Mmm, victory

PHILADELPHIA -- I finally cashed in my winnings from the Nats victory in the 2006 season series with the Fleas today. The Ombudsman was quite gracious in defeat. The cheesesteak was delicious of course.

I have a bad feeling that there will be no repeat next year. I fully expect that it'll be me giving a concession speech in Ben's Chili Bowl over chili halfsmokes.

Labels: Best of WWN, Family and Friends, Food and Drink, Nats/MLB 2006, Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania, Travel

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posted by WFY @ 7:48 PM | |

Heading up I-95 north

I am off to Philly to claim my winnings for the Nats victory over the Fleas in the 2006 season series. The Ombudsman owes me a trip to Jim's Steaks.

I will return this evening.

Labels: Family and Friends, Food and Drink, Nats/MLB 2006, Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania, Travel

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posted by WFY @ 7:08 AM | |

The new DC Nats store is nothing special

I met up with a friend for lunch at the Black Rooster today. It is a decent place, right next to Peace Corps HQ. Anyhow, since I was in that part of the District, I walked over the Nationals Team Store at 1050 Connecticut Ave. NW. In case you were thinking of going to it, don't bother, unless you are already nearby. The place is quite small, maybe 400 sq. ft. I am glad it is there, but there is nothing to it. If you really want to be surrounded by an officially sanctioned Nats store, head to RFK.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 3:05 PM | |

Ladson's 2006 recap

New owners take control - nationals.com
A month by month recap of the Nationals during 2006.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 7:30 AM | |

Lerners to spend money on the ballpark

Nationals Owners To Dig Even Deeper - The Post
The Lerner family has indicated that they will spend lots of moolah on the new ballpark, something that makes everybody happy. However, before we get too excited, keep in mind most of the spending is directly tied to revenue generation and not necessisarily things like real stone walls for the park's exterior instead of faux concrete ones. That could happen though, Mark Lerner indicated that they will spend "millions more each season to develop the park's personality." One columnist is gushing about what he has seen.

More from THOMAS BOSWELL of The Post: On the Waterfront, Hope Beginning to Spring Eternal

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 6:36 AM | |

RIP Cecil Travis

Cecil Travis; Washington Senators Legend - The Post
One of the oldest surviving Senators, Cecil Travis, recently died. If you want to learn more about the former shortstop, visit Beltway Boys' tribute from last week.

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Fruto baffling hitters in winter ball - nationals.com
P Emiliano Fruto, acquired in the Jose Vidro trade is doing well in the Dominican Winter League so far.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:36 AM | |

Fick is back; Dominican system examined

Utility Player Fick Re-Signs With Nationals - The Post
Robert Fick has been signed to a non-guaranteed contract. He looks to be the first option off the bench now since Daryle Ward and Marlon Anderson are long gone.

More from The Wash. Times: Nats re-sign Fick to minor-league deal

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Tapping In to an Economy of Sale - The Post
A look into the "the renegade system in which major league teams procure Dominican players."

Just A Nats Fan also takes an extensive look at these practices.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:29 AM | |

Vidro trade completed

It's Official: Vidro Leaves Nats for Seattle - The Post
2B Jose Vidro is officially a Mariner having passed a physical. Oft injured OF Chris Snelling and 22-year-old pitching prospect Emiliano Fruto are coming to D.C. We never got to see Jose Vidro in his prime, which is a shame. Coffeetown is not happy with the trade.

The Nats saved so much money from the trade that they can now buy new parking $igns for RFK.

Also, IF D'Angelo Jimenez, OF Abraham Nuñez and LHP Luis Martinez were all offered minor league contracts.

More from The Wash. Times: Vidro officially traded to Seattle

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:27 AM | |

From the "where are they now?" file

In order to restore faith in his leadership of Emmis Communications, Jeffrey Smulyan announced he will only be collecting a $1 salary (The Indy Star) in 2007. Apparently, bidding on the Nationals (among other things) was not too popular with the Emmis shareholders. So, all those fears we had about him being cheap as Nats owner seem to have been well founded. Had he been running the show, we could have had a slashed payroll and no investment in player development.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:32 AM | |

Acta homecoming; Vidro physical delayed

Back Home, a Hero's Welcome for Nats' Acta - The Post
Manny Acta made his first trip back to his native Dominican Republic to great fanfare. He is embarrassed that he is treated differently though; being named Nationals manager has made him a national hero.

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Vidro Trade Still on Hold - The Post
Travel problems prevented Jose Vidro from taking a physical to complete the trade with Seattle.

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T(H)OM LOVERRO - These guppies could use a big fish - The Wash. Times
"Most new owners want to make a big splash, which isn't always good. But the Lerner/Kasten group wants to take all the water out of the pool."

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 7:49 AM | |

I wonder if Seattle is trying to find a way for Vidro to fail his physical

Vidro Trade Still Pending Physicals - The Post
The Jose Vidro trade is still on hold since the second baseman has yet to pass his physical. The plan is for him to get it in Miami today. I wonder if they are now hoping he fails since they got fleeced by Jim Bowden. How did Bowden become so good at tricking other GMs?

