While the world twists and turns the baseball world stays pretty quiet. Stephen Drew is back which a sensible re-signing. Drew can play multiple defensive positions presumably well and occasionally you luck into a good offensive year. I doubt he'll put up the slash line he did last year (.266 / .339 / .524) but .240 with pop and D and he's the back-up Danny Espinosa prays he'll be at age 33.
The Nats also signed Grant Green. He's a Boras guy with good PCL numbers, but every batter has good PCL numbers. His PCL numbers are all average based - little power, no patience. When he's been up in the majors without that environment, the average dips and he's pretty much worthless. Not a spectacular fielder. Not particularly speedy. Not young. So should you be upset at the signing? Nah. There's no downside to signing these guys as minor league filler and inviting these guys to camp. What's the upside? I guess Kevin Frandsen.
If you don't like the Robinson/Zimmerman situation, a good back-up option there, Brandon Moss, is off the table, signing with the Royals. If you don't like the bullpen situation, nothing has really moved there.
The Nats (and the league) really have set prices and these... let's call them "lower middle class" players have set their own demands. Who blinks first? Who gets a bargain arm? We're about 2 weeks away from pitchers and catchers so there's still a little wiggle room. My guess is that the teams blink first, we see a signing, then another one a few days later, then a rush, but I guess we'll find out.
Isn't Chris carter still available? Would be a nice bench guy but I assume he wants to start.
ReplyDeleteNats signed Vance Worley to a minor league deal. I actually kinda like that signing. I think he'd be an improvement over Petit's role from last year.
ReplyDeleteWe still clearly need some bullpen help. I can't imagine they don't make another relief pitcher signing. Bel isle is still out there, as is Boone Logan and Joe Blanton. I think any 1 or 2 of those 3 would be a good fit. Regardless, the pen is going to be a big question mark when the season starts.
ReplyDeleteHarper, anyone left that you recommend the Nats sign, or as this point, are they good enough as-is to start the season?
ReplyDeleteYeah, but Carter is RH and as bad a 1b as Robinson, I would think Heisey and the Taylor/Goodwin decision would take care of the righties on the bench. Maybe they'll take a chance on a marginal LH 1B like Lind or Morrison, after they get a reliever. But they're probably not much better than Clint really.
ReplyDeleteJust signed Nathan and Albers. Don't know much about Albers but Nathan could be a great innings eater in blowouts if his arm doesn't fall off
ReplyDeleteNathan is a proven closer! I guess we can all shut up now...
ReplyDeleteAlbers was good two years ago, bad last year, could work as a middle-of-the-pen depth guy. Nathan was good three years ago, bad two years ago, basically out of baseball the last two years (pitched 6.2 innings in 10 games last year) and is 42. Both signed to minor-league deals.
ReplyDeleteWe signed Joe Nathan. We're going to the World Series baby!! Wait...what year is it again?? He's how old?? Oh well.
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to sign Joe Nathan, why not sign Papelbon to a minor league contract and let him try and find the magic too? Why not bring Marino Rivera back too? We'll have senior and junior.
Nathan signing (as well as optimism, if any) smells like the Casey Janssen deal. To Fries' point: "If his arm doesn't fall off..."
ReplyDeleteThis bullpen should be fun.
Again, not sure why we couldn't "afford" to sign Joba Chamberlain to a minor league deal like Milwaukee did...
ReplyDeleteHarper it's Phillie DeMai here. I have an urgent classic TV question.
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't seem to be the best urgent messaging system but ask away
ReplyDelete