The Nationals’ Christmas Tree
Arbitration decisions–whether offered or subsequently taken–will be known by the end of this week. By the start of the winter baseball meetings in Indiapolis next week, GMs like Mike Rizzo will know whether Jason Marquis or Orlando Hudson will cost him a draft pick. So rub your mitts together, hot stove will arrive next week like an early Christmas card. My money says Mike Rizzo is going to put a few things under the Nationals’ Christmas Tree.
The most surprising rumor this fall has been the interest by the Nationals in John Lackey. Yes the Nationals desparately need a starter and a senior hand to bring along promising talents like Stephen Strasburg, Ross Detwiler, and others. But there is more chance that Santa himself will sign with the Nationals than John Lackey. Yet intimations that the Nationals still want a toe hold in the competitive baseball world are glad holiday tidings for their fans.
When Mark Teixeira turned his nose up at the Natonals offer last year, they ended up with Adam Dunn. So to whom will Rizzo turn his eyes when Lackey ends up in Boston, New York, or back in LA.
The rumor mill has the Nationals talking to Mark DeRosa who can play corner infield or corner outfield. DeRosa’s position flexibility makes him a highly sought commodity and he would be a welcome addition to the Nationals. Since DeRosa is not going to take a single game away from Ryan Zimmerman, DeRosa would primarily play first and outfield.
The pursuit of DeRosa has to be considered in conjunction with the frequent trade rumors about Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham, who together accounted for most of the games at first base and corner outfield in 2009. DeRosa could be an important backfill if they are traded and not a bad piece if to have going forward even if they are not.
Another bit of news that could impact Nationals plans next week concerns perennial Nationals favorite Orlando Hudson. Hudson may not be offered arbitration by the Dodgers and that may make him even more attactive as the upgrade in the middle infield Rizzo has been talking about.
Trades may be the first order of business next week in Indianapolis. Dunn, and to a lesser degree Willingham, would look better in the AL where their gloves will play better in a DH role, but so far the early suitors for Willingham have been in the NL.
Most talked about has been Atlanta. The Braves are rumored to be willing to part with Derek Lowe and to a lesser degree Javier Vasquez. Neither name has been tied to directly to Willingham, however. The Braves did sign Tim Hudson last week to a three-year deal and with the development of Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe is certainly expendable. Shedding his three-year, $45 million contract would free up payroll for Atlanta to fill their more glaring offensive holes or backfill behind Mike Gonzalez and Raphael Soriano in the bullpen.
The Nationals may not want to bail out a division rival like the Braves. If free agent starters like Lackey and (my favorite) Jason Marquis go to contenders as seems likely, Lowe may fit for the Nationals remarkably well. He is a quality starter who can eat innings and serve as a role model and teacher to the many young pitchers Washington is bringing along. He will cost less than Lackey and maybe not much more than Marquis.
The other team interested in Willingham is the Cardinals. They traded most of their prospects at the deadline last year and while they continue to be linked to Willingham in rumors, there are better fits for the Nationals. One possible fit would be trading Dunn to the White Sox for young players like Carlos Torres, Jayson Nix, and others. Chicago GM Kenny Williams has not been shy about trading his young players, but his cupboard is about bare.
Dunn, rather than Willingham, would bring the most in return and possibly the pitching help needed. Rizzo tried to trade him last season. Dunn’s power and OBP would play well in Oakland where Billy Beane is still searching for a suitable DH. Beane has the kind of high-upside young talent that would work for the Nationals. Jack Cust, Oakland’s current outfield-DH, is a candidate to be non-tendered after another year where his offense slipped.
Dunn would be a huge up-grade over Cust or just about any other DH rumored to be on the market. If Beane thinks his young pitching staff is ready to compete, Dunn might be a relatively cheap addition to kick start an anemic offense. And if the A’s cannot keep up with the Angels or Rangers, Dunn would be a nice chip for Beane to move in July.
The bottom line for the Natonals is fairly certain. To lure back fans, Santa’s elves will have to be busy at the winter meetings in Indianapolis. Regardless where they do their shopping, be it Atlanta, St. Louis or Oakland; Nationals season ticket holders are certain to have something in their stockings by Christmas day. There will be a free agent signing or two, maybe a high-profile trade if we are lucky. Cue the Bing Crosby and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
