SB Nation - Garrett Guzman

Washington Nationals: Rule 5 Draft History.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:05:58 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

Jesus Flores, taken from the NY Mets' system in 2006, is by far the biggest impact player the Nationals have selected in the Rule 5 Draft. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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The Nationals And The Rule 5 Draft...

The Washington Nationals, who hired Davey Johnson as a "senior advisor to the general manager" Mike Rizzo last week, as reported in an article by MLB.com's Bill Ladson entitled, "Nats name Johnson advisor to GM", brought Johnson to DC once before, back in 2006, as a consultant to then-GM Jim Bowden, and it was Johnson, Mr. Ladson wrote, who, "...told the Nationals to select catcher Jesus Flores in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft." Jesus Flores was the Nationals' first Rule 5 pick. (ed. note - "From the Major League Phase at least...the Nationals selected 3 players in the Triple-A Phase in 2005; Josh Perrault, now in the Orioles' system, who just gave up the game winning HR in the AFL Championship Saturday; Jose Sanchez, a RHP from the Giants' system, and infielder Brandon Powell from the Royals, but Washington refrained from taking a player in the Major League phase of the '05 Rule 5).

Flores came out of the NY Mets' system. The Mets reportedly left the then-22-year-old backstop, (regarded by some as the best catcher in their system), available thinking he was too green for teams to take a chance on, though they moved him to the Triple-A roster (he'd played the '06 season at Class-A) to make him drafting an even more troublesome proposition, since the team selecting him would have to pay $50,000 and keep the catcher on their major league 25-man roster all season. Later in the Major League phase of the '06 Rule 5 Draft, the Nationals selected right-hander Levale Speigner from the Minnesota Twins with the 17th pick...(and then hit the Twins up again, taking LHP Justin Jones in the Triple-A Phase...)

Speigner would not last through the '07 season on the Nationals' 25-man roster, as Rule 5 Draft rules demand, so the Nationals were forced to work out a deal with the Twins to keep the pitcher, sending OF Darnell McDonald to Minnesota so that they could send Speigner down into their system, but Jesus Flores stuck around, playing 79 games as Brian Schneider's backup, and in 2008, stealing the starting spot from veteran free agent signings Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada.

In 2007, the Nationals selected 1B Matt Whitney from the Cleveland Indians with the 7th pick in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft, and then took OF Garrett Guzman from the Minnesota Twins with the 16th pick. Whitney was returned to the Indians when he didn't make it out of the Nationals' camp, with then GM-Jim Bowden telling MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nationals retain rights to Guzman", that the Nationals, "'...wanted to make a trade for him...But given the fact that we have [first baseman] Chris Marrero coming...the price [was too high to keep] Whitney." Guzman was sent to Triple-A Columbus after the Nationals again made a deal with the Twins for future considerations or cash...(ed. note - "We'll delicately exit Guzman's history there...")

The Nationals selected RHP Terrell Young from the Cincinnati Reds' organization with the first pick of the Major League phase of the 2008 Rule 5 Draft, but the 23-year-old injured his shoulder and Washington returned Young, recouping half of the $50,000 dollars they'd paid the Reds to take him. With the first pick of the Triple-A Phase, the Nationals selected OF Ricardo Nanita from the White Sox, who split time in 2009 between the GCL Nationals, Double-AA Harrisburg Senators and the Mexican League...

As far as losing players, the Nationals announced last week that they'd added three pitchers, Juan Jaime, Atahualpa Severino and Aaron Thompson to their 40-man roster so they'd be protected, but as Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin noted in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats add three to 40-man roster, but not Wilkie", they left right-handed pitcher Josh Wilkie (who just pitched in the AFL) unprotected. In 2005, RHP Chris Booker was selected by the Detroit Tigers, signed away by the Phillies, claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals and then returned to Washington.

In 2006, IF Alejandro Machado was selected from DC's system in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft and seven players were taken in the Triple-A phase. (ed. note - "You get a gold star if you remember RHP James Henderson, LHP Ricardo Morales, C Salomon Manriquez and IFers Billy Webb, John Labandeira, Brandon Powell and Jose Contreras...and recognizing Powell's name from a few paragraphs above doesn't count...") In '07, just 3 players from the Nationals' Triple-A roster were taken, RHP Brett Campbell, LHP Juan Cedeno and SS Marcos Cabral. In 2008, the Orioles grabbed RHP Josh Perrault, and the Reds grabbed RHP Luis Ortega.

What to expect from the Rule 5 Draft this year? The Nationals, once again, have the No. 1 pick. MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo, in an article on the Rule 5 preparations around baseball entitled, "Teams shuffle rosters before Rule 5 Draft", refers to the Rule 5 Draft as the "ultimate needle in a haystack search", though he reports that there are some interesting possibilities amongst those available:

"Early Draft picks from 2006 who can be had in the Rule 5 Draft include White Sox first-rounder Kyle McCulloch, the Reds' Sean Watson and the Indians' Steven Wright. From the 2005 Draft, there are some hitters such as John Drennen, the Rangers' John Whittleman and Koby Clemens of the Astros, who led the Minors in RBIs, albeit in the Class A Advanced California League."

Kyle McCullough is a 24-year-old right-hander out of the University of Texas, who's (28-35) with a combined 4.31 ERA and 5.3 K/9 innings pitched over 4 seasons in the White Sox' system. Sean Watson was the Reds' 2nd Round pick in 2006, he's another 24-year-old right-hander who's been working as a reliever in Cincy's system the last two seasons. The Indians' Steven Wright, as Mr. Mayo refers to him, is a 25-year-old '06 2nd Round pick by Cleveland, who split time between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus this season. John Drennen's an OF who was an Indians' 1st Rounder in '05, John Whittleman's a third baseman selected in the 2nd Round of the MLB Draft by Texas in 2005 and Koby Clemens is of course, that Koby Clemens, son of Roger, who spent the '09 campaign catching in the Class-A California League where he hit .345 with a .419 OBP, 45 doubles, 22 HR's and 121 RBI's...

