Mike Rizzo isn't scheduled to speak to media members until Monday at the Winter Meetings, but the Nationals general manager did just release a statement about Adam Dunn.
Here it is...
"The Washington Nationals wish Adam Dunn and his family the best of luck and good will in Chicago. Adam contributed much to the Nationals and to the Washington, D.C. community. He will be missed, but will remain an important figure in the early history of this franchise and will always be a part of the Nationals baseball family."
54 comments:
" . . . always be a part of the Nationals baseball family." How insulting. I was thinking that this was a reasonably classy statement until I got the last part. That part is really insulting to this fan.
And Mark -- is this typical: he's not scheduled to speak to media until . . . so he won't?
Good Question...one I have been asking publicly and privately....Mark, is this team so clueless and so divorced from it's fans that this is all they think is needed?
Man, I never thought I would miss Stan....at least he understood the importance of lying to the fan base....
Although I was in the "Sign! Adam! Dunn!" camp, I have no problems with this statement. You really have to work hard to being pissed off about this. It's unusual for a team to issue one at all after a free agent signs elsewhere (I don't remember the Red Sox holding one when VMart signed with the Tigers). Today is really for the White Sox and Adam Dunn to make their "happy with the new signing" pressers and statements.
4/$56 was right on the edge of what I'd pay for Dunn, and I am in the pro-Dunn camp. Kudos to the big guy and his agent for getting a good deal, and here's hoping he makes a serious run at 500HRs in that bandbox on the South Side.
Look, it's just not an insult to NOT want to pay a player like Dunn $56 million guaranteed over four years. The last sentence drives that home, that this is a business decision not a personal one. And being nice leaves the door open on the off chance that in four years the Nats need a bat to complete a playoff run and make a deal to bring Adam back from the White sox or wherever he is playing at the time.
John C.
JayB, yep, Stan did understand the PR side to make the fans feel good after something like this as he did with Alfonso Soriano.
Already Dunn is making "nice nice" with this:
"Dunn says he'll DH or play any position", according to Scott Reifert of the White Sox.
All of a sudden Dunn is changing his tune about DH'ing. Maybe this was change is about stroking his ego with the big contract and a shot at the postseason.
Dunn has never received any respect in his career and he is often given a hard time about not making the post-season.
Here's his chance but I am thinking Zimmerman maybe shouldn't be upset at the Nats F.O. as much as understanding that this was a deal that Dunn wanted. $14 million a year, 4 year deal, and a chance for the post-season (NOW).
Anon, could you explain what's wrong with being part of the Nats baseball family? I mean, sounds like the typical nice-knowing-you BS, not an insult.
To Mike Rizzo:
You've got some pissed off fans here. How about making a public statement to remind us about how this is part of a plan that's going to lead to us being at least somewhat competitive next year? The verdict of the court of public opinion is angry and bleak feelings. Please spin this in a way that makes us feel like you've got a vision cause I'm getting nothing here.
My take is that Rizzo (or someone in his office) reads these blogs and thought it was wise to say something.
OK. If Yankees get Crawford, Nats could trade for Brett Gardner to play cf and leadoff (.380obp). Sign Xavier Nady or similar for outfield...and await Harper to fill in 2012. Sign Webb and trade for sp. Gardners Young and Nady is only 29 or 30. I'd love a trade for Upton but the asking price is crazy high.
@all
I wanted more from the statement, but in hindsight I don't have a problem with them remaining silent at this time. I would like them to handle some PR stuff after the Winter Meetings to at least share what their plan is going forward.
They don't want to talk to us now to get defensive on a situation they messed up on. Instead, they'll try to sell us the next free agent they sign or share how a youth movement or trade will still create a watchable product.
I certainly hope that they are reaching out to season ticket holders behind the scenes, though. Holiday time and season ticket reup time is not the time to diss your fan base.
This was a good move by the Nationals and Adam Dunn. No team in the NL was going to give Dunn a 4/56 deal. And it looks like Dunn realized if he wanted a deal close to 4/60 it was going to be in the AL as a DH.
