The Nationals Enquirer

Pedro Astacio In The Mix, Pending MRI

Pedro Astacio. Apparently a history of shoulder problems is a prerequisite for consideration for 3-4-5 slots in the rotation.

Robinson rips the club for not giving Lawrence an MRI:

"That's our bad...We chose not to give him an MRI. The physicals should cover everything...I would think that would be something to get our attention for the future, at least. Why not? [An MRI is] the only way you're going to be able to look at someone. But I don't make policy around here." (Frank Robinson, via Washington Post, 2/28/2006)

"It's expensive to do MRIs on every single transaction...In the case of Brian, he had made every single start the last four or five years. We saw him throw a three-hit shutout [in his final start of 2005]. We were trading a player [Castilla] with a bad knee. We felt that there was MRI risk on both sides if the deal was made, and we made a decision not to." (Jim Bowden, via Washington Times, 2/28/2006)

Meanwhile, in Boston, Red Sox deny rumors of an impending deal with the Nats, and Bronson Arroyo weighs in:

"Anything can happen, but I don't find it as being that valid...What's the worst-case scenario? We have seven [starters], right? Well, if I still think I'm one of the 12 best guys, I can still be on the club and pitch. Defensively, I don't think we need anybody else. [Unless] they want to go get somebody for me that's an unbelievable arm out of the pen, I don't see any other reason to make any other moves." (Bronson Arroyo, via Boston Globe, 2/28/2006)

A Farewell To Arm

Lawrence is done. But fear not: the Nationals still have the stitched-together labrums of Armas, Drese, and Rauch to shoulder the load.

Washington Post suggests the Nationals would like to make a deal with the Red Sox for Matt Clement, Bronson Arroyo, or David Wells, but they'd be priced out even if the Sox were interested. Sure would be nice to have a real owner in here to open the checkbook...

On The Bright Side...

...Dancing with LeCroy!

Hands down the best photo from spring training thus far.

(Photo by Haraz N Ghanbari/AP)

Judge Won't Evict Until MLB Signs Off On Deal

New stadium still looks to be right on schedule for a delayed completion, if MLB ever gets around to saying yes to the revised lease.

"If Major League Baseball approves the lease, and if the sale of [construction] bonds goes forward, I will promptly sign the order of possession...Yes, I am waiting. This case has a number of parties who have rights, and I have to be equitable in my responsibility." (Judge Joan Zeldon, via Washington Post 2/25/2006)

"We worked hard to make sure that every landowner was treated with respect and was well compensated for their property...It's our hope that we can begin building the ballpark this spring." (Vince Morris, mayor's spokesman, via Washington Times 2/25/2006)

Soriano: "I No Think About Outfield"

Well, that was easy! So, it's settled:

"The only thing that I know is that I'm happy to be here in Washington...I have one week to practice second base because I have to go to the [WBC]. And that's what I have now in my mind. I no think about outfield." (Alfonso Soriano, via Washington Post, 2/24/2006)

"Who knows? No decision is going to be made as to whether he is going to play second base or left field today, tomorrow, the next day or when he comes back. Those decisions will be made before we leave Florida." (Frank Robinson, via Washington Times, 2/24/2006)

"What's going on here is not [Soriano's] problem...What's going on here is not my problem. It's the team's problem" (Jose Vidro, via Washington Post, 2/24/2006)

"Our goal is to win and find a solution that works...Do we have the solution this moment? No. But we're going to work towards the solution, and we'll get one." (Jim Bowden, via Washington Times, 2/24/2006)

Fear not; no matter how Boz looks at it, it's a win-win for the Nats:

Actually, the Nats know that one of four scenarios will eventually play out. None is terrible. Most are good. Soriano can agree to play left field so Vidro can play second. This is the Nats' fantasy. Believe it when you see it. Or Soriano can play second and Vidro, if he demonstrates over the next four to eight weeks that his knee is healthy, can be traded. This is a high-probability outcome. Or Vidro, if healthy, can play second and Soriano can be traded. This is less likely. Soriano, with 35-homer, 30-steal skills, is a better fit for the Nationals' desperate offensive needs than the more subtle Vidro.

The fourth possibility, the nightmare scenario, is that Vidro's right knee will blow out for the third straight year, in which case Soriano will play second and Bowden will look brilliant for anticipating the problem and preempting a disaster.

(Tom Boswell, via Washington Post, 2/24/2006)

MASN Deal Still Stinks

Somewhere, Peter Angelos is smiling...

