Friday, July 30, 2010

Guzman traded to Texas

Updated at 5:56 p.m.

The Nationals have traded Cristian Guzman, the only player from the original Opening Day 2005 club who has remained on the big-league roster without interruption, to the Texas Rangers, a source familiar with the deal has confirmed.

It's not yet known who the Nationals are receiving in return.

Updates to come...

3:29 p.m. -- Because Guzman has 10 years of big-league service and more than five years with the Nationals, he had to approve the trade. He's still due to earn about $2.6 million the rest of the season, and it's possible the Nats are picking up some of that salary because the Rangers are currently in bankruptcy and unable to add too much to payroll.

4:38 p.m. -- The trade won't be official until tomorrow, but the Nats will be receiving two minor-league pitchers in exchange for Guzman. One of the pitchers is right-hander Ryan Tatusko, a 25-year-old who was 9-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 24 games (13 starts) for Class AA Frisco. Because the deal isn't official yet but Guzman has already left, the Nats will be playing with a 24-man roster tonight. Adam Kennedy is starting at second base and batting second, but Jim Riggleman said Kennedy and Alberto Gonzalez will split playing time moving forward. Riggleman also said the club is unlikely to add another infielder to the roster.

5:36 p.m. -- Mike Rizzo just confirmed the two players are indeed Tatusko and right-hander Tanner Roark. Roark, 23, is 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games (17 starts) with Class AA Frisco. It's also believed the Nats are sending the Rangers $2 million to help cover Guzman's remaining salary.

5:45 p.m. -- Here are some quotes from Rizzo about the Guzman and Capps deals and the Dunn talks...

On the trade: "We got two good, young, Double-A prospects that we think will help our inventory, two starting candidates. It's a trade of a veteran player for prospects."

On Guzman's reaction: "Guzie was upbeat, positive. Obviously, he had to OK the trade because he had 10-and-5 rights. It's not an official trade until the paperwork goes through. In 24 hours it will be official."

On how the Capps trade came together: "It quickly came together at the trade deadline a couple days ago when they agreed to put Ramos into the deal. It went pretty quickly after that."

On Ramos: "We think he's close to major-league ready. We think he can be an everyday major-league catcher. He's a well-rounded catcher. He's solid defensively. He's got good power. We think he's a guy that can play every day in the big leagues and be a big impact offensively and defensively."

On what this means for Derek Norris: "He's a couple years behind. That's the key statement. It's inventory. You never have enough top prospects, especially at a premium position like catcher."

On Ramos' offensive struggles this year: "What I heard from scouts, they love his power potential, his approach at the plate, his pitch selection is good. We don't make any excuses for it. He started off slow, got sidetracked when he went to the big leagues and performed well at the big leagues and then came back down. We have no real explanation for it. But we've scouted him for years and seen big-time upside, not only as an offensive catcher but as a defensive catcher."

On chances of Dunn being traded: "There's a lot of teams interested in Adam Dunn. An unbelievable amount. We have many options with him. We're going to do what's best for the long-term viability of the franchise."

On other teams controlling these talks: "The closer to the deadline it takes, the more pressure is on teams to come with something that makes sense for me to trade one of the best offensive players in baseball."

On if he'll lower his original asking price for Dunn: "No, the price will not come down."

57 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sweet Jesus tell me they took Willie Harris too...

Brian G. said...

This is a great trade and I don't even know who we got in return!

And, I'm guessing that Kennedy is one happy Nat right now (unless he's next on the trade list).

Knoxville Nat said...

JayB's worse nightmare about to come true, Adam Kennedy playing every day at second base.

Anonymous said...

I hope we got something servicable in the deal, after seeing what Florida got for rental Jorge Cantu, I am not optimistic.

Good luck Guz, I would rather have you here than Willie Harris and Adam Kennedy.

Anonymous8 said...

How much cash did they have to send to Texas on this one?

Now we get a heavier dose of Adam Kennedy! OH NO

Here Rizzo has showcased Adam Kennedy and Willie Harris which has raised Guzman's value as the others have looked so bad.

Reminds me of Paul LoDuca. The only way to get rid of the other 2 is waivers and then someone will sign them at league minimum.

I like the way Guzy became a team player and stepped up. I know his detractors will say he had 8 million reasons to step up and play 2nd base but I am happy for Guzy.

Hope the prospects that came from this are good.

Jimmy said...

Guzman is a good player, as the interest from Texas - a good team in contention - reaffirms. Yet I'm happy with this move (assuming the return is sufficient). He isn't a part of this team's future. I'd like to see his starting space open up for guys who might be around for a while.

