Offseason Trade Options | Frank H's Blog

I think we all agree some serious changes are required in the Nats roster for 2009. Following are my thoughts on who should go, who are more valuable as bargaining chips and who should be given a shot. Please reply with your thoughts:

WHO SHOULD GO:

Austin Kearns - is due to make $8M next year and would not be on the starting roster of any other team in MLB. There is no chance of being able to trade him without eating the salary ... thanks Jim Bowden.
Dimitri Young - He'll never be a productive player again. At 320 lb and expanding, Teddy Roosevelt has more speed and range.

(Note above 2 are 25% of next year's total team salary already)

Nick Johnson - another 10% of the team salary for next year and because he can not stay healthy, needs to be considered a liability ... pity.

That's 35% of the total player salary and we can count on limited production and no possibility of dumping it! The Lerner group has been publicly vilified recently for Nat's problems, but if people like Kearns and Young keep getting signed to big contracts by Bowden, we'll go the way of the Senators!!

Who are bargaining Chips:

Ronnie Belliard - was a valuable bench player, but with a crowded middle infield for next year and need to free up a spot in the order to insert a power bat, bench depth will have to come from the farm.
Jason Bergmann - the guy has been drop dead dominate at times over the last 2 years, but woefully inconsistent. Gotta go with my head over my heart and say shop him.
Tyler Clippard - controversial choice, but still has value and I'm not sure he's MLB material.
Willie Harris - excellent 4th outfielder, but we need to address serious problems with the starting 8. Maybe we can get sufficient quality pitching back when packaged with above ...

Who Should be Given a Shot:

Wily Mo Pena - Assuming it is at Wily's 2M option and not at club's 5M, I still think he deserves a shot after recovering from injury. With need for power in the lineup, one more shot as 4th outfielder is in order.
Roger Bernadina - He was best hitter in the organization this year, and the outfield needs changes for next year. I don't have 100% confidence in Bonifacio at leadoff.

Thanks

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October 7, 2008 10:31 PM ET

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The deal's basically this: Nick's seen his last days in a Nats jersey; injuries are why. Dmitri had issues related to diabetes (which I personally relate to, BTW), so don't write him off yet.
I'm with you on Bernadina. Saw him @ Harrisburg back in April, and thought he deserved (and deserves) a shot in the bigs. What happens with Luke Montz, I don't know. SOMEBODY'S gotta back up Jesus Flores...and as we saw with the Lo Duca/Johnny Estrada deals, disaster looms.
Pitching (rotation AND bullpen) is what we need to shore up. Far as Wily Mo goes, I give him to the trade deadline next July. He don't work out, get prospects for him. Truth is, the Lerners NEED to dive into free agency heavy this winter.

DC Sports Nut: Nats,…

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October 8, 2008 09:57 AM ET

Thanks, SportsNut.

What do they do with Nick Johnson then. Will anyone take his $5M salary for 2009? Well, maybe, but not before he's proven healthy and not for anything of significant value in return. This will be fun to watch.

Regarding Young, there is no way he can play and stay healthy at 320-350 lbs, even as a pinch-hitter off the bench. Realize weight problem is diabetes related, but Nat's need to depend 0% on his contribution in 2009 (while still paying him $5M). I think he's done as a player.

Nat's need a new centre field option, so I'd put Bernadina odds on favorite to start the year there in Washington, but Justin Maxwell is the phenom-in-waiting. I think Nat's are going to hope/plan for Maxwell to take over center field fulltime by July. Might be a stretch as he's got limited experience above A Ball, but he's 4-tool and super athletic.

Where do you think Leonard Davis fits in? If he sticks with the team, I project him as the next super-sub to replace Kory Casto. He don't have a position to play in Wash. If he has trade value, look for him to be sent as part of package for power bat at 1st base.

Luke Montz - I'd be surprised if he backs up Flores next year unless Nieves goes down to injury. I think he needs a lot more seasoning. He had done nothing in the minors until early last year, and from mid-season on I would be surprised if he batted more than .220. If he stays the course, he'll get another audition or two in Wash in 2009.

You're first one to agree with me to give Wily Mo another shot - thanks, it was getting lonely out on that limb.

I've read from several other learned friends about the pressure on Lerner Group to start spending, else start losing the fan-base. Problem is they are still a couple years away from post-season contention when the top prospects start establishing themselves. It'll be fun to watch what happens this winter, but right now there are just too many holes to fill.

Assuming Bernadina is ready, Maxwell is on the way and they can not dump Kearns and his $8M salary, is there any room for Willie Harris next year with Kearns already sitting on the bench? I think Willie and Belliard are more valuable as trade bait for pitching help or as part of package for 1st baseman.