’ve decided to change things a bit. Obviously, the most disturbing is the long list of pitchers that have been hurt or had surgery. And it’s by no means comprehensive. But right now, it’s impossible to ignore them (the term “Nationals elbow” proffered in …