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Closer Matt Capps, the Nationals' lone All-Star in 2010, was traded tonight to the Minnesota Twins for two players - catcher Wilson Ramos and left-hander Joe Testa.
Ramos, the Twins' top catching prospect, was mentioned prominently in the Twins' pursuit of Cliff Lee. He's 22 years old, and immediately gives the Nationals a close-to-the-big-leagues player at a position where they're sorely lacking for depth. He was hitting .241 at Triple-A Rochester with five homers and 30 RBI.
Testa, a 5-foot-10 reliever, had struck out 50 batters in 54 innings at two levels of the Twins' system. But he had struggled at New Britain, and was recently demoted to Single-A Fort Myers.
The Nationals also sent $500,000 to the Twins in the deal.
Manager Jim Riggleman said the Twins initiated talks about Capps. From there, general manager Mike Rizzo told Twins GM Bill Smith that Ramos was the player the Nationals had to have in return for Capps, Riggleman said.
"I think it's one of those situations that, in building for the future, we just felt as a group, that if we get an opportunity to get a kid like this Ramos from Minnesota, we had to do that," Riggleman said.
Capps, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Nationals in the offseason after coming off his worst year in the majors, became one of the team's biggest success stories this year. The save he earned for the Nationals on Thursday afternoon was his 26th of the season, and he led the NL in saves for most of the first half. But he would have been due a sizable raise after the season, and with a deep bullpen that includes no shortage of closer candidates, Capps became a classic sell-high case.
"It's kind of mixed emotions. I'm sad to be leaving the group of guys I'm leaving," Capps said. "I really enjoyed coming to the ballpark. With Mike Rizzo and the rest of the organization, the way they treated me, it was absolute pleasure every day so far this season. On the other hand, I'm excited about going to Minnesota, being right in the playoff race, the opportunity that can be there for me and the team that I'm going to. A lot of different things are going through me right now."
Capps said he was out to dinner with his wife at Georgia Brown's in the District when he got a call from Rizzo informing him he'd been traded. He wasn't expecting to be traded tonight, and had to double back to Nationals Park to pack his things for an 11:00 a.m. flight to the Twin Cities.
"(Rizzo said) he appreciated everything I had done this year, the way I had gone about my business, and if the opportunity comes across again, he'd love to work together again," Capps said. "The feeling is mutual. I told him and (manager Jim) Riggleman both, I'd play for them any day of the week. I sincerely mean that."
Capps said he had talked to Nationals reliever Sean Burnett about the news, but hadn't talked to other Nationals teammates yet. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire hadn't told Capps what his role would be, but the Star Tribune reported Capps will be the Twins' closer.
"I'll do whatever I can to help the ballclub win games," Capps said. "If it's in the sixth, it's in the sixth. If it's in the eighth, it's in the eighth. I'll play shortstop if they want. It won't be pretty, but I'll do it."
Riggleman said the Nationals will use a closer-by-committee approach the rest of the year; Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, Joel Peralta and Sean Burnett will all be part of that puzzle, and Riggleman said he will play matchups and use the hot hand to get the ninth-inning outs.
It's a similar approach to what he was planning to use at the beginning of the year before Capps ran away with the job.
"We feel like Drew is the logical guy to take it on, but we don't want to put all that on him right now," Riggleman said. "If he is throwing good in the eighth, and decided to leave him out for the ninth, depending on who's coming up, that'd be good. But if Clippard or Burnett or Peralta throwing good, (we'd do that), or we might let Peralta get the first out, let Burnett face a batter. We'll have to mix and match."
For the Twins, the move doesn't have as much long-term benefit as it does for the Nationals. They were worried about former Nationals reliever Jon Rauch in the closer's role, but now they'll have to give Capps a big raise next year, when All-Star Joe Nathan is back from Tommy John surgery. Capps would then likely be the setup guy, or a nice insurance policy if Nathan isn't ready.
Rizzo got ANOTHER player in addition to Ramos? I'm speechless.
Luke
MLB Tonight confirms reporft Capps to Twins for AAA catching prspoect. So the question is....what about Will Nieves? Does someone else besides Dunn get moved and who is pitching on Sunday?
Best of luck to Capps in Minnesota, I really liked him but this is a good move for the organization.
I know this had to happen. I keep telling myself this. I keep reminding myself that his trade value isn't going to get much higher, and we do need catching. However, this time of year STINKS! I really liked Capps. I liked having him on the team. He was under control for 2011. The bullpen can recover but it won't be the same. "Let's Go Capps" works in DC because of our NHL team. He was a GREAT guy. He was our All-Star. "Final Countdown" was a good entry song (or at least I liked it. It would get stuck in my head leading up to the game). I hate to say it but my feeling of joy over today's win has been diminished by this news and the thought that Dunn won't be with us much longer. Doesn't some team want Harris or Kennedy instead?
His .241 isn't great but he batted .296/.321/.407 in seven games with the Twins earlier this season.