Who knows...the Nationals could get lucky and find the next Everth Cabrera, (who went to the Padres last season); Joakim Soria, (who the Royals took from the Padres in '06); Josh Hamilton, (who was drafted by the Cubs from the Rays' system and then traded to Cincinnati before overcoming all sorts of problems and finally breaking out); Dan Uggla, (who the Marlins took from Arizona in 2005); or even another Jesus Flores...I wouldn't hold my breath...but it will be interesting to see what the Nationals' new front office comes up with...

The Washington Nationals Don't Get Milton Bradley? Didn't See That Coming...

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:12:17 -0000

Center Field in DC...Goes To...?

As far as I'm concerned, the biggest news out of Washington yesterday, (solely in terms of baseball news, of course), was in MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Nationals miss out on Bradley", about the free agent outfielder Milton Bradley's decision to sign with the Chicago Cubs instead of becoming the Nationals' center fielder, but the big news didn't concern Bradley's spurning DC, (or the teased Nationals-related story on the MLB Network that never materialized last night)...but instead what the Nationals said in the wake of their 3-year/$30M dollar offer to Bradley being rejected, as Mr. Ladson wrote:

"According to baseball sources, the Nationals have decided to let Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge compete for the center-field job."

So the idea of moving Milledge to a corner spot is put on hold as he competes for the center field spot with Dukes. What happens to the loser? Do they go to right field? Go to the bench? I was pretty sure Dukes had a place in the '09 outfield, but Mr. Ladson cites Dukes' string of "right leg problems" last season as the reason why Dukes, the better defensive center fielder in Mr. Ladson's opinion, hasn't just been given the job in center since the team has said since the Fall that they see Milledge in a corner spot.

Buster Olney Doesn't Think Dunn's Coming Either...

The Nationals might be on the verge of going 0 for 3 with a swinging K in this winter's free agent market according ESPN.com's Buster Olney's latest post entitled, "Ten things to keep a close eye on", where Mr. Olney speculates that in spite of the Nationals' interest in bringing Adam Dunn to DC, for the free agent...:

"...to sign with Washington, Dunn would have to be at peace with the idea that he would be returning to almost the same kind of situation that he had in Cincinnati: He would be playing for a team that will probably struggle (for at least the next couple of years), a team lacking in the kind of pitching needed to contend..."

I probably have a higher opinion of the Nationals' young pitchers than Mr. Olney does, but, admittedly, most scouting reports on the starters in the Nationals' organization seem to place DC's arms in the middle or back of potential Nationals' rotations of the future, though hopefully the drafting and signing of Stephen Strasburg this season will give the Nationals their first true ace...(Sorry, Livan!)...but I share Mr. Olney's opinion of Adam Dunn's situation. What does DC have to offer Adam Dunn...the money hasn't been enough to bring either the Yankees' new first baseman or Milton Bradley to DC, so what makes you think Adam Dunn's going to be any different?

WINTER LEAGUE PLAYOFF UPDATES...

Dominican Winter League - The Tigres del Licey beat Aguilas Cibaenas 8- 2 Monday night with Anderson Hernandez starting at second, walking twice and going 1 for 4 to improve his DWL Postseason average to .375 after 8 games in which the Tigres are now 5-3. Ronnie Belliard recovered from a mini-slump following a recent HBP to go 1 for 4 with a run scored, 1 RBI and 1 walk.

Puerto Rican League - The Leones de Ponce pounced upon the Criollos de Caguas Monday night for a 6-1 win with the Criollos' one run coming on DC OF prospect Justin Maxwell's 7th HR of the winter, third-best in the PRWL. Maxwell was 1 for 2 with 2 walks, the HR, and now he's hitting .225 in for Caguas. Garrett Guzman was 0 for 4, lowering his AVG to .264 after 41 games. According to MLB.com's Caribbean League Roundup entitled, "Araguas' relievers shut down Caracas", the Criollos de Caguas will, "...host the Indios on Wednesday for the last postseason slot," in the Puerto Rican League Playoffs.

Who Wants To Play For The Washington Nationals? PLUS: Winter League Updates...and This Day In DC Baseball History.

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:44:05 -0000

Should The Washington Nationals Pursue Adam Dunn? And, What Does Their Pursuit Of "That Other Guy" Tell Us?

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:36:49 -0000

Why Do You Want DC To Sign Adam Dunn?

I'm surprised, somewhat, by the results of the most recent Poll here at federalbaseball.com which asks, "Who do the Nationals turn to as their next free agent target?". Surprised at the number of votes we've gotten compared to the usual participation and surprised that so many of you want Adam Dunn on the '09 Nationals' roster...74 of 252 votes, or 29% of those who voted, want the Nationals to sign Adam Dunn...(presumably to play 1st, since Josh Willingham was acquired to play left, I think?) Why do you want Dunn exactly? Convince me...Consider it a challenge...(ed. note - "Manny Ramirez is currently the 2nd choice amongst voters.")

My argument against signing Dunn, as I've stated often, starts with the K's, though Dunn's .381 career OBP is a lot higher than I would've imagined. He's guaranteed to hit 40/100? (At least with Brandon Phillips, Griffey, Jr. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce hitting around him? How about with Zim, Dukes, and Lasto?) Nick Johnson and DY are already under contract for a total of $10.5M next season, and with both of them battling back from another set of injuries/health problems, they're virtually untradeable unless you absorb money or just take a loss to part with the players, so signing Dunn for another $10-$12M per, (I keep on hearing somewhere around 3Y-$30M), just doesn't make sense to me? The A's have expressed interest in Nick Johnson('s medical records), but they're also said to be interested in Jason Giambi for first in Oakland, and that is the only Nick Johnson rumor i've heard. Plus, paying that much for a player, like Dunn, who won't drastically improve the team's chances for success doesn't seem financially responsible? (ed. note - "That other free agent offer was crazy too...")...After all, Alfonso Soriano hits 41 doubles and 46 HR's and collected 95 RBI's and the Nationals finished 71-91???

