According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, the Cardinals are nearing a minor league deal with Alex Cora.
Cora batted just .224/.287/.276 in 172 plate appearances with the Nationals last season. The 36-year-old is doubtful to land a 25-man roster spot in St. Louis.
Source: mlb.com
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that Bryce Harper could make the team’s Opening Day roster.
“We’re take a look at him and see where he’s at developmentally,” explained Rizzo. “If we feel he’s ready to play at the major-league level, we’re not going to restrict him. We’ll be cautious yet open-minded. If he gives us the best chance to win, we’ll keep an open mind and see where it takes us.” Nationals manager Davey Johnson has made it clear that he would like Harper to make the team, but considering that the 19-year-old batted .256/.329/.395 after being promoted to Double-A Harrisburg last year, some more at-bats in the minor leagues might be the best thing for him. They also have his arbitration clock to worry about. Either way, it should be one of the more interesting storylines to watch during spring training.
Source: cbssports.com
Tagged as: Bryce Harper, Nationals, news
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers and reliever Todd Coffey have agreed to a contract.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that it’s a one-year, $1.3 million deal with a club option for 2013. Coffey, 31, earned $1.35 million last season with the Nationals while posting a solid 3.62 ERA and 46/20 K/BB ratio over 60 innings. He should continue to be a solid set-up man.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Nationals, news, Todd Coffey
Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post was told by a Nationals official that trade talks involving John Lannan are “overblown.”
It could be posturing, of course, as he’s set to make $5 million this season yet could begin the year at Triple-A. The Nats no doubt would be willing to part with him, but it appears that they’re planning on at least going into spring training with him and Ross Detwiler still on the roster. Chien-Ming Wang is the favorite to land the No. 5 job behind Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson.
Source: washingtonpost.com
Tagged as: John Lannan, Nationals, news
Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio reports that Edwin Jackson will receive $11 million on his one-year deal with the Nationals, though $2 million of it is deferred.
Duquette also adds that Jackson turned down two three-year offers worth in the vicinity of $20-25 million, instead hoping he can cash in during free agency next offseason. The 28-year-old went 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with the White Sox and Cardinals last season and posted a 5.60 ERA in four postseason outings for St. Louis.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Edwin Jackson, Nationals, news
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo confirmed Thursday that John Lannan has a minor league option.
If the Nats can’t find a trade partner for Lannan this offseason and if he fails to lock up the final spot in the Washington rotation this spring, he might open the regular season at Triple-A Syracuse. The 27-year-old left-hander posted 3.70 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 106/76 K/BB ratio in 184 2/3 innings last season. He’s buried on a rotation depth chart in D.C. that includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson Chien-Ming Wang and Ross Detwiler.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: John Lannan, Nationals, news
Nationals signed RHP Edwin Jackson to a one-year contract.
The Nationals have announced the signing, though it is pending a physical. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that he’ll make somewhere in the range of $10 million. It’s a nice value for the Nationals, who suddenly have a pretty formidable starting rotation. Jackson should slot behind Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann and Gio Gonzalez while John Lannan, Chien-Ming Wang and Ross Detwiler currently project to compete for the fifth spot. The Red Sox and Orioles were also mentioned as possible landing spots for Jackson recently, but joining the Nationals and staying in the National League was probably the best way to go if he hopes to keep his value intact and test free agency again next offseason.
Tagged as: Edwin Jackson, Nationals, news
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Nationals are “aggressively shopping” left-hander John Lannan.
The Nationals just won an arbitration hearing against Lannan, who will make $5 million in 2012. It’s not clear who they are in trade talks with or whether a deal is close, but Rosenthal suggests that they might be motivated to clear his salary in order to make a late run at either Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson.
Source: foxsports.com
Tagged as: John Lannan, Nationals, news
Nationals’ left-hander John Lannan lost his arbitration hearing and was awarded a $5 million salary for 2012.
Lannan requested a $5.7 million salary for 2012, but the three-person panel of arbitrators ultimately ruled in the Nationals’ favor. The 27-year-old southpaw is coming off a career-low 3.70 ERA across 33 starts last season. He’ll be arbitration-eligible for the final time next offseason.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: John Lannan, Nationals, news
Nationals’ left-hander John Lannan won his arbitration hearing and was awarded a $5.7 million salary for 2012.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: John Lannan, Nationals, news