SB Nation - Aaron Thompson

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)

Browse more photos »

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...

Washington Nationals' Prospects Finish AFL Regular Season.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:56:14 -0000

Washington Nationals' prospect Chris Marrero (1B) waits in the on-deck circle at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona.

View full size photo »

The box score for Thursday's Phoenix Desert Dogs/Surprise Rafters game doesn't mention the most important development out of Arizona, Stephen Strasburg's knee injury and subsequent removal from the starter's role in Saturday's nationally-televised AFL Championship, but it does wrap up the regular season for all of the Nationals' prospects participating in the Arizona Fall League, with SS Danny Espinosa, first baseman Chris Marrero and relief pitcher Josh Wilkie all appearing in the D-Dogs' 7-4 loss. Espinosa was 0 for 2, leaving the 22-year-old infielder with a .345 AVG, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR and 14 RBI's in 24 games, over which he posted a .434 OBP, with a .460 SLG and an .894 OPS. Marrero, 21, goes 2 for 4 with his 10th double and 21st RBI in 20 games and 83 AB's in which he's collected 29 hits, (7 doubles and 3 HR's), for a .349 AVG with 8 walks, 16 K's, a .402 OBP, .542 SLG and a .944 OPS. Wilkie, 25, a right-hander out of George Washington University who signed with DC as an undrafted free agent, gave up a hit in a scoreless inning of work in the fifth, and shortly thereafter received news that could (potentially) change the course of his career...(cont. after the JUMP)...

Final Score - Rafters 7, Desert Dogs 4 - MLB.com Gameday.

Desert Dogs finish AFL Reg. Season: 19-13.

BACKPAGE:

• Washington Nationals Set 40-Man Roster...

• Elijah Dukes Goes Yard...Again...

BACKPAGE:

• Washington Nationals Set 40-Man Roster...("but not Wilkie")...

Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin wrote a Nationals Journal post this afternoon entitled, "Nats add three to 40-man roster, but not Wilkie", in which he reported that the Nationals had added Juan Jaime, a 22-year-old right-hander out of San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic, Atahualpa Severino, a 25-year-old left-hander out of Cotui in the DR, and LHP Aaron Thompson, who'll turn 23 in February, and who is also known as The Nick Johnson Return, the Florida Marlins' '05 1st Round pick out of Houston, Texas, who was acquired by DC GM Mike Rizzo in return for old "Two-Spot" himself, Nick Johnson in a deadline deal that broke some Nats' fans' hearts...But after sending Josh Wilkie out to the Arizona Fall League, the Nationals have left the 25-year-old right-hander off the 40-Man Roster, leaving him unprotected in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Wilkie, who pitched for Double-A Harrisburg and the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs in 2009, (compiling a (7-5) record with a 2.64 ERA, 67 hits, 22 R, 21 ER and 17 walks allowed with 65 K's collected, a 1.17 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 and a 6.25 K/BB in 51 G and 71.2 IP), went out to Arizona and pitched 12.2 innings more over 10 AFL games in which he surrendered 17 H, 12 R, 6 ER, and 4 walks while striking out 12 and suffering just one loss, (0-1, 4.26 ERA)), will now, Mr. Sheinin notes, "...be subject to the Rule 5 Draft, where another team can claim him for $50,000." Will Wilkie slip through? Will some jokers up in Toronto take a chance on the righty? Maybe a certain manager out in Cleveland? The Rule 5 Draft is December 10th...Will Josh Wilkie be a National on December 11th?

• Elijah Dukes Goes Yard...Again...

Elijah Dukes was the Tigres del Licey DH in Thursday's Dominican Winter League game against Aguilas Cibaenas. After lining out to left in his first AB, Dukes homered (for the second time in 3 games) sending a two-run blast out to left in his second at bat after Dodgers' and Tigres' infielder Blake Dewitt was hit by a pitch to leadoff the fourth. Dukes collected his 3rd RBI in the 5th with a sac fly, and ended the game with a swinging K in the eighth. Dukes goes 1 for 3 with a walk, HR and 3 RBI's as the Tigres cruise to a 12-4 win.

Washington Nationals Top 20 Prospects for 2010

John Sickels — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:29:54 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

The Franchise (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)

Browse more photos »

Top 20 Washington Nationals Prospects for 2010.

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get beyond the Top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize.

Feel free to critique the list, but use logic and reason rather than polemics to do so. The list and grades are based on a blending of present performance and long-term potential. Full reports on all these players can be found in the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book.

1) Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Grade A: He's done enough in Arizona to justify the Grade A rating in my opinion. We have to remember that he's a human being, but he is immensely talented.

2) Derek Norris, C, Grade B+: Somewhere on the Mickey Tettleton/Mike Napoli spectrum: high walks, lots of power, defense should be good enough, might not hit for average.

3) Drew Storen, RHP, Grade B+: Has put aside concerns about being an overdraft. Could help in pen very soon, future closer if all works out.

4) Danny Espinosa, SS, Grade B: Has some pop, steals bases, draws walks, very good glove. Scouts in Arizona love him.

5) Chris Marrero, 1B, Grade B: I don't think he's going to be a star, but with proper development he can be a solid regular.

6) Jeff Kobernus, 2B, Grade B-: Another guy who should be solid, though I'd like a larger pro sample size before going higher with the grade.

7) Michael Burgess, OF, Grade B-: borderline C+. Power potential, throwing arm, and youth are big positives, will take a walk, but strikes out a lot and batting average is quite low.

8) Justin Maxwell, OF, Grade C+: What you see is what you get: power, walks, speed, low batting average. Can they look past that and appreciate his secondary skills?

9) Ian Desmond, SS, Grade C+: I think he made some legitimate improvements, but not as much as the raw numbers indicate. BABIP probably unsustainable, and he needs to tighten his defense.

10) Bradley Meyers, RHP, Grade C+: One of several strike-throwing types with limited upside but good pitchability.

11) Destin Hood, OF, Grade C+: High power upside, with a high chance of failure. Could rank ninth or tenth.

12) A.J. Morris, RHP, Grade C+: Kansas State ace may move faster in relief.

13) Eury Perez, OF, Grade C+: Need data from higher levels, but could be a Juan Pierre type. I don't mean that as an insult.

14) Aaron Thompson, LHP, Grade C+: Pitchability guy acquired from the Marlins. No longer a top prospect, but still a decent one.

15) Juan Jaime, RHP, Grade C: High-ceiling arm with strong fastball needs to improve secondary pitches. Could rise rapidly if he does so. Perhaps I should go with C+.

16) J.P. Ramirez, OF, Grade C: Production was somewhat disappointing in the New York-Penn League, but not terrible for context. Full-season data in '10 will be illuminating.

17) J.R. Higley, OF, Grade C: High-ceiling tools hound, didn't light up the NY-P but still has potential.

18) Paul Demny, RHP, Grade C: Went 3-11 with 5.14 ERA in the Sally League, but with 110 strikeouts in 105 innings. Could go a long way if he improves command.

19) Marco Estrada, RHP, Grade C: I have no actual evidence to support this, but I keep thinking he could have a surprisingly good season in 2010. Nothing left to prove in Triple-A.

20) Jeff Mandel, RHP, Grade C: Looked very good in Arizona Fall League relief action; he might sneak in some major league innings.

OTHERS: All Grade C: Evan Bronson, LHP; Clint Everts, RHP; Marcos Frias, RHP; Victor Garate, LHP; Luis Garcia, RHP; Trevor Holder, RHP; Hendry Jimenez, 2B; Taylor Jordan, RHP; Nathan Karns, RHP; Pat Lehman, RHP; Steve Lombardozzi, 2B; Jack McGeary, LHP; Tom Milone, LHP; Adrian Nieto, C; Brad Peacock, RHP; Atahualpa Severino, LHP; Josh Smoker, LHP; Greg Veloz, 2B; Dean Weaver, RHP; Josh Wilkie, RHP. Most of these guys could fit into the 16-20 spots, depending on what you want to emphasize.

The Nationals system has an amazing talent in Strasburg, and I'm also very high on Norris, Storen, and Espinosa. After that, it fades quickly. Hitters like Marrero, Burgess, Maxwell, Desmond, Hood, and Perez all have significant unanswered questions. All could be very good players, all could fail. There are several low-ceiling arms who could contribute in the majors soon (Meyers, Thompson, Estrada, Mandel, Wilkie, Garate), and there is also a group of live arms who have problems that need addressing.

The system has material to work with, particularly on the pitching side beyond Strasburg and Storen. They need to add bats with fewer questions, and it will be interesting to see what direction GM Mike Rizzo and his new staff take in the 2010 draft.

Washington Nationals: Non-Waiver Trade Deadline, Stephen Strasburg Deadline, My Thoughts...