Make a case for Adam Dunn...Convice the doubters? Or just pile on the insulting nicknames like, "Dunn-K" or "The Bigger Wilkerson"? Your choice...

Don't Know How To Take That, Mr. Boras?

So, I'm reading Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post entitled, "Boras: For Tex It Just Came Down To Winning", where Mr. Harlan relates the story of how the Yankees' new $180M dollar first baseman's agent, Scott "Maximum" Boras, had called him to give a sort of post mortem of the Nationals' pursuit of his prize offensive free agent client, and had stated that:

"...I think the Nationals did everything they could do both with their economic commitment, the time and effort that was made in every attempt to bring Mark to Washington..."

...and, according to Mr. Boras, the Nationals put forth an all-out, professional effort that impressed both the agent** and his client, who, ultimately, decided that, "...in his career, he really needed to be working for a club that would be giving him an opportunity to win now." ...Uh? So the Nationals did everything they possibly could in terms of money, their approach, and the argument for the team they presented to Mr. Boras' client...And he decided that Washington wasn't for him?...Decided that there was a better chance of winning in a division that also features the Red Sox and the upstart Rays? New York was a better place for his family than DC? The lure of the pinstripes? What does it say about Washington as a destination for free agents when they give their very best effort and still come up short? (He WAS AN O's fan from Maryland!!! AND HE SIGNED WITH NY??? When is someone gonna show DC some love?)

(ed. note - " ** = As the first reader comment to Mr. Harlan's piece noted, and as I've said I'd hoped for since the beginning of the free agent season...At least Mr. Boras came away impressed with the organization, as he told, Mr. Harlan:

"...('It's clear you've got an ownership group committed to being successful... There's a passion there about what they want to get done...')"

...so when DC drafts Stephen Strasburg with the #1 overall pick in '09, at least he'll have a good impression to pass on to his client.")

Dominican Winter League UPDATE...

With a three-run top of the ninth, the Azucareros del Este staged a late-game comeback against the Tigres del Licey to win 8-7 in the second game of the Dominican Winter League Playoffs for the Tigres, who are now 1-1 in Postseason play. DC and Licey second baseman Anderson Hernandez was 1 for 5 with a double, his second in 2 Playoff games, and 1 RBI, also his 2nd in 2 games...Ronnie Belliard started at third for Licey, but never hit, he's listed as 0 for 0, with an "S" and his name under the box score? WHAT DOES THIS (S) MEAN? WHAT'S THE (S)?...Uh, ...Belliard was hit by a pitch in the 3rd and left the game...Uh-oh?

Puerto Rican Winter League...

The Criollos de Caguas beat the Gigantes de Carolina today, by a 6-1 score with DC prospects Justin Maxwell and Garrett Guzman both in the Caguas' lineup, and contributing to the win. Maxwell, starting in left and hitting fifth, was 1 for 3 with a run scored and 2 walks, and Guzman was 0 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. Maxwell, who's tied for second in the PRWL with six other players with 6 HR's this Winter, has also collected 7 doubles, 1 triple and 22 RBI's in 33 games, over which he's hit for a .222 AVG., a .394 OBP, .472 SLG...Guzman's hitting .275 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR's and 17 RBI's in 34 games, with a .356 OBP and .433 SLG...(though he's 0 for 2 in steal attempts.)

Make your case for Adam Dunn, here in the Comments section, or in a FANPOST, which I'll promote if you're persuasive...

Washington Nationals In The Winter Leagues, Dominican League Playoffs Begin With A Tigres del Licey Win.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:00:06 -0000

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE...

After finishing third in the Dominican Winter League Regular Season standings with a 26-24 record, the Tigres del Licey began the DWL Playoffs with a win in the first of five games they'll play against Aguilas Cibaenas(4), Azucareros del Este(2), and today's opponent in the Tigres(3) 14-4 victory, the Dominican League's Regular Season winners, the Gigantes del Cibao(1).

Anderson Hernandez, DC's prospective starting second baseman, was in the lineup at second for the Tigres del Licey and Hernandez picked up right where he left off in the Regular Season, going 2 for 5 with a double, a walk, 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. Ronnie Belliard, starting at third for the Tigres, was 1 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI, and one of the newest Nationals, Jorge Sosa, who signed along with four other free agents right before the holidays, earned the win with 5.0 innings of 5-hit, 1-run work on the mound, during which he walked 3 and collected 6 K's.

Anderson Hernandez ended the DWL Regular Second with the second highest average in the league at .365 after 50 games and 211 AB's, leading the league in Runs with 41, Hits, with 77, Doubles, with 20, and Triples, with 6, and Hernandez finished in the Top 10 in the Dominican Winter League in OBP, (.406), SLG, (.531) and OPS, (.937). Acquired from New York in the deal that sent Luis Ayala to the Mets, Hernandez has yet to really translate his Winter League success to the Major Leagues, however, where he's hit just .232 in 63 games and 168 at bats so far in his MLB career...

So it's probably a good sign that the 33-year-old Ronnie Belliard will be around to challenge Hernandez at second, or at least back him up and support him should the 26-year-old infielder fail to live up to what he's done in his last 292 AB's (with Washington/Licey combined), in which Hernandez has hit for a .356 AVG. with 24 doubles, 6 triples, 1 HR and 46 RBI's. Ronnie Belliard had 22 hits in 66 AB's for a .333 AVG with 3 doubles, 4 HR's, 16 RBI's, a .405 OBP, .561 SLG, and .966 OBP in 18 Regular Season games with Licey this Winter.

