The Nationals front office has finally gotten bold, signing big free agent John Lannan to a minor league deal with no invite to camp. (Editor’s note: must credit @AndrewFlaxTNB.)
A two-time Opening Day starter for the Nats, Lannan ended his previous five year stint with the Nationals in April 2012, asking general manager Mike Rizzo for a trade after losing out to Ross Detwiler in a battle for the fifth starter spot. Lannan hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2014 with the Mets and compiled ERAs north of 5.00 at Triple A with the Rockies in 2015 and the Royals last year. But our prodigal son has returned, probably on a $30,000 salary deferred over three years that the Lerners had to personally approve. Time heals all wounds.
Per Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post, Rizzo is trying to convert Lannan to a submariner reliever, eliminating the possibility of Lannan blackmailing the Nationals for a contract. Rizzo is basically reaching out to an ex because they said they could change. Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone. Or maybe he just wants to relive a bit of history.
Lannan, you might remember, was ejected in his Major League debut with the Nats in 2007 for beaning Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. If home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt was correct in his assessment that the batters were intentionally hit, then it’s safe to assume that Lannan has better command than Noah Syndergaard.
WELCOME HOME, JOHN LANNAN 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/99LNa8xBQt
— Rocket (@rocket1124) March 7, 2017
Wendelstedt said after the game that it was the ‘kind of vibe’ he got from the situation that caused the ejection, and every 16-year-old at Lollapalooza nodded their head in agreement.
Please note that even if you are ready to hop (or re-hop) aboard the John Lannan express, you will not be permitted without this T-shirt.
Tags: John Lannan, Nationals, Nats, Washington NationalsI’m now on a quest for John Lannan merchandise, and it’s off to a great start. pic.twitter.com/ipjdGWNopv
— Andrew Flax (@AndrewFlaxTNB) March 7, 2017
Welcome home, John. I hope you find magic in your new delivery.
Cute name, but needs a drastic rewrite to some downer lyrics:
I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
And just for that one moment I could be you
Yes, I wish that for just one time you could stand inside my shoes
You’d know what a drag it is to see you
Read more: Bob Dylan – Positively 4th Street Lyrics | MetroLyrics