Ed Chigliak — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:36:35 -0000

More photos » by Wilfredo Lee - AP

4 months ago: Florida Marlins' Nick Johnson prepares to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at Land Shark Stadium in Miami. The Marlins acquired Johnson Friday from the last-place Washington Nationals. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Browse more photos »

Last Friday, after the Non-Waiver Trade Deadline had passed and the Washington Nationals had sent first baseman Nick Johnson to the Florida Marlins in exchange for former 1st Round pick, twenty-two-year-old left-hander Aaron Thompson, "Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Bill Ladson, as quoted in an article entitled, "Nats part ways with Johnson, Beimel", that the Nationals had been forced to trade the "Last Expo", The Discerning Eye™, the Trademark Single™-Hitting Federal Baseball.com Favorite because:

"'He was a free agent after the season," Rizzo said. "After a few attempts to extend his contract, we thought it would be better for the organization to trade him and get the prospect that we want. Then, [the Nationals will] decide over the winter if we wanted to go after him free agent-wise, or not."

Asked for his thoughts on the trade, Nick Johnson told Mr. Ladson he understood that, "'It's part of the game.," and the "Last Expo" left open the possibility that he might return as a free agent according to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, who wrote in his article entitled, "Trade Deadline Moves: Johnson to Florida, Beimel To Colorado", that though they couldn't agree on a deal, "Both Rizzo and Johnson acknowledged a chance that the first baseman will re-sign with the Nationals this offseason as a free agent," though Nick Johnson seemed to welcome the change of scenery, telling Washington Times' writer Mark Zuckerman, as quoted in Mr. Zuckerman's article entitled, "Johnson, Beimel dealt at the deadline":

"'I've got a lot of friends on the team, but I'm going somewhere else...'It's about winning, and [the Marlins are] a good young team.'"

The next day, before his first game with Florida...

(cont. after the JUMP)...

The next day, before his first game with Florida, Johnson told MLB.com writer David Villavicencio, in his article, "Johnson joins Marlins, excited to compete", that he was, "...excited about joining a team that's in a pennant race," after all the years spent struggling to stay out of the NL East's basement with Montreal and Washington:

"'It was tough,' Johnson said of his time with the Nationals. 'In Washington, we didn't win a lot of games. I haven't been in something like this in a while. I'm really excited about it and I'll enjoy it. I've come to a team that has a chance to win, and that's what you play for. You don't play for .500 ball.'"

Well, you might think, at least the Washington Nationals did attempt to sign Nick Johnson to an extension, that's the story, according to all reports, and the fact that he wouldn't do so forced the Nationals to trade him, that's how it went down. MLB.com's Bill Ladson's blog post entitled, "Nationals had to trade Johnson", stated so clearly, after the fact, in a post deadline post where Mr. Ladson wrote:

"Interim general manager Mike Rizzo didn't have a choice but to trade Nick Johnson because the latter did not want to negotiate an extension with the Nationals."

But why didn't Nick Johnson want to sign an extension with DC? Why would he? Moving to the Florida Marlins, (a team that started '09 with a $36.834 million dollar payroll --as opposed to Washington's poorly allocated $60.328M --, and a tendency to trade every arbitration eligible player they have, (see Willingham, Josh and Olsen, Scott, etc.), dismantling their roster every couple years and rebuilding by drafting well (see Johnson, Josh, West, Sean, Stanton, Mike), and robbing desperate teams of their top draft picks (see Ramirez, Hanley, Sanchez, Anibal, Maybin, Cameron, etc.), is seen as a step up from playing baseball in DC. The Florida Marlins, according to Nick Johnson, are seen as a place where a player has a chance to compete in a pennant race rather than, "...play for .500 ball," and Florida's getting a brand new ballpark next season, which only makes that franchise more attractive to free agents...

So, it comes down to the same question all of DC has been asking while one free agent after another has signed elswhere over the last few winters, (...with the notable exception, of course, being Adam Dunn, but let's remember, if we're being honest, Dunn only signed with DC when it was clear that no one else was going to offer more than the Nationals would for his services, since most people then, and now, view the 29-year-old slow-footed outfielder as a DH rather than an everyday player)...So, why would anyone want to sign with the Washington Nationals?

The Nationals are in a constant state of re-construction. They've gone through two GM's and are on their third Manager in 5 seasons, and the current GM is still an "Acting" GM and the new manager Jim Riggleman has interim-and-out written all over him, as the Nationals have often publicly stated that they're still exploring possibities at each position, which means that the franchise will most likely be on its third GM and fourth Manager by the time they take the field in 2010, and even though Mike Rizzo assured the Nationals' fan-base, in the Washington Times' Mark Zuckerman's article after the Non-Waiver deadline, "'We are in a building process. We are not rebuilding...This is a team that is, in my opinion, not far away from being a good, solid baseball team,'" there's no guarantee Mr. Rizzo will even be with DC to see that process through the end of this season...