Jorge Sosa, 31, finished the DWL season with with a (6-2) record in 10 starts and 1 relief appearance, allowing 51 hits, 16 ER's and 16 walks in 57.0 IP, over which he struck out just 24 and allowed opponents to hit for a .242 AVG. The former Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Braves, Cardinals and Mets' pitcher, signed with DC last week, along with LHP Gustavo Chacin, 27, formerly of the Blue Jays, C Gustavo Molina, 26, (who's played a total of 19 MLB games with the White Sox, Orioles and Mets), infielder Jose Castillo, 27, who split '08 with the Giants and Astros after having spent 4 years in the Pirates' infield, and outfielder Corey Patterson, 28, who broke into the big leagues with Cubs and has since played for the Orioles and Reds over 9 MLB seasons.

UP NEXT...

Saturday night, the 27th of December, the Tigres del Licey take to the road to take on Azucareros del Este.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE...

The Criollos de Caguas welcomed the Leones de Ponce into Parque Yidefonso Sola Morales Friday night, and needed only the two runs they scored in the second to take a 2-1 lead in what would eventually be an 8-1 Caguas' win. DC prospects Justin Maxwell, who was the DH, and Garrett Guzman, who started in left, were a combined 0 for 7, with a run scored, an RBI, 2 walks and 3 K's between them, but the one run scored, (by Guzman, after he walked and crossed second on a two-RBI triple by Minor League free agent, Rob Cosby, which gave Caguas the 2-1 lead), turned out to be the Criollos' winning run.

While Teixeira Was Wasting Our Time...Washington Nationals: Winter League Roundup...

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:56:06 -0000

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE...

Ronnie Belliard was 0 for 1 in his only at bat Sunday night, as the Tigres del Licey took on the Leones de Escogido, no word on why he left the game early...Daniel Cabrera, who signed with DC as a free agent a few days back, pitched two innings opposite Twins' and Leones' lefty Francisco Liriano, with each starter giving up an identical 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 HR and 1 walk with 1 K a piece in their 2.0 innings each. Cabrera's two starts into his Winter, and he's allowed 8 hits, 3 ER, 1 HR, and 3 walks, with 3 K's in 4.1 IP. The Leones ended up with 22 hits in a 13-3 win. The Tigres' second baseman Anderson Hernandez was 2 for 2 with his 20th double this Winter, and he's now hitting .365 after 50 games in which he's collected 20 doubles, 6 triples and 1 HR with 29 RBI's...

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE...

The Criollos de Caguas dropped a 3-1 decision to Gigantes de Carolina Tuesday night. No Justin Maxwell, but Garrett Guzman was in left field, and he went 1 for 4 with his 9th double, so he's hitting .295 in 32 games and 112 at bats. This past Sunday night, Maxwell was in right with Guzman again in left. Maxwell collected his 7th double with Caguas in a 6-3 loss to the Indios de Mayaguez, and 31 games in, Maxwell's also got 1 triple, 6 HR's and 21 RBI's. Guzman was 1 for 2 with a K Sunday...DC reliever-for-a-minute Jonathan Albaladejo, who pitched 7 games for the Yankees last season, earned his 11th save this winter for the Indios, to take the Save lead in the Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico...

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE...

Sunday night, Jesus Flores used his one at bat for the Navegantes del Magallanes to ground into a double play and lower his Winter average a bit to .235 in 29 games and 81 at bats. The Navegantes lost that game to Aguilas de Zulia 5-2. Monday night the Navegantes lost 9-8 to the Leones de Caracas, but there was no Jesus Flores, just former Nationals' backstop Wiki Gonzalez, who's hitting .301 this winter after going 3 for 5.

The Next To Next To Last Time You'll Hear Mark Teixeira's Name Here Until The Nationals Visit NY on June 16th-18th...

I just thought all of the old school Senators' fans would appreciate the fact that Mark Teixeira, according to Washington Times' writer Ben Goessling's article entitled, "Nats' pursuit of Teixeira falls flat", told an anonymous "team source", who relayed the information to Mr. Goessling, that:

"Teixeira's years of losing with the Texas Rangers hurt the Nationals, who couldn't offer the immediate chance to win that the Yankees could."

This had to be Bob Short's fault somehow, right?

DC in DC...The Washington Nationals Sign Former-O's Starter Daniel Cabrera.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:38:33 -0000

Updated at 1:00 am 12/21...

"The Perpetual Project"...

Not even the great Leo Mazzone, who'd enjoyed so much success all those years with ATL's aces could harness the potential of 6'7'', 230 lb, 27-year-old right-hander Daniel Cabrera when the two crossed paths a few seasons back in Baltimore, but now Randy St. Claire, Washington's Pitching Coach extraordinaire, is going to get a shot at it, as MLB.com's Bill Ladson is reporting, in an article entitled, "Nats, Cabrera agree to one-year deal", that the Nationals have signed the free agent starter to a 1-year deal that will pay the 5-year MLB veteran (an undisclosed-as-of-now amount) to pitch in the nation's capital in 2009.

The second new pitcher added to the DC rotation, along with left-handed former Marlins' starter Scott Olsen, Cabrera, signed as an Amateur Free Agent with the Orioles back in 1999, has tantalized scouts and fans since his debut on May 13, 2004, enjoying, arguably, his best season in the Majors the first time through, putting together a (12-8) record in 27 starts and 28 overall appearances in 2004, in which he posted a 5.00 ERA with 76 K's in 147.2 IP.

Over his five MLB seasons, Cabrera's eleven games under .500 at 48-59 with a 5.05 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP, (though the Orioles themselves haven't finished above .500 since two years before they even signed Cabrera), but the Orioles apparently grew tired of waiting for the towering righty to get it together, with AP Sports writer David Ginsburg noting in a Yahoo! Sports.com article entitled, "Orioles cut ties with inconsistent Daniel Cabrera", that the pitcher, who's known for a fastball and curve, and had added a change-up to his repetoire last season, ultimately, "...never ended up mastering the strike zone and often turned one mistake into another, leading to a big inning."

Cabrera's high walk, wild pitch and HR totals will attest to his lack of control, but it's not as if he's unaware of his issues, telling ESPN.com's Enrique Rojas, for an article entitled, "Mazzone has tall task in Cabrera", from March of 2007, that the then-Orioles' pitching coach, Mr. Mazzone had:

"...discovered a slight movement toward first base that hurt my ability to locate pitches," said Cabrera. "Now we're working on the psychological aspect of things, in order to not fall back into that same mistake."

