Bill Ladson's Mailbag!

I haven't been to the Nationals website lately, but I saw there was another mailbag from Bill Ladson. He's my favorite MLB.com reporter for the Washington Nationals(ok, he's the only MLB.com reprorter for the Nationals). His mailbags are a mind odyssey that will leave you confused, disappointed, and possibly enlightened..... in the most mediocre sense of the word.

"Fans" questions are in bold, Bill's responses are in normal font, and my comments are in red italics. I say "fans" because I'm 90% sure he makes up the questions. Anyway, enjoy:

Since Stephen Strasburg will be under an innings limit in 2012, why not have him start in mid-May of this year so he can pitch into the postseason? 

-- Paul D., Warrenton, Va.

I love your outside the box thinking. On a side note, how many cigarette factories in Warrenton do you work in? 3 reasons why this idea is insane. Number 1) Spring Training is where pitchers stretch out their arm to get ready for the season. They play meaningless games to work their way up to where they need to be for the start of the season. They can work on pitches and mechanics under the supervision of the major league pitching coach and manager. You are saying Strasburg should skip this, and pitch in real AAA games to get ready for the season under the supervision of minor league coaches? That's insane. Number 2) The Nationals are not a lock to make the playoffs. Lets say they don't. If Strasburg has an injury and misses enough starts, the Nationals would have to send him to the Arizona Fall League to throw the rest of his innings. The AFL isn't close to the same as pitching against major leaguers so that does nothing for his development. Number 3) A win in April counts the same as a win in September.

Ok Bill lay into him!

I don't see that happening. He asked "why", Bill

Strasburg is expected to start on time and have an innings limit of 160 innings. It would not surprise me if he is the starter on Opening Day, when the Nationals play the Cubs in Chicago. Strasburg's season will be similar to Jordan Zimmermann's comeback campaign last year. It will come to an end sometime in September.

Everyone knows this. Thanks. You didn't answer Paul D. He's now telling his co-workers at the cigarette factory his idea. He'll look like a fool and never get that promotion. Bill Ladson ruins lives.

How is Chris Marrero progressing in his recovery from surgery?
-- Luke W., Vienna, Va.

Marrero's hamstring injury caused the Nats to acquire Mark DeRosa as the backup first baseman. Marrero is expected to miss the first half of the 2012 season, because he tore his hamstring playing winter ball.

Chris Marrero is not the answer for anything. Everyone thinks he's good because he was a first round pick and Jim Bowden told us he'd be awesome. Look what Jim Bowden said about Chris Marrero five years ago: "Marrero is a converted outfielder with tremendous power potential. During a pre-draft workout at RFK, Marrero consistently drove the ball into the upper deck and reminded some of a young Miguel Cabrera. Chris is batting .309 in the Gulf Coast League. " I just wish Jim Bowden wasn't a liar. He has awful power for a first baseman. Last season he had 14 home runs in 546 plate appearances in AAA and 0 home runs in 117 plate appearances in the majors.

What are the Nationals' intentions for Tyler Moore? We know he can hit and made several great plays at first.
-- Steve P., Kingston, N.Y.

You mean the Tyler Moore with an .314 OBP in AA? Are you sure he can hit? I won't argue the several great plays. I'm sure they were spectacular. 


Moore will be in big league camp, as he is on the 40-man roster. I expect him to see time in the outfield and at first base during the Grapefruit League season. As of now, he is a long shot to be on the 25-man roster, and I expect him to start the season with Triple-A Syracuse. It will be interesting to see how he plays in 2012, because he could be the first baseman of the future. Unlike the previous two years, it would be nice if he gets off to a fast start.

The first baseman of the future is Joey Votto. I'll start that rumor right now. Morse can play first next year and Votto can take over in 2014.

Will Jayson Werth have a bounce-back season?
-- Jake B., Bethesda, Md.

It all depends on if he can hit left handed pitching again. His batting average against left handers was 100 points lower than the year prior..... actually, lets have the professional journalist answer the question.
(Bill grabs his non-informative, positive news only crystal ball.)


Yes, I think he will have a bounce-back season. With Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche back for a full season, I feel Werth will not put a lot of pressure on himself to perform. I expect him to hit second in 2012 and put up similar numbers to what he put up for the Phillies.

