Jonathan Mayo and Lisa Winston from Around the Minors finally got around to their “Five Faves” from the Nationals (in no particular order):
- Collin Balester, RHP
- Chris Marrero, OF
- Colton Willems, RHP
- Kory Casto, OF
- Zech Zinicola, RHP
They’ll be discussing the Nationals farm system with Mike Rizzo (edit: make that Bob Boone) at 12:00 PM this afternoon on MLB radio.
Also of note, Mel Antonen of USA Today stops by Nationals accelerated spring training.
JayB | 06-Mar-07 at 7:18 pm | Permalink
Brian,
The quote from the USA Today link says……
“slashed big-league payroll by 50% to invest in scouting and development. Last year the Nationals spent $5.3 million on the draft, 10th-best in baseball, according to Baseball America.”
Can you or anyone tell me what amount of money they saved with the 50% cut in Major League payrole? Then how much of that money is $5.3 signing of draft picks? I know they also signed international talent but I would really like to get to the bottom of just how much cash the Nats are not spending this year compared to 2006.
JayB | 06-Mar-07 at 7:58 pm | Permalink
Anyone know where Shairon Martis is? He is referenced in the USA Today artical but nowhere on the Nats rosters? He does not come up on a google with any 2007 information and Mike S is still pitching strong it I would think……
Brian J Oliver | 07-Mar-07 at 7:55 am | Permalink
JayB - Martis was down there in accelerated spring training. I watched him throw a side session at the minor league complex.
According to USA Today, the Nats spent $ 63,143,000 in 2006. I’d guesstimate their 2007 payroll around $38M. That’s a roughly $25M difference.
The $5.3M is what they spent on draft pick bonuses in 2006. I’d imagine their 2007 bonus total might be slightly higher.
Tulsa Fan | 08-Mar-07 at 8:50 am | Permalink
I haven’t read anything this spring on Mock. Is he in the accelerated camp or is he being held out till later to help out his knee? How is his knee healing up?
Brian J Oliver | 08-Mar-07 at 9:46 am | Permalink
Funny you should ask. I spent about 30 minutes talking with Garrett last week. He’s feeling good. The knee is feeling much better. The issue he had was lateral movement once he put on the spikes. Nats were cautious with him holding him out of workouts, and told him to work on stretching. He believes everything is moving along well. He has lost some weight and told me his arm feels better than it has in a while.