First, we'll discuss the Rauch deal:
Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com figured Bowden would ask for more than just IF Emilio Bonifacio for Rauch.
MLB Fleece Factor thinks it is a pretty good deal for both teams.
National Fanboy Looser thanks Rauch for a job well done and asks if it's a good deal or not.
Fire Jim Bowden says "at first blush this is the kind of deal we should be doing."
We've Got Heart also figured the Nats would get more prospects for Rauch.
Bleacher Banter's intitial reaction is positive.
Something interesting I wanted to pass along (from Nationals Journal commenter "e"):
I'm going to try and be optimistic about this. I'm not thinking "another Nook Logan." I'm going to think, "another Jose Reyes."
Bonifacio's minor league stats:
6 seasons; 648 games; 2543 AB's
.283/.339/.360
12 HR; 216 RBI
209 BB; 528 K
226 SB; 65 CS (78%)Jose Reyes' minor league stats:
4 seasons; 343 games; 1303 AB's
.285/.338/.423
13 HR; 135 RBI
101 BB; 217 K
129 SB; 44 CS (75%)Sure, the strikeouts are a concern, but he has cut down on them some this season.
Reyes didn't start hitting homers until his second full season with the Mets.
I'm looking for Joel Hanrahan to become the new closer rather than Saul Rivera. Hanrahan's numbers are good enough for the role (although Rivera's are a bit better), but Hanrahan seems like a better option for the long-term (Hanrahan is 26, Rivera is 30). I'd rather see him learn into the role now (since he's got electric stuff) when we don't have many legitimate options in the back of the pen. (side note-it's amazing that this is the first time I've ever tagged Saul Rivera in an entry. He's that non-descript, I guess). Ryan Wagner is probably going to replace Rauch on the 25-man roster.
Now to Guzman-Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times says the deal is $8 mil per year for 2 years. That seems a bit steep, considering he did basically nothing in years 1-3 of his current contract, but it does seem he has turned his career around for the most part. At this point, I don't think the price even matters, since we already know the Lerners aren't going to spend any money anyways.
And the current polls on Nationals Journal indicate that there is widespread approval (82% at this time) of Guzman's signing, but mild skepticism (58% approval) concerning the Rauch trade.
I guess I can live with the Guzman deal, and I'm trying to look at the positives.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm also trying to wrap my brain around that $8 million per year. Besides present value, I suppose the FO thinks they could move Guzman for prospects at some point.
If he were set to become a Type A free agent instead of a Type B, I wonder if they'd have done the extension, knowing they'd get the extra draft pick?
Also I wonder how much of that 82% approval was registered before the price became known?
ReplyDeleteThe word "extension" probably got a lot of people thinking $4 million instead of $8 million.
I doubt he could come close to a Type A, mainly because he didn't play enough last year.
ReplyDeleteAs of now, 61% of the 1056 voters say the deal met their approval and 79% of 972 voters for Guz. I was around then the poll was first posted, and the Washington Times had already leaked salary information (although it was not known to all, I posted it in the comments on Nationals Journal). I still think it's a decent deal, just becuase we guarantee ourselves an okay shortstop (as opposed to the other crap on the market right now outside of Furcal, who's injured).