Watching this year's team is about watching development for the future. Mark, you made a good connection to that in your point about Capps' short tenure here being an important part of our future successes. Hopefully the same can be said of Guzman.

Jimmy said...

Also, would the Tejada to San Diego trade be a good measure for this one? If so, O's got the Padre's 7th best minor league prospect, right-handed pitcher Wynn Pelzer, plus cash, in return. Something to chew on.

Section 222 said...

I doubt the return for Guzman is anything like the return Rizzo got for Capps, but it's still a good deal. Guzman stepped up and did his best, but keeping him in the lineup was not doing anyone any favors. It will be fun to see former Nats involved in pennant races in the AL, and like the Nick Johnson trade, this was absolutely the right thing to do because we weren't going to resign Guzman and he wasn't going to yield a compensation draft pick in free agency. Once again, a professional GM move.

swang said...

There's no way we get cash back for Guz. unless it's a straight trade for cash deal, which I think Rizzo would balk at.

Anonymous said...

Sweet Jesus tell me they took Willie Harris too...

Anon, took the words right out of my mouth ... sweet jesus there is a god for the Nats and Mike Rizzo listens to him ... get that guy and Harris as far away from Riggleman as humanly possible.

Josh said...

Yeah, I doubt we got much of anything for Guzman. But no matter who we got, that Rizzo was able to trade him at all is fantastic--he was a huge salary drain and the fact that the Nats had to use him to justify his wages has had a net negative effect on the team, particularly on the defensive end (experiments with him in RF highlighted that fact). Not that Kennedy is a good player, or even a decent one, but I have liked every trade Rizzo has made thus far.

Anonymous said...

Mark -- I'm unaware of the subtlies here. Why would guzman accept the trade? Did they have to line his pockets? Or tell him he'll get only a dozen more at bats for the rest of the season, or . . .

Jimmy said...

@swang - Yeah, I agree - cash back highly doubtful. Plus the Rangers are in bankruptcy proceedings - not exactly cash rich right now.

I'm guessing we picked up part of his salary. Maybe that makes the player(s) we get in return a little better than what the O's got for Tejada?

Anonymous said...

Section 222;

You are bang on. Whatever money the Nats save (depends on how much they had to throw in) is a plus; when you are not contending there is no sense in keeping veterans that won't be with you past this year. I wouldn't hold my breath on the 'prospects' from Texas; I promise you it won't be much.
Plus it gives Guzman a chance to make the playoffs so that is a nice gesture by the Nats.

Jimmy said...

@Anon at 3:44 - Guzman now gets to play for a first place team instead of a last place team. His stock goes up if he performs well on the national stage that is the playoffs this year, which he will have an opportunity to do. Definitely worth it to a guy like Guzman who likely wouldnt have been around when the Nats turn the corner to league relevancy a few years from now.

Steve said...

I would've traded Guzman for a handful of magic beans. Will be happy with anything we get for him.

JaneB said...

Guz is a good guy. I loved the way he handled Desmond coming on the scene. And I happy he is now going to get to play for a team in the hunt. Harris needs to be in the game everyday -- I know it wont be our team, but its not his fault that we decided to give the work to a player who needs more development for the future. he's a good guy -- a real human. Even if you don't want him playing for us, does everyone have to be so mean about it?

Tcostant said...

I heard for Martin Perez & Tanner Scheppers. We are paying most of Guzman;s money too.

DC Tom said...

Today is an historic day in Nationals history, and I have to say I lament this loss.

Guzman was the first signing that Jim Bowden did after the Expos were moved to DC, in November of 2004. I don't even believe they had picked out the name "Nationals" yet -- you could say Guzman was a "proto-National" or the only signing of the Washington Expos.

More importantly, the Guzman signing (four years, $16.8 M) was our *very first* opportunity to grump and complain and gripe about a stupid move by our baseball team's GM. It -- and therefore Guzman -- should hold a special place in all our hearts. Guzman's signing was, in essence, the true return of baseball to Washington.

Anonymous said...

Now why can't we trade harris and kennedy the yankees can have both of them for a bag of balls better how about a real hot dog since we can't find one at the stadium

Anonymous said...

"....when you are not contending there is no sense in keeping veterans that won't be with you past this year...."

Again, this is the standard line and, not to bust on the writer here, because everyone says this, but its infuriating when you've committed thousands of dollars in tickets to games in August and September. If the team doesn't care about the product its putting on the field in August and September, then why am I paying $50 a ticket and $35 to park and see them?

The sense is that people have paid to see a major league game and the team is under an obligation in my view to field a major league team for every game.

Tegwar said...

Look at the source before you decided you can trust what "good prospect" is.

