I fell down on pursuing this one, but the Nationals signed infielder Aaron Boone to a one-year, $1 million contract that includes incentives.

 

They also agreed to the aforementioned extension with outfielder Wily Mo Pena, the one GM Jim Bowden said last night was innacurately reported by ESPN. The twist: Pena will get $2 million in 2008 -- thus avoiding arbitration and getting only a slight raise from his $1.875 million in 2007. But he'll have a mutual option for 2009. If the club picks it up, he'll make $5 million in 2009. If the Nationals decline, then Pena can pick up the option for $2 million.

 

Boone: He's the veteran third baseman-first baseman who played last year in Florida, when he injured his knee and was limited to 69 games. But he did hit .286 with a .388 on-base percentage, and though he hadn't played much first base in his career, the Marlins were very pleased with his defense there. He could serve as this year's Tony Batista, a right-handed, veteran bat off the bench.

 

(This, of course, brings up the question of where just-selected third baseman Matt Whitney would fit, but that can all be sorted out in spring training depending on the health of players, etc.)

 

Boone's contract, according to a source familiar with a deal, calls for a $50,000 bonus if he plays 60 games, with $50,000 bumps for every 10 games played after that -- 70, 80, 90 all the way up to 150. In theory -- and it seems impossible to envision a scenario he'd play 150 games -- he could make an extra $500,000, bringing the total package to $1.5 million.

 

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjo...ml?nav=rss_blog

Sucks, would've loved to have him back.

I believe we could have offered the same deal and he would not have come back.

Great signing for the Nationals. He'll be solid off the bench and can spot start to relieve both Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman. I am kinda glad this happened though. I want the Marlins to hand the 3rd base job to a young guy so he can develop with the team the same way Lee, Lowell, Castillo, and Gonzalez did.

I believe we could have offered the same deal and he would not have come back.

 

If he would have wanted to play for 400K the Marlins would have brought him back. :lol

we couldnt afford boone I wish him nothing but best , congratulations to him on his big deal!

I believe we could have offered the same deal and he would not have come back.

 

 

I don't understand your rationale for this statement. I believe the Marlins could have provided him more playing time with a hole at 3b, as well as no backup 1B.

 

I don't see him stealing too many AB's from Zimmerman, and the Nats have both Dmitri Young and Nick Johnson for 1B.

 

Do you think that he honestly would have chosen the Nationals over the Marlins for a one year deal, because he thinks the Nats will compete next year?

I think his dad works for the Nats too, that might have a part in it

The ESPN winter meetings blog says the Marlins could look at signing Morgan Ensberg if he is non-tendered by the Pads next week. I know he's struggled the last year or so, but I've always been a fan.

The ESPN winter meetings blog says the Marlins could look at signing Morgan Ensberg if he is non-tendered by the Pads next week. I know he's struggled the last year or so, but I've always been a fan.

 

 

Yeah, another project for us. Let's sign Marcus Giles while we are at it :mis2

I think we'll likley get 2 options for 3rd and let them battle it put in sping, with the loser taking over the Boone role.