@ Slidell: I agree with you. The first thing I thought when I read this statement is that someone at Nationals Park has been reading the fan blogs today.
I like Dunn and I'll miss him. My kids loved watching him hit HRs so they'll miss him even more.
4 years for $56 for Dunn's skill set and age in the NL seems too expensive to me. Before going crazy about how horrible it was to let Dunn go, let's wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.
If on opening day I'm cheering for Michael Morse at 1B, Roger Bernadina in RF and John Lannan at pitcher, then I'll worry. There are still some interesting free agents out there and there are so many different possibilities for trades that's it's impossible to judge this off season yet.
You can't give up hope on the season when it's still December...
Yeah right Rizzo-Nitzzo--more missed than you will ever be!
Maybe if you hadn't made a $15 million donation to the Jason Marquis Welfare Fund, you'd have had the money to keep one of our first Nats' folk heroes.
I have no problem with the statement, but it wasn't really what I thought was needed. Assurance about the long term prospects of a franchise that just let a popular figure walk would have been better.
@Raymitten: If they gave a statement talking about assurance, they'd be hooted at even more. Just imagine what JayB would say about it! And he wouldn't be the only one. They really are better off letting Dunn and the White Sox have their day and working on preparing for the winter meetings and their next roster moves. I'd rather they put the team together and THEN talk to us about it rather than take time every day/week to hold our hands about this. I also don't want them to make a move out of desperation ("let's sign Pena - for three years! Yeah!") just to make fans happy. Spending money to spend money is the path to Cubs/Mets/Mariners hell.
John C.
@dc.coyote
I'd be interested in somebody like Brett Gardner as well. Good thought.
I'm glad Rizzo didn't reference the plan. This is the day for Dunn and the Chisox to do their thing. Saying this is part of the plan, even if it's true, hints that you didn't want the guy back and seems lacking in grace.
Talk about the plan when you add someone, not when you lose someone who was a good soldier while under contract here.
JayB You are correct, Stan would be polishing the turd right now. He was at his best when he did that. Maybe he couldn't lie anymore so he quit.
They aren't reaching out to season ticket holders behind the scenes or anywhere else as far as I can tell. I sent an e-mail earlier today asking them to cancel my 2011 tix and refund my deposit. I know that there is zero chance they will do that, but wanted to make the point. So far, radio silence. STH from day one, shame on me for re-upping.
Oh good God, don't mention Pena and a X year contract (where x > 1). Somebody might read that and think it's a good idea. We now know that Rizzo has an minion that reads blogs. Bad ideas might get back to him.
"I sent an e-mail earlier today asking them to cancel my 2011 tix and refund my deposit. I know that there is zero chance they will do that, but wanted to make the point."
They'll surely cancel your tickets, but you won't get your deposit back. You want an e-mail saying "What part of non-refundable do you not understand?"?
Well said. I am really glad to read these comments after reading earlier how people were lining up on the South Capitol St bridge.
Xavier Nady is 32 and extremely injury prone.
"I sent an e-mail earlier today asking them to cancel my 2011 tix and refund my deposit. I know that there is zero chance they will do that, but wanted to make the point."
Well put, Oblio.
JayB Said:
"Man, I never thought I would miss Stan....at least he understood the importance of lying to the fan base.... "
Good one.
As far as the statement goes, I didn't expect one and there's nothing more at this point to say anyway. Seems to me its just Rizzo's way of satisfying all the media outlets clamoring for a statement.
As far as the FA prospects go for 1B, I like Pena. By all accounts a seriously good guy, very good glove, and big upside if he can regain his stroke.
In Sept 2009 he breaks 2 fingers, sits out the last 3 weeks and still ends up tied for the AL lead in HR's. Maybe 2010 was affected by the injury. Dunno.
