Farewell, Hammer

 

(A frequent sight during the 2010 season: Josh Willingham as Silver Elvis. Screengrab of MASN/TV by Nationals Enquirer staff.)

Josh Willingham traded to the A's for prospects.

And Phase 2 rolls along with...a salary dump? Not so, says Mike Rizzo:

"The decision to trade Josh was not based on his salary or on money whatsoever."
(Mike Rizzo, via Nats Insider/Mark Zuckerman, 12/16/2010)

Welcome Henry Rodriguez and Corey Brown.

More Rizzo quotes (via Zuckerman), explaining the deal:

"There's a lot of things that went into the decision to trade Josh now instead of waiting until spring training or waiting until the trade deadline. We felt that this was an attractive package that we have right now. It was a better package than we got last year at the trade deadline for Josh. So we felt like this was an opportunity for us to really cement a big-armed relief pitcher at 23 years old and a toolsy outfielder that hits from the left side. It was more on the side of the return that we got for Josh now as opposed to what the returns were at the trade deadline last year."
(Mike Rizzo, via Nats Insider/Mark Zuckerman, 12/16/2010)

So, even though this deal was not based on money, just how will Mike Rizzo spend that $5-6 million saved from avoiding arbitration with Wilingham?

Okay, fine move. But what's next, Rizzo?

Farewell Josh Willingham, Silver Elvis will never be the same.

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Comments

[ckstevenson]

Am I the only idiot who likes this trade? I think Sue Dinem's take is pretty good on Willingham. He's a 30+ year old coming off of surgery. He's not a plus defender, his arm is average. His stick is ok, not a great average, takes a good number of walks for an ok OBP.

He's a complimentary piece, and we need more meat. He's a side dish, the asparagus to a filet mignon.

We got a + fastball arm. And we got a CF'r who can hopefully start the season in AAA and despite some gaudy K numbers, still draws more walks than boos compared to Nyjer. His OBP is actually north of .300. And since he plays a solid CF, has a real arm, and a bit of pop would be more than replacement player level improvement over Nyjer.

I'm all for it.

[Rachel]

I really like Willingham but it was getting pretty clear that he's not the kind of player Rizzo sees for the future.

It wasn't that the wig was that funny, it was that every single one of them would give a stone-faced, serious interview while wearing it. Cracked me up every time!!

[Mark]

Last year we started off with a big hole in right...now we have a hole in left (the rotation, closer, and first base).

[The Nationals Enquirer]

Probably leaning towards you on this one, Mr. ckstevenson. But still, we're looking for moves that support all this Phase 2 talk from the organization -- is the the major league squad that will be taking the field in 2011 better for this trade tonight? As long as the ~$6 mil saved on a deal with Hammer improves the Nationals for 2011 (in spite of what Rizzo said about this move having nothing to do with money), we're all for it. Let's see how that money gets spent!

[cass]

Willingham, when healthy, could rake. He was just as good a hitter last year as Adam Dunn. (wOBA: Zimm .389, Dunn .379, Hammer: .378)

Seemed like his defense was improved last year as well, but no, still not good. And the "when healthy" part is the real problem, of course.

I understand Rizzo has a vision in mind when constructing the roster, I just wonder who's gonna actually hit the ball.