Washington Nationals aim to bolster roster for 2012 – MLB Update
The Washington Nationals, after finishing the regular season on a positive note, have reiterated their desire to attract big names to the ballclub in a bid to qualify for the playoffs when the team takes field in 2012.
Nationals’ general manager Mike Rizzo and the Lerner family have hinted that the franchise is willing and able to spend heavily to boost the roster and thus give manager Davey Johnson a chance to formulate a team that he believes to be the finest.
Johnson came to the helm of the affairs half-way through this past season and managed the Nationals in 83 games, winning 40 and facing disappointment in 43. Given that this was his first managerial task in 11 years and the roster was not of his choice, the
results are decent.
Washington’s management believes that given the form portrayed by the team in the depth of the season, bolstering the starting rotation and out-field will significantly improve results in the next season. The Nationals were on verge of qualifying for the
postseason via Wild Card standings, but a dreary performance during the first half of the season disallowed the team to capitalise on this opportunity.
When free agents hit the market on Thursday, November 3, Rizzo is expected to actively participate in a bid to fulfil Johnson’s wish list for 2012. However, the management is aiming to instil stability in the team and thus players who have the temperament
to play under long-term agreements will be targeted.
Rizzo clarified that although C.J. Wilson and Yu Darvish are good attractions in the free market for the rotation, the team is inclined towards Mark Buehrle, who is known for his consistency. Buehrle has 12 years of experience in the Majors and the Chicago
White Sox is the only ballclub that the starter has ever known.
Furthermore, the management is inclined towards signing Grady Sizemore as an out-fielder, after the Cleveland Indians declined his nine-million-dollar option. Although renowned for his injuries, Sizemore has what it takes to be the best in the business.
He was referred to as the best player to ever play baseball, but then injuries saw his graph plunge dramatically.
It will be interesting to see what approach the management adopts when the players hit the water.
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