Nationals get two pitching prospect for Cristian Guzman...Bill Ladson reporting they are good prospect but not ML ready

JimBowdenXMFOX

http://twitter.com/JimBowdenXMFOX/status/19934676026

Anonymous said...

You paid $50 a ticket and $35 to park to see Christian Guzman play?

Starting Kennedy at 2B for two months could be seen as the equivalent of paying $5 to park in Lot HH under the expressway.

Anonymous said...

LAST original nat right?

(livo doesnt count cuz he was elsewhere over the pas 6 seasons...)

JayB said...

Now I am really happy....now can we cut Kennedy and Harris like we had to with Estrada, Lopez and Loduca and get some young guys who "could" be better than what know about those two.

Anonymous said...

Were it only true that we get Perez AND Scheppers, the Rangers' best prospects. I'll be surprized if either is part of the deal.

Ben

Anonymous said...

No chance either of them are part of the deal, this is Christian Guzman we are talking about after all.

Stranded_in_Philly said...

The two trades the Nats have made were to the two teams formerly known as the Senators.

Anonymous said...

Scheppers is one of the best pitching prospects in the minors, period--according to some, the second-best pitching prospect behind Strasburg (I guess he's no longer a prospect though). There is no way in hell that we get him for Guzman of all players. Did you see him during the Futures game? He was throwing 97, 98 and he's a starter. You all need to lower your expectations a lot: the Rangers farm system is deep and even their second-tier prospects are good.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:15

If you're going by Opening Day rosters and exclude Livo, Guzman was the last "original" Nat.

Although remember that Zimmerman was drafted that year and played on the 2005 in September.

Anonymous said...

raymitten,

Here is my point: If you deploy the money you saved on 2 months of Guzman to help sign one of the draftees that's a good spend of money. Besides if I was you I would rather watch some of the future in August and September instead of dead wood.

Jaxpo Nat said...

We received RYAN TATUSKO in this deal (not sure if there was a second prospect or not).

In his last start for AA Frisco he went 6 IP, 6 hits, 0 Runs, 2 BB, 3 K.... 2.97 ERA this year.

NatsNut said...

I can't help it. This trade business is really bumming me out.

Business or no business, I'm a fan. I get ATTACHED to these guys. Even though I know it's probably smart to move him, I'm really, really sad to see him go.

Anonymous said...

I should make clear that my point isn't about Guzman per se, its about the whole idea of trading MLB players for prospects. Perhaps the Livan for Mock and Chico trade is a good example. Livan is getting people out at the major league level, and these two prospects acquired in 2006 are still struggling to stay in the major leagues.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to potentially hijack this thread but si.com just put up an article claiming that stras is high risk because of his "upside down" pitching motion (whatever that is).

My question: How can this be? How can it be that all we ever heard of stras was how fantastic his delivery was, how effortless. Now apparently he fits a high risk profile? How did not a single reporter explore this prior to today??

Michael J. Hayde said...

Wow - two of my favorite moments when at the park: hearing "Cristian GOOOOOOOOZZZZZEMONNNNN" announced, and hearing The Final Countdown at the top of the 9th... gone forever.

Improved team or no, it's a sad day for me.

Anonymous said...

someone with more time on his hands should interview the expert making the claim, and ask him, as best he can, to identify all of the pitchers to his knowledge that have an "upside down" motion. Let's see just how many there are, and just how many have longevity problems in the league.

Jaxpo Nat said...

@Anon 4:43.... Potential issues with Strasburg's motion were reported prior to the draft. I remember Joe Magran (or maybe Al Leiter) actually doing a "Diamond Demo" demonstration about what people were talking about on MLB.com (the inverted W motion). And compared it to Mark Prior. This was before the draft.

These thoughts were out there pre-draft.

Jimmy said...

@raymitten - totally understandable (except for the part about paying $35 bucks for parking - ouch). But the flip side is that we don't get any better by hanging onto guys past the trade deadline who don't factor into the longterm plans. Personally, I'd much rather watch struggling though promising prospects over mediocre vets. Last place is last place, and I'm in this for the long haul.

As for prospects that don't pan out - it can't be avoided. Baseball is all about averages. You gotta go after a lot of guys in hopes that a few pan out.

Richard said...

I was a Guzman fan, too, and am saddened to see him go, especially after his team play this year. But, Texas is in the hunt and, as some have said, it's a chance to increase his market value.

Josh said...

Stras doesn't have the inverted W (anymore) and pitching mechanics "experts" are working off pretty much zero reliable data. Sure, they're often right when they say that a pitcher is likely to be injured, but that's only because pitching is an inherently risky, unnatural action. I understand that other GMs hope Strasburg blows out his arm but it's no more likely than it is for any other pitcher. Probably less so given how paranoid the Nats are being with him: I doubt anyone but Strasburg would have been shut down for even a single start with mild shoulder inflammation, let alone put on the 15-day DL. That's not to say that it isn't a good idea, just that I don't see Strasburg suddenly developing injuries where there were none before.

