Greg Fiume - Getty Images
11 months ago: WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: John Lannan #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park on June 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
As per a press release this morning, the arbitration panel who heard the Washington Nationals and 27-year-old left-hander John Lannan make their cases yesterday, ruled in favor of the team, meaning the fifth-year pro will make $5.0M in 2012 instead of the $5.7M he and his agent had asked for from the Nats. The hearing, the first of the year in Major League Baseball, took place yesterday in St. Petersburg, Florida. The "win" leaves the Nationals 6-2 so far in arbitration cases since the franchise relocated to the nation's capital. Lannan and the Nats avoided arbitration last season, agreeing on a 1-year/$2.75M dollar deal.
The left-hander was (10-13) last season, posting a 3.70 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 76 BB (3.70 BB/9) and 106 K's (5.17 K/9) in 33 starts and 184.2 IP. Over five MLB seasons, the '05 11th Round pick out of Long Beach, NY and Siena College is (38-51) with a career-4.00 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 282 walks (3.38 BB/9) and 393 K's (4.71 K/9) in 128 starts and 751.0 IP. Lannan was the only National to go to arbitration this year. Washington had seven players total (Lannan included) file for arbitration back on January 13th. The Nats signed Gio Gonzalez to a 5-year/$42M dollar extension, agreed on a one-year deals with catcher Jesus Flores, RHPs Jordan Zimmermann, Tyler Clippard and LHP Tom Gorzelanny and signed LF/1B Michael Morse to a 2-year/$10.5M extension to avoid going to arbitration.
The only remaining contract drama this winter involves 27-year-old '05 1st Round pick Ryan Zimmerman, who's rumored to be negotiating an extension which will keep the third baseman in the nation's capital...
0 recs | 64 comments
Sorry, Bambi ... I LOL'd
Poster on MLBTR, recounting the arbitration process:
Here’s hoping that Lannan has the best season of his career :-)
d_c_guy - February 2, 2012
Heh...those are NOT $5milion antlers I see on Bambi!
Agent was blowing major smoke toward Bambi.
#overpaid
(What else do you expect me to say?)
;-)
MissB - February 2, 2012 via mobile
"I fully support our hard-nosed lefty, who'll take a line-drive to the face and get pi$$ed he has to come out of the game..."
That's what I expected you to say. ;)Patrick Reddington - February 2, 2012
Hmffppttff....
And, BTW, Moose Skowron says,
“I know a moose, and Bambi’s no moose!”
:-)))))
MissB - February 2, 2012 via mobile
AdamKilgoreWP:
Also this: There have been 12 arbitration hearings since 2010, and the Nats have been involved in 3, most in MLB. wapo.st/y4gGsn
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
csnwashington: Coming up at 2 p.m. – Beltway Baseball LIVE with Mark Zuckerman and Amanda Comak cmcst.sn/aaaEZ3 #Nats
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
acomak:
RT @csnwashington: Beltway Baseball Live is in a “rain delay” as @MarkZuckerman & @acomak deal w news on Edwin Jackson. New live time TBA
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Poor Lannan:
@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: #Nationals shopping Lannan, possibly targeting Oswalt or Edwin Jackson. Story with @jonmorosi here: http://t.co/wHnRJkP1 #MLB
Patrick Reddington - February 2, 2012 via mobile
interesting.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
I know that it would sting a bit for the guys on the team
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
hmm.. it does technically make sense to sell high on Lannan
though it would be tough to gauge how much two years of Lannan is worth in trade.. Especially since Lannan is widely undervalued, but coming off a good year there may be a market out there for him.
The move would free up payroll, certainly, and give Detwiler a better shot at the #5 spot. With the #1-#3 spots set in stone for years to come, it could very well be a smart idea, assuming none of the big three get hurt.
Anyway, I won’t be disappointed if he is stays :)
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Now he makes it sound like they’d want Jackson if they trade him. But since they’ll need more than 5 starters regardless…
brs03 - February 2, 2012
Jackson doesn’t really make much sense for the Nats.. not a big upgrade over Lannan at twice the cost.
Oswalt would be a much better fit, if he’s interested.
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
It depends on what they get in return for Lannan
If they get a starter/serviceable player I am all for it. You could upgrade in two positions.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
Maybe someone like the Cubs and Marlon Byrd?
Not saying this is the ideal trade, but I could see the Cubs being in on the idea.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
Maybe the Red Sox could get Byrd for Theo compensation
Deal Byrd to the Nats for Lannan. He is a lefty in their price range.
chubias - February 2, 2012
I completely disagree.
Lannan will probably be worth about 1.5 WAR. Jackson’s price is unknown, but I can’t see over $10 million per year. He posted 3 consecutive seasons of 3.5+ WAR. So, you would expect to see slightly more than double WAR, for slightly less than double the money.
Oswalt is an injury risk. I would be ok with him, but I am not sure that we want him since our rotation is strong, but lacking depth.
chubias - February 2, 2012
i hate it if true
i know a lot people dont appreciate what lannan has been to this orginization
meech - February 2, 2012
A good, not great player, on a generally bad team?
chubias - February 2, 2012
For the record, I'm not anxious to see him go, but the Nationals might get a big boost.
But I think both Oswalt and Jackson will post better seasons over the next two years. Now, Lannan is still a young player and may really break out this year. Last year, he was slightly improved, but nothing to suggest that he won’t still be a <2 WAR player. Every team needs those players, because most teams can’t afford to acquire an entire team of stars. However, paying role players big money doesn’t make sense. Compare John Lannan with Bruce Chen who posted a 3.77 ERA (Lannan 3.70), 4.39 FIP (4.28), 5.63 K/9 (5.17), 2.90 (3.70) BB for the Royals last year. Chen was awarded a $4 million contract. Then Nationals were willing to give Lannan $5 million.
chubias - February 2, 2012
washingnats:
The #Nats are hoping to trade LHP John Lannan for a position player, maybe a center fielder. #MLB
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
For what its worth
Because its a rumor I think we can assume its untrue. For the most part every rumor about the Nats has proven unfounded. They may be just testing the waters like they do with everyone.
