So, it's been fairly slow around these parts the last few weeks, no? Anyway, we're a few days late responding to the latest edition of the Nationals dot com mailbag, but we figured we'd take a crack at it to take a break from trawling the internet for pictures of Paul LoDuca's girlfriend. As always, keep those e-mails coming to Nationals.com, and we'll keep copying and pasting them over here and giving our half-assed answers.
What are your thoughts on the recent acquisitions made by the Nats in the last 10 days? How improved is the team now that they have acquired Milledge and Dukes?
-- P.G., Gatineau, QC. Canada
We'll assess the Milledge, Dukes, Clippard, Boone, and Lo Duca acquisitions as follows: great, good, good, ok, ok. How's that for analysis? More importantly, I think Mr. Sportsbog himself put it best today when he asked: "...is it possible for one baseball team to get more bloggable in a two-week span than the Nats just did?"
Will Milledge and Dukes adhere to the team's rules and improve their character? Will Dukes and Milledge take advantage of Young's amazing comeback mentality and devotion to the team?
-- B. W., McLean, Va.
Sure, hopefully both will benefit from Da Meathook's presence, but I'm not sure it's fair to lump Milledge's supposed character problems in with Dukes' troubles.
I just don't understand the Brian Schneider trade. All I hear is how great he is as a defensive catcher and how great he was at handling the numerous pitchers the Nats had last year. Why did they trade him anyway?
-- B. D., Chantilly, Va.
I'm gonna skip this one, ok? But I will say that the best part of the whole deal is not having to answer mailbag questions every week about how Ryan Church keeps getting disrespected by the organization.
I've heard the parking situation over at the new stadium is going to be a real mess. Any ideas to solve the problem?
--Stan K. , Washington, DC
We floated several different ideas during the past year, but no one bothered to return our calls.
You have recently written that the Nats don't have anything in the Minors to help them at leadoff or behind the plate. What happened to outfielder Brandon Watson and catcher Brandon Harper? If the team's goal is to develop its own talent, then why not give some of these guys a chance to play?
-- K.W. Mooers, N.Y.
When did I write that? Anyway, I'm not sure Watson would've ever developed into a good fit as a leadoff hitter, but I never really understood what happened with him, why he wasn't given a fair shake. Harper, I believe, just started another Nationals blog -- or maybe I have him confused with someone else.
I was curious what you thought the future of Justin Maxwell is with the Nationals?
-- C. W., Brooklyn, NY
Hmm...little bit of a glut in the OF these days...
Since the Nats are looking for a catcher to fill the gap between now and the time that Flores is ready, what is the possibility that Javy Lopez could be given a shot? Lopez was an excellent catcher with the Braves and he seems to be the type of player that could contribute if given a second chance.
-- C. S., Springfield, Va.
I thought the same thing about Matt LeCroy, but Bowden wouldn't return my calls.
What are the chances of the Nats keeping Felipe Lopez?
-- A.C., Atlanta
I say keep him around -- he can't do worse than last year, right?
Why is the organization so committed to Ryan Langerhans? He has very little upside and with the Nats already having an abundance of outfielders, where does he fit in?
-- W.S., Reston, Va.
Committed? I wouldn't go that far, but maybe Langerhans has incriminating photos of someone high up in the organization or something.
