Thursday, July 13, 2006

Trade #1: Bye Clayton, Tex, and Bray! Hello Kearns and Lopez!

Brian from NFA got the press release:
The Washington Nationals today acquired outfielder Austin Kearns, shortstop Felipe Lopez and right-handed pitcher Ryan Wagner from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Gary Majewski, left-handed pitcher Bill Bray, infielder Brendan Harris, shortstop Royce Clayton and right-handed pitcher Daryl Thompson. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.


Snap judgment, it's a good deal!

Kearns is a legit outfielder with decent power. He's played good to great defense in RF. He's a low-average slugger, who walks a lot, strikes out a lot, but just hasn't been able to stay healthy for any lengths of time -- at least til this season.

Lopez is a switch-hitting shortstop who can hit! He cranked out 23 homers last year (the park helps), and he has some wheels. He's not a gold-glover, but he's far from a mediocrity. Worst case, he's as 'good' as Clayton. Regardless, he's a HUGE step up offensively.

I love Majewski, but he's a middle reliever. If you can trade him for something of value, you do it. Same with Bray. I don't like seeing either go, but relievers can be replaced.

Off goes Royce Clayton -- you know my feelings about him. They shipped away Brendan Harris, too. I like the kid, but it's clear that they're not going to give him a shot here -- especially if they don't find a dumping ground for Vidro. They also traded away minor leaguer Daryle Thompson, someone you really shouldn't care about.

The Nats also acquired Ryan Wagner, a college reliever drafted in the first round by Jim Bowden.

I haven't considered the contracts or anything, but it looks like a terrific haul. Some spare parts and two useful relievers for a legit outfielder and a major league shortstop. Great move, for now!

  • more later....

  • Reds Fans don't seem happy, initially, at least.

  • If this guy's site is right, it's looking wonderful for the Nats.

    Entering the season, Kearns had 3.145 years of service time. He's arbitration eligible, but will be under Nats' control for two more years. He's makign $1.8 this year, which will surely go up -- but not to something crazy.

    Lopez is in the same boat, with just over 3 years of service team, making him Nats' property for two more full seasons. He's already making $2.7, so his price is sure to rise. It might behoove the Nats to try to lock him into a deal soon.

    Sure, it's a blow to lose Majewski and Bray, but they're relievers. They can be replaced fairly easily. Whether that's with Ryan Wagner or Roy Corcoran (who's getting the deserved callup from New Orleans). But when you can acquire that kind of talent, talent that's sticking with the team for two more years, it's a HUGE win.

    The question will be what other dominoes are going to fall. Kearns is best in right, but he has played center. And Guzman's coming back next year. Might Lopez slide to second if Vidro gets traded? We'll find out!

  • 17 Comments:

    • w00t!!! Great trade for our boy JimBo.

      By Blogger JammingEcono, at 7/13/2006 4:29 PM  

    • This has to be a setup to deal our new "Reds" to another team that wants them and can give us prospects right??? Not taking anything away from Kearns or Lopez, but why would we give away some of our youth for two guys who already have a couple years in the majors and have shown what they can do. At first glance, this looks like the Nats are the ones positioning themselves for a pennant race by giving up youngsters...not exactly what we want to be doing right???

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 4:40 PM  

    • My first thought is: where are they going to play Kearns? He's a right-fielder, and I don't think he has the speed to play center. That leads to the second thought: Jose Guillen is going to be getting some time off, one way or another.
      I'm leaning toward liking it, if only because they are all young guys. Lopez and Kearns are offensive upgrades over what Clayton and Guillen were giving us right now.
      But damn, why'd they have to throw Bill Bray in there? I really liked him...

      By Blogger Unknown, at 7/13/2006 4:55 PM  

    • Anonymous -- the Nats didn't give up any youngsters with real long-term value. Sure, losing Majewski and Bray is going to hurt a bit, but they're just middle relievers, and there are a bunch of middle relievers floating around New Orleans (check out my what I would do post a few days back). They're calling up Roy Corcoran. He should replace Bray pretty easily.

      Sure, Kearns and Lopez have shown what they can do, but you say that like it's a bad thing. They already CAN hit in the majors, plus they're relatively young and under the team's control through the 2008 season. That's a good thing!

