Nats trade for escobar

[bravesfanforlife88]

Lol Nats get yunel Escobar for Tyler clippard

[Tapate50]

Ugh.

[cajunrevenge]

Thats a clown move bro.

[nsacpi]

Very good trade for gnats regardless of escobars rep.

[dak]

The Clippard aspect of this was just speculation by Heyman at this point, but it would make sense.

[dak]

@washingnats
Tyler Clippard is involved in the deal.The deal is pending, I was informed.#Nats #Nationals #MLB

[Dalyn]

I'm thrilled that Escobar will not be on a team that I root for. Great trade for Oakland no matter who is involved, in my opinion.

[buck75]

Gonna get pitched high and tight by the Braves.

[Hawk]

Billy Beane is kind of brilliant.

Also, Bryce Harper, Yunel Escobar, and Ian Desmond on the same team? Should be fun season.

[Dalyn]

Billy Beane is kind of brilliant.

Also, Bryce Harper, Yunel Escobar, and Ian Desmond on the same team? Should be fun season.

Yep. And yep.

[Heyward]

Bad deal for Washington.

From Soriano/Clippard/Storen to Barrett/Treinen/Storen.

Especially with Span/Fister/Desmond/JZimmerman FA's after this year.

[skillet]

Yea, Escobar is an ass and isn't that good either. Clippard will make the A's bullpen even better than it already is. Good trade for the A's.

[gilesfan]

Billy Beane is kind of brilliant.

Also, Bryce Harper, Yunel Escobar, and Ian Desmond on the same team? Should be fun season.

Why is Desmond in there?

Good trade for As. They get a solid reliever for 1 year as long as his arm is still attached.

Not a good trade for Nats but neccesary. They needed a 2B for this year and a SS for next year to bridge gap to Turner. Couldnt afford Clippard. Though U could argue going for it in 2015.

[Hawk]

Jayson Stark
@jaysonst
Exec who has spoken w/ #Nationals isn't buying spin they dealt for Yunel Escobar to play 2B. Says they're still trying to move Ian Desmond

[MadduxFanII]

The Nats are very well-run, but I sort of get the sense that they're not really taking this window of contention as seriously as they should. Why not just re-sign Cabrera to play second, keep Clippard and keep Desmond? You've got a legit shot at a World Series right now. That should be your focus. If there was ever a time where it was OK to stop thinking about the future for a moment, it's now.

[gilesfan]

The Nats are very well-run, but I sort of get the sense that they're not really taking this window of contention as seriously as they should. Why not just re-sign Cabrera to play second, keep Clippard and keep Desmond? You've got a legit shot at a World Series right now. That should be your focus. If there was ever a time where it was OK to stop thinking about the future for a moment, it's now.

I agree. Rizzo kinda acts like Beane (though with a larger payroll). He's great for the long term health of the team (probably comes from his scouting pedigree), but OTOH, will trade out a key piece if he can't sign him. Desmond turned down a decent contract, but he will be paid much higher than what they offered him. Why not take the risk? Either Turner is ready or you look for a short term SS next year.

I do think part of it is selling Clippard while they can. He's in the you can build a bullpen camp.

The 2B situation is curious. They have the money, why have they been so unsuccessful at getting a 2B? I understand the market isn't full of good 2B, but they could have kept Cabrera. I don't think they were patient all winter because Escobar was the prized target.

[MadduxFanII]

I agree. Rizzo kinda acts like Beane (though with a larger payroll). He's great for the long term health of the team (probably comes from his scouting pedigree), but OTOH, will trade out a key piece if he can't sign him. Desmond turned down a decent contract, but he will be paid much higher than what they offered him. Why not take the risk? Either Turner is ready or you look for a short term SS next year.

It seems to be of a piece with the decision to shut down Strasburg in 2012. Rizzo seems confident in his ability to build a consistent contender, so he doesn't place as much weight on any given year of contention. If trading Player A costs them a shot at the playoffs this year, no biggie, we'll be right back at it next year. And it's hard to say that's wrong, as the Nationals are well-positioned moving forward, but when you're coming off a 96-win season (two years after a 98-win season) you need to be thinking this is your best shot at winning a title.

[gilesfan]

And it comes out that Desmond is staying for 2015. So I guess it was a move for a 2B and insurance at SS for 2016. They need to look for a BP arm though.