Last season was one of the worst seasons of Jayson Werth's career, why wouldn't he put pressure on himself to perform this season? Did his contract go away? (Checking Google frantically) Unfortunately no. The Nats are still screwed. At least Adam LaRoche is there to ease his mind. "Finally, I can relax. Adam LaRoche is batting 5th."- Something no one has said ever.

What do you think about the Nationals not being able to sign Prince Fielder?
-- Conrad M., Washington

It would have been ludicrous to give Fielder a nine-year deal, which the Tigers gave him last week.Within four years, he could be no more than a designated hitter, and that would not have been good for the Nats.


I feel like that paragraph could be written for Jayson Werth as well.

With that in mind, I believe they are better off sticking with LaRoche, who is expected to be 100 percent healthy. Will he put up numbers like Fielder? No, but I expect him to play great defense and be decent at the plate.

I'm not saying the Nationals should have signed Fielder to a 9 year deal, but there is a scenario where that contract for the Nationals would be something short of "ludicrous". Lets say he played an "ok" first base through the age of 33. The Nats could trade him, while eating some(or most) of his contract, to an AL team for Prince's final three years of the contract. There is a risk that we'd have to keep him around until 36, but the Nationals would be a contender today and for the foreseeable future. In my opinion, winning a World Series would make up for the risk.

Is the Nats' management still pursuing a center fielder? If so, who? Peter Bourjos?
-- Dean O., Winnipeg, Canada

The Nationals are still pursuing a center fielder, but from what I understand, the Angels are not trading Bourjos. I still believe Werth will be the center fielder. I find it hard to believe Washington will platoon Roger Bernadina and Mike Cameron in center. The Nats don't see Bernadina as a center fielder, and Cameron is considered past his prime.

Let's see what happens during the Grapefruit League slate. General manager Mike Rizzo could acquire a center fielder then.

You forgot about Rick Ankiel! They'll be fine. No worries. (Seriously though, get worried)

With Fielder going to the Tigers, is there anything Rizzo can do to improve the offense this year?
-- Kent S., Herndon, Va.

First off all, the Nationals need much better seasons from Werth, Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa. With Fielder signing with the Tigers, there isn't a difference-maker available on the free-agent market. So Rizzo has to make a trade. But like the Gio Gonzalez trade, Rizzo most likely would have to give up a lot in return.

Wait, you said Werth had less pressure this year. Now you're saying he has to have a "much better" year? Won't that pressure to play better create .......pressure? Or will that be offset by the calming effect of Adam LaRoche's extreme averageness? I don't understand. I'm officially confused. Mailbag over.

Call Him Ed Jackson Because He Couldn't Get the Win

So you may remember last week when the Nats signed Ed Jackson to a one-year $11 million deal. You can debate if he's worth the money or not, but it really depends on what you're expecting. For the Devil Rays, he was frustratingly inconsistent, but since then he's shown flashes of brilliance. Either way, he's going to make Rays fans angry, so there's that.

The bottom line on the acquisition though is that even at his worst, he's still a more-than-solid fourth starter in the NL.

But this begs the larger question. Now the Nats' rotation looks like this:

1. Strasburg
2. Gonzalez
3. Zimmermann
4. Jackson
5. Wang/Lannan/Detwiler

Notice anything? Those are five legit starters for their slots, especially for the NL, and none of them have nicknames.

This is unacceptable. It is a rhyme against humanity that they don't all have awesome nicknames. Why? I'll tell you why.

With awesome nicknames comes hazing. With hazing comes sticking up for each other. With sticking up for each other comes team identity. With team identity comes unlikely rallies and comeback wins. With comeback wins comes playoff spots. With playoff spots comes baseball boners. We love baseball boners.

Like hilarious jokes, the best nicknames always spring from a kernel of truth, so throughout the Spring, we'll be watching the clubhouse shenanigans and looking for opportunities to slap some monikers on the Nats starters. It's up to us people.

Jordan ZimmermanN is Good

Its easy to forget about Jordan Zimmermann.  He had Tommy John surgery and was out the same year that everyone's favorite new local hero, Stephen Strasburg hit center stage and blew away the Pirates in his first start in the Show.  Zimmermann is probably most famous for getting his name spelled incorrectly by every single member of the media (including local).

But Zimmermann is no slouch himself and for proof of that we can look no further than the godfather of baseball statistics, Bill James (who yes, spelled ZimmermanN wrong).