Two seasons, a (17-28) combined record, 49 HR's and 198 walks later, it would seem that Cabrera still hasn't quite figured out "the psychological aspect of things," but, Randy St. Claire will now attempt to succeed where others have failed.

Daniel Cabrera's baseball-reference.com stat page.

Daniel Cabrera vs The NL East *...

Cabrera vs Atlanta - 2 GS, (1-0), 1 CG, SO, 14.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 1.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP.

Cabrera vs Philadelphia - 2 G, 1 GS, (0-1), 4.2 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 5 K's, 13.50 ERA, .2.36 WHIP.

Cabrera vs Florida - 1 GS, (0-1), 5.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 HR, 2 BB, 9 K's, 9.53 ERA, 1.76 WHIP.

Daniel Cabrera vs DC???

6/25/06 - Washington at Baltimore - L, 4.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 3 K's.

6/12/07 - Washington at Baltimore - L, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K's, 3 HR's

6/27/08 - Baltimore at Washington (Nationals Park) - L, 6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's.

(ed. note - " * = Daniel Cabrera's never faced NY's Mets.")

WINTER LEAGUE ROUNDUP...

Dominican Winter League...

A five-run third broke a 2-2 tie and lifted the Tigres del Licey to a 7-2 victory over Azucareros del Este, aka Los Toros del Este, who dropped their second-straight in this home and home weekend series with the Tigres. DC second baseman to be Anderson Hernandez was 1 for 3 with a walk, 1 K, and 2 runs scored, and he ends the day hitting .359. Ronnie Belliard, batting fifth and fielding third, knocked in a run, going 1 for 4 with a run scored and his 16th RBI. Belliard's hitting .338 after 17 games.

Venezuelan Winter League...

Jesus Flores was 1 for 1 with 2 RBI's last night to lift the Navegantes del Magallanes within one run at 6-5 in favor of the visitors Friday night, the Cardenales de Lara, who held on for the win at the Navegantes' home park, Estadio Jose Bernardo Perez. Saturday night, the Navegantes traveled to Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande to take on the Aguilas del Zulia, and Flores, in another pinch hit appearance, according to milb.com's Game Recap, collected an RBI on a sac fly that turned into a DP when Edgardo Alfonso was thrown out on the basepaths. Flores is batting .237 with 5 doubles, 1 HR and 13 RBI's after 28 games.

(ed. note - "Venezuelan Winter League Note: The Nationals were interested in Rockies' outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who plays for Aguilas del Zulia, when they were discussing a trade with Colorado earlier this offseason, and MLB.com writer Thomas Harding has a feature article today about Gonzalez entitled, "Gonzalez red-hot in Venezuelan League", which at least shows that DC's got good taste...Gonzalez started in center Saturday, going 0 for 4 with a K, and he's now hitting .281 with 2 doubles, 2 HR's and 13 RBI's in 18 games.")

Puerto Rican Winter League...

Criollos de Caguas' right fielder Justin Maxwell was 0 for 4 with a walk and a run scored, and left fielder Garrett Guzman was 1 for 5 with a double, (his 8th) in an 8-4 Caguas' victory over Indios de Mayaguez Saturday. The two DC prospects have 30 games played so far this winter for the Criollos, with Guzman collecting 31 hits in 106 AB's for a .292 AVG, with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR's and 17 RBI's, and Maxwell's hit in 22 of 99 AB's for a .222 AVG, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR's and 21 RBI's.

Teixeira Update...as of 1:05 am EST 12/21/08...Mark Teixeira has not yet accepted or rejected the Washington Nationals' generous offer...

ESPN baseball reporter Peter Gammons suggests listening to "Revolution 9" from the Beatles' White Album backwards to gain insight into the ongoing negotiations between at least four MLB teams and Mark Teixeira in his most recent post entitled, "Trying to make sense of the Teixeira dealings".

While MLB.com writers Lyle Spencer and Bill Ladson team up for an article entitled, "Teixeira's decision could come soon", where the two writers indentify the Washington Nationals as, "...the club most likely to approach Boras' early target of 10 years and $200 million."

(ed. note - "I don't want to scare anyone, but the most recent articles say, 'family and geography' are going to play the biggest role in Tex's decision...?")

While Washington's Nationals Wait For Mark Teixeira's Decision...

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:49:01 -0000

While Washington Waits For Mark Teixeira To Decide...

...Aaron Boone's decided that he will be coming off the bench for Houston this year after plying his trade with the Washington Nationals last season. Boone signed with the Astros today for one-year and $750,000 dollars after playing for $1 million dollars in DC in '08 and hitting .241 with 13 doubles, 6 HR's and 28 RBI's in 104 games. In September of 2008, when Boone was asked if he'd like to return to DC in '09 by MLB.com's Bill Ladson for an article entitled, "Boone amped to play next season", he told Mr. Ladson he'd like to come back because:

"'I feel like better days are around the corner [for the Nationals]," Boone said. "I see guys that want to come and get better and learn. I couldn't necessarily say that earlier in the year."

...After two seasons and 48 starts in DC with the Nationals in which he was a combined 13-17, (with his 10 wins this past year the most for any DC starter), right-hander Tim Redding was non-tendered by the Washington Nationals back on December 13th with the team claiming it was concerned by the way the 30-year old pitcher had struggled down the stretch, going (3-8) with a 6.82 ERA in 13 starts after the All-Star break, after posting a (7-3) record and a 3.85 ERA in his first 20 trips to the mound.

Redding told Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman, in an article entitled, "Nats agree with Harris, opt to let Redding go", that he felt the Washington Nationals had non-tendered him in order to avoid having to pay him the $3-$4 million dollar salary he thought he'd be due in arbitration after last season's performance, because in his opinion, Washington thought:

"'They can pay all five guys in the rotation for only a little more than they'd have to pay for me. So there was always a chance I thought this could happen."

