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News Analysis
 Why the Nats Won't Sign Atlanta's Mike Gonzalez


By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2009) -- On November 13, 2009, MLB.com's Bill Ladson wrote that "baseball sources" told him that the Washington Nationals were interested in signing Atlanta free agent left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez.

No surprise, right? The Nats had arguably the league's worst bullpen in 2009 while Gonzalez recorded a 2.92 ERA with 10 saves and 90 strikeouts as the Braves' set-up man.

However, I'm here to tell you on December 3 that the Nats will not sign Gonzalez.

Why?

Four words:

Scott Boras

Offered Arbitration.

Four days after Ladson's post, Gonzalez announced that he was switching agents and hiring Scott Boras, the toughest negotiator in the game. With Boras in tow, Gonzalez is guaranteed to ask for more money than the Nats would pay for any relief pitcher.

Nationals: They have the best prospect in the game in No. 1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg, plus solid talents in catcher Derek Norris, right-hander Drew Storen and shortstop Danny Espinosa. Beyond that, though, the Nats have very little help, especially at the upper levels, which is a pity considering the state of the big-league roster.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/01/farm.systems/#ixzz0YeRejzP2
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 But if Boras wasn't the straw that broke this camel's back, Atlanta's decision this week to offer arbitration to Gonzalez was. While Atlanta is unlikely to re-sign the reliever, the arbitration offer guarantees that the Braves will get two high draft picks from any team that does sign him.

So, for Nats GM Mike Rizzo, the choice is clear:

Sign Gonzalez and you will put a huge dent in the team's payroll -- and lose two high draft picks.

That's not gonna' happen.

 Come back to 'Nuts for Nats' for more stories on Washington baseball.

Swanni is a Washington-area journalist and long-time observer of Washington baseball.
You can contact Swanni at swann@tvpredictions.com


 

 
   

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