"It's a great package...All of the games are available. MASN is doing its part." (Todd Webster, MASN spokesman, via Washington Times, 2/224/2006)

(Clearly, Todd has DirecTV or RCN)

"Our more significant concern is how many cable households we are going to get into." (Tony Tavares, via Washington Post, 2/24/2006)

(Do you think Tony can get MASN at his apartment in Foggy Bottom?)

Happy Days Are Here Again: Fonz and Vidro to Report to Camp Today

Controversy? Nah, everything will work itself out today when Soriano arrives to camp and meets with Frank.

The Nationals expect both of their all-star second basemen, Jose Vidro and Alfonso Soriano, to report to camp on time Thursday -- at which point a delicate dance will begin among the two players and team officials over how to resolve what is a potentially volatile issue...Robinson said he expects to meet one-on-one with Soriano sometime Thursday morning, shortly after the player reports to camp. (via Washington Post 2/23/2006)

Bowden: "There Is No War Between Frank and I"

Trouble? There's no trouble. And there is no war. In an interview with NBC4's George Michael, Jim Bowden denies that there's trouble brewing between he and Old Frank.

(Thanks to the miracle of Tivo, an unofficial excerpt from the interview from WRC-TV NBC4, around 5:55 pm, 2/22/2006)

George Michael: "I wasn't even going to bring this up, does that mean I shouldn't worry about Frosty Forecast for Florida, that there's a war between you and Frank Robinson?"

Bowden: "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha! There's no war. There's no war between Frank and I. I got a big kick out of that article, in fact I talked to both Frank and the writer today. And you know the fact of the matter is the article said we didn't get his input on the backup catcher. Just not true George. He was in the room at the winter meetings with myself, Bob Boone, Tony Tavares, Brian Barker, Tony Siegel when we went through the entire [list]. Frank has been involved."

Quotes from Robinson in the Washington Post and Washington Times regarding the backup catcher situation seem to indicate something entirely different:

"From what I read, that is the perfect scenario for this ballclub. That's what I read...That's the first time I've been asked. It's a little late now. You would think that would be something coming from the manager, wouldn't you? But you guys chose to go to the general manager. So I am not going to comment and second guess the general manager. I just work here." (Frank Robinson, via Washington Times, 2/22/2006)

"From what I read, that's the perfect scenario. . . I would think that would be something coming from the manager, wouldn't it? I'm not going to comment and second-guess the general manager." (Frank Robinson, via Washington Post, 2/22/2006)

>Meanwhile, on a totally unrelated note, Nationals dot com reports that the Nationals are trying to to extend Bowden's contract. His current deal is up on April 30.

MLB Goes Toe-to-Toe With Bygone Over Nationals Trademark

Because nothing is easy when you're talking baseball in Washington.

"Bygone is nothing more than the typical squatter who tries to take advantage of someone else's reputation...They filed for an historic name long associated with Major League Baseball in Washington at the very time it was public knowledge the Expos were relocating and D.C. was among the leading contenders." (Ethan Orlinsky, lawyer for MLB, via Washington Post 2/22/2006)

(Hey, didn't Ball-Wonk write about this last week? Yup, on the 15th.)

Meet The New Guzie, Same As The Old Guzie?

Don't know about you, but we've been waiting all winter to fill in the blank in this sentence:  "Cristian Guzman will be better in 2006 because of ______________." Guzman showed up camp yesterday and filled in the blank: laser eye surgery. And so, the sentence reads like this: "Cristian Guzman will be better in 2006 because of laser eye surgery". Now if only we knew what this 'little surprise' was that he mentioned.

"The people are going to like the new Guzie...I've got a little surprise for them" (Cristian Guzman, via Washington Post, 2/22/2006)

"Last year is the past...This is 2006. Everything is new. Everybody is going to know the Guzman of a couple of years ago. That's all I have on my mind. The fans are going to enjoy the new Guzie." (Cristian Guzman, via Nationals dot com, 2/21/2006)

"When you're struggling the whole year like that, you have to be strong to be happy every day...When you come to feel you're doing nothing for your teammates, you feel a little bit down...Now it's the first day I do BP here...I see the ball real good. ... It doesn't matter what people say. They're going to enjoy the new Guzie this year. I've got a little surprise for them." (Cristian Guzman, via AP/Yahoo Sports, 2/21/2006)

"We're not going to sit back...and watch Cristian Guzman have another year like he did last year." (Jim Bowden, via Washington Post, 2/22/2006)