Nationals Trade Rumors

"As the season approaches the quarter pole, more moves will be made. There's too much money to be made in baseball for owners to sit idly by as their teams fall further behind in the standings...Teams are also more willing to dump expensive players in the interest of moving forward with prospects. It happened with Pittsburgh starter Matt Morris. So who's on the hot seat now? Here's a look:"

"Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, declined to discuss his client's contract situation specifically but said that contracts like Longoria's can often make great sense for the team, but not necessarily the player."

"Saying their bullpen is in greater need of a long reliever than a situational left-hander, the Washington Nationals optioned pitcher Ray King to Class AAA Columbus yesterday and called up Mike O'Connor."

"General manager Brian Sabean acknowledged on his weekly radio show that he is looking for a first baseman, preferably a left-handed hitter. The Giants have had internal discussions about Washington's Nick Johnson, but he might be off the market after winning the everyday first-base job and starting the season strongly. A source said the Giants scouted 26-year-old Braves first baseman Scott Thorman, who hit 11 home runs in 287 at-bats last season. In spring training, the A's tried in vain to get the Giants to bite on Dan Johnson. "

"But the race that might interest them the most is in the A.L. Central. Or, at least, that’s the one that Chad Cordero might need to monitor. The word is, Detroit is tracking the Nats reliever in case their bullpen falters them in the first half of the season."

"Friday night, after the Washington Nationals held their first workout at their new park, Manager Manny Acta invited Felipe López and Dmitri Young, one after the other, into his still unfurnished office. The news to be delivered to each was the same: Acta believes in their abilities, but after a spring in which they were involved in battles for playing time, they will begin the season on the bench. Instantly, they were transformed into $9.9 million worth of switch-hitting reserves... Neither López, who will earn $4.9 million in this final season before he becomes a free agent, nor Young said he would demand a trade."

"At a combined $10.9 million, both Young and Lopez are an expensive luxury. They appear to be staying put for now, though trade rumors have persisted all spring about Lopez and neither is quite sure how to adapt to a bench spot."

"The Nationals are trying to trade López, though scouts and executives from other teams appear more interested in Belliard, who is cheaper -- $3.5 million for the next two years as opposed to Lopez's $4.9 million for 2008 -- and performing better. Belliard is hitting .383 this spring, López .231."

"Second baseman Felipe Lopez said last week he would not accept a role on the bench, and the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs are among the teams who have expressed interest in acquiring the 2005 All-Star. Assuming the Nationals don't make a trade before they open the season Sunday, however, Lopez likely will sit while Ronnie Belliard starts at second base and Cristian Guzman starts at shortstop."

"However, two rival baseball executives confirmed Friday that the Nationals are actively shopping López, and the Chicago Cubs are among the teams that have had a scout following the Nationals in recent days -- including Friday, when López started at second base against the New York Mets and went 1 for 3 with a single and made one error, his fourth of the spring."

"If Washington were to try to move one of the two, Johnson likely would command more in return because he is five years younger. He also would become a free agent in 2010; the team has a $6 million nonguaranteed option on Young for the 2010 season that becomes guaranteed if he gets 500 plate appearances in 2009 or a combined 900 plate appearances in 2008 and 2009."

"Barring a trade -- and with General Manager Jim Bowden at the controls, that never is a good idea -- the Washington Nationals have three players for two positions in the middle infield. Two of those players -- would-be second basemen Ronnie Belliard and Felipe López -- have vastly different opinions about how they would handle losing the starting job."

"Jeff Weaver is unemployed, three weeks before the start of the season. The former Dodgers and Angels pitcher won the game that clinched the 2006 World Series championship for the St. Louis Cardinals, but he is 15-27 with a 5.96 earned-run average the last two seasons. The Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals have expressed interest, said his younger brother, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver."

"Zimmerman, 23, is well aware of all that. But he also is confident enough -- both in his ability and in the arbitration system that helps determine salaries for players with between three and six years of service time -- that he will be paid handsomely next offseason. That will be true, he believes, whether or not he agrees to a long-term deal and whether or not he is decidedly more productive."

"Talks between the Washington Nationals and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman for a long-term deal will continue, even as the team announced yesterday they renewed his contract for the 2008 season for $465,000, general manager Jim Bowden said — a $65,000 raise over last year's pay. Under major league rules, the organization can renew Zimmerman under their salary structure. But Bowden said they still intend to reach a long-term deal with Zimmerman, who becomes arbitration eligible in 2009."

"On the surface, a player looking for more dough is nothing new. But increasingly, the debate has shifted to players like Prince Fielder, Ryan Zimmerman and Cole Hamels, whose major league service time has not yet allowed them to make the big bucks."

"As he enters his third full season, Zimmerman is locked into that locker for the next four seasons. He and his agent wanted to lock in more time by negotiating a long-term contract. But talks with management failed to yield a deal, and Zimmerman's contract likely will be renewed by the team for a little more than $400,000 this season. He remains year-to-year, which is fine for everyone involved right now."

