Nationals Press Release
The Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Tim Redding, right-handed pitcher Joel Hanrahan, infielder Josh Wilson and outfielder Michael Restovich on one-year contracts and thus were added to the club’s 40-man roster.
The Nationals also agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitchers Jermaine Van Buren, T.J. Nall, Colby Lewis, Felix Diaz, Eduardo Valdez, Josh Hall, Winston Abreu, Jim Magrane; left-handed pitchers Mike Bacsik, Billy White and Chris Michalak; catchers Juan Brito and Danny Ardoin; infielders Joe Thurston and Alejandro Machado; outfielders Darnell McDonald and Wayne Lydon. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden, Assistant General Manager/Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone, and Minor League Director Andy Dunn made the joint announcements.
I’ll have a posting up shortly about the players signed.

#1 by Ryan Sullivan - November 7th, 2006 at 15:42
Brian-
Is it of any consequence that we added those 4 players to the 40 man roster? I would think taking flyers in the Rule 5 draft, even after the weakening from the new CBA, would be a better use of a 40 man spot-
#2 by Brian J Oliver - November 8th, 2006 at 07:20
Honestly? No. The Rule 5 guys out there this year are the same ones that were out there last year and the Nationals didn’t see anyone of value there. Outside of Dan Uggla, it was a weaker class.
#3 by Ryan Sullivan - November 8th, 2006 at 12:51
Brian-
I’m sure you are right, but for my thinking, we might as well take a flyer or two in the rule 5 on younger players as opposed to taking Restovich or Hanrahan and such, whom are both more known.
It just seems if you are going to win 60 games either way, you might as well go with youth and hope you strike gold, like with Uggla- guess just my 2 cents
#4 by Brian J Oliver - November 9th, 2006 at 07:00
Though remember, Rule 5 guys have to be kept on the 25-man roster while Restovich, Hanrahan, etc can be optioned to the minors
#5 by Ryan Sullivan - November 10th, 2006 at 12:41
Obviously it is early, but would Restovich be a good platoon partner for either Church or Casto at a corner OF position? I would assume that is the plan…