Young Gets Extension

[love_that_reefer]

Nationals signed first baseman Dmitri Young to a two-year contract extension through 2009. It still looks like a mistake, though it's one without any huge consequences. The Nationals aren't going to come up short on any free agent bids this winter because they're paying $5 million per year to Young. It would seem to block Kory Casto, but Casto hasn't come close to fulfilling expectations in Triple-A this year and is looking more like a long-term reserve now anyway. Young shouldn't be counted on to play in more than 100-120 games next year if he's readlly going to be playing left field, but he'll probably be reasonably productive when he's in the lineup, even if another 900 OPS is quite a long shot.

I like the move because they fill another potential hole for a reasonable price. They can go use their money on starting pitching and a big bat.

[realmofotalk]

Right, because starting pitching and big bats will fall from the sky onto Washington.

[love_that_reefer]

No but they haven't spent a lot of money on anyone which means they should be players this offseason.

[realmofotalk]

Until the Nats are willing to spend the kind of money that the Cubs did to sign Alfonso Soriano away from the Nats, the big bats and quality arms ain't coming to Washington this offseason.

[Slyder]

Originally Posted by realmofotalk Right, because starting pitching and big bats will fall from the sky onto Washington.

It's Jim Bowden Baseball. 5 tool hitters will be brought in at the expense of any semblance of a farm system for pitching.

[love_that_reefer]

Originally Posted by realmofotalk Until the Nats are willing to spend the kind of money that the Cubs did to sign Alfonso Soriano away from the Nats, the big bats and quality arms ain't coming to Washington this offseason.

The Nats will never spend that much but doesn't mean they can't get some bats and pitching. Hell, even the Royals got Gil Meche and he has turned out better than most predicted. Nats aren't going to get an Arod or even a Torri Hunter but possibly a Rowand or a Paul Byrd.