Archive: December 02, 2007 - December 08, 2007
Zimmerman's health
I touched on this yesterday because of the Rule 5 draft of Matt Whitney and the signing of free agent Aaron Boone, both potential third basemen. As I mentioned, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick wrote a little item that there was some...
By Barry Svrluga | December 7, 2007; 11:14 AM ET | Comments (186)
A week later, what do you think?
You remember, perhaps, that before we got here I went over the 40-man roster (at the bottom of this post). Here, then, is the 40-man roster now. Pitchers (19): Luis Ayala Jason Bergmann Matt Chico Tyler Clippard Jesus Colome Chad...
By Barry Svrluga | December 6, 2007; 3:38 PM ET | Comments (179)
Boone: "I'm very excited"
Just got off the phone with Aaron Boone, who several people have told me in the last hour is one of the all-time good guys in baseball. "I'm very excited," he said. "It's literally an up-and-coming franchise, one moving into...
By Barry Svrluga | December 6, 2007; 1:29 PM ET | Comments (32)
Nats sign Boone, avoid arbitration with WMP
I fell down on pursuing this one, but the Nationals signed infielder Aaron Boone to a one-year, $1 million contract that includes incentives. They also agreed to the aforementioned extension with outfielder Wily Mo Pena, the one GM Jim Bowden...
By Barry Svrluga | December 6, 2007; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (52)
Rule 5 Goodies
The Nationals selected two players -- third baseman Matt Whitney and outfielder Garrett Guzman -- in the just-completed Rule 5 draft. They are added to the 40-man roster, but to remain with the franchise they must stay with the major...
By Barry Svrluga | December 6, 2007; 10:29 AM ET | Comments (61)
Still more Lo Duca
Well, I was ready to pack it in from the lobby - I mean, what more can be accomplished after Scott Boras and Brian Cashman share what appeared to be a warm conversation? - when Paul Lo Duca reared his...
By Barry Svrluga | December 6, 2007; 1:52 AM ET | Comments (38)
Weapon of Mass Production: No extension yet
So ESPN's Enrique Rojas reported earlier tonight that the Nationals had reached agreement on a two-year, $7-million extension with outfielder Wily Mo Pena, who is eligible for arbitration. Through a team spokesman, General Manager Jim Bowden denied the report. Bowden,...
By Barry Svrluga | December 5, 2007; 11:06 PM ET | Comments (8)
Is Paul Lo Duca worth this much discussion?
Well, I got nothing else to discuss. The latest: There may be another team involved on Lo Duca. Not sure who. Toronto's offer, as reported by Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail, won't exceed $4 million. We'll see. Other...
By Barry Svrluga | December 5, 2007; 8:39 PM ET | Comments (41)
Lo Duca a losing battle?
Toronto has been in on Paul Lo Duca all week, and now there is a report from the New York Post saying he's close to signing with the Blue Jays. Just ran through the lobby and called a couple folks,...
By Barry Svrluga | December 5, 2007; 6:39 PM ET | Comments (43)
Pre-meeting thoughts
About to go up to the daily Jim Bowden Q&A session. But it's clear from the lobby that Nats baseball folks would like Lo Duca. This may not resolve itself quickly, however, because Lo Duca's agent is trying to drum...
By Barry Svrluga | December 5, 2007; 4:47 PM ET | Comments (33)
Don't take your eye off Lo Duca
Just got out of the annual media-and-managers lunch. Broke bread with Manny Acta. Pleasant. But the news: Still working on Lo Duca, as are the Nats. For a point-by-point breakdown of my misguided off-the-cuff analysis, please see Chris at Capitol...
By Barry Svrluga | December 5, 2007; 3:01 PM ET | Comments (56)
Lo Duca to the forefront?
Well, I wrote this whole story on the Nationals' catching situation that appeared in the $.35 edition, and some late-night lobby trolling revealed something that's slightly different than what's in the story: The Nationals believe they are truly in the...
