Report: M's, Nats have tentative deal on Vidro trade

Associated Press





WASHINGTON -- Second baseman Jose Vidro (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5827) would be sent to the Seattle Mariners (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sea) by the Washington Nationals (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=was) for two prospects in a tentative trade that is pending physicals for all players involved, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.
2006 SEASON STATISTICSGMHRRBIROBPAVG12674752.348.289
It is believed the Nationals would receive outfielder Chris Snelling (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6937) and right-hander Emiliano Fruto (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7763). The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been completed.
Spokesmen for Seattle and Washington declined comment, and Nationals president Stan Kasten wrote in an e-mail: "I'm never able to comment on deals until after they've been consummated."
In a telephone interview with The Washington Post, posted on its Web site Wednesday night, Vidro spoke about the trade.
"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to go to the American League and play for a team that has a pretty good shot," he said. "They have a legitimate lineup, and they're going to sign some pitchers. It's looking very good."
Vidro -- the longest-tenured current member of the Expos-Nationals franchise -- is a three-time All-Star who has been slowed by leg injuries the past two seasons. He hit .289 with seven homers, 26 doubles and 47 RBI last season, when he missed 36 games.
He's a career .301 hitter with 115 homers, 304 doubles and 550 RBI in 10 seasons, all with the same club.
His acquisition raises questions about what the Mariners plan to do with their infield. Seattle already has a young All-Star second baseman in Jose Lopez (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7392), who could be switched to third if the Mariners move Adrian Beltre (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6039).
Vidro also could fill a need at designated hitter for Seattle. Ben Broussard (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6633), a left-handed bat acquired in a trade with Cleveland last year to be the Mariners' DH, hit just .230 against right-handed pitching and just .238 overall after the trade.

Losing Sori, and now Vidro. It sounds like Washington is in a full fledged rebuilding, with Kasten and Bowden the architechs. Kasten is fine, but I question the involvement of Bowden.

Losing Sori, and now Vidro. It sounds like Washington is in a full fledged rebuilding, with Kasten and Bowden the architechs. Kasten is fine, but I question the involvement of Bowden.

Vidro is washed up. His skills have been diminsihing, and he is constantly hurt.

they had to do this, after they traded for Felipe Lopez (who is better suited as a 2b), and they still have Christian Guzman playing SS (who may very well be washed up as well).

The Nats have actually done some decent traded from the trade deadline last year to present.

They still have a lot to do.

Vidro is washed up. His skills have been diminsihing, and he is constantly hurt.

they had to do this, after they traded for Felipe Lopez (who is better suited as a 2b), and they still have Christian Guzman playing SS (who may very well be washed up as well).

The Nats have actually done some decent traded from the trade deadline last year to present.

They still have a lot to do.

Understatement of the year. They will be last in the division, by a wide margin.

Understatement of the year. They will be last in the division, by a wide margin.

I am surprised that they have not splashed a bit in FA.

They had the money that they squirreled for Soriano, and I believe that they have theri stadium deal done. They will be flush with cash soon.

I am surprised that they have not splashed a bit in FA.

They had the money that they squirreled for Soriano, and I believe that they have theri stadium deal done. They will be flush with cash soon.

The thought crossed my mind, but perhaps this season is all about getting rid of teh dead money. Next year they make a play for a FA or 2, but not the 10 million+ types.

When is the new stadium going to be ready for the Nationals-that is when they can add salary based on additional revenues coming in

When is the new stadium going to be ready for the Nationals-that is when they can add salary based on additional revenues coming in

It opens in 2008. But they could, if they wanted start spending some of that money, ala the Mets have been doing