The Nationals outrighted OF Tony Blanco to AAA Columbus to open a roster spot for RHP Jerome Williams. This sets their 40-man roster entering Spring Training
PITCHERS (23)
- AYALA, Luis
- BERGMANN, Jason
- BOOKER, Chris
- BOWIE, Micah
- CAMPBELL, Brett
- CHICO, Matt
- CORDERO, Chad
- FRUTO, Emiliano
- HANRAHAN, Joel
- HILL, SHAWN
- HINCKLEY, Mike
- O’CONNOR, Mike
- PATTERSON, John
- PEREZ, Beltran
- RAUCH, Jon
- REDDING, Tim
- RIVERA, Saul
- SCHRODER, Chris
- SPEIGNER, Levale
- TRABER, Billy
- VAN BUREN Jermaine
- WAGNER, Ryan
- WILLIAMS, Jerome
CATCHERS (2)
- FLORES, Jesus
- SCHNEIDER, Brian
INFIELDERS (7)
- BROADWAY, Larry
- CASTRO, Bernie
- GUZMAN, Cristian
- JOHNSON, Nick
- LOPEZ, Felipe
- WILSON, Josh
- ZIMMERMAN, Ryan
OUTFIELDERS (8)
- CASTO, Kory
- CHURCH, Ryan
- DIAZ, Frank
- ESCOBAR, Alex
- KEARNS, Austin
- LOGAN, Nook
- RESTOVICH, Michael
- SNELLING, Chris
Additionally, the Nationals announced a handful of minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training. The names announced today were: RHPs Jesus Colome and Anastacio Martinez, LHPs Luis Martinez and Arnie Munoz, OFs George Lombard and Abraham Nunez, 1B Travis Lee, and IFs Melvin Dorta, D’Angelo Jimenez, Jose Macias, Jorge Toca and Tony Womack.
The Nationals also released their list of 31 non-roster invitees to Spring Training:
PITCHERS (15)
- ABREU, Winston
- BACSIK, Mike
- CLAUSSEN, Brandon
- COLOME, Jesus
- DIAZ, Felix
- HALL, Josh
- KING, Ray
- LEWIS, Colby
- MARTINEZ, Anastacio
- MARTINEZ, Luis
- MICHALAK, Chris
- MUNOZ, Arnie
- SIMONTACCHI, Jason
- VALDEZ, Eduardo
- WHITE, Bill
CATCHERS (4)
- ARDOIN, Danny
- BRITO, Juan
- FICK, Robert
- HARPER, Brandon
INFIELDERS (7)
- DORTA, Melvin
- JIMENEZ, D’Angelo
- LEE, Travis
- MACIAS, Jose
- THURSTON, Joe
- TOCA, Jorge
- WOMACK, Tony
OUTFIELDERS (5)
- BLANCO, Tony
- LOMBARD, George
- LYDON, Wayne
- McDONALD, Darnell
- NUNEZ, Abraham
Of all of the 31 names above, the ones that jump out at me most are Robert Fick, D’Angelo Jimenez, Tony Womack, and Travis Lee on the hitter’s side.
Fick or Brandon Harper are likely to make the 25-man roster out of Spring Training given the presence of Rule 5 CA Jesus Flores. Flores must be kept on the 25-man roster all season, but is likely not ready to assume anything close to regular major league playing time. Fick and Harper give Manny Acta flexibility to give starter Brian Schneider a day or two off each week while not rushing Flores.
Jimenez and Womack will likely compete with Jose Macias (a former Expo from Acta’s days in Montreal), Bernie Castro, and Josh Wilson for the spot as utility IF backing up at 2B, 3B, and SS. Given the Nationals are likely to carry Jesus Flores on the 25-man as a third catcher in 2007, flexibility will be of the essence for the utility spot with the ability to play multiple IF and OF positions favored.
Lee was an interesting name to see on the invite list. With Nick Johnson’s recovery from a broken leg by Opening Day not a certainty, Lee would provide a solid stopgap 1B while Johnson recovers. His presence certainly puts the pressure on minor leaguer Larry Broadway in Viera. Lee is known as a solid defensive 1B though his bat is nowhere near what Johnson has to offer, Lee batted 224/312/364 in 114 games for the Devil Rays in 2006.
benji | 18-Jan-07 at 6:07 pm | Permalink
what if there was a way that Flores gets hurt this year. What happens if this he gets hurt. Can he go on the disabled list and do rehap assignments
David Uglow | 18-Jan-07 at 6:34 pm | Permalink
I’m a bit surprised that Jim Magrane didn’t get an invite (of course what would you expect from a Durham Bulls fan?). His stats and MLEs measure up well against the other 6-year FA pitchers, and he had a good winter season. Of course I STILL can’t fathom why Hanrahan has a spot on the 40.
Brian J Oliver | 18-Jan-07 at 7:35 pm | Permalink
benji - If he goes on the DL, he’ll still need to spend 90 days on the active (25-man) roster at some point. The rule is a player must be active for at least 90 days.
David - My guess is Hanrahan would only sign with a 40-man spot
Screech'sBestFriend | 19-Jan-07 at 11:37 am | Permalink
I like the Travis Lee signing, its a solid move for protection from Nick. Gives the team some added depth at first, in case Broadway or Fick can not do the job consistently while Johnson is rehabbing. Lee is a great fielder at first. And, If Lee plays well, Jimbo dumps him off for some younger guys come July. Solid Thinking. (I can’t believe I am crediting Bowden).
Of course, don’t feel the same about Womack and the other fielders.
Jesus Colome–Was he not a TOP PROSPECT at one time. Hard Thrower that so many teams wanted? Any idea what happened to him?
Brian J Oliver | 19-Jan-07 at 5:54 pm | Permalink
SBF - Colome was a top prospect with the Rays (after being acquired from Oakland) back in 2001-02. My guess is new National Crosschecker Chuck LaMar had some say in the matter