He has thrown out 43% of would-be base stealers in his minor league career and has a .987 fielding mark. Over a 520 at-bat season, he's shown good power, averaging 14 homers and 75 RBI.
Sounds a lot like a healthy Jesus Flores.
IIMHO, this guy or Jason Castro should have been a top priority acquisition. Pudge is about out of gas ... they need a good defensive guy with the potential to hit. If he starts in Syracuse I'll be surprised ... I imagine he would be placed on the active roster immediately. Not sure what happens to Nieve's playing or roster spot unless he becomes part of the next deal for Edwin Jackson ...
Those probably are the two biggest needs ... catcher and young potential top-of-the-rotation starters.
Ramos should have 4 homers but the Cleveland walled blocked him. I still think the orgnization we have so cheap.
They're getting a AA reliever named Joe Testa born 1985 ... a bit on the old side for AA.
Wilson Ramos 58th rated prospect by baseball America ... this was his first year in AAA. He never hit below .286 and for the most part was above .300 in his previous years in the minors. Perhaps knowing he is no longer blocked by Mauer will help raise that average again?
All of this good will, will be undone if Rizzo trades Dunn or trades for Jackson and his horrible contract.
Don't screw up now Mike.
I don't think he is going to trade Dunn linty ... I expect a swap of prospects with AZ ... if the Chisox are involved its going to be Willingham ... not Dunn.
What does Ben's dad think?
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Haven't talked to him yet. But putting my Twins fan hat on for a second...they needed bullpen help this year. I'm much more comfortable with Capps in the postseason than Rauch, and I like Rauch as a setup guy. If they keep Capps after this year, they'll have a really pricey bullpen, but a deep one.
The sentiment from Twins fans there is that they gave up too much, though. Ramos is blocked behind Mauer, but he was one of their best trade chips. But they're going for it this year.
Ben
... and now I wonder if NFA_Brian's favorite guy will get a shot at the majors ... he sure is deserving ...
that would be GW grad Josh Wilkie.
i just read something interesting. Derek Norris could be expendable and sent to Arizona for Edwin Jackson. I still think if we do trade dunn to the white sox and get daniel hudson that is a bigger win for us because he will be solid. I believe the addition of Ramos will allow the nationals to get jordan danks who has alot of homer potential.
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Wait, so you're saying Ramos goes to the White Sox? Not sure about that. Interesting idea on Norris, but he's still more of a power bat than Ramos. I could see him moving, but he brings something different than Ramos.
Ben
For Capps I am excited, the Twins are a class organization with a good coaching staff that he will be able to feel right at home with. As a Nats fan I am concerned with the pressure it may put on Storen if it is indeed his position to lose. Being also a Tigers fan this move is just great......NOT! Capps may be an Allstar and win the Central all in one year, good for him.
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Oh, he's winning the Central. And more. :-)
Ben
Nah Ben,
Despite me cussing out rizzo right now for trading one of my favorite players. I am saying that since we have Ramos. Norris could get traded to the Diamond backs for Edwin Jackson. Okay my point with dunn is that since we already got the catcher we needed. Jordan Danks could move with daniel hudson if we trade Adam dunn to the white soxs. Danks has 16 homers in triple A and can play right, center, or left field. Buster Olney just reported something very interesting, he believes that the white sox or tigers dont get Dunn but the rays or yankees. He said send that both of them are having very serious talks about adam and will try to out do each other for the services of adam dunn. Dunn should go to the yankees atleast he will win a world series.
Dream on Ben, the Twins still have to deal with those dirty Sox!
Really like this trade! I see no reason for Ramos to go to Syracuse. Get him down here right now working with Pudge.
I like Peralta to close for the rest of this year leaving Clippard and Storen right where they are. Peralta had like 20 saves in Syr. and has done well here.
I hate to see players move on but this was a good move for both clubs. Capps had a great bounce back year and proved the Pirates made a mistake.
If we do make another trade I am hoping Rizzo can continue to get quality prospects and not Jackson from AZ. I would love to see him sign Dunn, trade Willingham to the sox for Hudson and move Morse to left field. If all that happens and our starting pitchers get healthy it could be an exciting time here in DC
go Nats!
hopefully this prospect is better than our "fan favorite." I guess I care more than the casual fan, but this guy should be extra motivated knowing a guy named Mauer isn't blocking his path to the majors.
I hear you and maybe we can get a bucket of baseballs for those two. AK has defnitely regressed and "Say Hey" Willie, well he's just disappointing.
I don't understand why the Nats are not more willing to trade Willingham when it seems that he has high value, he seems to have it a wall, production wise, like last year.I think he would be easier to replace than Dunn.
I get the sense from reading the posts in the Goose Gang along with the rest Natmosphere that catching is a bit like starting pitching, you want depth. Sounds like a good move for us.
It will feel a bit weird going to the ballpark and not hearing "It's the Final Countdown...." when having a close lead in the 9th.
me too maddy!!!
Kilgore has reported atahualpa severino will be moved on the roster. To respond to the ramos comment about him moving up here to work with pudge for the last 2 months of the season. I think he would be great if he worked with pudge but u cant have 3 catchers so willie neives will be sent down and he has made some big hits tonight and i like him. He is a great back up.
