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01-15-2005, 12:36 AM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10082-2005Jan14.html
Nats Avoids arbitration
Nationals Notebook
Johnson Agrees to One-Year Deal
By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 15, 2005; Page D09
The Washington Nationals avoided arbitration with first baseman Nick Johnson yesterday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.45 million deal that leaves the team with only two more players eligible for arbitration.
Johnson, 26, made $1.25 million in 2004, his first season with the franchise, which played as the Montreal Expos before relocating to Washington. It was supposed to be his first opportunity to shine on an everyday basis, albeit out of the glare of New York, where Johnson came up with the Yankees before he was traded, in December 2003, as part of the deal for pitcher Javier Vazquez.
But before spring training ended last year, Johnson injured his lower back, and he missed the first 46 games of the season. He returned in late May, but on Aug. 20 he was hit in the face by a bad-hop grounder in Colorado, breaking his right cheekbone. He missed the rest of the season, and finished with a .251 average with seven homers and 33 RBI in just 73 games.
Nationals team physician Bruce Thomas said this week that Johnson saw a spine specialist in Los Angeles and "passed with flying colors."
"He's considered 100 percent," Thomas said.
Johnson is still coveted by other teams because of his good glove and potential as a left-handed hitter with some power. But unless General Manager Jim Bowden can use him in a deal to land pitching, he will likely be the Nationals first baseman on Opening Day.
Meanwhile, Bowden continues to work on the club's two remaining arbitration cases, with pitchers Tony Armas Jr. and Tomo Ohka. The club has already avoided arbitration with outfielder-first baseman Brad Wilkerson, catcher Brian Schneider and pitchers Joey Eischen and T.J. Tucker.
"I'm optimistic that Armas is going to get done," Bowden said yesterday. "Ohka, we're still far apart, but we're still working on it. He still has the best chance to go to arbitration, but we'd prefer not to."
Team to Meet With Larkin
Bowden said the Nationals are working on setting up a meeting with shortstop Barry Larkin for either tomorrow or Monday. Washington remains interested in Larkin, 40, as a backup infielder.
"We still believe in his leadership," Bowden said. "I just talked to Brad Wilkerson, and Brad Wilkerson thinks he would be a good addition to this ballclub. Brad used to work out with him in the offseason, and he knows what Barry can bring to a team."
Washington has also had contact with free agent relievers Ricky Bottalico and Antonio Osuna, an industry source said, and could sign one of the two right-handers to a minor league deal.
Bottalico, 35, who twice saved 34 games for the Phillies, appeared in 60 games last season for the New York Mets, going 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA. The Milwaukee Brewers also have interest. Osuna, 31, appeared in 31 games for the San Diego Padres in 2004, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He has had conversations with as many as seven other teams, another industry source said.
Loaiza Still in the Picture
Bowden said the Nationals' interest in free agent starter Esteban Loaiza hasn't waned. Bowden has talked with Loaiza's agent twice every day this week. "We're continuing to have dialogue," Bowden said, "but right now, that's what it is." . . . The club will hold key meetings with its top baseball personnel beginning Monday at the team's spring training facility in Viera, Fla., the first time all the key administrators are in one place at one time. Bowden will lead the meeting with special assistants Bob Boone and Jose Rijo, farm director Adam Wogan, scouting director Dana Brown, director of baseball administration Lee MacPhail IV and assistant general manager Tony Siegle among those in attendance. . . . Nationals pitchers and catchers report one month from today.
Nats Avoids arbitration
Nationals Notebook
Johnson Agrees to One-Year Deal
By Barry Svrluga
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 15, 2005; Page D09
The Washington Nationals avoided arbitration with first baseman Nick Johnson yesterday, agreeing to a one-year, $1.45 million deal that leaves the team with only two more players eligible for arbitration.
Johnson, 26, made $1.25 million in 2004, his first season with the franchise, which played as the Montreal Expos before relocating to Washington. It was supposed to be his first opportunity to shine on an everyday basis, albeit out of the glare of New York, where Johnson came up with the Yankees before he was traded, in December 2003, as part of the deal for pitcher Javier Vazquez.
But before spring training ended last year, Johnson injured his lower back, and he missed the first 46 games of the season. He returned in late May, but on Aug. 20 he was hit in the face by a bad-hop grounder in Colorado, breaking his right cheekbone. He missed the rest of the season, and finished with a .251 average with seven homers and 33 RBI in just 73 games.
Nationals team physician Bruce Thomas said this week that Johnson saw a spine specialist in Los Angeles and "passed with flying colors."
"He's considered 100 percent," Thomas said.
Johnson is still coveted by other teams because of his good glove and potential as a left-handed hitter with some power. But unless General Manager Jim Bowden can use him in a deal to land pitching, he will likely be the Nationals first baseman on Opening Day.
Meanwhile, Bowden continues to work on the club's two remaining arbitration cases, with pitchers Tony Armas Jr. and Tomo Ohka. The club has already avoided arbitration with outfielder-first baseman Brad Wilkerson, catcher Brian Schneider and pitchers Joey Eischen and T.J. Tucker.
"I'm optimistic that Armas is going to get done," Bowden said yesterday. "Ohka, we're still far apart, but we're still working on it. He still has the best chance to go to arbitration, but we'd prefer not to."
Team to Meet With Larkin
Bowden said the Nationals are working on setting up a meeting with shortstop Barry Larkin for either tomorrow or Monday. Washington remains interested in Larkin, 40, as a backup infielder.
"We still believe in his leadership," Bowden said. "I just talked to Brad Wilkerson, and Brad Wilkerson thinks he would be a good addition to this ballclub. Brad used to work out with him in the offseason, and he knows what Barry can bring to a team."
Washington has also had contact with free agent relievers Ricky Bottalico and Antonio Osuna, an industry source said, and could sign one of the two right-handers to a minor league deal.
Bottalico, 35, who twice saved 34 games for the Phillies, appeared in 60 games last season for the New York Mets, going 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA. The Milwaukee Brewers also have interest. Osuna, 31, appeared in 31 games for the San Diego Padres in 2004, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He has had conversations with as many as seven other teams, another industry source said.
Loaiza Still in the Picture
Bowden said the Nationals' interest in free agent starter Esteban Loaiza hasn't waned. Bowden has talked with Loaiza's agent twice every day this week. "We're continuing to have dialogue," Bowden said, "but right now, that's what it is." . . . The club will hold key meetings with its top baseball personnel beginning Monday at the team's spring training facility in Viera, Fla., the first time all the key administrators are in one place at one time. Bowden will lead the meeting with special assistants Bob Boone and Jose Rijo, farm director Adam Wogan, scouting director Dana Brown, director of baseball administration Lee MacPhail IV and assistant general manager Tony Siegle among those in attendance. . . . Nationals pitchers and catchers report one month from today.