James just released his first article for Grantland.com today and it counts down the 100 top pitchers duels of 2010.  Jordan makes the list 5 times*.  I dont know anything about baseball**, but that sounds pretty damn good for a guy in his first full year back since his surgery.

Here is the full list of Zimmermann's duels from the Bill James article:

15. June 29, Washington Nationals in Anaheim, Jordan Zimmerman against Dan Haren. 

Snakebite game for Zimmerman, who lost 1-0 on his own three-base error. 

51. August 23, Arizona in Washington, Ian Kennedy against Jordan Zimmerman

Arizona 2, Washington 0. 

63. April 14, Philadelphia in Washington, Cliff Lee against Jordan Zimmerman

Three-hit shutout by Lee, 12 strikeouts. Philadelphia 4, Washington 0. 

87. June 12, Washington at San Diego, Jordan Zimmerman against Tim Stauffer

Zimmerman and Stauffer each pitched seven innings of shutout ball, Zimmerman striking out 10. Washington got two runs off of a reliever in the top of the ninth; Washington 2, San Diego 0. 

97. July 10, Colorado in Washington, Jhoulys Chacin against Jordan Zimmerman

Washington manufactured a run in the sixth and got one off the bullpen. Washington 2, Colorado 0.

There you have it.  Oh and if that wasn't impressive enough, Zimmermann also threw an 'imaculate inning' versus the Florida Marlins last May.  He struck out all 3 batters... on 9 pitches.

*Ross Detwiler made the list at #75 when he beat Cliff Lee and the Phillies on September 20th.

**I look waaaaaaaay too much like that kid from the Sandlot.

Fun With Bill Ladson

Bill Ladson is the MLB.com reporter for the Washington Nationals. He seems like a good guy and good reporter for the the most part. I honestly don't know much about him other than two things; he loves the Yankees from the mid-70's, primarily Mickey Rivers, and he writes mailbags on Nationals.com. I love the Bill Ladson mailbags. They are topical and sometimes informative, but for the most part, they are absurdly ridiculous. To add to the charm, some of the questions are insane and possibly made up.

I fell in love with his mailbags years ago when I started to see a pattern in which he defended Austin Kearns in the face of all logic and facts. He had an irrational love of Austin Kearns a la Mickey Rivers. I couldn't wrap my head around it. Austin Kearns sucked. I wrote to his mailbag to explain why Austin Kearns sucked, and to my delight he answered my question. He simply answered that Kearns was in a slump of roughly 2 years. Pure genius. Impossible to argue against. I was hooked.

I have decided to check in from time to time to chronicle the funniest moments. The following questions are from various mailbags this off-season. My comments are red and in italics, the questions are in bold, and Bill's answers are in regular font. Enjoy:

A while ago, there was talk about Hanley Ramirez requesting a trade due to his unwillingness to move to third base. What are the chances that the Nats move shortstop Ian Desmond to the Rays for B.J. Upton and then send Stephen Lombardozzi and LaRoche to the Marlins for Ramirez? This would give the Nationals an All-Star shortstop and center fielder. This would also allow for Morse to move back to first base and Bryce Harper to play left field.
-- Cann A., Fairfax, Va.

I'll handle this Bill. I just need a quick clarification from the emailer. In this scenario, are we holding the Rays and Marlins GMs' families hostage? No? Ok then. Now let me answer your question.

The Rays are run by boy geniuses and they would never trade a valuable commodity for a SS who can't really field or hit. Ian Desmond is terrible (5th in outs made in 2011). He has gotten worse every year. Just because the Rays currently have a SS who can't hit, it doesn't mean that they want another SS who can't hit.

The answer to your second trade is more of the same. Why would the Marlins trade for a utility player and a first baseman, who was never really good and coming off a shoulder injury, for arguably one of the most talented hitters in the NL coming off down year when his value is at it's lowest? If anything they would see if he returns to form, or trade him for...you know...good players that will help the team win.

Cann A, I just realized you said the Nationals would receive "All Stars" in return for the poo poo plater you just shipped off. I love it when people make up trades for the Nationals without even considering if the other team would make the trade. On an unrelated note, I think the Nats should trade Craig Stammen for Adam Jones.

Ok Bill, you can berate this poor guy now:

Man, you sound like you want to become the Nats' general manager.

