While the bigger story of the day is the Mitchell Report, the Nationals filled out their two open spots on the 40-man with the signings today of two utility players, Rob Mackowiak and Willie Harris
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on one-year contacts with free agent left-handed hitting infielders/outfielders Rob Mackowiak and Willie Harris. Nationals Vice President/General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcements.
“With the additions of Mackowiak and Harris, I feel we will have one of the deepest and most balanced benches in the National League,” said Bowden.
Mackowiak is a career .262 hitter with 63 home runs and 282 RBI in 818 games with Pittsburgh (2001-05), Chicago White Sox (2006-07) and San Diego (2007). He has played all three outfield positions, as well as first base, second base and third base. The 31 year-old has logged 81 career starts in left field, 137 starts in center field, 150 starts in right field, three starts at first base, 48 starts at second base and 142 starts at third base.
Mackowiak hit .278 with six homers and 36 RBI in 85 games with Chicago (AL) and San Diego last season. He hit .283 (13-for-46) against left-handed pitching at the two stops.
The Illinois native’s best season came in 2004, when he posted career highs with 22 doubles, 17 homers and 75 RBI in 155 games with Pittsburgh. He was originally selected by the Pirates in the 53rd round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft out of South Suburban (IL) Junior College.
Harris appeared in 117 games with Atlanta in 2007 and batted .270 with 20 doubles, eight triples, two homers, 32 RBI and 17 stolen bases. Defensively, the 29-year-old made 69 starts in left field and nine in centerfield for Bobby Cox.
Harris is a career .247 hitter with 47 doubles, seven home runs, 85 RBI and 72 stolen bases in 486 games spanning seven big league seasons with Baltimore (2001), Chicago White Sox (2002-05), Boston (2006) and Atlanta (2007). Harris, who was originally drafted by the Orioles in 1999, earned a World Series ring with the White Sox in 2005.
Experienced at every defensive position except first base, catcher and pitcher, Harris has 147 career starts at second base, 75 in centerfield, 71 in left field, two at shortstop and one in right field. He also appeared twice defensively at third base for Atlanta in 2007.
They are both left-handed which helps a strongly right-handed potential roster. They both can serve as super substitute type players around the IF and OF.
If anything, this seems to make it tougher for Garrett Guzman to stick as a Rule 5 guy. Mackowiak is an older version (32 in 2008) of what Guzman seems most likely to develop into, though Guzman might have more power potential. Plus, Mackowiak offers the Nationals the chance to rest Zimmerman from time to time.
Harris provides the Nationals left-handed depth at 2B (and CF) and he has speed to be a pinch-runner now that Nook Logan has been released.
Tofu Dog | 13-Dec-07 at 3:19 pm | Permalink
Since Aaron Boone can play 3B, what does Macowiak really provide except more “depth.” At some point isn’t this what Baltimore had, lots of depth in players like Kevin Millar, and Aubrey Huff. This seems like another attempt to purchase “character” (guys on the down side of their careers) in the aftermath of getting younger with Dukes.
Louis J. | 13-Dec-07 at 3:36 pm | Permalink
No big deal? Could have done better. They still need room on 40 man roster for two LHP relief pitchers (Ray King & ????) and a free agent pitcher. Their best avenue is to make Guzman and Whitney part of trade package(s) so that they can reduce the 40-man roster.
Steve | 13-Dec-07 at 3:36 pm | Permalink
Sounds like excellent pickups. BTW, Nook Logan on the steroid list? Coulda fooled me, I assume he won’t be with the team next year?
Brian Oliver | 13-Dec-07 at 3:38 pm | Permalink
TD - They are both left-handed which will be an important aspect given the current right-handedness of the projected starters
Tofu Dog | 13-Dec-07 at 4:22 pm | Permalink
Good point. But what stands out to me as well is that they both have infield experience–at least at second base–like Bowden is beefing up the middle as though he doesn’t have depth there, almost like one of our current middle infielder crew isn’t sticking around.
