Mark Zuckerman has the latest round of cuts.
After the game, the club announced it has reassigned outfielder Alex Escobar and catcher Humberto Cota to minor-league camp. Cota, however, exercised a clause in his contract that allowed him to opt out and become a free agent.
As Mark mentions, this means Wil Nieves is the likely backup in DC to start the season (with Johnny Estrada likely unready and Jesus Flores headed to the minors for full-time work).
Chris | 18-Mar-08 at 7:25 pm | Permalink
So do you think that their insistence on not having Flores up — even for two weeks while Estrada is recovering — is just a gambit to get that 4th option year with Flores?
I’d say it’s a strange thing given the 40-man considerations of adding Nieves, but they’re likely to get those spots back when they lose the rule-fivers anyway.
Positively Half St. | 18-Mar-08 at 7:45 pm | Permalink
It is hard to argue with the Escobar move, really. He has played below talent this spring, and who else is really going to take a chance on him?
As for Cota, you can almost feel as if Chad Moeller got the better deal, getting cut earlier for a quick signing with the Yankees.
Nieves is now hitting 0.190, true to form. I hope he enjoys a month or so of major league salary. If it is on a six month basis, I suppose that is over $60k, so it ain’t half bad. Major league food sounds good, too.
Positively Half St. | 18-Mar-08 at 7:48 pm | Permalink
I can certainly see why these guys who are close stick around. Tim Redding is having a great spring, but it is his mediocre year last year that led to a $1M major league contract for this year. Getting paid that salary even once makes up for years of waiting. If he can put up even close to average numbers, a single further season could have his family set for life, if he is smart.
Brian Oliver | 18-Mar-08 at 8:44 pm | Permalink
Chris - I honestly believe it’s best for Flores long term to spend a season playing full time. And since that’s not going to be in Washington, the minors are the best option. Add to that the chance to work with the pitchers the Nats are envisioning him catching (in theory) along with the option year/contract aspect and it seems like a wise decision to me.
Wooden U. Lykteneau | 19-Mar-08 at 10:40 am | Permalink
I think a lot of folks are forgetting that Flores was a Rule 5 selection and has not played everyday above advanced-A