With the trade of Jose Vidro to the Mariners, the Nationals received two players from Seattle’s 40-man roster. One spot was opened with the dealing of Vidro, but another 40-man spot will have to be opened up for the other component of the deal as prior to the yesterday’s trade, the Nationals were at a full 40-man roster. Of the players acquired, Chris Snelling is a LH corner outfielder and Emiliano Fruto is a RH relief pitcher (though I think the Nationals may consider him a SP option).
Removing Vidro from the list, here are the 39 with the possible candidates for the other necessary spot italicized:
RH Starting Pitchers (5)
- Joel Hanrahan
- Shawn Hill
- John Patterson
- Beltran Perez
- Tim ReddingÂ
LH Starting Pitchers (3)
- Matt Chico
- Michael Hinckley
- Michael O’Connor
RH Relief Pitchers (11)
- Luis Ayala
- Jason Bergmann
- Chris Booker
- Brett Campbell
- Chad Cordero
- Jon Rauch
- Saul Rivera
- Chris Schroder
- Levale Speigner
- Jermaine Van Buren
- Ryan Wagner
LH Relief Pitchers (2)
- Micah Bowie
- Billy Traber
Catchers (3)
- Jesus Flores
- Brandon Harper
- Brian Schneider
Corner Infielders (3)
- Larry Broadway (LH)
- Nick Johnson (LH)
- Ryan Zimmerman (RH)
Middle Infielders (4)
- Bernie Castro (SW)
- Cristian Guzman (SW)
- Felipe Lopez (SW)
- Josh Wilson (RH)
Corner Outfielders (5)
- Kory Casto (LH)
- Tony Blanco (RH)
- Ryan Church (LH)
- Austin Kearns (RH)
- Michael Restovich (RH)
Centerfielders (3)
- Frank Diaz (RH)
- Alex Escobar (RH)
- Nook Logan (SW)
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 14-Dec-06 at 9:04 am | Permalink
I would bet on Blanco getting bumped — he didn’t show much at Potomac (relative to the competition) and has the “injury” tag on him.
Ric | 14-Dec-06 at 9:13 am | Permalink
I’d add italics to Frank Diaz, but guess that it’s either Blanco, Traber or Schroeder
Ryan Sullivan | 14-Dec-06 at 10:18 am | Permalink
What about Brandon Harper? While he played solidly late in the season, he is a backup catcher over the age of 30- he should be a lock for the DFA or release…
Yuda | 14-Dec-06 at 10:41 am | Permalink
While Harper is a backup catcher over 30, he also has so little service time that we can pay him the minimum.
I really expect this club to carry three catchers in 2007, so I think Harper sticks around.
Ryan Sullivan | 14-Dec-06 at 11:47 am | Permalink
I would expect it as well, but Harper is easily replaced by hundreds of good defense/no hitting backup catchers out there- probably by a similar but a significantly younger catcher
Brian J Oliver | 14-Dec-06 at 11:58 am | Permalink
I’d guess they could drop Harper from the 40-man without concerns of him being claimed, but I think it would make more sense to reduce the glut of RHRPs they have rather than drop a catcher given the struggles they had just to finally decide upon Harper late in the season.
Ryan Sullivan | 14-Dec-06 at 1:25 pm | Permalink
Brian-
Who would you drop from the 40-man if it was your choice?
Brian J Oliver | 14-Dec-06 at 1:44 pm | Permalink
I’d probably drop Tony Blanco if I had to choose. He’s not a National League guy. He screams DH.
Though given the direction the team is going, odds are better that it will be Chris Schroder.
John IV | 18-Dec-06 at 9:21 pm | Permalink
apparently Harper got outrighted to Columbus.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2701528
”
The Nationals agreed to minor league contracts with LHP Ray King and RHP Jason Simontacchi, and Washington sent C Brandon Harper outright to Triple-A Columbus. King was 1-4 with a 4.43 ERA in 67 relief appearances for Colorado last season, his eighth in the majors, while Simontacchi last pitched in the big leagues in 2004, when he had shoulder surgery. Both relievers will be 33 on opening day.”