Swang, Pena for 2 years at $14M total wouldn't be the worst thing. If he hits, we're happy as can be and would get draft pick(s) when he leaves as a FA. If he doesn't, we can afford to flush the 2nd year.
are you guys for freaking real? You're ticked off at Rizzo wishing Dunn well, saying he will be missed? Rizzo/Nats had no reason to make any statement whatsoever, yet when they send off a brief one wishing someone well, you dump all over him/them. Get off your high horses. Just admit that no matter what they do, you're going to (m)itch and (b)oan.
In all my years watching the hot stove, I could probably count on one hand the number of statements coming from a team that just lost a FA player. It just doesn't happen often. Now, if the Nats don't leave the Winter Meetings with a viable replacement at 1B, and at least one other FA signing and a decent trade, then flame away. Until then, relax and enjoy the start of the holiday season.
Quite frankly this tells everything, Mike Rizzo really didn't want Adam Dunn back. If he did, he would of at least contacted Dunn since the end of the season.
I can go both ways on this, will miss Adam's production next year and the next but know that he will get worst as time goes by and I bet will be a burden on the White Sox in year four.
Good luck to Adam, glad that he was a part of the Nats and gave us great memories, boy it's time for Rizzo to pull off some magic now that he doesn't have Adam's bat
What little up side there was to the overall Nats brand is now back on the down tick. Why would any--any--premium FA want to come here? Carlos Pena will only come here if he has no where else to go and I'm not convinced he would be fully committed to winning, or even stay, here.
Feels like Wily Mo Pena and Nook Logan all over again.
Well if Rizzo is still GM when Zim's contract runs out he can make the same statment and just find and replace Dunn with Zimmerman and Chicago with New York! :(
Adios Jason Bergmann..I wonder when Rizzo will release a statement on his loss and how much he means to the Nats history and that he will always be part of the Nats family!???
Anon@5:31 and others (and hell the Lerners too),
It is possible that in a court of law you might be able to get your money back for those so called 'non-refundable' deposits. It depends on who the master of the offer was. If you were considered the offeror (which the paper work might suggest) they have no legal right to hold your money so long as a meaningful acceptance has not transpired. If, however, they gave you an offer, then they can keep the money because it will be considered 'consideration.' Look at your paperwork and consult a contracts attorney, you might be very surprised.
For instance, if I became delusional and wanted a brand new season ticket package when I sign a form 'agreeing to the terms' I am in fact making an offer to the Nationals for a license to sit in that specific seat. Why? Because their advertisements were an invitation for an offer, not an offer itself. Until they accept my offer in some meaningful way, I CAN REVOKE MY OFFER AT ANY TIME AND COLLECT MY DEPOSIT. I would argue that until they send you the tickets, they have not accepted the offer and you have the ability to revoke that said offer. Them cashing your check is not acceptance. Of course they will argue otherwise, and it really depends on the terms of the agreement.
When it comes to commercial transactions, it is not as clear cut as the sports team would have you believe....
Only slightly off-topic, really:
Ron Santo, 70:
http://dailyherald.com/article/20101203/sports/712049910/
I think they've got themselves covered from a legal sense. It says right on the statement, in big bold letters NO REFUNDS, EXCHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS ON ANY SEASON TICKET PURCHASES. The deposit is applied immediately to the payment, so submitting a deposit is equivalent to agreeing to purchase the tickets. I'm sure if there was some valid hardship an owner of the non-Snyder ilk might refund a deposit if someone needed to cancel, but even an angel like Leonsis is not going to refund the deposit just because "you didn't sign player X". Snyder of course would not only keep the deposit but also sue the poor canceling soul for the remaining balance, plus interest if not paid on time.
I don't think Pena will want a 2 year $14 million deal. He is in is similar situation that Adrian Beltre was last year. Coming off a really crappy year and hitting free agency. Pena is still a young enough guy hoping to cash in one another pay day. He's probably looking for a year deal for around $4 - 5 million plus incentives with the hope he can have a good season and cash in next year.
Anyway, after the year Pena had last year - why would you want to give him more than one year?
(On another note, I did read about his "luck score" basically how many times he hit a ball and it turned into an out. It was absurd. If it was his career norm, (not every ball hit was at someone) he would have hit around .250.
