Barry Svrluga has the news at Nationals Journal.
The Nats tried to pass first baseman Josh Whitesell through waivers, and he didn’t make it. (He had been on the 40-man, and as you work through your rosters, it’s clear they’re going to have to make some moves to make room for guys.) Arizona claimed him.
It appears the Nationals are in the progress of cleaning up their 40-man roster. What I’m unsure of is what type of waivers Whitesell was placed on. If it was irrevocable, he’s gone, meaning the Nats are now at 39/40 and Whitesell is a Diamondback. If it was revocable, the Nats have the chance to recall him and hold onto him.
More to follow.
UPDATE: It appears the waiver were irrevocable meaning Whitesell is now property of Arizona.
hoagie | 14-Mar-08 at 2:51 pm | Permalink
am i the only one who saw this and yelled out “WTF?!?”
charles | 14-Mar-08 at 3:51 pm | Permalink
Its understandable, with Johnson, Young, Whitney, and of course CM. Understandable doesnt mean I agree.
Steven J. Berke | 14-Mar-08 at 4:03 pm | Permalink
What does this mean now for the minor league rosters? You had projected Whitesell as the starting 1B for Columbus. Do the Nats now bump up McMillin to Columbus and Marrero to Harrisburg? Or (as I suspect) does it mean the Nats will likely make a deal with the Indians to be able to send Whitney to the minors so he can play 1B at Columbus?
Nate | 14-Mar-08 at 4:56 pm | Permalink
Steven J.,
Three words. Larry. F***’n. Broadway. Learn it, live it, love it. Best of luck to Josh, he weren’t going anywhere in this system nohow.
Ric | 14-Mar-08 at 7:27 pm | Permalink
It’s never good to lose someone for nothing; on the other hand, Whitesell was only on the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft this December. Maybe he would have been lost at that time otherwise. The Nationals didn’t really have space for him anyway, especially if they can somehow trade for Whitney. Good luck to him in Arizona.
Gary | 14-Mar-08 at 7:28 pm | Permalink
Darn it. So, does this mean Chris Marrero’s tour through the minors gets accelerated?? (Personally, I don’t think so, but who knows??)
Dick | 14-Mar-08 at 7:45 pm | Permalink
You’ve also got Andrew LaFave playing first. Was at camp this week and saw Ryan Wagner throw a bullpen. He said it normally takes 12-18 months to come back from TJ surgery, which he had last June. So, he is certainly going to be on 60-day DL to start the season. That should free up a slot. Luis Antonio Jimenez also plays first. He was playing with the big team, Whitesell was in minor camp. They like Jimenez better than Whitesell, too. I don’t see this accelerating Marrero at all.
Tom | 14-Mar-08 at 10:05 pm | Permalink
Brian, WE know there are only so X slots and X+ players. So how many players are going to have be released,traded or DL’d when all is said and done on March 29th.
Brian Oliver | 15-Mar-08 at 8:47 am | Permalink
Tom - Conservative educated guess on my part, at least 15 players. DL moves will play a role in that
hoagie | 15-Mar-08 at 11:24 am | Permalink
Even with Larry Broadway (who proved absolutely nothing in AAA last year), I still don’t see why we couldn’t have just waited and put Wagner on the 60-day DL to clear the roster spot. Whitesell had great numbers last year and, as Brian’s prospect post said, “improved his defense enough to be rated by Double-A managers as the top defensive first baseman.” I don’t see why we couldn’t hold on to a guy like this, especially if trading Nick the Stick or Da Meat Hook is so likely (or even if we don’t trade either of them, they’re getting up in age).
Tom | 15-Mar-08 at 4:57 pm | Permalink
Larry Broadway batted .300 the second half of the season in order to get his batting average up to .247 for the season. I think that shows his character and heart.
Brian Oliver | 16-Mar-08 at 11:21 am | Permalink
A Sunday thought … I wonder if the Whitesell move also has something to do with the Tony Batista player/coach signing. Not that it’s the primary reason but Whitesell ending up in Arizona opens up a bench spot for Batista.
Tom | 16-Mar-08 at 3:13 pm | Permalink
It only opens a 40 man slot not a 25 man slot.
Steve | 17-Mar-08 at 3:54 pm | Permalink
Brian,
what are the rules about Arizone keeping Whitesell on their MLB roster? Can they keep him in camp for a little while and then send him to the minors? If he doesn’t make the 25 man, what happens to him?
Brian Oliver | 17-Mar-08 at 5:01 pm | Permalink
Steve - He still has his full allotment of options left so there is no requirement to keep him on the 25-man roster. They can option him to the minors a minimum of three seasons (2008, 2009, 2010).