Discarded Peanut Shells – What’s in a crawfish?

December 5, 2006

If we have to be a crawfish and take a step back to take two steps forward, we’ll be a crawfish… -Jim Bowden at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, FL

Ehh? That’s a Disneyesque Goofy quote! I suddenly have this urge to go look up a video of a meandering crawfish crayfish, but I’ll resist. We’ve all heard how there will be no big free agent signings by the Nats during the meetings, but trades are apparently not out of the question. Rather than looking forward to who might be arriving, I’m emotionally steeling myself against who may be departing (rumors are flying about the Chief, Church, and Lopez or Vidro). I’m trying really hard not to feel like 2007 is going to be a sacrificed season, but it’s becoming harder and harder to. I try to believe in THE PLAN!! but as no one in Nats land officially mentions anything about 2007 (only 2008, new stadium, and beyond), I’m wondering what it is exactly that I’ll be watching next year and should I care to watch? That seems to be a prevailing sentiment among fans.

Majewski-gate marches on. Apparently Reds GM Wayne Krivsky has a sheaf of documents that he submitted to MLB headquarters as he officially filed a grievance against the Nationals, feeling duped in the trade that included a sore-armed Gary Majewski (who, btw, pitched fine after coming off the DL for them). So much time had passed that I assumed this was no longer a huge issue, but I was wrong. In the meantime, a 38 year scout for the Reds, Larry Barton, has quit because he felt Krivsky didn’t listen to his advice, particularly citing the Kearns/Lopez/Wagner trade for Majewski/Bray/Clayton. So, in my opinion, Krivsky was warned and advised not to pull the trigger on the trade and still went ahead and did it, and deserves nothing. He is requesting getting another player from the Nationals as compensation and I have to wonder who he would choose?

Will there be any players to choose from after the off-season? As I indicated my concern above regarding the imaginary 2007 season, T(h)om Loverro echoes my thoughts.

While everyone else at the baseball winter meetings is stocking up on Versace and Gucci, the Nats are looking for blue-light specials.
And there’s nothing wrong with that as long as the Nats stock up on enough bargains to field something resembling a baseball team at RFK Stadium in 2007.

[...]

Stan’s Club is selling a plan for the future, which is all well and good. That doesn’t mean, however, the present must be sacrificed — no matter how much the Kasten/Lerner team tries to convince everyone otherwise.

Dude, does he read teh blogs? Or is the group-think seriously taking hold beyond the Natmosphere? I’m thinking if they really do sacrifice 2007, they better do a lot more than offering brisket and margaritas to keep fans interested for over a year before the new stadium opens in 2008. How about more interactive goodness? Focus on the core players who will still be around in a couple years and have them handing out the giveaways at the gates and interacting with fans. How about some more MLBlogs or other goodies to help fans familiarize themselves with the core guys? More ESPNZone Q&As with players who will be around, not guys who will be discarded by the trade deadline or are making a brief appearance from the minor leagues, but most likely will never be a staple on the major league roster. I know the guys are busy and maybe their agents don’t like public appearances/expression, but well, I’m not real high on agents at the moment and don’t care ;-) Just do something!

But who are the core players of the future beyond Ryan Zimmerman? One would think Chad Cordero is one, but trade rumors prominently touting his name are floating out of Florida. Wow, I have to admit I’m rather surprised. Jim Bowden is also speaking highly of Ryan Church now that his name is also being tied to trade rumors (as an aside, I just realized Church has the same agent as Barry Bonds!). I’ve also noted that the media has been pointing out Church did not go to Mexico on the “advice of his agent” to (hopefully) clear up the personal failure implication given earlier regarding Ryan. However, the San Jose Mercury News indicates the blockbuster trade rumors that include Felipe Lopez/Chad Cordero in a 3 team trade involving Manny Ramirez is unlikely to happen.

So apparently Church, Cordero, Lopez, and Vidro (?) are drawing interest at the winter meetings. Apparently no one beyond Zimmerman is off-limits. Instead of anticipation, I find myself holding my breath til Thursday is over! All I can say is there better be some decent pitching, pitching, pitching coming our way.

Jim Bowden looks at his projected starting rotation and sees no established names behind de facto ace John Patterson.

Not to say what everyone seems to be afraid to, but what if Patterson isn’t ready? Or what if some other injury crops up? Last year seemed to be a fluke, but flukes happen (see Escobar, Alex). I’d love to see JP return and have a fantastic year, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it just yet.

Oh and I nearly forgot! The Jose Guillen era as a Nat is over. He ushered himself out silently after a lost season (during which the peace was enjoyable) and signed a deal with Seattle, netting the Nats another draft pick. Whew! I was a little nervous after reading he had been offered arbitration. Fare thee well, the Jose way. I sure hope Austin Kearns is one of those core players who will be sticking around.

Posted in Players, Washington Nationals