This is my team and again I am a lost, tortured soul. The L Family hates people like me, unless they are picking my pocket or dangling false hope through intermediaries.
Baseball people? No. They are clueless shitfaces who pour lies like cement.
Sorry you have to cover this circus, Mark Z. You are a terrific writer who deserves better.
Damn, its only baseball. I think some of you people need to go on suicide watch.
Anon @ 11:09
Understood if the contract was formed. I am just saying that it is possible the contract might not have been formed and the STH might be viewed as the offeror. Thus, even with that statement the Lerner's could not keep your money because there is no contract thereby meaning that the statement does not apply. If that is the case then retaining the deposit by the Lerners is unenforceable and that person would have a claim to get their money back. Why? Because the short and skinny of it is that the Lerner's can not just enrich themselves and keep deposits because they feel like it or because a statement within the offer form says so. That is basic contracts 101.
Also, Anon @ 11:09, you might have it backwards. When you see an ad in the paper, is it an offer to buy something? In general the answer is no. An offer is defined as an intent to enter into an agreement where the offeree could reasonably believe that by accepting, they would complete the agreement. The ad does not have all the proper terms of the agreement (i.e. parties in agreement, place of delivery, qty, etc.) to qualify as an offer.
It might also be the case with these tickets, whereby the forms you mail back are considered "offers" that the team accepts. If that is the case, then STH have the power of revocation and can get their deposits back if there was no manner of acceptance. In general, silence is not acceptance, however, it might be reasonable to assume that depositing the check is acceptance if the person would receive a material benefit or if it is understood in the trade as that way. Or, maybe mailing the tickets, an express action, is considered acceptance. Like I said, consult a contracts attorney, it is possible that the Lerner's cannot keep that deposit regardless of the words used in the paperwork. And if the deposit is large, it might be worth the consultation fee.
You are accurate that you would get nowhere trying to enforce any implied warranties for the quality of the team. The license is for the seat and not for the right to watch an MLB talent level team. Now if your seat was broken or had an obstructed view and it was not identified when you entered into the agreement, then you would have a legal claim.
I am no lawyer but looking at the website, even though the site says "deposit is non-refundable" it does look like the fan is the offeror and the team is the offeree. There is a legitimate case that the money is in fact refundable considering the Nationals need to make some sort of manifestation of assent in order to complete the agreement. Taking your money is might not be seen as assent. Additionally, your deposit is not consideration, it comes from the wrong side, thereby making the terms 'non-refundable' possibly dubious. If the renewals are that way too, I would SERIOUSLY consider hiring a contracts attorney for consultation purposes.
What would you expect Rizzo to say other than to wish Dunn well? For those of you who expected a full personal apology to you then you will just have to grow up a bit. The winter meetings have not even started and there are some here who are looking for instant gratification as soon as yesterday involving trades and signings. Rizzo has a job to do-- that is to forge a baseball team that will win more games than they did last year and to be viable in 2012. If you expect him to hold your hand after each and every transaction then he is not doing his job. Not paying Adam Dunn 58 million dollars for four years was a smart decision, especially when his best field position is DH.
I don't think I have seasonal depression syndrome. I have Nationals depression syndrome. I was a season ticket holder the first two seasons and watched about 150 games last year on TV and I feel... sad. I'm sad that this team has no hope.
Mr. Rizzo, I'm a fan of yours, but I've got a couple of questions: 1) Why didn't we trade Adam to the White Sox (or any other team for that matter) and get more than a couple of draft picks? If we weren't gonna sign him, doesn't that make more sense? 2) I read this morning that the Red Sox and Padres are trying to put a deal together for Adrian Gonzalez. Why not us? Are you on it?!? Get to work!
You'll be able to hear your voice echo at Nats Park this summer with all the empty seats. How depressing!
OMG, now the laywers are weighing in. Take me now, Lord. Just kidding. I can always scroll through all that. :-)
Yes, I saw a comment about Santo in the Hamiltime chat (oops, can I say that here?), sec3. A sad day in Cubsville.
btw, there was some good Santo coverage on the MLB site as well.