Louis J. | 13-Dec-07 at 4:37 pm | Permalink
Brian
These two players are LHH BUT the starting lineup will only have 1 LHH (Johnson if healthy) and 2 switch-hitters (Guzman & Lopez). The 2008 bench now has Flores(R), Young(S), Belliard(R), Boone(R), Harris(L), Macowiak (L), Garrett Guzman(L), Matt Whitney(R) & Langerhans(L). Manny usually keeps only 5 bench players, 8 position starters & 12 pitchers for a total of 25. Since the current bench now consists of 9 players, 4 have to go. Langerhans, Guzman & Whitney are 3, who will be the fourth? Or, will Manny keep only 11 pitchers, then which reliever will go?
Brian Oliver | 13-Dec-07 at 4:43 pm | Permalink
I’m still going under the assumption that Nick Johnson is bound to open the season on the DL. If NJ is healthy, then Mackowiak or Harris is likely the guy cut
(assuming there are no trades between now and then)
Kay Rock Starr | 13-Dec-07 at 8:10 pm | Permalink
Yes, Elijah’s character my seem or come off more younger than he really tends to be, but let’s keep in mind he will without one doubt in our minds be a hellava aspect to and with the Nationals!!! You guys just wait and see! He’s working on getting his outside life together and becoming what he should’ve already been years ago and that’s a role model for his children and an idol to others!
I love you lil bro! Keep you head up and let’s make this change everyone is dying otherwise of!
Katrina
hartmanbirge | 14-Dec-07 at 11:31 am | Permalink
Well……let’s see…. We have just signed a needle sticking cheater as our core character guy…. We have traded for a guy who thus far has failed to function as a normal human being…. The new team theme song is “Bend YA KNEES!!!”…. our GM is fresh off a DUI where he could have killed an innocent family under different circumstances….. We have a moody second baseman…. and an ex wife beater at First….. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……. something about professional sports just makes me want to puke… where I come from there are no “second chances”…. you KNOW the damn rules and you dare not cross the line - the consequence is final…. but I love my Nats!!! As I’ve said before, I can’t wait until the first bench clearing brawl when Dukes and a pumped up De Loca clean house!
EdDC | 14-Dec-07 at 6:14 pm | Permalink
Brian,
Do these two have guaranteed money? If so, the rule 5 guys won’t make it, right?
hartmanbirge | 14-Dec-07 at 11:10 pm | Permalink
I gotta think that there are more trades coming… but there is an intricate web here. Dmitry Young is now sort of a key piece in the Milledge/Dukes saga. Bowden must have said this 100 times already. If Young isn’t going to play any outfield (said by Acta many times) then how can you carry two pure first basemen? It seems to me as if this would be nothing but a pure luxury. Young I think has very minimal trade value - all star season or not. Likewise, Johnson’s value is perhaps at an alltime low. One thing about Bowden, he’s a value investor personified - I just don’t see him moving either until at least mid season. After the season Young had how can you put him on the bench without causing a ripple? I don’t think that one can cavalierly say that it will “sort itself out” in spring training - it’s a problem now and the problem isn’t going to disappear.
Tofu Dog | 15-Dec-07 at 10:00 am | Permalink
“Intricate Web,” the story of Jim Bowden’s Nationals. Watch as the wife beating losers charge across the field at the opposition with their bats held high. See our randy boys going into the stands to chase down fans who booed them. Watch as they draw suspension after suspension. “Intricate Web,” appearing now at the new Nationals Stadium. Watch it, or else.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 15-Dec-07 at 10:26 am | Permalink
We signed Jose Offerman, too?
JayB | 15-Dec-07 at 6:11 pm | Permalink
Brian,
Is help out there for us at SS.
Pete Orr was signed today. 3rd B and 2nd Base but no SS help at all. I know we are hurting in the farm system for these infield spots as well but…….where are the SS signings?
Attack of the Nats | 16-Dec-07 at 2:54 pm | Permalink
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