Redding also told MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in an article entitled, "Nats give Harris two-year deal", that the organization's decision to non-tender him:

"'...kind of came as a surprise, but I also know they are trying to cut cost and everything else because they are trying to bring in [Mark Teixeira],' Redding said."

Early this week, while Washington was waiting for Teixeira to decide where he'd like to play in '09, MLB.com writer Joe Frisaro was reporting, in an article at the Baltimore Orioles' official site entitled, "Redding targeted by Orioles", that the Orioles were one of ten clubs "showing an interest" in the free agent pitcher, and in Mr. Frisaro's read of the situation:

"...if a team steps up with an aggressive offer, a deal involving Redding could be reached by the end of the week."

While no deal has yet been announced as of time of this post, (9:26 pm 12/19), it's clear that Redding will be pitching elsewhere next season, and with Boone's signing today, that means two players who made fairly significant contributions to what little success the Nationals had last season are gone...Is this a sign that Washington is comfortable enough with young starters like Jordan Zimmermann and Collin Balester, and fielders like Anderson Hernandez, that they think they can let last year's veterans, like Redding, Boone and Odalis Perez, go, or is DC just going to wait and see what Tex does before it puts its contingency plans into action...???

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE...

Anderson Hernandez was 0 for 4 today for the Tigres del Licey, who lost a 2-1 game to the Azucereros del Este at Los Toros del Este's home field, Estadio Francisco Michelim. Ronnie Belliard, starting at third for Licey, (A.Hernandez started at 2nd), was 1 for 4 with a double, his 3rd this winter in 15 games in which he's collected 4 HR's and 15 RBI's and hit for a .344 AVG. Hernandez is hitting .359 after the 0-for, with 19 doubles, 6 triples and 29 RBI's.

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE...

With a slim two-run lead in the ninth inning as I write, the Criollos de Caguas are trying to hold off the visiting Indios de Mayaguez, who have rallied back after losing a 3-2 lead to a 6-run Criollos' third inning. DC prospects Garrett Guzman and Justin Maxell both started for Caguas. Guzman's 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI, his 17th this winter, and Maxwell's 2 for 3 with a double, his 6th, and a run scored, which leaves Maxwell hitting .232 after 29 games, while Guzman's up to .297 on the winter...

Teixeira Update...as of 10:11 pm EST 12/19/08...Mark Teixeira has not yet accepted or rejected the Washington Nationals' generous offer...

The latest on the ongoing Mark Teixeira saga, from ESPN.com's Peter Gammons and Buster Olney, in an article entitled, "Source: Teixeira would take $195M", is that the Red Sox might not be out of the race just yet, and Scott "Maximum" Boras and Teixeira might have just named their price, with Mr.'s Gammons and Olney reporting that this $195M number is what drove Boston from the negotiations last night, though they also quote Mr. Boras who refutes those reports...why does it feel like the media, the teams, and all of us fans are getting played...?

MLB.com's Lyle Spencer is calling out the mysterious big spender who is said to have outbid the Red Sox in his most recent article entitled, "Mysteries abound in the Teixeira chase", where he cites Peter Gammons and Buster Olney's reports on the $195M dollar price tag, and writes, in response to all the stories about Boston's meetings with Tex and Co. last night, that:

"Neither the Nationals nor the Orioles were identified as having extended a fresh offer that would have sent Boston's ownership scurrying home to Red Sox Nation, no deal done."

So what we now know, or at least what's being offered in reports, is that Boston was blown away by "someone's" offer, but the Red Sox are still in the race, and NY GM Brian Cashman claims it wasn't the Yankees who made the big offer, while Mr. Spencer is reporting that it wasn't the Nationals or Orioles...and the Angels GM Tony Reagins? He has remained tight-lipped according to Mr. Spencer, who writes, that Mr. Reagins, "...offered "no reaction" and then "no comment" when asked if he knew or sensed who might have upped the ante." Hmmmm?

All I know is that no one has said no to DC yet...

And Then There Were Three...The Washington Nationals Stay In The Race For Mark Teixeira...(It's Alright To Admit You Want To Be A National, Tex!!!)

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:17:21 -0000

If published reports at ESPN and MLB.com are to be believed, and these things are truly hard to judge with all the misinformation and obfuscation out there...

The Baltimore Orioles have fallen back behind the pack in the race to impress free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira with numbers and years, as both MLB.com's Lyle Spencer, in an article entitled, "Red Sox seen in lead in Teixeira derby", and ESPN.com writer Buster Olney in an article entitled, "Sources: Teixeira to Orioles unlikely" report that only a desire on the part of Teixeira to provide some sort of home town discount could keep Camden Yards a possible destination for the 28-year-old switch hitting Maryland-native, who is then left with a choice between the warm sun and winning ways of Anaheim's Angels, Boston's big fanbase and recent winning tradition and miraculously, the largest contract available...which is apparently being offered up by your own Washington Nationals...

MLB.com's Lyle Spencer speculates that the Orioles' unwillingness to move up from their original seven-year, $150 million dollar offer is behind their dropping in the rumored rankings of teams still in pursuit, and who can blame Baltimore when Teixeira alone won't lift them up above either three or four of their AL East rivals (depending upon how you view the current Orioles' roster and system)...The Angels are in it, for 8-years and mystery money, but everyone keeps mentioning Teixeira's east coast leanings...The Red Sox, having been burned by Manny Ramirez on the last 10-year deal they gave out, are seemingly not going to go to the 10-year/$200 million dollar heights I thought would have immediately drawn Teixeira to Boston...And the Yankees are on the outside threatening to do to the Red Sox, Angels and Nationals what they did to the Braves in moving in on A.J. Burnett before Atlanta could pull together a deal...So, Washington's Nationals, and their reported 8-year and $160 million offer...are still under consideration...