He does. But it's like a black guy girl wanting to be President. We all know it will never happen, but you don't want to crush their dreams.

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't trade Desmond for Upton. Desmond has too much of an upside and I think he will be an All-Star.

You're crazy. Desmond has gotten worse every year. Why would you think he's on the brink of being an All Star? Oh my god.....Ian Desmond is the new Mickey Rivers/Austin Kearns. In 2011, BJ Upton's WAR was 3.8. Ian Desmond's was 1.1. Also, scouts have said that Danny Espinosa is a better defensive shortstop than Ian Desmond. Desmond is actually hurting the team by blocking Espinosa.

I would do the trade for Ramirez in a heartbeat, but I would have him play at a different position like center field.

I remember when Cal and Arod became too old and too big to play the shortstop position and were moved to center field. Natural move. Happens all the time and always works. What's that? Oh sorry, I meant to say that is a stupid idea.You normally move the bad defensive players out of the premium defensive positions.

I am still a believer in Desmond although his batting average and power numbers declined last year. He is a big, strong kid who can hit 15 home runs and steal 30 bases if he can be more selective at the plate and figure out how opposing pitchers are trying to attack him. What do you see for Desmond in 2012? 

-- Terry H., New York

I believe Desmond is going to have a big year based on what I saw during the second half of the 2011 season. I think he is going to be more selective at the plate, and it helps that manager Davey Johnson told Desmond not to take every pitch to right field.

I believe in a lot of things: ghosts, big foot, Mike Shanahan, Amanda Bynes' career, but I do not believe in Ian Desmond. Bill's right, his second half was impressive. He had a .289 BA and a .338 OBP. On the surface he looks like a good player. (Walks away, turns around like Columbo) Oh one more thing, I can't ignore that his BABIP was .350 in the second half. When that regresses to the mean of .300, he'll be the same, awful Ian Desmond. As the great TLC would say, don't go chasing waterfalls. (I still have no idea what that means.)

What role will Roger Bernadina play on this year's team? I love the kid's heart, but the people in power don't seem so encouraged.
-- Scott W., Fredericksburg, Va.

Bill used this question. It's the ramblings of a crazy person. Scott W, God Bless you. 

How about Raul Ibanez coming off the bench on a one-year deal? He can play one of the corner outfield spots, be a big bat off the bench and help Jayson Werth teach the game to Washington's young outfielders.
-- Andrew M., Alexandria, Va.

Why would anyone want Raul Ibanez teaching outfielders how to play outfield? He has always been a terrible defender.

I don't know. Based on what I saw, it looked like Ibanez is past his prime. To me, he is a free swinger and may not be a productive pinch-hitter. Who knows? I didn't think Tony Batista was going to be a solid bench player for the Nats in 2007, but I was proven wrong. He was solid off the bench.

Past his prime? What gave it away? Was it because he's about to turn 40 years old? I'm not a Tony Batista historian, so I looked up his stats for the 2007 season. He had a OPS+ of 85 and never played again in the majors after that season. He was 33. Solid. 

Are there any potential trade suitors for Jesus Flores? He shouldn't be the Nationals' backup catcher.
-- Nate, Washington

I'm confused, are you insinuating that Flores is too good, or too awful? The fact that I have to ask makes this a bad question.

Without a doubt, Flores is an everyday player. 

I have a doubt. He's played in 228 games since 2007. He's injury prone and kind of stinks when healthy anyway.

However, the Nats are committed to Wilson Ramos, who is going to be a great player. I'm sure there are teams who would love to acquire Flores' services. But I'm sure those clubs are not willing to give up a lot for Flores. A lot of them consider him to be a project, because last year was the first time since 2008 that he played a full season. Remember, he missed almost two years of action because of a right shoulder injury.

Wait, my doubt is the same doubt that other team have, but Bill Ladson has no doubt while citing the same reasons me and other MLB teams have doubt...(walks away from computer, takes five Ambien and three shots of Aftershock)

Why is right-hander Yunesky Maya still with the Nationals?
-- Keith A., Rockville, Md.

Because he has highlights and looks fancy. NEXT!

Would Casey Blake be a good addition to the Nats' bench? He has better overall numbers than Mark DeRosa.
-- Spencer H., Bethesda, Md.

No, not at all. NEXT!

Oh wait, go ahead Bill....