Anonymous said...

Dont pay attention to that article, no one has ever proved that the "inverted W" consistently leads to arm problems. Many have thrown this why and have been totally healthy, meanwhile there have been numerous injuries from pitchers who do not throw this way. Bottom line is every pitcher is at risk for arm injuries, his velocity may make him a little more prone to it but not the inverted W.

Anonymous said...

OK, well thanks for the insight, I guess. I dont feel like I have ever read that in a washington based publication. i guess the thought is, he's awesome, we'll take our chance? It's just amazing how good a job the hype machine did of hiding this. i dont remember him ever being flagged as high risk (I know I am repeating myself - I am just shocked).

Anonymous said...

NatsNut said:

"I'm a fan. I get ATTACHED to these guys."


As a former Yankees fan, I learned a long time ago to just root for the team because the players don't stick around.

Anonymous8 said...

"Riggleman also said the club is unlikely to add another infielder to the roster."

Read his words. Unlikely to add another infielder. Sounds like talk around that Justin Maxwell will be in DC tomorrow.

SAY IT AINT SO!

Seriously, some deserving kid in Syracuse or Harrisburg deserves a call.

cadeck13 said...

Nats Nut, Michael J. Hayde & Richard, I agree, Guzzie was my first National autograph and I thought he was a great team player this year. I guess he agreed to the trade after reading some of the posts here.

I wish him & Matt Capps the best and I will follow their careers just like I do all the other former Nats.

David said...

can we get johnny giavotella, 2b prospect, from the royals for one of our AAAA pitchers? we still need to acquire a 2b for the future...

Anonymous said...

It's Tatusko and Tanner Roark. Per Buster Olney, the Nationals are kicking in around $2 million to make the financials work.

Steve said...

For those looking for some intel on who the Nats are picking up, this guy has been doing deep coverage of the Rangers' system for years: http://www.newbergreport.com/

Jim Webster said...

Lotsa thoughts here.
First, hate to see us help the folks who stole the Senators.
But second, happy for Guz to get on a contender.
Third, hope all the other activity augurs well for keeping Dunn.

Feel Wood said...

Will Guzman get a tape of Jerome saying "Cristian Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzman" to take with him to Texas, so he can have it played like Derek Jeter has the Bob Shepard recording introducing him?

Or did Guzman perhaps stop by the booth on his way out to say "Hey man, sorry I didn't mention this sooner. It's Guhz-man."

Bote Man said...

Tell Cristian not to let the door slam him in the butt on his way out to Texas.

Anonymous said...

JaneB@3:52

You reflect my feeling completely. I find it odd that people can be so nasty about players having a bad years who have previously been great contributors. I can be critical of the current performance without forgetting their contributions of the past. I still pull for ex-Nats--Jon Rauch (now joined with Capps at the Twins), Mike Macdougal (now with the Cardinals) and etc. Some players just need a change to thrive again.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Guzman. I'll be rooting for the Rangers to make the playoffs (never thought I'd say that after '72). Also, thanks to all of you who have wished Guzman well. He was a class act. Maybe he wasn't a major league SS anymore. But guess what--neither is Desmond. Just sayin'...

Zachary Prentice said...

I will be rooting for the Nats totally dude

Anonymous8 said...

5:36 p.m. -- Mike Rizzo just confirmed the two players are indeed Tatusko and right-hander Tanner Roark. Roark, 23, is 10-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games (17 starts) with Class AA Frisco. It's also believed the Nats are sending the Rangers $2 million to help cover Guzman's remaining salary.

______________________________________

Just getting to catch up on this now. So the Nats got 2 career Minor Leaguers and wrote a $2 million check.

Why make this trade for 2 garbage pitchers and paying almost all the Guzy's salary on top of that. I take Guzy over Kennedy almost any day of the week (except last night).

Is this another way for Rizzo to get his "mancrush" Justin Maxwell back to DC? Is this a way for Rizzo to force Kennedy into the starting lineup?

This trade reads PATHETIC all over it! Don't make trades for the sake of making it look like you are busy improving the team when both players the Nats got in return are hacks.

Bobby said...

@Anonymous8

Getting 2 "hacks" for a player you know you aren't going to re-sign in the offseason is better than getting none. And I'm not ready to give up on Adam Kennedy yet, he has a hot bat and I'll bet his defense improves when he's out there every day. I've also seen some people make an argument that an every-day 2nd baseman will help Desmond cut down his error total too.

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