Nationals have Werth but first baseman position still vacant
The Washington Nationals made history when they signed on Jayson Werth from the free agency on a $126 million contract, slated to last for the next 7 years. Though there were concerns on the financial woes of the club, there is a rising cream of players
looking to come up from the minor league and that has General Manager Mike Rizzo planning towards the coming seasons.
A foundation has to be made and unfortunately, their former first baseman, Adam Dunn will not be part of the revolution. Dunn made a move to the American League by joining the Chicago White Sox and that has left a gaping hole in the club at the front of
the offensive window. Rizzo has come out to make a few comments on Dunn’s move and he specified that money wasn’t the real concern in keeping Adam at the clubhouse.
He said, “I love Adam Dunn. I love what he brings in the dugout, on the field and in the clubhouse. But we have a plan in place. We had a price point where Adam Dunn made sense for us. Beyond that, the terms, the dollars at a point didn't make sense.”
He went on to explain his team’s choice in not fighting for Adam. He said, "As I've said before, I have a philosophy that we are putting on our ballclub - pitching, defence, speed and athleticism. That's how we feel championship calibre ball clubs in the
National League are built. At a certain point, Adam Dunn made sense. Beyond that, he didn't. We have taken those principles and brought in Jayson Werth because he exemplifies that type of player."
It is clear the Washington is eyeing an opening in their first base position and for that, Carlos Pena has been shortlisted. The left hand hitting machine has been part of the Tampa Bay Rays for the last 4 seasons and while his batting averaged hit .196
last year, the management in the Nationals club house is more concerned with the leadership qualities that Pena can give to the upcoming stars in the side.
However, the club faces stiff competition from the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago Cubs who are also pursuing the player’s services for the coming tenure. The Nationals, nevertheless, have another target in mind and if Pena seals a deal elsewhere, Washington
will press down on Adam LaRoche who is enjoying his life with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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