"The Nationals signed Aaron Boone, Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak to one-year contracts in an effort to strengthen their bench, but it's possible one of them won't make the Opening Day roster."

"Clearly, such a deal is not going to happen anytime soon. Brodie Van Wagenen, Zimmerman's agent, met with Nationals President Stan Kasten and General Manager Jim Bowden on Thursday at the team's offices at Space Coast Stadium, and both sides -- while quick to point out the positive relationship that exists between them -- now acknowledge the gap between their respective positions is too wide to bridge."

"Ryan Zimmerman may be the face of the Washington Nationals franchise but apparently not a market-setting face. General manager Jim Bowden, commenting on the recent negotiations with Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, said that the team is not going to sign Zimmerman to a long-term contract that would set a new standard."

"Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden doesn't usually make comments about contract negotiations. But on Saturday, he made an exception in the case of ongoing talks on an extension with third baseman Ryan Zimmerman."

"Brodie Van Wagenen, the agent for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, met Thursday with Nationals President Stan Kasten and General Manager Jim Bowden in the executive offices of Space Coast Stadium, part of ongoing discussions about a long-term contract extension for Zimmerman, but little progress was made, according to a source familiar with those talks."

"The Nationals have made a contract offer to free agent left-handed pitcher Odalis Pérez, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the matter, and were waiting for Pérez to decide between their offer and one from the Boston Red Sox."

"The other obstacle to seeing Johnson back in a Nationals uniform in April has to do with economics. In Johnson and veteran Dmitri Young, the Nationals have two first basemen -- neither of whom can play another position -- who are among the highest-paid players on the team (Johnson makes $5.5 million this season, Young $5 million) and who almost certainly could not both be on the team's roster on Opening Day if both are healthy."

"Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden acknowledged Friday that the presence of two veteran, highly paid first basemen -- Dmitri Young and Nick Johnson -- on the roster this spring could force him to trade one of them, provided both remain healthy."

"The Phillies are apparently a lot more serious about free-agent pitcher Kris Benson than they've let on. Benson has thrown privately for Phillies scout Chuck LaMar twice in the last week, a baseball source said after Benson's most recent audition yesterday in Atlanta... Several other teams, including Washington, Houston and St. Louis, have had interest, and there were indications yesterday that Atlanta might get involved."

"Looking to bolster their offense even more, the Nationals agreed to terms on a $1.25 million contract with catcher Johnny Estrada, pending a physical, according to a baseball source. When reached for comment Tuesday morning, Nationals general manager Jim Bowden would not confirm or deny the report. The baseball source insisted that signing Estrada is not a reaction to Paul Lo Duca's left knee surgery."

"There have been no substantive negotiations on a long-term deal for Zimmerman this offseason, though that could change as spring training approaches. Barring a long-term deal for Zimmerman, the club could renew him again or sign him to a more lucrative one-year deal. If he doesn't sign a multi-year contract, Zimmerman will be eligible for arbitration after this season."

"The Washington Nationals and their two remaining arbitration-eligible players, reliever Jon Rauch and infielder Felipe Lopez, are $300,000 apart in figures they submitted for potential hearings yesterday."

"The Washington Nationals exchanged contract figures yesterday with their two remaining arbitration-eligible players — infielder Felipe Lopez and reliever Jon Rauch — setting the stage for both unsigned players to have their cases heard next month."

"Washington is still in the market for a catcher, and the names most frequently circulated this week -- Paul Lo Duca, Johnny Estrada and Damian Miller -- remained the most likely targets. Lo Duca is drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, and his agent, Andrew Mongelluzzi, said late Wednesday that he is hopeful of drawing one or two more teams into the mix. Washington officials were not optimistic that a trade for a catcher -- likely Arizona's Miguel Montero -- was feasible, though Bowden continued to say he preferred that route. "

"One major spot remains unfilled for the Nationals: a second catcher who can share the job with Flores. That issue could be resolved once the Dec. 12 deadline to tender contracts passes. Baseball sources said Washington is interested in Johnny Estrada, who is not expected to be tendered by the New York Mets and thus would become a free agent. Veteran Damian Miller also remains a possibility."

"The Washington Nationals used the third day of baseball's winter meetings to pursue free agent catcher Paul Lo Duca, complete a trade for right-hander Tyler Clippard and actively chase Japanese left-hander Katsuhiko Maekawa, an intriguing prospect who would represent a foray into a new market."

"The New York Yankees found a fresh arm for their bullpen, reaching a preliminary agreement to trade Tyler Clippard to the Washington Nationals for right-hander Jonathan Albaladejo."

"The market for closers went up significantly when former Milwaukee Brewer Francisco Cordero signed a four-year, $46million deal with Cincinnati. That leaves the Brewers as one of several teams that might be willing to pay a price for an established closer, such as Washington's Cordero (no relation), given that the free agent options are slim."

