I have received confirmation the following players are no longer members of the Nationals organization
- Mason Smith
- Chris Kelly
- Danny Gil
- Steve Doetsch
- Jesse Caraballo
- Tim Bittner
- Andrew Lefave
- Matt Rogelstad
The remaining players remain in Viera in extended spring training. Some will join the various full-season rosters as spots open up. This is reportedly a possibility for guys like Adrian Alaniz, Colton Willems, Josh Smoker, and Graham Hicks. These promotions can happen any time between late April through early June. The others will remain in Viera until the short season begins in June at which point they will join the Monsters or the GCL Nats.
#1 by Todd Boss - April 7th, 2009 at 14:37
Hey Brian, what about guys like Schroeder, Speigner, Bascik, and Tankersly. Are these all 6-yr minor league free agents that are gone? I’d like to know where at least Bascik is, him being a special trivia answer for baseball nuts. Where do you like to go for ML free agent movement?
#2 by Brian Oliver - April 7th, 2009 at 14:45
Schroder went to Oakland and Speigner to Florida … not sure if they are still there
As for Tankersley and Bascik, no idea. I usually wait until a month or so into the season and then query MiLB.com
#3 by Hoagie - April 7th, 2009 at 15:43
I’m surprised they let Lefave go, considering how well he gets on base. I know 1B with no power aren’t all that valuable, but he could make a decent pinch hitter.
Todd, your best bet at this point is to look through Baseball America’s transaction archives. Start here: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=3076 and click “previous installment” until you find someone.
It’s not the most efficient way to find people, but like Brian said, it can be almost a month before MiLB gives you the results you’re looking for.
#4 by JH - April 7th, 2009 at 16:14
Andrew Lefave made the decision to leave and return home due to family responsibilities. He seemed to be very happy about the decision.
#5 by Positively Half St. - April 7th, 2009 at 16:47
I hope Lefave was happy. He was a guy I was really rooting for.
#6 by exposfan - April 7th, 2009 at 18:06
Here is an explanation from Chico at the Post about the reasoning for letting Gustavo Chacin go. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2009/04/a_release_a_good_run.html#more
#7 by Andrew Z. Stebbins - April 7th, 2009 at 21:01
Zimmermann making the Chief’s Opening Day Start, O’Connor to be bumped up when Zimmnn is purchased, Alaniz expected to then go to Harrisburg.
#8 by preciousp - April 7th, 2009 at 21:19
Mike Bascik retired this year. He will be missed! Lavale is happy with the move and has a baby on the way!
#9 by Jeff E. - April 7th, 2009 at 22:30
A heavy shopping list to fill in the June draft with all the cupboard space being cleared. Anyone know if Dan Nelson has more upside than J. Spearman?
#10 by Jeff E. - April 7th, 2009 at 23:51
There must be some “other side of the story” as Paul Harvey would say about Ricardo Nanita going from AAA Rule V portion pick to “unassigned” numbers game in Viera camp. Lets hope that this June draft hauls in some kids who can jump with both feet running @ hagerstown.
#11 by Catocony - April 8th, 2009 at 01:24
So, did Lafave “retire” or just going to take a season off?
Too bad about Bascik, I liked him in the bullpen. I never could figure out why he never got the call-up last year and Charlie Manning got the nod.
#12 by Catocony - April 8th, 2009 at 01:30
And Rogelstad was a Carolina League all-star last year, any idea why he was released?
#13 by Jane - April 8th, 2009 at 05:48
Tim Bittner, Andrew Lefave, and Matt Rogelstad - you will be missed!
#14 by Beisbol - April 8th, 2009 at 06:33
After seeing the list of unassigned players I was kind of surprised by some of the names still on the list. I know that some players will be moved up later on and some of the guys are rehabbing but it surprised me of who was still on it!
#15 by Suns Fan - April 9th, 2009 at 19:56
The reality for a guy like LeFave is that this organization has too many prospects at his position for him to succeed here. In some circumstances, letting a guy go can actually help that guy. If LeFave gets released and picked up at a higher level by a team that has an injury at first, then his career gets a new start…