      Weasbri -- Bray definitely hurts, but I think you'll learn to love Lopez' and Kearns' homers even more. ;)

      By Blogger Chris Needham, at 7/13/2006 5:05 PM  

    • Reds fan here, my opinion on Lopez and Kearns

      Kearns: injury and strikeout prone. Those are really his only negatives. Hits for average, power, plays Gold Glove defense, has an amazing arm, will take a walk. Hasn't yet put up the numbers he's capable of. Great player.

      Lopez: Worst defensive shortstop in the league. Bring you glove if you sit behind the first base dugout. Also, get ready to watch a lot of balls roll past him into the gap. He can hit RHP, but not LHP. Strikeouts almost as much as Kearns. Seems to have a "who cares" attitude. For the Reds, it's addition by subtraction. For you folks... I don't think much of Clayton, but you'll miss him real soon...

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 5:20 PM  

    • I agree with weasbri that this likely means Guillen needs to step it up or move over. He's only hitting .211. The way Escobar hit on Sunday, they'll give him a shot at center (yeah, yeah, he flubbed a couple and maybe cost the game, but I like the hitting!)

      I'm sad to see Bray go, but Chris is probably right -- Nats can find another short reliever.

      Glad to see a Reds fan weigh in!

      By Blogger Ben Folsom, at 7/13/2006 5:33 PM  

    • And a Reds fan that looks like Jesus with a beer, too!

      Don't worry Will, I really suck.

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 5:53 PM  

    • Can't be worse the Lopez!

      My favorite Lopez memory - cuts off a throw from left field with a runner rounding third, has the runner nailed at home and what does he do? Looks to second and pump fakes before holding on to the ball and watching the runner score...

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 6:07 PM  

    • The trade looks good on the surface, but with the bullpen already paper thin the call ups from New Orleans better be ready. Also, doesn't this violate the "trade for prospects" philosophy that we kept hearing about?

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 7:52 PM  

    • Who really gives a rat's ass about the bullpen this season? We're not going anywhere, so maybe we can get John Halama to throw some innings? ;)

      There are options in New Orleans -- Kyle Denny, Travis Hughes, Kevin Grybowski. It's just a matter of shuffling them up and down, seeing who sinks and who floats.

      As far as the prospect thing, that's sort of a misnomer. Lopez and Kearns are both just 26, and they're under club control for two more years. And they're already established Major League players. Failing uberprospects (which two middle relievers and Royce Clayton aren't going to net you), these are the kinds of players the team should be acquiring.

      They're going to be a part of the next (FIRST!) great Nationals team. And they've positioned themselves, with some shrewd pitching pickups to hover around .500 next year.

      By Blogger Chris Needham, at 7/13/2006 7:58 PM  

    • I am not sanguine about losing 2 young arms, because they are young and the ripple effect for the rest of the staff. (Remember what Ayala's loss meant this year.)Kearns if healthy is a real plus. IF, IF Lopez proves to defensively middling to worse he does not strike as a good long term investment. BUT, this is only the first move. Its going to be a bumby month. (Wonder when Mr. Toolsy will trade for a prospect who projects to a starter?)

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 8:04 PM  

    • There are plenty of options for the pen, though. The pitchers that I listed above should ALL be given a chance.

      Remember that neither Carrasco nor Majewski had a role with this team at the beginning of last year. Relievers can come from practically anywhere.

      In the meantime, wins and losses don't matter that much for THIS team. See if Corcoran can handle Majewski's old role. If so, great. If not, try the next arm out. If none of them can hack it, it's time to go shopping in the offseason. It's a labratory in the bullpen now. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

      By Blogger Chris Needham, at 7/13/2006 8:14 PM  

    • The Nats get the better end of this trade. Kearns is an upgrade over Guillen no doubt this year. Lopez for Clayton is a wash. Harris wasn't doing anything besides riding the bench anyway. Bray and Majewski, while nice guys are a dime a dozen for middle relievers.

      Does Bowden keep Kearns and ship off Guillen? Looks like it.

      The only question I have is who's next after Guillen to leave the Nats in a trade? Soriano, Vidro, Hernandez, Johnson, Armas?

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/13/2006 9:20 PM  

    • Reds fans are definitely pissed..
      here are some good stories on the trade:
      http://www.greatsportsnews.com/mlb/mlbsrch.php?q=Cincinnati+Reds

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/14/2006 12:47 AM  

    • And the next acquisition? Another mediocre outfielder. Looks like we just signed Luis Matos from the O's...

      -Mick

      By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/14/2006 11:35 AM  

    • And the next acquisition? Another mediocre outfielder. Looks like we just signed Luis Matos from the O's...

      -Mick

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