Nats Enquirer

Ryan Zimmerman hugs Wilson Ramos, blows off media

Here's video via CSN Washington of Ryan Zimmerman emerging from a workout at Nationals Park Friday morning long enough to give Wilson Ramos a hug and say "Good to have you back" while looking at the cameras; and then Zim gets the hell out of there.

Guess the Face of the Franchise didn't feel like answering questions about that contract extension?

Anyway, good to see Ramos back in Washington for a visit with the Nats, doctors, and media, and glad to hear he's been given a clean bill of health. Now we don't know Ramos personally, and we don't have any psychologists on staff here at the offices of Nats Enquirer, but can you really get a clean bill of health just 9 days removed from being kidnapped at gunpoint? Here's hoping Ramos is okay, takes it slow...

Meanwhile...Nats rescued Cole Kimball from Canada after briefly losing him to Toronto, added 4 others to the 40-man (1B Tyler Moore, C Derek Norris, C Jhonatan (not a typo) Solano, and OF Eury Perez).

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Bryce Harper seemed pretty happy to be done with the Arizona Fall League

And who can blame him for counting down the miles until reaching home? Not too shabby a showing in 25 AFL games with Scottsdale, eh? So much for that slow start:

.333/.400/.634 6 HR, 26 RBI, 31 H, 11 BB, 4 SB.

Harper finished up his 2011 campaign on Thursday with a 2-3 day, including a triple.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're calling it early: your starting right fielder for the 2012 Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper.

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The first and last time you'll ever see C.J. Wilson in a Nats cap

(Yes, that's C.J. Wilson in Nats gear, thanks to the magic of Photoshop. Image via @NaturalMLBFan.)

Now that it's official that C.J. Wilson is looking for a batshit crazy deal this winter (6 years, $120M?!) and the Yankees don't want another Cliff Lee situation, we can safely cross Wilson off Mike Rizzo's wishlist. Right? Because Mike Rizzo doesn't have ANY batshit crazy deals on his resume, now does he?

Gah. Here's hoping Rizzo's rotation upgrade is Buehrle. And failing that, Oswalt. Just please don't make it a batshit crazy deal for Wilson. Need to save some of those Lerner dollars for Ryan Zimmerman...

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Video: Wilson Ramos de regreso a los Tigres

And so Wilson Ramos is back working out with the Aragua Tigres. Video above, Ramos thanks fans, and talks about his return via OficialTigres TV.

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Jayson Werth plans on playing in October next year

Washington Nationals' Jayson Werth is seen in the dugout as the Nationals play the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park in Washington on April 14, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

 

When we last checked in with Jayson Werth this offseason, he was getting his broken iPad fixed. This week, Werth commented on the possibility of the Nationals signing Roy Oswalt in an email to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (Ladson reports that signing Oswalt is now Mike Rizzo's top priority this winter), in which he says he plans on playing in October in 2012:

"Roy O would be awesome to have as a veteran anchor in our pitching staff. He works fast, throws strikes and takes the ball every fifth day. [He] keeps a low profile in the clubhouse and has a businessman's attitude. He has lots of experience, including postseason, and that's important, especially since we plan on playing in October [next] year."
(Jayson Werth, via MLB.com, 11/14/2011)

Good thing, too, because technically the Nats end the 2012 regular season October 3rd at home against the Phillies. Not that anything less than a playoff berth will be acceptable...

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It's now appropriate to resume dreaming about signing Prince Fielder again

Milwaukee Brewers' Prince Fielder (R) along with the rest of the team celebrate in the locker room after the Brewers beat the Florida Marlins 4-1 clinching the National League Central Division Championships in Milwaukee September 23, 2011. REUTERS/Darren Hauck (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

 

"At this point, it’s important that we let Scott and Prince test the market."
(Brewers GM Doug Melvin, via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online, 11/13/2011)

So now that that little international incident is over and done with, guess it's safe to turn our attention back to the Hot Stove and guessing Mike Rizzo's next big offseason splash? Any takers on Mike Rizzo making a really, really BIG splash, in the form of (~300? lb.?) Prince Fielder?