I don't know if Blake would accept being a bench player. He is coming off a neck injury and I'm sure he wants to show that he could play every day at third base. DeRosa is healthy now and I think he would be a great backup first baseman. Manager Davey Johnson said recently he wants a veteran bench, and I also think Greg Dobbs and Willie Harris would be great additions for the Nats.

Casey Blake was signed by the Rockies to start at third base. I am as shocked as you are. Bill Ladson was right. Somehow Blake is not a bench player or retired. The Rockies also signed Jamie Moyer so maybe they are just morons, or maybe they are into TOBPILF's (Terrible Old Baseball Players I'd Like To Fuck). I'm sure that fetish has a chat room somewhere on the internet. I'll be honest, the reason I used Bill's answer was that Willie Harris is another guy Bill Ladson irrationally loves. Look for Willie in future mailbags... definitely don't look for him on a Major League roster. He won't be there.

Is Michael Cuddyer an option for the Nats? He's got a good bat and is good defensively. Would the Nats consider starting Werth in center and let Cuddyer take over in right?
-- Jon D., Poolesville, Md

Hi, my name is Jon from Poolesville and I have never heard of Bryce Harper. I'm about to have the surprise of a lifetime.

Offseason Primer

The Nationals finished one game under .500 at 80-81 in 2011. It was an improvement of 11 wins from the previous season. The Nationals improved with Strasburg missing a significant part of the season recovering from an injury, Ryan Zimmerman missing 50 games, Jayson Werth having an awful year for his standards, and Jordan Zimmermann being shut down the last month. Even without any offseason additions, this team should be better with Strasburg and the Zimmerman(n)s getting more playing time, Jayson Werth playing better, and Bryce Harper being called up at some point.

The Nationals' opening day lineup if no moves are made.

1. Ian Desmond- SS

2. Danny Espinosa- 2B

3. Ryan Zimmerman- 3B

4. Michael Morse- LF

5. Jayson Werth- RF

6. Adam Laroche- 1B

7. Freewilsonramos.com- C

8. Rodger "The Shark" Bernadina- CF

The pitching rotation:

1. Stephen Strasburg

2. Jordan Zimmerman

3. John Lannan

4. Chien Ming Wang

5. Ross Detwiler

Relivers:

Setup: Tyler Clippard

Setup: Henry Rodriguez

Closer: Drew Storen

The lineup would eventually include Bryce Harper and Adam LaRoche can either be traded for as little as a Debbie Taylor replacement, or kept on the roster as a defensive replacement and an out machine off the bench. I hate Adam LaRoche.

Going forward with this lineup and rotation, the Nationals should get into the wild card discussion, which would be amazing as a Nats fan.

While it's fine to just compete, I want the Nationals to win the World Series next season because I'm a fan who roots for loser DC teams. My realistic, best case scenario would put us in the Phillies and Braves category.

My lineup:

1. Jose Reyes- SS

2. BJ Upton- CF

3. Ryan Zimmerman- 3B

4. Michael Morse- LF

5. Jayson Werth- RF

6. Danny Espinosa- 2B

7. Adam Laroche- 1B

8. Wilson Ramos-C

My pitching rotation:

1. Stephen Strasburg

2. Jordan Zimmerman

3. CJ Wilson

4. John Lannan

5. Chien Ming Wang/Detwiler/Peacock

Relievers are the same*.

So we sign Jose Reyes and CJ Wilson. The Nationals get a lead off guy and our infield defense will either improve. They then get CJ Wilson who is a left hander, who will hurt the Phillies, and is a ground ball pitcher who will be backed up by great infield defense with Zimmerman, Espinosa, Reyes, and LaRoche. He'll also eat innings.

I went CJ Wilson over Yu Darvish mainly because Japanese pitchers don't have a great track record, CJ Wilson is a known commodity, and Darvish's posting fee and contract may end up being more than what the Nationals could sign CJ Wilson for. That being said, if the Nationals do sign Yu Darvish instead, I won't complain. I think either would be fine. I also like the fact that CJ Wilson is straight edged. He's like a 1990's high schooler.

The Nationals can get BJ Upton by packaging a trade involving Ian Desmond, Derrick Norris and possibly some low level prospect. BJ Upton is too expensive for the Rays, and probably needs a change of scenery because I think they hate him. The Rays could use a utility infielder in Ian Desmond, who may be better than their current shortstop, and they will also receive a catcher in Norris who doesn't stink (they have enough of those). The Rays can move Desmond Jennings to center field, where he has more value.

