(Photo by Reuters Pictures. The Washington Nationals traded their #1 pick in the Rule 5 draft this Thursday to the Yankees for Brian Bruney. Of course: Mike Rizzo drafted Brian Bruney when he was with Arizona back at the beginning of the decade.)
"In today's world, it's hard to find somebody who hasn't had something. They all had some tenderness or DL time. Sometimes it's almost precautionary, but still, it goes in the book as DL. If you only made a move on someone who has never been on the DL, it would be hard to find people."
(Mike Rizzo, via Nationals.com, 12/7/2009)"I love closing ballgames. There's nothing better than that in my opinion. I felt like New York was a good stepping stone with lots of pressure-filled situations. But to be honest, I had talked to my agent and I said, 'I can't wait to get to the place where I can try and close somewhere.' "
(Brian Bruney, via Nationals Journal, 12/7/2009)
Here's hoping that the PTBNL for Bruney is more Levale Speigner than Jesus Flores.
Nats trade PTBNL, a.k.a their first pick in the Rule 5 Draft to the Yankees for Brian Bruney. Because Livo, Da Meathook, and Ray King are gone forever now, and every team needs one fat guy.
Also, they get a guy with a recent history of elbow trouble who has a past history of closing; via Nationals dot com:
Bruney has experience in that ninth-inning role, saving 12 games and striking out 51 batters in 46 innings for Arizona in 2005. However, he had a 7.43 ERA.
Sounds like he'll be given the chance to give Mike MacDougal a run for his money for the closer's job.
Oh, and in this Ex-Jimbo Rizzo World, are the D-Backs the new Reds?
Meanwhile...
Saul Rivera released, removed from 40-man to make room for Bruney. Farewell Saul. Or not. Here's Jim Riggleman, via Nationals dot com: "This doesn't close the door on Rivera," Riggleman said. "He going to be looking to sign with somebody, and it could be with us."
Josh Willingham is a wanted man.
Stan Kasten interviewed on XM/MLB channel with the guy it's fun to blame for this mess.
We're ignoring any and all talk of the Nats' interest in Jon Garland. It's just not happening.
Thank you, MASN! Finally, an early Christmas present to Nats (and O's) fans: every single Nationals (and Orioles, but who cares about them) game will be broadcast in high definition in 2010 thanks to the new dedicated MASN2 HD overflow channel. Three cheers for MASN!
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