Earlier this week we discussed fairly extensively first baseman Adam LaRoche re-signing with the Nationals, but as mentioned during the piece, a large part of the article and the analysis of the signing is still contingent on the expected trade of Mike Morse.  Morse batted .291/.321/.470 with 18 home runs and 62 runs batted in over 102 games and 406 at-bats in 2012 as he battled injuries the majority of the season. For his 8-year career, Morse is a .295/.347/.492 hitter with 70 home runs and 245 runs batted in spanning 1,546 total at-bats.  Morse, 31-years-old prior to Opening Day 2013, is signed through 2013 and is scheduled to earn $6.75 million dollars next season.

This makes establishing Morse’s trade value somewhat difficult, as spring training is rapidly approaching and he is only under contract for one more year, yet Morse is a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter signed to a reasonable salary most teams can fit within their payroll, even in mid-January.  Media reports have mentioned as many as 11 teams interested in acquiring Morse, with Baltimore, the Yankees, Seattle, and Tampa Bay rumored to have the strongest interest in the slugger.  The Nationals roster seems fairly spoken for at this moment, with the biggest organizational needs being a possible second left-handed pitcher in the bullpen and bullpen depth overall, and prospects to help replenish the farm system after recent trades for Gio Gonzalez and Denard Span.  Here is a brief look at the teams believed to have the greatest interest…

Top Contenders

Baltimore Orioles  -> The Orioles were rumored to be interested in Adam LaRoche, but balked at parting with their 1^st round pick as compensation for signing him.  Baltimore is still looking for a middle of the order bat and has a need a first base or designated hitter, plus they have some intriguing major league ready pitching depth.

Proposed Offer: Mike Morse to Baltimore for LHP Zach Britton and RHP Matt Hobgood

New York Yankees  -> The Yankees have made it known they are still seeking another hitter, and with their stated desire to stay under the luxury tax in 2014, Morse’s short-term contract might appeal to them more than other teams bidding for his services.  The Yankees do not have the young pitching depth that might immediately appeal to the Nationals, but their farm system is deep overall and ripe for a trade.

Proposed Offer: Mike Morse to New York for LHP Manny Banuelos and RHP Brett Marshall

Seattle Mariners  -> This felt like a more natural fit before the Mariners traded for first baseman Kendry Morales and signed veteran outfielder Raul Ibanez, but in spite of these acquisitions, Seattle is still desperate for more offense and could seek an upgrade from Justin Smoak at first base or Ibanez in left field.  Seattle has plenty of pitching prospects in the minor leagues and numerous young major league relievers (Furbush, Pryor, Capps, Luetge) that would interest Washington.
Not every relationship is perfect as some may require order generic cialis browse around these guys now lots of efforts to be maintained successfully. Therefore visit viagra shop usa your consultant before consuming this solution and enjoy the impotency free life. The e-retailer was started in 2007 by purchase viagra online a glut of aspiring entrepreneurs who were IIT/IIM graduates. For the best consequences of Kamagra it is proposed that those new purchase generic viagra to this prescription start with the 10mg measurements.
Proposed Offer: Mike Morse to Seattle for LHP Charlie Furbush and SS Marcus Littlewood

Tampa Bay Rays  -> At first glance Morse does not seem to be a Tampa Bay type player with his defensive deficiencies and allergy to walks, but with offensive liabilities James Loney, Ryan Roberts, and Sam Fuld as projected starters at first base, designated hitter, and left field (as of today), certainly the Rays could use another hitter in the middle of their lineup to compliment Evan Longoria. In addition, Tampa has an abundance of pitching depth, both in the majors and minors, so this feels like a logical fit if the two front offices can work out a deal.

Proposed Offer: Mike Morse to Tampa Bay for LHP Jake McGee

Acquired in exchange for Ryan Langerhans in June 2009, Mike Morse represents perhaps Mike Rizzo’s best trade to date, as the former minor league shortstop arrived in Washington and flourished in his opportunity with the Nationals, becoming one of the more feared right-handed power hitters in the National League over the past three seasons.  A fan-favorite due to his affable personality and affinity for the 1980s classic hit, A-ha’s Take On Me, Morse will be missed in NatsTown if and when he is traded.  But this is what occurs when teams become good, quality players are forced off the roster due to superior players being ahead of them on the depth chart, and unfortunately Morse now finds himself on the outside looking in on a roster crunch in Washington.  Therefore, even though the return for one season of a veteran player is typically not outstanding, due to the number of contending teams in need of a hitter and Mike Rizzo’s patience in trade negotiations, expect the Nationals to receive a healthy package when they decide to part with Morse, likely before pitchers and catchers report to Viera next month.

