I can't believe Prince Fielder is a vegetarian. Photo unknown via thesportsbank.net
Another edition of mlb.com beat reporter Bill Ladson‘s inbox, dated 12/12/11. I’m a bit behind this week but the questions are still current.
As always, I write my response before reading his, and sometimes edit questions for clarity.
Q: Would Prince Fielder pick the Nats over other suitors because we’re closer to the playoffs?
A: He could … if the Nats were really interested. Its hard to tell right now if the team is really interested in Fielder. He doesn’t really fit Mike Rizzo‘s vision of a team of track stars. He’d block the natural eventual position of Michael Morse, who right now is blocking one or more high-end prospect we have coming up. We have a first baseman in Adam LaRoche already under contract for 2012. The move, while certainly a massive upgrade at 1st over what we got out of LaRoche last year, would also waste a significant portion of their 2012 payroll. We’ll see what happens; if this team is really serious about winning, then getting more offense is paramount. Ladson says the team is not pursuing him.
Q: What was the point of the Ryan Perry-Collin Balester trade?
A: For the Nats, its a great move. We take a guy who probably wasn’t in our 2012 plans and who was out of options and turn him into exactly what we do need; a hard-throwing right handed bullpen option. I can’t speak for the Tigers, who probably have soured on Perry after his poor 2011 numbers, and who may have wanted/needed a longer-man out of the pen. Ladson says both guys needed a change of scenery.
Q: Would Casey Blake be a good addition to the Nats’ bench? He has better overall numbers than Mark DeRosa.
A: Sure, except that he’s probably still thinking he’s a starter. He was serviceable in 2009 and 2010 and got hurt in 2011. If he took a backup position, absolutely. Ladson agrees.
Q: Why have the Nationals been so quiet this offseason? I thought that they were looking to add the final pieces. If they don’t act, the Nationals may miss their window.
A: I’m guessing the team wasn’t really in on any of the names that have dropped thus far. They got flat-outbid for Buehrle, wasn’t that into Wilson, and we havn’t heard a peep out of Oswalt‘s camp. There’s no major CF on the market, and trades are gonna be tough to make happen. Ladson agrees, and says perhaps the team will be on Cespedes.
Q: I’ve heard the Nationals are interested in Cespedes. Can he make an immediate impact at the Major League level?
A: Speak of the devil. The team is interested, and there’s almost no chance he makes an immediate impact frankly. Cuba is considered a high-A level of talent, so he’d clearly be looking at some minor league time. This team needs a CF for opening day. Cespedes makes more sense for a team with a good pipeline of talent not afraid to take an expensive long term risk. I’m not sure he makes sense for us. Ladson gives a non-answer.
Q: A while ago, there was talk about Hanley Ramirez requesting a trade due to his unwillingness to move to third base. What are the chances that the Nats move shortstop Ian Desmond to the Rays for B.J. Upton and then send Stephen Lombardozzi and LaRoche to the Marlins for Ramirez? This would give the Nationals an All-Star shortstop and center fielder. This would also allow for Morse to move back to first base and Bryce Harper to play left field.
A: (I had to cut-n-paste this whole question so I could properly mock it). Desmond is turning into a complete good-field no-hit player, while BJ Upton is nearly a 5-tool player. How is that possibly an even trade? Then, an even more ridiculous trade proposal; a 3rd tier first baseman and a slap hitting middle infielder prospect for one of the best players in the game. Why, why would either of the Florida teams do these trades??
Ladson actually says he’d rather have Desmond instead of Upton!? And then gives credence to the Ramirez trade. *Sigh*.