WARLORD1863

He's set to make $3.5 million this year. I probably would have signed him on for 2 years. If he has a huge year it's going to cost us a boat load more money to keep him. Perhaps this is simply a temporary deal before getting Drew Storen into the closing role.

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/...=.jsp&c_id=was


**EDIT** Nats are also near a deal with Eddie Guardado. His role will apparently be the setup man for Capps.

**EDIT #2** Nats have signed Eddie Guardado. It's a minor league contract and he'll have a shot at making the team at spring training.

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bulldog

Capps turned down a 2 year deal, believing he will be in position for a bigger payday after 2010. It also works to the Nats advantage if Capps second half from 2009 is prologue and/or if Storen comes on sooner than anticipated.

The Nats are still $30M in 2010 payroll behind many of the teams in the NL, so the money should be there for Capps in 2011 if he has a sterling season or Storen is pushed back to 2012.

Rizzo has been smart in limiting the deals of Marquis (2 years), Capps (1 year) and Guardado (1 year non-guaranteed). The second year for Rodriguez was perhaps a move that needed to be taken to ensure he would come here.

But position players are usually safe on 2 year deals even at 38.

Nothing is more uncertain than the future status of your pitching staff.

The greatest lesson to learn here is to only sign a franchise pitcher to a long-term contract.

Anyone you can replace with a mid-level free agent signing should be for a reasonable term.

The Brave Little Toaster Oven

Yes! More pitching please!

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10/15/48 - 9/28/08