Anon @ 7:21
In order to acquire Adrian Gonzalez the Red Sox are prepared to trade 3 of their top prospects to San Diego. Our problem is that we don't have 3 top prospects to trade unless you want to discuss Harper, Strasburg and Cole.
So let's quit whining and let Rizzo build an organization which in the future is able to discuss trades like this.
Everyone who is threatening to cancel their seats or to quit coming to games certainly has the right to do that; it's Rizzo's job to build a product that can sustain success over the long haul not look for easy band aid fixes.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rizzo's first base solution is to move Morse or Willingham to first base.
I think I understand Rizzo's thinking in only offering Dunn a 3 year contract. After all, the next great slugger (Harper) will be up sometime in the next 3 years. What are you going to do with both Harper and Dunn in the lineup in 2013?
And, of course, Dunn's desire for a 4 year contract is understandable and apparently not misguided as was previously hoped. After all, he did get the contract.
Nevertheless, 2011 will be a seriously depressing season (I see another 3 digit loss year ahead). At least in 2012 we'll see Strasburg again. All his stats will be great and he will be exciting to watch, but his win total will be low because there won't be anyone scoring runs.
I find this seriously depressing. OK, i just realized I don't remember where I was going with this post. I'm so depressed I can't hold a line of thought longer than 3 minutes. Oh well...
I really doubt this team is going to loose 100+ games next year. I know it seems bleak that there have been no free agency signings, but this team has a good, young core to build around. The bullpen is solid (and super young), starting pitching isn't playoff caliber, but there are a couple of solid vets and some young up and comers, and there is some hope in the lineup. Desmond, Espinosa, Bernadina, and Ramos are all young and have upside. Zimmerman is a MVP candidate, and Morse had a break out season last year.
This team def. has to do something, but it's not the end of the world. I read an article where some stats guy estimated that Dunn was worth about 5 more wins to the White Sox.
Also, I am curious about the prospect of trading Willingham and what he could bring back. When he is healthy, he is very good. I bet you'll see him go once Crawford and Werth sign.
The action (or non action) of this team has their most loyal customers debating on a message board whether they will be successful in legal action against the team to get a refund on season tickets.
Is this good business for a team that was 14th out of 16 National League teams in attendance?
With regret, I'm aware that what seems like a huge deal right now will be nothing in my gullible mind by March, when the grass is green, hopes are high, and every has-been or never-was or never-will-be in Viera is on the verge of a career year -- according to the interviews. Play ball.
and Paul [9:15AM] -- what kind of Kool-Ade do you use? I want some of it.
This is a huge WTF directed at Mike Rizzo...how do you justify Adrian Gonzale a 1b you supposedly covet go to the Red Sux for 1 might be and 2 won't be prospects??? You have NO 1B and yet you let him slip away without even an offer!? You let the A's get a CF/LF in David deJesus for nothing but a power hitting Minot league roster filler and a marginal major league pitcher (we have about 11 of those) who would have been a perfect fit here given you are going to get rod of Josh willingham either in the offseason or during next season!! WAKE UP MFer, you better come home from the winter meetings with a #1 or #2 starter a 1B, a top notch right fielder and a closer named Soriano, jenks or Bell, if notdi not come home..resign and go scout somewhere with your daddy!!!! (&@)@@)@@(&'
Who care if Dunn got a four year contract (not three)? It's all mad money to fans. Does anyone seriously think the Lerners are soooooooo good at building the Nats into a winner that the club's biggest issue by 2014 will be "the dreaded Dunn contract dilemma"? Goddamn it people, the Lerners haven't mastered the baby steps yet! They've owned this ballclub for over four years. There is no "Plan." What a reprehensible bunch of moneygrubbers.
It just seems that to build a team, one must build at least three comonents: play on the field, situation in the clubhouse, and fan support. Hard to see how the Dunn thing contributes to anything -- fails on all three.
According to Boz, Rizzo wanted to trade Dunn to the sox in July. The Learners vetoed the trade.
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