The Nationals have signed 32-year old righty swinging catcher Carlos Maldonado to a minor league deal. Maldonado played in 4 games for the Nationals last year and he was 3 for 11 (.273 avg, .879 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. He also played in 38 games in AAA-ball for the Nationals last year and he was 26 for 111 (.234 avg, .703 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer and 12 RBIs. Maldonado has now played in 25 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 10 for 54 (.185 avg, .645 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 3 homers, 7 RBIs and 1 stolen base. The Nationals will likely stash Maldonado in AAA again in case of emergency.

29-year old righty swinging OF/1B Mike Morse finished 19th in the voting for the N.L. MVP Award. Morse played in 146 games for the Nationals last year and he was 158 of 522 (.303 avg, .910 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 31 homers, 95 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 383 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 338 for 1,140 (.296 avg, .855 OPS) with 146 runs scored, 52 homers, 183 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Morse is a late bloomer who could be good for a long time for the Nationals.

The rumors abound that the Nationals are looking to deal for a CF. Guys like Denard Span and B.J. Upton have been talked about. I think I have a better idea…..fill CF in free agency and keep all of the talent you would have to trade to get a Span or Upton. Here is the trio of free agents I would ink if I were running the Nationals:

1. Coco Crisp - Coco Crisp would be an excellent CF/leadoff hitter for the Nationals. All he would cost is money and that should entice the Nationals.

2. Roy Oswalt - The Nationals have a lot of young starting pitchers with big time talent. Roy Oswalt is still a top of the rotation pitcher when healthy and the kids can learn from him as he is a winner.

3. Jose Lopez - The Nationals need help in the infield off the bench. Lopez can handle 2B and 3B defensively and maybe even 1B in a pinch. And he has good power for an infielder.

The Nationals have lost 26-year old righty reliever Cole Kimball on waivers to the Toronto Blue Jays. Kimball came into last season as the Nationals’ #7 prospect according to Baseball America. The Nationals were trying to sneak Kimball through waivers as he is still recovering from rotator cuff surgery, but the Blue Jays called their bluff. Kimball pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year in his first year in the majors and he was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

UPDATE: (11/18/2011) - The Nationals have claimed Kimball back off waivers from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays didn’t want to wait for Kimball as he is expected to miss the first half of the 2012 season.

24-year old switch-hitting 2B Danny Espinosa finished in 6th place in the N.L. Rookie of the Year voting. He played in 158 games for the Nationals last year and he was 135 for 573 (.236 avg, .737 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 21 homers, 66 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Espinosa has now played in 186 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 157 for 676 (.232 avg, .735 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 27 homers, 81 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Espinosa has good power and speed for a 2B, so he has a bright future with the Nationals.