Could Nats help Rich get richer?
When the regular season ended, GM Mike Rizzo made it clear that he intended to obtain one of the higher profile veteran starters available, either by trade or through free agency.
Wanting something and actually getting it are two distinct issues, however, particularly following consecutive 100-loss seasons. I'm sure Rizzo is cognizant that he'll likely have to overpay for a free agent, in addition to forfeiting a draft pick if said free agent is ranked in the Type A category.
Certain names jump out at you, in no particular order: Lackey. Marquis. Garland. Penny. Wolf. All would represent a veteran presence, as well as some serious postseason experience.
But, with so many teams looking for starting pitching, the Nationals may have to mine a little deeper for their nuggets.
I keep coming back to Rich Harden. Harden, a righthander who will turn 28 at the end of this month, has never been a big winner. He topped out at 11 wins in 31 starts in 2004 in Oakland, a season he pitched just shy of 190 innings.
Harden's had a long string of physical issues, including back strain this past May. He's got only a pair of career complete games, both in 2005. Still, despite missing a month in 2009, he made 26 starts, going 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA.
I've seen Harden throw in both leagues, and he's a strike sthrower. He's averaged about 2-and-a-half K's per every walk, and prior to '09, he did a pretty good job keeping the ball in the ballpark. This season he allowed a career-high 23 homers, which may relate to the back issue.
Harden has stated an interest in remaining with the Cubs, but the Cubs haven't returned the compliment. In fact, it's likely the Cubs - under new ownership - will look elsewhere for pitching help.
Don't get me wrong; I don't believe that Harden is necessarily the answer. I do, however, think he's got a genuine upside - when healthy - and may find the challenge of joining a young staff on which he could act as a mentor attractive.
He wouldn't be cheap; you can forget that. But, he's a Type B free agent, which means the ballclub wouldn't lose a draft pick.
The Nationals are in a good position financially this winter, with several veteran contracts coming off the books. Harden will likely have many suitors. The odds of him ending up in a Washington uniform are long.
Still, I keep coming back to his name, and I have no crystal ball.
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Categories (click for archive)Phil Wood |
Phil,
I guess you could say the same thing about Baltimore looking at adding Harden. Same situation. His injury history is scary, though, especially when paying the big f/a $$. ===== Your assessment is corrrect. Harden, though, because of the injury history, may be more gettable, and would likely not command absolute top dollar. But we've been shocked before at what some risky names have been able to pry out of teams.
Phil, no need to worry about Type A when it comes to starting pitchers; there are only going to be two on the market, Lackey and Wolf. Lackey isn't coming here and Rizzo may well pass on Wolf rather than give up the first second-round draft choice (the first-round choice being protected, with so many alternatives being available.
FWIW, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors is guessing that the Nationals will sign...Carl Pavano. He also has the Nats signing Orlando Hudson and Bengie Molina. And he has Lackey going to the Yankees, Wolf to the Mets, Harden to the Red Sox, Marquis to the D-Backs and Garland back to the Dodgers (he himself admits this is pure guesswork and he would be thrilled if he got a quarter of his guesses right). ==== I'm not sure I'd be that thrilled with a Hudson signing. He fell off quite a bit in the second half. Pavano? Worth a thought, though he's not high on my list. I'd like to see the Nats pursue A.J. Ellis as a backup catcher. Not mch power, but he gets on base a lot, and is a good technical receiver. I saw the MLBTR speculation - I see it as space filler, no more, no less.
Phil,
Last year I went through several religious incantations asking the gods of baseball to send us Matt Holladay. I settled for Adam Dunn. this year I am burning the incense for Jason Marquis and will settle for no less. ================ Anything is worth a try, but I'll be surprised if Marquis doesn't stay with Colorado.
Although I'd personally like to see the Nats land a #1 via trade (Derek Lowe?), someone like Pavano, Harden, or even Sheets could be worth thinking about. The team really needs an inning-eater (or two) in the rotation to support Lannan & lessen the strain on the bullpen. Livo could still be a good fit as a #4-5 SP as well.
In looking at the CA / MI options, I'd rather see the Nationals go after defensive-minded "bridge" players - someone who has 1-2 more solid years left to let the draft choices mature a little more. At catcher, Barajas, B. Molina, and Schneider fit that criteria as Free Agents. In the middle-infield spots, Kennedy, Everett, McDonald and N. Green could be possibles. O-Dog Hudson, as a 32-y.o. type-A FA might be looking for a bigger contract than he's worth, at this point. ====== Barajas doesn't seem like he wants to be a back-up catcher, and if Flores is 100% - and we should know that well before spring training - I'd tend to look for someone who would be content as a #2. I'm not ruling out Desmond as a MI candidate quite yet, though I've seen a lot of John McDonald and he can really pick it.
Hi Phil,
An off-topic question: Do you know when they might start running Nationals Classics games on MASN again?
I really need a Nationals fix...and I hope they show our win over the Red Sox, one of the games we won at Wrigley, and especially the home finale Justin Maxwell grand slam walk-off over the Mets--and let's not forget Willingham's two grand slam game in Milwaukee.
Hope you can put a good word in with the MASN executives. Every time I see an East Appalachian State vs. Miami University (of Vermont) game on MASN I scratch my head.
KM ========================== Don't know the answer, but I'll check on it.