I’ll believe it when it happens.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
rumors need discussing
I won’t believe it til it happens either, but that’s no reason not to discuss possibilities :)
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Im on the boards aren't I?!
Whats up with the Nats trying to acquire 1.40+ Whip starters?
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
what about Bj Upton
Lannan + another prospect for Upton ? or Denard Span? think Rays or Twins might bite? I’m all for Ej..he would be a strong 4 for our SPs
Sportzxpert - February 2, 2012 via Android app
Neither bite
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
I’d say it makes more sense to look for a good AAA CFer with promise. I don’t know who has that lying around these days though.
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
From what I understand
The AAA ranks are awfully thin this year.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
There aren't many options there
The Pirates have Gorkys Hernandez in AAA (+ range/glove and tiny ISO) and Starling Marte in AA (+arm, +range, +power, total hacker BB% 3.8 and 17.8 %K).
The Cubs have Brett Jackson, but there is no reason to expect that they would trade him.
The Mariners might be willing to give up Trayvon Robinson, but given how much the paid for some offense it is hard to see them giving up on a potential star bat.
I’m not seeing much.
chubias - February 2, 2012
Its not a significant upgrade
Lannan’s 104 ERA + vs. Jacksons 106
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
Just read this
JonHeymanCBS
edwin jackson in agreement with #nationals on deal. (he was seen in airport for physical)
Berndaddy - February 2, 2012
jason_yingling:
That what the TSA is calling it now?RT @JonHeymanCBS edwin jackson in agreement with #nationals on deal. (he was seen in airport for physical)
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Lannan!!!
@JonHeymanCBS: “edwin jackson in agreement with #nationals on deal. (he was seen in airport for physical)”
Patrick Reddington - February 2, 2012
*gasp* slow down!
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Whelp
Heyman just said the Nats and Jackson have agreed to a deal. Well
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
I call jinx
Berndaddy - February 2, 2012
Tie goes to you~
Patrick Reddington - February 2, 2012
I bet a bunch of us just read this and were stunned...
Bambi !!!
Berndaddy - February 2, 2012
HA i lose
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
AdamKilgoreWP:
Edwin Jackson was in Washington for a physical today. No final agreement in place, but obviously headed the way.
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
So the Nats add depth
Now they have to do something. Well this should get interesting. I bet they give Lannan away for peanuts.
I’d trade Detwiler if I were them.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
1 year deal..
acomak:
Source confirms: The #nationals have agreed to terms with Edwin Jackson on a one-year deal pending physical. He’s in town today for it.
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
One year deal certainly works.
Though I am utterly lost as to what they do.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
acomak:
With regard to possible trade of John Lannan — or any #Nats pitcher — I’m told there is nothing imminent. #nationals #MLB
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
So if they can’t find a suitable taker for Lannan, what do they do?
Det to the bullpen?
Lannan to AAA?
Move one to the rotation when Stras is shut down, move the other in if Wang has to be?
brs03 - February 2, 2012
make Gio have Tommy John surgery so he’ll fit in better?
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Not funny.
chubias - February 2, 2012
right
I guess you better be cautious with Chien Mien Wang.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
He’s not on an official innings limit, correct? But at the same time you probably can’t just pencil him in for 200+ so…
brs03 - February 2, 2012
certainly a tight pitch limit
More importantly he can’t work out of the bullpen.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
So if he gets beat out in Spring Training
Which he very well could, he has to be traded.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
Can Wang be sent to AAA without going through waivers?
d_c_guy - February 2, 2012 via mobile
No
HG_VA - February 2, 2012
Potential Starting Pitching Staff includes
Strasburg
Zimmermann
Gio
Jackson
Wang
Lannan
Detwiler
Gorzelanny
Interesting that the likely candidates all boosted from the rotation are lefties.
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
I'd say Lannan definitely goes
Regardless of the returns. Detwiler is easier to place in the pen.
dhall88 - February 2, 2012
Yep
I think Lannan is going to be gone too. I know right now they are sayin they are going to bring him to ST…but you’d have to think if MR can somehow shop Lannan and a prospect (Lombardozzi? Tyler Moore? Both?) for young speedy CF…he pulls the trigger immediately.
dawgjk9 - February 2, 2012
AdamKilgoreWP:
From a Nats official: The Nats plan on taking 25 pitchers, including Lannan, to spring training. If he gets traded, it’ll happen then.
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Not a very good day for John Lannan
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
Doesn't make much sense to me
What does a one-year deal do for them, other than crowd out a reasonably good pitcher or two?
RobBobS - February 2, 2012 via mobile
totally agree
Bsullivan - February 2, 2012
adds another win or two?
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
Of course, had they just found a way to improve their offense... AT ALL
they wouldn’t need to sacrifice one of their homegrown pitchers, and N million dollars, to get that extra win or two.
RobBobS - February 2, 2012
If they can work out a CF for SP deal, then we might be set.
And we don’t know what Jackson’s going to cost. If he costs $8 million, and we can trade Lanan for a young, speedy CF, then we’ll be good shape.
Plus, our offense should be a little better even without tinkering. Zim, Werth, and LaRoche were all way down last year. We need to boost our production, but there weren’t many good options.
chubias - February 2, 2012
NPUT
dc Roach - February 2, 2012
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