BLAME TED FOR NO CROW?

"You have to look at the global thing. This is the budget for signing these guys, and you if sign them for this much, you won't be able to sign somebody else down the ladder."
(Mark Lerner, via Nationals Journal, 7/13/2008)

Did Tightfisted Ted's 2008 Draft Budget doom 11th Hour Crow negotiations?

OR: If Ted Lerner doesn't care about The Plan, should you?

We've had a few days to digest the Crow debacle, and one thing that's clear is that there is of plenty of blame to spread around between the Hendricks Brothers and the Nats FO for the botched negotiations. But, we're reminded once again about Mark Lerner's warning to Nationals fans more than a month ago about the budget. Brian at Nationals Farm Authority builds an interesting case around the apparent either/or decision between Aaron Crow and J.P. Ramirez that the begs the question(s): what was the budget, and was it realistic?

Fast forward to next year's draft: Assuming they keep up their lead in worst-place, and they draft Strasburg, will The Family put up the big money it's going to take to sign him?   

(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Comments

[Anonymous]

Please dont try and play the cheap card on this one. Please. The Nationals went over slot on five picks. The reason the deal didn't happen is because of Crows greedy agents.

[The Nationals Enquirer]

Sorry, someone had to do it! (play the Cheeeeep!!11! card, that is...)

[Ted Lerner]

It is comforting to see that you're still finding ways to spend my money. Screw you.