It's no wonder that members of "the Strasburg camp" are expressing concerns about '09 #1 overall Draft pick Stephen Strasburg joining the Washington Nationals. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan wrote two weeks back, in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nats' GM Uncertainties a Concern for Strasburg", that Strasburg's people viewed DC as a "rudderless organization", and whether you believe that's simply Strasburg's agent Scott Boras' posturing or the honest opinion of a draft pick examining the situation he'll be stepping into if he does decide to sign, the fact of the matter is that right now, at this moment in time, the Washington Nationals are not an attractive destination for players who want a chance to compete at the major league level. I want to believe Mr. Rizzo's assessment of the situation, and I hope he's here when the team finally turns the corner so he can remind us all he was right when he said Washington was close to, "...being a good, solid baseball team." [points to head]. The Nationals now have 14 days to convince Stephen Strasburg of the same...

FOXSports.com Reporting Florida Marlins Acquire Washington Nationals' First Baseman Nick Johnson....

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:06:55 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

6 months ago: Washington Nationals' Nick Johnson is congratulated by his teammates after his three-run home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game with the New York Mets at Nationals Park in Washington, Saturday, June 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Browse more photos »

SAY IT AIN'T SO, RIZZO!!!!!

•MLB trade deadline buzz: Friday's edition - MLB News - FOX Sports on MSN - Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi.

"The Marlins have acquired first baseman Nick Johnson for the Nationals for Class AA left-hander Aaron Thompson, according to a major-league source."

The MLB Network just confirmed what was considered a dead deal an hour ago, or at least cited Mr.'s Rosenthal and Morosi's report that the Marlins have in fact acquired Nick Johnson from the Nationals in return for minor league pitcher Aaron Thompson. Washington Post writer Chico Harlan wrote that the, "Nick Johnson trade to Florida fell through and he'll be in uniform for the Nationals tonight," but that report is time stamped at 3:15 pm EST, while the MLB Network report and the FOXSports.com article both say a deal has been completed. The FOXSports.com article is time stamped 3:53 pm EST.

• Washington Nationals - Nationals Journal - Tracee Hamilton, "Johnson to Marlins, Beimel to Rockies"...

"Nick Johnson has been traded to the Marlins for minor league starter Aaron Thompson. The deal was completed right at the 4 p.m. deadline. The lineup in the Nats' clubhouse was just taken down..."

• Joe Frisaro (JoeFrisaro) on Twitter

"...some last minute wheeling and dealing has landed Nick Johnson with Florida..."

• MiLB.com Player Page: Aaron Thompson.

So who plays first tonight?

Marlins get 1B Nick Johnson

Eli Greenspan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:00:31 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

Browse more photos »

Nick Johnson has been dealt to the Marlins after all in exchange for Class AA left-hander Aaron Thompson, according to Ken Rosenthal. The Nationals will pay the approximately $1.8 million remaining on Johnson's salary.

Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies Interested In Nick Johnson...?

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:19:06 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

Browse more photos »

Back on July 2, 2009, ESPN.com's ESPN.com's Buster Olney expressed concern, in a blog post entitled, "Trade market goes bear", about the fact that the Washington Nationals were still,"...said to be asking high prices for the likes of Nick Johnson," and Mr. Olney imagined a time when the Nationals would be left holding onto the 30-year-old free agent to be:

"If interested teams turn elsewhere, the Nationals might face a day this summer when they won't be able to move Johnson at all."

The teams that were interested, or at least rumored to be interested at one point or another, included the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants, but in the last few weeks, the Red Sox acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche and Giants acquired the Indians' Ryan Garko, and it appeared as if the Nationals had in fact held on too long, and would be forced to work out a deal with Johnson, who's more than halfway through his first full season since 2006, and putting up the kind of numbers that could price him out of the Nationals' plans when he hits the market following the '09 campaign. .295/.408/.402 after this afternoon's loss to the Brewers, Johnson was believed to be, according to an article on MLB.com's Bill Ladson's blog entitled, "Nick Johnson's contract status", seeking, "...a two year deal," worth, "...more than the three-year, $16.5 million dollar extension he signed during the spring of 2006."

