Ivan Rodriguez signs with Nationals?

[Witlon]

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that catcher Ivan Rodriguez has agreed to terms on a two-year, $6 million deal with the Nationals.

It's really hard to believe, but Brown is rarely wrong. The Nationals have no business handing a two-year contract to a 38-year-old catcher, especially when they have a young, productive catcher in Jesus Flores. The Nats are far from being able to contend, and this deal is hard to comprehend.

Consider it a rumor for now. And 6 mill is alot for a catcher that wouldn't hit enough to do anything but split time. Maybe the cash is lower...I hope so, for the Nats sake.

[cjkalt]

The Nats must think they can get to .500 this year... Look for them to sign Smoltz and maybe a big name as well, they got a lot of young talent so maybe they could surprise... Flores is coming off injury and Pudge can teach Flores how to play the game right

[missionhockey21]

This looks official guys.

And definitely CJ. Rizzo said they are looking for someone who could morph into a mentor for Flores and if you have cash to spend, getting a HoF to be a mentor and draw some interest to the team, really isn't that bad of an idea.

[HollywoodLeo]

Nationals sign Pudge for 2 years - CBSSports.com

For 2 years, 6 mil it is

[Kingdom]

Maybe it's also to help develop the young arms, although you could have probably gotten a cheaper veteran catcher, at only a one year deal. I would be surprised if Pudge becomes trade bait in July, if he's hitting a decent amount.

[Providence A's]

Eh, not a bad deal. They've got more than enough money. With Penny going to St. Louis, I expect the Nationals to sign Smoltz. They'll need to do more if they expect to move up in the standings though.

[redsrbetter]

Yeah they still have quite a ways to go. But they are spending now and have one heck of a bright future later. This team is getting more and more interesting by the day.

[Witlon]

6 mill is a little steep for a "mentor", no matter how great of a player he used to be.

The second year pretty much guarantees that unless he promises retirement after year one, he'll be nearly impossible to trade without adding cash on to the contract.

Maybe I'm too used to losing, but I'd be putting the extra money into the draft to go over slot recomendations for non-first round picks.

[missionhockey21]

It is steep, its way too much. But if they are going to start to spend according to their market size, they can cover it (of course the logical side of me asks who was willing to give Pudge 5.9 million per for 2...)

[Kingdom]

But why not spend that on someone that can still hit? There will be quality players going cheap due to the economy, just like last season. They have holes every where not named Dunn, Morgan, and Zimmerman.

[redsrbetter]

They are in mind to go after more pitching as well from what I have been reading. This team hasn't had pitching in a very long time. I think it's time to bolster the arms and not worry about the bats so much.

I agree, the money for Pudge is ridiculous. They lose bigtime on this move. But it still makes the team better. And they are not done yet. Now, if this money gives them an excuse to pass on Bryce Harper, we have a problem.