NatsGM Expected Final Destination -> Mike Morse returns to Seattle

The Plugs -> Follow me on Twitter @NatsGMdotcom, Email me at NationalsGM@Gmail.com, and “LIKE” us on Facebook by searching NatsGM.  Thanks for reading!

After what has seemed like an amicable stalemate for the majority of the offseason, finally on Tuesday the Washington Nationals and Adam LaRoche agreed to terms on a 2-year contract with a mutual option for a 3^rd season worth a guaranteed $24 million dollars.  According to media reports LaRoche will make $10 million in 2013, $12 million in 2014, and there is a $2 million dollar buyout on a 2015 mutual option worth $15 million dollars.

Adam LaRoche, 33-years-old, bounced back from an uncharacteristically poor and injury-filled first season in Washington in 2011 (.172/.288/.258 3 HRs in 43 games) with perhaps his career best all-around season in 2012, batting .271/.343/.510 with 33 home runs and 100 runs batted in, en route to winning the NL Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards and finishing 6^th in the MVP balloting.  For his 9-year major league career, LaRoche has a career line of .268/.338/.482 with 197 home runs and the reputation as one of the best defensive first baseman in baseball.  LaRoche’s left-handed bat helps solidify and balance the Nationals 2013 offensive lineup, his excellent defensive ability saves the infield defense numerous throwing errors each season, thus saving pitches for the entire pitching staff, and his veteran presence in the locker room is invaluable to this still inexperienced roster.

Although this situation has resolved itself, this does leave the Nationals with a quandary in terms of Mike Morse, as the outfield seems set with Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth as the corner outfielders, newly-acquired Denard Span batting leadoff and playing center field, and Adam LaRoche firmly entrenched at first base.  We will examine the Morse predicament more thoroughly later this week in another article, but for now, we assume the Nationals starting lineup projects as Span batting leadoff, Harper, Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, and LaRoche batting numbers 2-5 in some order, leaving Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, and the catcher, Wilson Ramos or Kurt Suzuki, rounding out the bottom of the lineup, with Morse on the outside looking in.  This projected lineup has an outstanding combination of balance and power with 3 left-handed hitters (Span, Harper, and LaRoche), 4 right-handed hitters (Werth, Zimmerman, Desmond, Ramos/Suzuki), and 1 switch-hitter Danny Espinosa, and aside from Span, each player is capable of hitting 15+ home runs next season.  Furthermore, LaRoche’s return gives the Nationals above-average or better defenders at each position.

While most Nationals fans are excited to have Adam LaRoche returning to Washington in 2013, this signing has a strange, bittersweet type feeling to it, as we have known all offseason if LaRoche re-signed, odds of fan-favorite Mike Morse returning next season are extremely unlikely.  Certainly Morse has more offensive potential, but LaRoche’s veteran presence, consistency both in terms of games played and statistics posted, left-handed bat, and superior defensive skills make him a better fit for the Nationals in their chase for the World Series in 2013.  Most Nationals fans do not expect LaRoche to replicate his tremendous 2012 numbers again in 2013 and 2014, but if he can produce similarly to his average annual numbers (.268/.338/.482 20-25HRs) along with his usual first-class defense at first base, general manager Mike Rizzo will be pleased he allowed the market to come to him and eventually made a 2-year commitment to LaRoche.  It is difficult to judge this signing without seeing the subsequent fallout from an expected Mike Morse trade, but in a vacuum, the Nationals should be commended for keeping the duration of the contract with LaRoche to 2 seasons and for a reasonable amount of money, thereby keeping the team’s risk fairly minimal.  Perhaps not the sexiest acquisition, but this is yet another smart decision by the Nationals front office this offseason.
This dental drug is really a prescribed remedy for erection dysfunction. vardenafil india click here may be the brand associated with Zenegra. You are advised intake of this herbal supplement twice every day for 2 to 3 months. cheap sildenafil india Pfizer viagra doctor free introduced it in 1998 and the rest is pharmaceutical history. You must keep patience because the working time of the year you go there, the weather conditions discount bulk viagra will always be pleasant.
NatsGM Grade  ->      B to B-

The Plugs -> Follow me on Twitter @NatsGMdotcom, Email me at NationalsGM@Gmail.com, and Download our Nationals Podcast, the Red Porch Report, at http://www.ballhogsradio.com/category/red-porch-report/