Fittingly, Rizzo will be in Milwaukee this week for MLB's GM meetings -- where he'll no doubt continue laying the groundwork for his next move(s). And here's a look at what the Nats 2012 Opening Day lineup *could* look like on April 5 -- with two major additions (screen cap via MLB Network, Nov. 4):

I mean: wow. What's not to love about that lineup (besides the guy leading off)? But it probably doesn't matter anyway. ESPN's Jayson Stark threw a bucket of cold water on the Prince-to-Nationals talk on Friday:

Despite all the predictions we've heard that Fielder could eventually wind up in Washington, teams that have spoken with the Nationals report they seem much more focused on finding A) a veteran starting pitcher and B) a center fielder who could lead off. Their center-field expedition could take them in all kinds of directions. But on the pitching front, one exec who spoke with them says he believes that in a perfect world, they'd prefer Mark Buehrle over either C.J. Wilson or Roy Oswalt, the two starters they've been most linked to on the rumor mill. They're not expected to make a big push on Yu Darvish.
(Jayson Stark, via ESPN.com, 11/11/2011)

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Video of Wilson Ramos meeting with Venezuelan media after rescue

Above, video of Wilson Ramos meeting with the Venezuelan media shortly after his rescue on Friday night.

"The truth is I’m still very nervous, but thanks to God everything turned out well."
(WIlson Ramos, via Washington Post, 11/12/2011)

"This is a pain nobody deserves to feel, so many things went through my mind, and I feared like never before."
(Wilson Ramos, via Rafael Rojas Cremonesi - @rafaelrojasc, 11/12/2011)

Plenty of photos of Wilson's homecoming can be seen here. Viva Wilson Ramos!

Here's another statement from Mike Rizzo, issued by the Nationals:

“I am happy to announce that I have spoken directly with Wilson and he assures me he is unharmed but eager to be reunited with his family. He asked me to thank all who played a role in his rescue, and all those who kept him and his family in their thoughts and prayers.  I join Wilson in thanking the many law enforcement officials in Venezuela and investigators with Major League Baseball who worked tirelessly to ensure a positive ending to what has been a frightening ordeal.  The only detail that concerns us tonight is that Wilson is safe.  The entire Washington Nationals family is thankful that Wilson Ramos is coming home.”

 

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Wilson Ramos, not in catcher's gear.

"Calm down, I'm going home."
(Wilson Ramos, via Rafael Rojas Cremonesi/VivaColorado.com, 11/11/2011)

Above, a photo of Wilson Ramos safe and sound after returning home in Venezuela Friday night. Eh, that's not catcher's gear; that's a bulletproof vest.

(photo via @kathevilera)

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Wil-son! Wil-son!

Annnnnnd...exhale! Wilson Ramos has been rescued, is on his way home.

Above, video of Venezuelan Minister for the Interior Tarek El Aissami confirming the news on TV via Ultimas Noticias.

Viva Smurfette! Here's the official statement from Mike Rizzo, issued by the Nationals:

“The news from Venezuela tonight is reassuring.  Though details are limited and we have not yet talked directly with Wilson, we are thrilled with reports that he has been rescued and is being safely returned to his family.  We greatly appreciate all the prayers and thoughts of all who have joined us in wishing for this conclusion to what has been a nightmarish 48 hours. We are eager to see Wilson and let him know just how many all over the world have been waiting for this news.”

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Vigil for Ramos

Kudos to Nats fans who congregated tonight outside Nationals Park for a candlelight vigil for Wilson Ramos (screen grab above via NBC4). And good on the Washington Nationals for providing warmth in the form of coffee and hot chocolate.

Unfortunately, Nats Enquirer staff couldn't be there: but use hashtag #VigilforRamos on Twitter to get to images from this evening's event from Nats fans who were there. One of our faves is the below shot (photo courtesy of Charles Evans) --Nats fans lighting a "3" in votives:

Safe home, Wilson.

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