John Lannan

John Lannan is 2-2 with a 5.19 ERA at Triple-A Syracuse.

With the Nationals off to an 18-9 start, Lannan has been all but forgotten. He requested a trade from the Nationals last month when he was demoted and it appears that Washington made a mistake by not taking the best offer that was out there at the time. Lannan, making $5 million as organization depth, is killing whatever market value he once had with his poor minor-league performances. Perhaps a pitching starved team will eventually take a chance on the 27-year-old left-hander if the Nationals eat most of the money owed to him. It’s doubtful they’d get much in return.

John Lannan has a 6.53 ERA in four starts at Triple-A.

Lannan requested a trade from the Nationals last month when he was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse, but he’s owed $5 million this season and is killing whatever market value he once had with his poor minor-league performances. The 27-year-old left-hander will continue to serve as nothing more than organizational depth.

John Lannan struggled in his second start for Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, allowing eight runs (four earned) on nine hits in just four innings of work.

Lannan has now struggled in each of his first two starts at Triple-A, and may be having issues with his focus and motivation after being demoted last week in favor of Ross Detwiler. If the Nationals are trying to find a trade partner for him, he’s hurting his stock with each poor appearance.

John Lannan allowed five runs in two innings Sunday in his first start at Triple-A Syracuse.

Lannan is undoubtedly struggling with focus issues. He formally requested a trade last week after the Nationals optioned him to the minors, and yet he’s unlikely to be dealt because of his $5 million salary for 2012. The left-hander will have to suck it up and move on. If he pitches well enough at Triple-A, he could eventually be in line for a promotion back to the bigs.

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Nationals are not actively shopping John Lannan and have not talked to the Cubs about a potential deal involving Marlon Byrd.

The Nats appear to be content waiting for Bryce Harper’s arrival rather than trying to upgrade their outfield through a trade. Sullivan also points out that the Cubs aren’t interested in acquiring Lannan and his $5MM salary.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs have “inquired again” about Nationals lefty John Lannan.

Lannan requested a trade following his demotion to Triple-A, and although the Nats say they’re not dealing him, they’ll surely consider it if it makes sense. Wittenmyer adds that former Cub Tom Gorzelanny’s name has been involved in the talks, and Marlon Byrd has come up, as well. Byrd, in particular, would be a perfect fit, giving the Nats a solid bridge in center field until Bryce Harper is ready. He’s slated to make $6.5 million this season, while Lannan will pull in $5 million. Any deal would likely result in the Nats picking up most of both contracts.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Thursday that the Nationals are “not trading” John Lannan.

Lannan formally requested to be dealt on Wednesday night, one day after being demoted to Triple-A Syrcause. But the Nationals feel he’s an important piece of their 40-man roster (and probably don’t want to eat any of the $5 million salary he’s owed in 2012). “We?re not trading him,” Johnson said. “We?re keeping him.”

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said Thursday that interest in John Lannan has only been “mild.”

It’s not a surprise. Lannan posted a cool 3.70 ERA in 184 2/3 innings, but behind that was a troublesome 1.46 WHIP and 106/76 K/BB ratio. He’s owed $5 million in 2012.

John Lannan has formally requested a trade.

Lannan is unhappy about being optioned to Triple-A Syracuse for the start of the regular season. He emailed the media on Wednesday night, stating that “a trade would be the best solution for everyone in both the short and long term.” His $5 million salary for 2012 is going to make that quite difficult.