The 2010 Baseball Winter Meetings get underway in a month — Dec. 6 — in Orlando, Fla. The Nationals have a pretty specific shopping list in mind, though it’s possible they’ll accomplish something between now and then.
Will they re-sign Adam Dunn? They say they’re going to try to do just that, but it’s pretty apparent there’s a difference of opinion on just how valuable he is to the ballclub. I can’t help but be reminded what Branch Rickey said to Ralph Kiner when he traded him from the Pirates to the Cubs in June 1953: “We finished last with you; we can finish last without you.” Kiner had led the NL in home runs the past 7 seasons, but would play only three more after that. Some clubhouse insiders say that Dunn doesn’t seem to mind losing. If that’s true, the odds of him staying are less than even.
Can they sign — or trade for — a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm? Industry sources say they’ll make a run at Cliff Lee, and that if they don’t get him, they’ll at least help him make several million more dollars. Trade-wise, Tampa Bay’ Matt Garza and Kansas City’s Zack Greinke are rumored to be available, but what prospects are the Nats willing to part with? The second base job has been essentially handed to Danny Espinosa, though it won’t be official until March, and Ian Desmond is a fixture at short. Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman and Jordan Zimmermann are untouchable, and I can’t imagine they’ll make Wilson Ramos available.
GM Mike Rizzo has experience with Brandon Webb, but the long-inactive Arizona sinkerballer is apparently expecting a larger guarantee than most teams will be willing to hand out.
The bullpen would seem to be set for 2011, with certain roles pretty well defined. They need to come up some bench depth, with Adam Kennedy’s 2011 option being declined and Willie Harris a free agent.
The Nats are known to want a better bat at the top of the lineup, but how many guys are out there looking for work with a .350-or-better on-base percentage? I doubt they’d pursue anyone older than 30. Carl Crawford of the Rays would be a great get, but please, don’t hold your breath.
The addition of Bo Porter to the coaching staff can only be a plus. His experience in the NL East with the Marlins can be of great value, particularly since both Florida teams are reported to be dumping salary this offseason.
A 10-win improvement in 2010 was a decent start, but 2011 needs at least that many more to keep the train on the track. The Nationals had some compelling hot stove activity last December. They need to crank that burner up again between now and February.
Examiner columnist Phil Wood is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at [email protected].