But wait...Baltimore Sun writer Dan Connolly, who I've been checking in on since reading his article earlier this week, writes today, in an article entitled, "MacPhail: 'We have flexibility' on Teixeira offer", (in which Mr. Connolly's quoting the Orioles' GM Andy MacPhail), that the O's original offer isn't a "take-it-or-leave-it" type of offer, and in Mr. MacPhail's own words, as reported by Mr. Connolly:

"If they came back to us and told us what it would take and we thought that it made sense for us, then yes [the original offer could be altered]..."

MLB.com's Mike Bauman in a "Baseball Perspectives" column entitled, "Red Sox could counter with Teixeira", offers the same advice that ESPN.com's Buster Olney was proffering yesterday, as Mr. Bauman writes that acquiring Teixeira might be a "public relations windfall" for the Nationals (or Orioles), but in Mr. Bauman's opinion:

"...it could be argued that both of those clubs are currently far enough off the pace that they should spread the money around and build up a sufficient base of talent, rather than investing it all in one player..."

What I'm really worried about is the negative press that could pour down upon the Nationals should they come up short in their efforts to acquire Teixeira, or if they should, say...come within $700,000 to $1 million dollars in their final offer and then balk...(ed. note - "That's an Aaron Crow reference, for any non-Nationals' fans who might be following along.")...or even worse, if Washington should not only fail to ink Tex, but also neglect to make any other real improvements on a roster that lost 102 games last season...One hundred and two...unless trading for "The Hammer" Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen was DC's big move of the winter?...What if Adam Dunn doesn't want to come to Washington? What if the Mets ditch Castillo and bring Orlando Hudson in to play second in Citi Field? What if the Nationals get done waiting for Teixeira to decide what he wants to do and end up with only the '09- equivalent of Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada left to choose from on the free agent market?

Last Night...In The Winter Leagues...

Jesus Flores was 0 for 1, striking out in a pinch hitting appearance for the Navegantes del Magallanes in a 3-1 win over Caribes de Anzoategui in Venezuelan Winter League action, and the Nationals' and Navegantes' backstop is now hitting hitting just .228 with 5 doubles, 1 HR and 10 RBI's in 26 games...Ronnie B!!! Ronnie Belliard was 2 for 4 Tuesday night as the Dominican Winter League's Tigres del Licey took an 8-2 win over Aguilas Cibaenas, with Belliard starting at third, scoring twice, walking and sporting a .365 AVG after the win...(Anderson Hernandez was 0 for 3 with a walk and a K, but he's still batting .365 for the Tigres, which just so happens to be the best AVG in the Dominican Winter League as of last night...he also leads the league in doubles with 19 in 46 games, and in triples with 6 so far...) (ed. note - Free Agent Fact: "Daniel Cabrera pitched 2.1 innings for Licey, allowing 6 hits, 1 run and 2 walks with 2 K's.") (Update...Hernandez was 2 for 4 Wednesday, Belliard - 1 for 4 in a loss...)...and finally, in the Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico, DC prospect Garrett Guzman started in left for the Criollos de Caguas Tuesday night and he went 1 for 2 with a double, his 7th, an RBI and a run scored in a 10-3 Caguas' win over the Cangrejeros de Santucre. Guzman's now hitting .289 over 28 games in which he's collected the 7 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR's and 16 RBI's. Guzman's teammate, Justin Maxwell, was 0 for 1 in a pinch hit appearance, and is now hittting .213.

What say you, Teixeira?

The Argument Against Adam Dunn...PLUS...A Mark Teixeira, Free Agent Update...But First...

Ed Chigliak — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:40:55 -0000

WINTER LEAGUE WEEKEND ROUNDUP...

Dominican Winter League...

Friday -

Friday night in the Dominican Winter League, the Tigres del Licey took a 7-4 road decision from the Estrellas de Oriente, with help from DC and Licey infielder Ronnie Belliard's 4th HR in just 12 games with the Tigres, a solo shot which left Belliard with 15 RBI's and a .356 AVG... Anderson Hernandez, starting at second for Licey, was 2 for 4 with a run scored, a double and his 28th RBI in 43 games in which he's now hitting .372...

Saturday -

Ronnie Belliard had the night off Saturday, so it was all Anderson Hernandez in the Tigres del Licey's 9-8 win over Gigantes del Cibao, as the presumptive starting second baseman for DC in '09 finished the night 4 for 6, with 3 runs scored and another double, #19 this winter, for a .381 AVG, 19 doubles, 6 triples, 1 HR and 29 RBI's in 44 games with the Tigres...

Sunday -

Belliard hit his 2nd double of the Winter on Sunday, but the Tigres del Licey lost to the Leones del Escogido by a score of 5-1. Belliard ends the day 1 for 3 with a .354 AVG, and Anderson finishes the game 0 for 5 with a K in the Licey loss...

Puerto Rican Winter League...

Friday -

Criollos de Caguas' right fielder and DC outfield prospect, Justin Maxwell, was 2 for 5 Friday in an extra-inning affair with the Cangrejeros de Santurce, which Maxell's Criollos lost 5-4 on a run in bottom of the 12th. Maxwell's hitting .212 after 25 games this Winter, his Criollos' teammate and fellow DC prospect Garrett Guzman was 1 for 4 with a triple, 2 RBI's and a .276 AVG after play Friday.

Saturday -

There were 23 runs and 32 hits combined between the Criollos de Caguas and the Lobos de Aricebo Saturday night in the Lobos' 13-10 win on the road at the Parque Yidefonso Sola Morales. Justin Maxwell went 1 for 3 with his 5th double and 20th RBI of the Winter. Garrett Guzman, as DH for the Criollos, finished the night 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and his 15th RBI.

The Argument Against Adam Dunn...

Want to see how deep this goes?...Just take this quote, for example, from Adam Dunn in an article by MLB.com's Chris Haft from April 28th of 2002, entitled, "Dunn, Kearns making an impact", where the then 22-year-old Adam Dunn talks about the emergence, within the Reds' organization, of outfielder Austin Kearns, who had just debuted with Cincinnati 10 games earlier:

"'I've said it a thousand times -- the guy's unbelievable,' Dunn said. 'Nothing he does surprises me. He's one of those players like (Jose) Rijo. He can do whatever (he wants). He doesn't get rattled. He knows how to hit. He plays good defense. He's just good.'"

