Carrasco, Loaiza to hit open market

11/10/2005
WASHINGTON -- Nationals general manager Jim Bowden often said that re-signing right-handers Esteban Loaiza and Hector Carrasco was his top priority during the offseason. But the Nationals haven't come close to reaching a deal with the two pitchers, and, starting Friday, Loaiza and Carrasco will start listening to offers from opposing teams as the free agent signing period begins.
"The process is going slow. It's too early in the process to make the determination if they will go elsewhere," said Bowden who is attending the GM meetings in Indian Wells, Calif. "But they are going on the open market on Friday, and we'll see how the open market plays out. They have expressed interest to come back, and we have expressed interest in keeping them as well."
The chances of Loaiza returning to the Nationals appear to be slim. According to source close to the negotiations, Loaiza is looking for a three-year deal worth about $20 million, but the Nationals want to give the right-hander no more than a two-year deal worth about $8.5 million.
The Mariners, Royals, Indians, Rangers, Mets and Rockies are interested in Loaiza's services.
"We were not presented with something that we felt was competitive or what we are expecting in the marketplace," said Loaiza's agent, John Boggs. "Once the marketplace is determined, we will probably know where we stand. Jim is hamstrung with the budget that is given to him."
Bowden said on Thursday night that he still doesn't have a budget to work with. The team's payroll was at $58 million in 2005.
Carrasco expressed earlier in the week that money would not be a determining factor, but, on the other hand, he is expected to get a significant raise from the $315,000 that he made in 2005. Carrasco ended up having the best year of his career, going 5-4 with a 2.04 ERA.

In other news, there have been reports that the Yankees are interested in outfielder Brad Wilkerson, but, according to a baseball source, the Yankees have not contacted the Nationals about Wilkerson. The Yankees are looking for a center fielder to replace Bernie Williams.
This past season, Wilkerson had the worst year of his career, hitting .248 with 11 home runs, 57 RBIs and 147 strikeouts.
The source said Wilkerson could be traded if the right offer came along.
Bowden said he didn't make a lot of progress at the GM meetings on Thursday. He talked to three teams about trade possibilities. Bowden would not discuss who he was talking to, but it's not a secret that he is looking to improve the offense and acquire more pitching.
"At this point, I'm doing a lot of groundwork," Bowden said.

Source: http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/