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Nationals obtain financial flexibility - The Wash. Times
The Nats have been quite successful at saving money this offseason, but the question is what are they going to do with it? Will the savings be passed along to the customer? Will they be spent in improving some aspects of the new ballpark? Is it even possible to put $15 million into scouting?

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Nationals' Spring Schedule Released - AP/The Post
The schedule includes stops in the AAA homes of the Nats and Balmer as well as a March 31 exhibition at RFK with Balmer.

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Nationals sign five to deals - The Free Lance-Star
Five players signed 2007 contracts yesterday:

OF Kory Catso -- the best player at AA Harrisburg last year

C Brandon Harper -- longtime minor leaguer who finally made the big club last year.

RHP Chris Schroder had a 6.35 ERA in 21 appearances last season. He also plays a mean piano.

LHP Mike Hickley - 6-8 with a 5.52 ERA in 28 starts with the P-Nats

RHP Chris Booker, who had half a cup of coffee with the Nats last season

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Things are awfully quiet for a December 15 which is usually isn't a good day for the Nats and their fans. Someone's birthday got ruined two years in a row. Whatever happened to that guy? I heard a rumor that he was a roadie for The Great Kat, but it was just a rumor.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 7:52 AM | |

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Seattle wants every Jose on the Nats

Nationals to Trade Vidro for Prospects - The Post
If 2B Jose Vidro passes a physical, he gets traded to Seattle. The prospects the Nats are said to be getting, Chris Snelling, an injury prone 25-year-old outfielder and Emiliano Fruto, a 22-year-old right-handed relief pitcher, could make the roster this year. What really makes the deal attractive is the salary dump. The Nats will owe the M's just $4 million of the $16 million left on Vidro's contract. It also clears up a logjam in the infield. Perhaps that worse part of the deal -- Cristian Guzman's spot at shortstop seems secured. Felipe Lopez is expected to take Vidro's place at second.

About those prospects:

Snelling, who has a reputation for playing hard, split his time between Class AAA Tacoma and Seattle in 2006, hitting .250 with three homers in 96 at-bats for the Mariners. The trade magazine Baseball America rated Snelling as Seattle's fourth-best prospect in 2005 and said he was the Mariners' best prospect in hitting for average and with strike-zone discipline. He should be thrown into the battle for the left field spot.

Fruto went 2-2 with a 5.50 ERA in 23 appearances for the Mariners as a rookie last season, when he also made 28 appearances for Tacoma. Baseball America said he had the best change-up in the Seattle organization, and he should be added to a Nationals bullpen that likely will be the strength of the 2007 club.

Looks like a pretty good deal to me.

More from The Wash. Times: Nats finalize deal involving Vidro & The Seattle Times: M's deal for Nationals' Vidro

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:38 AM | |

Minor league management announced

Nats Hire Herr, Shuffle Minor League Staff - The Post
The Nats have chosen who will manage their minor league teams, go to NFA for more analysis.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:50 AM | |

Acta well received in Florida

Manager already big hit with fans - Florida Today
Florida Nats fans enjoyed Manny Acta's visit to the Space Coast. Bill Ladson answered some mail on nationals.com and the AA Senators have a new manager (Patriot-News).

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:47 AM | |

A little bit of Nats news

Sutton Is Leading Contender To Join Nats' TV Coverage - The Post
It appears Don Sutton is going to beat out Steve Stone for the Nats color job. I would rather have Stoney, but if they team creates a Nationals catalog for Sutton to hawk

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Nationals to connect locally - Florida Today
Down on the Space Coast, Manny Acta will be contributing to the fan experience and community outreach by appearing at a free event.

Also, Florida Today edtiorializes in favor of recent publicly funded upgrades to Space Coast Stadium. No more teal!

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Note to the Nats: We Want a Winner - The Post
A frusturated fan gets his letter published.

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In Today's Market, Even Ohka May Be Beyond Nats - The Post
With pitchers like Gil Menche going for way too much money, Tomo Ohka may be more than the Nats are willing to afford.

Labels: Nats/MLB 2006

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posted by WFY @ 5:44 AM | |

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Rule 5 yields two, Bowden continues to lust after Willy Mo

No Major Moves, Two Minor Ones - The Post
While it is discouraging that the Nationals have not been able to get a starting pitcher signed so far this offseason we must look at the bright side -- Jim Bowden has not traded Chad Cordero for Willy Mo Pena...yet.

The Nats did take two in the rule 5 draft though. Welcome C Jesus Flores from the Mets system and RHP Levale Speigner from the Twins. Both have to stay in the majors or be offered back to their previous clubs for $25,000. Flores shows promise as Brian Schneider's back-up behind the plate while Flores will probably find time in the bullpen, but has started in the past.

Also, the Cubs are interested in Ryan Church. The Nats want starting pitching, likely Sean Marshall, a rookie last year with a 6-9 record and a 5.59 ERA. It seems a high price for the Cubs, unless Marshall is the second coming of Brian Lawrence.

RHP Tomo Ohka was offered a contract too (Nationals.com). He's not great, but he can eat some innings and probably won't turn his back on Manny Acta.

More from The Wash. Times: Nats select two prospects