Later in the article, Mr. Haft talks to Bob Boone, then the Reds' Manager, about both of the young Reds' stars, and though there's no mention of him in the article, we all know who the General Manager of the Reds at the time was, right? Jim Bowden...

Kearns, Dunn, Rijo, Boone, Bowden...Austin Kearns is currently the Nationals' overpaid/underachieving right fielder, who'll be battling for a spot if he's not traded before Spring Training, and who'll be making $8 million dollars in the next-to-last year of his contract...Adam Dunn has been identified as Washington's backup plan, (which no doubt thrills him), should the Nationals' overtures to free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira remain unrequited. Bob Boone is DC's Co-Asst GM and VP of Player Development...Jose Rijo?, Special Assistant to the GM, and DC's General Manager?...of course, is Jim Bowden...

...These guys came to town with their own agenda and they've been carrying it out under our noses for years now without anyone raising even the slightest objection...It is my opinion that DC GM Jim Bowden is...(I'm just kidding, there's no conspiracy here, Mr. Bowden simply still believes he was right in his initial judgement of Kearns' and Dunn's talents back when he brought them to the Majors with the Reds...Which is why I firmly believe Dunn will be in DC next season...My argument against Dunn is simple...)

...170, 126, 195, 168, 194, 165, 164...Yes, those are Dunn's strikeout totals for the seven full seasons he's played in the Majors...In his first year, Dunn K'd 74 times in 66 games, which projects to over 180+ whiffs...No one ever describes Dunn as the "K- Per-Game and More" outfielder, or as a "guaranteed-K-a-Game Man" Adam Dunn, no, he's the guy who's good for 40 homers and 100 RBI's...How about these #'s...15, 11, 8, 9, 13, 6, 11...Error totals from Dunn's 7 full seasons in the Majors...including 15 errors in 127 games at first base in his career according to baseball-reference.com's Dunn page...oh, and he's 29 years old, 30 in Sept. '09, just barely fitting into the "free agent in their 20's" prototype that the franchise has said they would consider acquiring if it would help the team's growth...He really does hit 40 HR's every year though? 46 in '04 and 40 each year since...and he has been just over or below 100 RBI's in each of the last five seasons...but why spend big free agent money on a 40/100, defensively dodgy 1st baseman on a team you're openly admitting won't compete for years now? More exciting losses? I still say, barring Mark Teixeira's signing...go with Nick Johnson and the top 1B prospect backing him up, (he should get plenty of time) so whoever's next-in-line at first in DC learns how to play the right way...

Teixeira Update...as of 10:30 pm EST 12/15/08...Mark Teixeira has not yet accepted or rejected the Washington Nationals' generous offer...

The Nationals are quickly getting relegated to the final paragraphs and the second tier of teams in most reporting on the high-stakes chase of free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, with ESPN.com's Buster Olney even going so far as to title his most recent blog post, "Nats, O's shouldn't be in hunt for Teixeira", and Mr. Olney is not kind, as he first rationalizes the Red Sox' and Angels' pursuits of Teixeira and then asks bluntly, "But what in the heck are the Nationals doing in this poker game?"

I'll forgive what I see as hyperbole when Mr. Olney states, "A casual baseball fan might be able to identify perhaps one of the Nationals' players, Ryan Zimmerman..." (ed. note - "...since he uses a possessive apostrophe.")..because if nothing else, most fans at least know DC outfielder Elijah Dukes, though mostly for all the wrong reasons rather than what he accomplished on the field and at the plate last season, and all of New York knows Lastings Milledge thanks to the NY-Media hype machine that touted and then quickly turned on the Mets' one-time top outfield prospect...and all of Philly...(ed. note - "What up, Champs!")...knows John Lannan, since he broke Chase Utley's hand...by mistake, totally...(ed. note - "...and I never wish for anyone to get injured, but if Utley's hip issues have something to do with the landing on his diving shoulder block into Jesus Flores, well...")

But I believe Buster...uh, sorry, Mr. Olney, is spot-on when he writes, unfortunately apparently still captivated by his time in Vegas and continuing the gambling analogy:

"...the table at which the Nationals and Orioles are playing right now is just pricey, and they should excuse themselves and spend their money on young pitching -- whether through the draft or through international signings -- and wait until the time is better. To do anything else is nothing less than lunacy."

(ed. note - "Lunacy, huh (laughs)...Mr. Olney also says the same about those suckers up north in Wire-country...What the heck are the Orioles doing in the chase for Teixeira,...right?")

Daniel Cabrera?

A few federalbaseball.com readers have floated the free agent former Orioles' pitcher Daniel Cabrera's name as one the Nationals should take an interest in, and according to a post at the MLB.com Hot Stove blog by MLB.com writer Alden Gonzalez entitled, "Some of teams interested in Cabrera revealed", (ed. note - "And you think my titles stink?"), the Nationals are, in fact, one of nearly a dozen teams interested, as Mr. Gonzalez writes, "...the Tribune-Review confirmed that the Pirates are one of those teams. Other candidates to be involved include the Nationals, Brewers, Blue Jays, Padres and Rangers."

The Baltimore Sun article that Mr. Gonzalez references is by Baltimore Sun writer Dan Connolly, and it's entitled, "Cabrera looking at departure 'in a positive way'". Mr. Connolly says the 27-year-old, 6'7'', 230 lb, Daniel Cabrera's agent Mike Powers:

"...declined to reveal interested parties, but the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals and Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in Cabrera in the past."

The Nationals "have show interest in the past"? Good enough for me...I'll buy any rumor...

Teixeira Update...as of 10:30 pm EST 12/15/08...Mark Teixeira has not yet accepted or rejected the Washington Nationals' generous offer...