Ben,
I like Norris too, but we have to agree he has regressed in hitting this year that is why he is expendable. If he does go to the d-backs, he can have solid numbers in that boom box.
I agree with this assessment and agree you could make a case he is more valuable. However, I think the one intangible your forgetting is the clubhouse chemistry. Since he might be key to keeping Zimm happy along with Dunn.
I'm sorry, is this bizarro land? People are actually hoping that Norris goes to Arizona for a bloated contract who strikes out less and walks more hitters than the average pitcher?
Really?
Jackson will be a millstone around Rizzo's neck that will sink him.
Please don't be fooled by his no-hitter people... you can find pitchers that give you Jackson's production for a fraction of the price/prospects.
Rizzo made a good trade tonight... anything that involves Jackson automatically negates this deal, and depending on what's sent to Arizona could still make Rizzo a loser at the Trade Deadline.
Jimmy, look up what a broken hamate is.
Then, go look at Norris's OBP.
Then look up what regress means.
Thanks.
he has a month left in single A. I doubt he gets 44 walks in 30 more games to get back up 90. Norris has been injured. I have read tonight that we might move him to first base or outfield. Ramos is a solid catching prospect. Now if we are going to move norris to first then i have no ideal what we do with marrerro.
Nice piece Ben. I liked the inside quotes from Capps on his tenure with the Nats and his views on Rizzo/Riggs.
This is an excellent trade --- Capps was our best trade piece. Losing teams have no need for closers! We now have 3-4-5 in the order, depth at catcher, a passable bull pen and a lottery of recovering starting pitchers. Nyjer seems to be regaining his lost confidence and SS is developing. So now its second base and right field....
Bravo.
I'm very impressed with this trade. Capps, while he did a great job this season, was probably the most expendible part of the potential 2011 team. Ramos will likely be on the team in 2011 and beyond, probably starting in September. He's a genuine MLB-ready, 23-year old catching prospect. That seems like a significantly more valuable commodity than a solid, but second-tier, closer.
The Edwin Jackson rumors were flying last night. Some are now reporting that the White Sox want him completely apart from Dunn, which makes me think that the 3-way trade rumor with Jackson coming here was a misinterpretation.
I don't think the GM who leveraged a non-tendered Capps into a top catching prospect would make Edwin Jackson the centerpiece of a trade for Dunn.
Guess we'll find out soon enough.
Hope the guys aren't to bummed out because Capps has been dealt. This is where vets come in to keep the clubhouse (and bullpen) on an even keel. The Phillies and Oswalt are pumped I'm sure, perhaps Pudge knowing Roy after his stint with the Astros last year will help a bit. I'm wondering if bringing Ramos in gives Rizzo a bargaining chip in the Harper negotiations with Boras, interesting. With the shortage of good catching prospects in the minor leagues it seems to me Rizzo has stockpiled a bunch of future trade-bait, kudos to him.
Good move Mike! Pudge has given it his all, but he is running on Fumes. In a perfect we would have Jesus but that is not to be. Now we need to move Dunn and Morse play first. Morse hits in the clutch. I am tired of Dunn striking out with men in scoring position. What is he getting 13 million a year? Harris needs to go. Now!
Jury will be out on this one for a while. We'll have to see how Ramos pans out. I think Rizz should have gotten more for Capps.
Bottom line, NATS needed to upgrade back up catcher, but ALL-Star closer is a lot to give up. Especially a classy durable fan favorite like Capps. That is how you build a fan base. Pitching prospects are just that when you can buy a proven Holliday, Lee, Alstop and others.
I thought LetsGoNats' comment on Adam Kennedy to Twins was interesting.
Why Lanna? Why not Chico again?
"Jury will be out on this one for a while. We'll have to see how Ramos pans out. I think Rizz should have gotten more for Capps."
-->Swoonie, they got two prospects when Storen is the closer of the future and Capps wouldve made a lot of $$$ in arbitration. Who did you want, Mauer and Morneau? I think the general consensus is they got a quality catching prospect and a pitcher who hopefully will pan out. The latter is icing on the cake.
Swooned, Ramos is a Top 60 prospect.
No matter how much we valued Capps, or any other closer, you're not going to get better value in a trade than that.
Also, I laugh at the fact Lannan is starting Sunday.
Hey John, you were terrible in AA, lets bring you back up to face a team you are 0-7 with a 6.32 ERA against.
Have fun.
Two comments:
1. I realize that our bullpen is in much bettter shape than when the team nontendered Chad Cordero and traded John Rauch. The bullpen was an absolute disaster the following year. Hopefully, with the arms currently in the bullpen, we won't go through that torture again.
2. The trade tells me that the Nats are seriously concerned whether Jesus Flores will ever catch another game for them. Either that or the eventually hope to have a Jesus Flores/Wilson Ramos combo behind the plate.
Is there a roster move coming to replace Matt Capps spot on the nationals roster before the game tonight