Comments on: Nats 2013 Salary Status – Post Span, Post non-Tenders

By: Todd Boss

Todd Boss — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:04:29 +0000

Completely agree on Clippard. I just wish he hadn’t shredded his trade value in 2012 like he did. His drop-off in numbers, his slump in September and then his blow-ups in the playoffs all weigh down where he was perceived after 2011. We could have sold him as a closer-quality reliever … I still think that either he or Storen is trade bait, to be packaged with another player in a possible deal.

By: Wally

Wally — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 01:07:52 +0000

The other thing that occurred to me is that this is probably Clip’s last year, due to salary. Hard to see them going for $6m+ on a non closing reliever with such a growing payroll. I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see him traded this year, if they get a good offer. Alternatively, I wonder if he would bite on 3/$12m. Probably not, given the current reliever market, but he hasn’t had a big payday yet and he’d still be youngish when it ends.

By: Todd Boss

Todd Boss — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:00:28 +0000

The RSN money is a total wild card. But, if everyone is getting $80-$100M/year then we’ll see inflated payrolls to match.

It also tells me that this team needs to get back on the farm system building train, in order to have rising reinforcements for these guys that will naturally leave in a few year’s time.

By: Wally

Wally — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:41:27 +0000

Todd – this is good, it helps me put the next several years into perspective, payroll wise. 2015 seems like the year that things get tight, making me understand Rizzo’s comments to ALR about payroll flexibility. It really is the pitching staff that makes it tight, though. In 2015, we probably have Stras, Gio and JZimm all getting $10+m, and Det at $6-7m. If they added Greinke at $22m per, that means >50% of the payroll is tied up in the starters. Unless they plan to get to $130-150m payrolls, that seems unsustainable and so Greinke seems like a non starter unless they plan to flip JZimm and/or Det in a year or two.

What I don’t know how to assess is whether $130-150m is reasonable with the new national and local TV money.

By: Todd Boss

Todd Boss — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:19:05 +0000

Maybe he read the writing on the wall from his experiences last off-season. The Nats were a complete last-chance opportunity for him. Despite all the other bad teams in the league, not one of them gave him a major league deal to start. So then you ask, how many minor league starting pitcher AAA jobs did he get offered and why did he take the Nats offer versus from a place like Kansas City or Pittsburgh?

I’m guessing the team is promising him spot starts as needed but primarily a long man/periodic matchup guy?

JP Howell; i like him. if he’s healthy.

By: PDowdy

PDowdy — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:14:19 +0000

Yeah I would be expecting either Gonzalez or JP Howell. Saw where they were interested in him.

I’m just surprised Duke decided to stay and work out of the pen instead of going to a team where he could have started. I guess he is tired of playing for bad teams.

By: Todd Boss

Todd Boss — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:10:23 +0000

Good move. I’m guessing it was for less than either Gorzelanny or Lannan would have earned. Still need another lefty; guessing they try to resign michael gonzalez.

By: PDowdy

PDowdy — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 20:09:20 +0000

Looks like they brought back Duke. Amanda Comak is reporting he re-signed to a 1 year major league deal to replace Gorzelanny.