Just this morning, ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighed in again on the Nationals' situation with Johnson, writing, in a blog post entitled, "The biggest holes for trades to fill", about how it seemed, as of this morning:

"The Nationals might be standing pat at the deadline. Fair or not, the perception within the industry is that the Nationals waited too long and missed their window to deal Nick Johnson and get some value in return."

But late this afternoon, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, who, you might remember, broke the story of Former Manager Manny Acta's impending departure weeks before it happened, is reporting, in an article entitled, "MLB trade deadline buzz: Thursday edition", that the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies have both expressed interest in the services of the Nationals' first baseman. According to Mr. Rosenthal's "major league source":

"The Marlins are making a strong push for Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, but the teams have been unable to reach an agreement on the player the Nationals would receive in return, according to a major league source.

"The Marlins have offered the Nationals a minor league pitching prospect for Johnson. Among the names under discussion: Class AA left-hander Aaron Thompson Class AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker."

Earlier this afternoon, Mr. Rosenthal wrote that the Colorado Rockies were also considering as a possible, "...late inning left-handed hitter off the bench," but that probably says a lot about what they would be offering in return, so the Marlins' interest would seem to be more serious at this point...

(ed. note - "The DC Faithful have been discussing the news in Doghouse's post game report entitled, "Game 102: two-thirds of a good outing" for about an hour now while I was writing this up.")

More news when it's available...

Marlins Making "Strong Push" For Nationals Nick Johnson

Matt Buggenhagen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:08:55 -0000

More photos » by Chris Pizzello - AP

Browse more photos »

The Marlins are making a "strong push" for Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, this according to Ken Rosenthal and John Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com

The duo notes that the teams have had extensive conversations, but have been unable to agree on the players the Nationals would get in return.

Among the names being discussed are Class AA left-hander Aaron Thompson and Class AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker.

Johnson, 30, is due roughly $1.8 million for the remainder of the season, and essentially would be a three-month rental for the Marlins.

All reports have indicated that the Marlins were desperately seeking adding another reliever, so this recent report comes as a bit of a surprise.

Johnson is batting .295 this season with six homers and 44 RBI's, which isn't far off from the Marlins current first baseman Jorge Cantu, who's batting .285 with 10 homers and 57 RBI's.

Who will start Saturday for the Marlins?

craig — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:51:25 -0000

DStro asked the same question, as many of us have, and who it will be is really not any clearer.

From Mike Phillips:

Larry Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations, said he has a pitcher in mind for Sunday's start against the Phillies, and that pitcher is in the organization.

----

The most likely candidate is Sean West, a 6-8 left-hander who was determined to make the team this spring. West, one of the Marlins' top prospects, pitched Tuesday for Double A Jacksonville and would be on track to make his next start Sunday.

Not sure I'm buying the Sean West theory, in that, I don't think the club will want to start his clock.

GameFish offered the following in the comments.

Joe Frisaro:

Hayden Penn could fit the bill since he's been a starter with the Orioles, and that may be where he is best suited. However, he hasn't been stretched out of late because he's been pitching long relief. Burke Badenhop, brought up to replace Miller's roster spot, could get the nod since he's made starts at Triple-A.

Perhaps the best option against the Phillies on Sunday, considering all the lefties on Philadelphia, is left-hander Graham Taylor, who is at Double-A Jacksonville. Taylor last pitched on Monday, so he would be well rested. Taylor wasn't in big league camp with the Marlins, but he pitched in the final Grapefruit League game.

Another Double-A option is lefty Aaron Thompson, a first-round pick in 2005, who last threw on April 17.

Juan C. Rodriguez

Right-hander Hayden Penn is not obsessed over whether the Marlins are considering him for Andrew Miller's spot in the rotation while he's on the disabled list. Penn's fine either way.

Starting Sunday against the Phillies, the Marlins will need someone to take at least two of Miller's turns while he recovers from a strained oblique. Penn has plenty of starting experience, but he's not stretched out.

Of course GameFish has her own ideas about who should start.

You can't spell Badenhop without H-O-P-E

I didn't quote box it because you need to read the whole thing.

The Marlins have some spots open on the 40-man roster so anyone in the organization is fair game, from that stand point.

If it were me, I think I would go with Meyer, assuming his arm is able to go at least five innings. Since he is more or less a "veteran".

However, what ever happens it should be interesting come Saturday.

More Marlins camp moves

craig — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:15:37 -0000

The Florida Marlins continue to reduce the number in camp.

RHP Dallas Trahern was sent to Class AAA New Orleans and RHP Chris Leroux to Class AA Jacksonville. LHP Aaron Thompson was re-assigned to minor league camp.

No real surprises here.