"And look for Bowden to continue mining the scrap heap for any cheap free agents who can help fill out his club's starting rotation and bench. And definitely look for Bowden to intensify trade talks in an effort to land more players like Milledge. He's got a glut of relievers, headlined by Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch, and now would seem to be the time to turn one of those right-handers into a quality starter or position player."

"Even with the Phils and White Sox (Rowand's former team) reluctant to go five years, Landis said he's been talking with several willing clubs. Having missed out on Hunter, the Rangers may be a bidder. The Dodgers and Nationals reportedly are interested, and if the Yankees include Melky Cabrera in a deal for pitcher Johan Santana, they may pursue Rowand, too."

"That player is clearly José Reyes, the electrifying 24-year-old shortstop whose ragged final two months contributed to the Mets’ late-season meltdown. Minaya reiterated yesterday that he would not part with Reyes, even for Santana, saying, 'It just doesn’t make any sense for us.' ... They have asked about Texas’s Gerald Laird, Baltimore’s Ramón Hernández and Washington’s Brian Schneider. They could also be interested in San Francisco’s Bengie Molina."

"But Minaya already has explored other options at catcher, inquiring about the Rangers' Gerald Laird, the Orioles' Ramon Hernandez and the Nationals' Brian Schneider. Even the Giants' Bengie Molina reportedly could be available. If he finds a better alternative, Minaya could simply non-tender Estrada, who then would become a free agent; the net gain from the trade with the Brewers would become the $3.2 million the Mets save on Guillermo Mota."

"How hot are the Nationals on inactive Rays OF Elijah Dukes? According to a story on the team's Web site, their chances of acquiring Dukes are "between a 6 and a 7" on a scale of 10."

"That won't stop Melvin from exploring the trade market, perhaps inquiring into the availability of the likes of Minnesota's Joe Nathan or Washington's Chad Cordero. Otherwise, he has found closers before, including Dan Kolb and Turnbow, and thinks he can do so again."

"In their search for a center fielder, the Padres have modest interest in Cardinals veteran Jim Edmonds, if St. Louis would offset a portion of his $8 million salary and accept scant talent in return...The Nationals' Ryan Church, a corner outfielder who has appeared in 114 games in center, also is on the Padres' radar, but the Nationals want a lot in return."

"Washington might be more inclined to wait until the high-profile players have chosen their destinations and then grab a second- or third-tier option. Instead of shelling out millions of dollars to Jones, Hunter or Aaron Rowand, Bowden could find a bargain in Mike Cameron or Corey Patterson. Instead of pursuing overpriced pitchers like Glavine, Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse, the Nationals might sign a veteran like Livan Hernandez, Bartolo Colon or Brett Tomko to a one-year deal."

"Ryan Zimmerman would be ideal. But the Yanks have found Washington GM Jim Bowden impossible to deal with even for middle relievers. Seattle's Adrian Beltre has right-handed pop and is an excellent fielder. But he does not appear available. The Yanks like Miguel Cabrera... Our main guy is Scott Rolen, but Hardball also offers a few suggestions that have not been mentioned much, if at all..."

"Texas is not re-signing Sosa, but it is unclear what kind of offers he will get. Washington could enter the picture, but the Mets aren't interested, not even with the team being run by Omar Minaya, the scout who signed Sosa in 1985."

"Baldelli probably would see plenty of time at DH if he's healthy, or the Rays could deal him to one of the numerous teams seeking a center fielder. The Twins, who may have to replace Torii Hunter, are rumored to have some interest, and MLB.com reported the Nationals are "keeping their eyes" on Baldelli as a trade possibility."

"Though Washington Nationals President Stan Kasten has spent much of his time with the club explaining why he believes signing expensive free agents should be the last step in a rebuilding process, Kasten himself met with former Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones recently at Jones's Atlanta home, a source with knowledge of the situation said yesterday... In keeping with the idea of at least making contact with free agents, the Nationals have also inquired about Livan Hernandez, the right-hander who threw the first pitch when baseball returned to Washington in 2005 but was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006."

"Late in the season, Bowden said, 'I think we all know how much I like offense,' and it would be surprising if he didn't at least look into a trade for a player such as Cincinnati's Adam Dunn, whom Bowden drafted when he was with the Reds and who has four straight 40-homer seasons. The initial contact with Rowand and Hunter -- calls whose significance the agents for both players played down -- shows, too, that the club is interested in upgrading in center field, where Nook Logan's .304 on-base percentage helped cripple the offense."

"The Washington Nationals, looking to improve in center field for 2008, have made preliminary contact with the agents for two of the premier center fielders on the market, Minnesota's Torii Hunter and Philadelphia's Aaron Rowand."

" Add the Washington Nationals to the Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers expected to bid big on free-agent Twins outfielder Torii Hunter."