Bossman Junior Upton can play center field, can steal bases, and has decent power. Losing Norris would be tough, but with Ramos behind the plate, the Nationals can manage.

If Bryce Harper makes the team out of spring training or gets called up in June the lineup may be one of the best in the NL:

1. Jose Reyes- SS

2. BJ Upton- CF

3. Ryan Zimmerman- 3B

4. Michael Morse- 1B

5. Jayson Werth- RF

6. Danny Espinosa- 2B

7. Bryce Harper- LF

8. Wilson Ramos-C

The Nationals would also have Anthony Rendon waiting in the wings. His development may create more trade options, or cushion them if they mistakenly let Ryan Zimmerman leave.

My best case scenario would make me get a Nationals tattoo on my ankle I'd be so exicted, but if I were a betting man, the 2012 lineup and rotation is probably going to look something like this:

1. Ian Desmond- SS

2. BJ Upton- CF

3. Ryan Zimmerman- 3B

4. Michael Morse- LF

5. Jayson Werth- RF

6. Danny Espinosa- 2B

7. Adam Laroche- 1B

8. Wilson Ramos-C

The pitching rotation:

1. Stephen Strasburg

2. Jordan Zimmerman

3. Mark Buehrle

4. John Lannan

5. Chien Ming Wang

That's not bad and should be enough for us to compete for the new and idiotic second wild card slot**. Plus Mark Buehrle will get us home in a quick two hours on game day. It may be impossible to get a Shake Shack Burger. Seriously, that line takes forever. I refuse to wait in line. I just grab a fried bologna sandwich and move on with my life.

The MLB hot stove is one of the best things about sports. I just spent an hour obsessing over roster moves that will probably not happen. Even if I'm wrong about everything, I hope the Nationals put themselves in position to make next season not suck.

*On a side note, it blows my mind the money relievers and closers are receiving. Relievers are prospects who can't find a third pitch. You draft them every year. A closer getting more money just because he pitches in the 9th instead the 8th is insane to me. The Nationals should never spend real money on relievers unless they're on the cusp of having a World Series winning roster.

**More on that in another post.

Why Hello

As a Washington Sports Fan there has not been alot to cheer about in recent years. The Redskins have sucked so long that fans have forgotten the 8 years of sucking before Dan Snyder. The Wizards have been so bad since in the 70's that we think a first round exit with Soulja Boy in the audience was a special run. The Capitals are the best team in Washington, but they can never win in the playoffs. And for the losers who defend DC Untited as a real franchise, get a life.

Washington Sports Fans, we have one hope. That hope is spelled N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L-S.

They have the richest owner in baseball and are in a major market. They spend money in the draft. The GM is competent and makes trades that make sense and finds value in players where other teams do not (Capps for Ramos and Langerhans for Morse). They have young building blocks in Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Jordan Zimmermann, Danny Espinosa, Wilson Ramos, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. Michael Morse and Jayson Werth are good players in their prime, and you have above average, young guys in Ian Desmond and John Lannan who have room to get better.

The talent we have on the roster is something we have never seen in DC. This is a team that a couple of years ago had Austin Kearns, Ryan Chruch, Robert Fick, Nook Logan, Mike Bacsik, Felipe Lopez and Elijah Dukes. It makes me sick thinking about it. Why the hell did I bother rooting for these guys? I'm such a loser.

Anyway, the 2012 Nationals look like a young, talented team who are ready for a playoff run.

I've always been a baseball fan, but I has been tough living in DC. Our "home" team was the Orioles until the MLB owned Nationals moved to town. Since it was owned by MLB and run by Jim Bowden, we didn't have a shot. Jim Bowden somehow lucked his was into Ryan Zimmerman, so it wasn't a complete loss I guess. Those limitations set us back. Stan Kasten didn't help matters much either. With Bowden and Stan out of the way, we have an owner willing to spend and a GM who doesn't think Chris Marrero is Mark Teixeira (Man, I hate Jim Bowden).

After years of being irrelevant, DC baseball is about to enter years that should be fun and exciting. It will finally be worth it to be a Nationals fan. This blog will be three fans going through the ride.