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Markey likes it!

By Harper Gordek | November 20, 2008

Wait a second... Mark Teixiera has interest in playing for the Nationals? Maybe he never looks at the NL Standings. "Sure I have interest in the Nationals. Now on an unrelated note let me peruse the standings from last year and this sheet on the payrolls of each teaaooOH MY GOD!" This raises so many questions... Will the Nats trade Young / Johnson / Willingham while they still have trade value thinking they can sign Tex? Or will they hold onto them just in case the competitive bidding goes against them? Will Rabid DC locals accept Tex even though sources say "[Maryland] is his home" Will Ted Lerner pony up the cash and not low-ball Tex? Will the Orioles get in the way by making their own run at the hometown boy? (they have recently been trying to re-up their ties to Baltimore and Maryland.) Will the Yankees, Angels, or other team...

Discuss | Tags: Mark Teixeira, MLB, Nationals, Washington Nationals

Where could Mark Teixeira land?

By Evan | November 20, 2008

ccho

As Thanksgiving approaches with the winter meetings not too far behind, Mark Teixeira is getting closer and closer to figuring out what ballpark he will call home next year.There has not been a ton of chatter surrounding Teixeira, but everyone knows the two big players for 'Tex' are the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. There are, however, a couple other teams in the mix. Here's a ranking of who is most likely to get Teixeira...1. New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are going all out this winter, economy be damned. With the Yankees set to move into a new stadium that will send their revenue through the roof, they will continue to lead the field for a very, very long time in dollars spent.The acquisition of Nick Swisher seems to have tempered most people's expectations that the Yankees will chase Tex, but I don't believe it for a...

Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

Bits and pieces

By Harper Gordek | November 19, 2008

Not a blog but MLB.com is playing up the Teixiera (and Hudson) interest. You know, if an offer isn't made all this talk will look like an elaborate smoke screen to try to convince the fans they are trying. I'm just saying, Stan, that's all. Just saying. Nats Farm Authority has a great little guest piece going about the Dominican Summer League, along with their other fantastic work. Nats 320 has Chad Cordero's wedding pictures. (While it was fun to think that he was hiding in the bushes taking pics - Chad Cordero's family gladly sent him pictures so the fans could see. Thank god the Nats got rid of that guy.) Firejimbowden gives praise where praise is do for Rich Campbell leaving Ryan Howard off his Top 10. Marc Zuckerman also put Howard down in comparison to others at #10 I understand the obsession with awarding MVP votes to those with hot finishes...

Discuss | Tags: blogs, MLB, MVP, Nationals, Washington Nationals

OMG Answers the Mailbag!

By Harper Gordek | November 17, 2008

In lieu of Nationals Enquirer who I imagine is sitting on a beach, earning 20 percent. With the acquisition of Josh Willingham and rumors swirling about the Nats wanting Carlos Gonzalez, I can't help but notice that the team has a lot of outfielders. What do they plan on doing with all of them?-- Pat R., Oakton, Va. Play a "shortfielder" next season? Create a travelling dance troupe of "Angels in the Outfield" (now that Christopher Lloyd has no house he's free to travel around reprising his Oscar-nominated role of "Al, the Boss Angel". Seriously though the title on that link has him as "Taxi" star Christopher Lloyd? "Taxi"? I know people loved the show but the man forever will be Doc Brown, end of story. "Taxi"...the guy who wrote that headline must be 50 years old.) Oh yeah the outfielders... Remember when the Nats invited 319 pitchers to camp? They don't...

2 Comments | Tags: mailbag, MLB, Nationals, Washington Nationals

Top 50 Free Agents: Rankings and Predictions

By Ryne Crabb | November 17, 2008

Top 50 Free Agents on FireBrand

Last year, on November 6th, 2007, I released my top 50 Free Agents rankings and predictions. This year, a week later than usual, I've again ranked and predicted the destinations for the top 50 free agents of this year's free agent class. 2009 is very top-heavy, and there aren't many sexy names in the bottom 25, but that only made everything that much more unpredictable.

5 Comments | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dogers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

2009 Top 50 Free Agents: 26-50

By Ryne Crabb | November 15, 2008

The Top 50 Free Agents: Part 1

Last year, on November 6th, 2007, I released my top 50 Free Agents rankings and predictions. You can check out the archive on my old blog if you are interested. This year, a week later than usual, I've again ranked and predicted the destinations for the top 50 free agents of this year's free agent class. 2009 is very top-heavy, and there aren't many sexy names in the bottom 25, but that only made everything that much more unpredictable.

4 Comments | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dogers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

Is that a BANG, I hear?

By Harper Gordek | November 14, 2008

Free Agency began and the Nats swooped in with their biggest opening deal of the past 100 years. Resigning Pete Orr! Play on, Free Agent Playas. Seriously though the Nats are supposedly looking at Mark Teixiera and Orlando Hudson. I'll echo FireJimbo's doubts. Somehow I doubt this team is ready to go from 0 to 60, and by that I mean I don't think Lerner is ready to spend $60 dollars instead of $0. But hey, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Like Mulder, I want to believe. I also star in bad Showtime Original programming. Don't believe me? I'll say I was in...ummm... Going to California. It's not like you watched it and can prove me wrong. I'm assuming it was bad - these guys did do October Road. Did you see that? Ugh. ...I'm getting off the point though aren't I? For a while I've...

Discuss | Tags: Free Agents, Mark Teixeira, MLB, Nationals, Orlando Hudson, Washington Nationals

Taking a closer look at Anderson Hernandez

By Harper Gordek | November 13, 2008

Shhh! It's the secret part of the trade! While Olsen and WIllingham grabbed the headlines, someone else fell backward into a starting job. With Emilio gone, Anderson Hernandez (please no - "AHern" nicknames) becomes the starting defualt second baseman by default. Great! Now, who was he again? Let's Good Cop / Bad Cop - Anderson Hernandez Good Cop : Anderson will be tremendous for the Nationals. Well, perhaps I overstate but if your dim little mind has forgotten, Anderson "pounded out" a .333 / .407 / .383 line in 28 games for the Nats. I'm not insinuating he'll hit that over a season but still must be enthused by that performance. Bad Cop : Why do I have to be "entoosed"? Take a look at his game log You'll see what I do. That he got nearly half of his hits in his first 6 games. The next 15 to 20 games he hits like a girl, like .200. I don't know about you and your fancy college degree but...

7 Comments | Tags: Anderson Hernandez, MLB, Nationals, Washington Nationals

Where could Mark Teixeira land?

By Evan | November 20, 2008

ccho

Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

BREAKING: Josh Willingham, Scott Olsen traded to Washington

By Evan | November 10, 2008

Willingham - Spike from NJ

The Washington Nationals today continued their march towards trying to be relevant, acquiring left-fielder Josh Willingham and pitcher Scott Olsen for a trio of prospects.Willingham, 29, had 15 homers in an abbreviated 2008 with a .254/.364/.470 line, similar to what he has hit over his career. He is eligible for arbitration, likely a major reason why the Marlins opted to move him despite ownership giving the team permission to retain all their arbitration eligible players.Olsen, known for his hotheadedness, is also eligible for arbitration for the first time. He went 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA in 201.2 innings as a 24-year old. There is cause for concern with Olsen's effectiveness as he posted a 3.11 ERA in his home park and 5.58 away.The Marlins got second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, who headed to Washington for Jon Rauch at the trading deadline from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit .243/.296/.337 and may be...

1 Comment | Tags: Florida Marlins, MLB, Washington Nationals

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