By Barry Svrluga | December 5, 2007; 10:55 AM ET | Comments (104)
Clippard announcement delayed till Wednesday
Quickly before I get to hacking for the $.35 edition: Tyler Clippard passed his physical today, so half of the equation is done. But reliever Jonathan Albaladejo -- who the Nationals sent to the Yankees in exchange for the young...
By Barry Svrluga | December 4, 2007; 7:09 PM ET | Comments (107)
Pre-meeting thoughts
Back from a final turn in the lobby before heading to meet with Jim Bowden and Stan Kasten. Catching: Some of you picked this up, but one trade candidate -- a young, left-handed hitting catcher -- would be Miguel Montero...
By Barry Svrluga | December 4, 2007; 4:51 PM ET | Comments (38)
Day Two: Lobby buzz
So the Nationals are clearly trying to figure out their issues at catcher. They have one man - Jesus Flores - on the major league roster. People I spoke with in the lobby here at the Opryland Resort - and...
By Barry Svrluga | December 4, 2007; 2:27 PM ET | Comments (50)
Nats-Braves on March 30?
OK, one thing that people have been interested in - that doesn't have to do with Dukes or Milledge, Schneider or Church, Bowden or Kasten - is the potential for having a Sunday night opener in the District at Nationals...
By Barry Svrluga | December 4, 2007; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (28)
Dukes: The Aftermath
So the story in the $.35 edition about the trade of Glenn Gibson for Elijah Dukes has much to deal with Dukes's troubled past and far too little baseball. Boz, I'm sure, would have weighed in on this if not...
By Barry Svrluga | December 4, 2007; 2:33 AM ET | Comments (116)
Minor trade: Nats get Clippard
I put this at the end of the Dukes story, but for those who missed it, the Nationals traded reliever Jonathan Albaladejo to the Yankees for minor league starter Tyler Clippard. Clippard immediately becomes a contender for the rotation. I...
By Barry Svrluga | December 4, 2007; 1:29 AM ET | Comments (8)
Nats officials on Dukes
I'm going to have to get to hacking for the $.35 edition here pretty quick, but I'll offer you some of what was said in the media's meeting with Manny Acta, Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden. Jim Bowden: "We feel...
By Barry Svrluga | December 3, 2007; 6:57 PM ET | Comments (86)
Nats give up LHP Glenn Gibson
So it wasn't a player to be named later. Turns out the Nationals were just trying to track down Glenn Gibson, the promising young lefty who was part of a very talented staff at short-season Class A Vermont, to let...
By Barry Svrluga | December 3, 2007; 5:34 PM ET | Comments (89)
Some details on Dukes
OK we just had someone with knowledge of the situation explain how this went down. Indeed, Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden had an off-site meeting this morning at a hotel near the airport with Elijah Dukes. Also present, according to...
By Barry Svrluga | December 3, 2007; 3:30 PM ET | Comments (92)
Elijah Dukes to Nationals?
Dave Sheinin just confirmed what I've been trying to for the last couple hours -- that troubled Tampa Bay outfielder Elijah Dukes has been dealt to the Washington Nationals. We do not yet know who was dealt in return. This...
By Barry Svrluga | December 3, 2007; 2:53 PM ET | Comments (78)
Lobby buzz
Sorry I've been away for so long. Let me explain a little about the lay of the land and the flow of a day. This hotel is a complete labyrinth, with a few lobbies and more nooks and crannies than...
By Barry Svrluga | December 3, 2007; 2:07 PM ET | Comments (15)
Day One
Sorting through credential pickup, etc. We're seeing lots of execs check in, lot of back slapping. Sighting of Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden at a hotel near the airport, which is interesting. I'll look into that. It could show some...
By Barry Svrluga | December 3, 2007; 11:09 AM ET | Comments (28)
Nashville: Where You Go To See If What Is Said Is So
Just got on the ground in Nashville, and will begin trolling the lobby at the Gaylord Opryland Resort pronto. I'll keep you up to date with whatever news I can get tonight - which is generally an evening for the...
By Barry Svrluga | December 2, 2007; 6:37 PM ET | Comments (84)
