Fouled-Off Bunts: I Have To Go Back To Work Already? Edition

Over the weekend, the Post and the Times did their quickies on the stadium lease. Here's the Mayor's spin, including the somewhat-unbelievable assertion that the stadium will help to generate $50-$75 million in revenues per year, and over $2 billion in new development. The original draft included a line about how the stadium would be heated using a cold fusion reactor.

If you're so inclined, the full lease can be found at the Business of Baseball website. Warning: WILL cause drowsiness or impotence.

Meanwhile, in the Sunday Post, David Nakamura breaks out the hatchet and reveals the startling news that the stadium could actually cost more than $535 million. It's a good primer for people whose eyes glaze over when reading about this stuff.

Looks like Bowden's Beantown fantasies have evaporated. They're going with two GMs next year (emulating the wildly successful Baltimore model). Interestingly, Boston is looking at bringing in Theo Epstein as an advisor. Epstein has had his name thrown about here in DC, but Gordon Edes mentions that we could get the short end of the stick with Larry Luchino instead.

The Nationals are reportedly interested in Robert Fick and Brett Tomko. Fick can play catcher, but he's probably not capable of serving as a full-time backup. He has some sock, but he's a thoroughly mediocre player. Tomko gives innings, and is durable, but the quality of his pitching rarely reaches league-average heights.

Meanwhile, other possibilities disappear. Matt Morris is close to signing with the Giants. Kenny Rogers is a Tiger. It's down to Weaver, Millwood, and Washburn for proven starters. The team probably doesn't have the money for Millwood, but has expressed interest in Washburn. Strangely, Weaver's name hasn't come up at all.

The Dodgers signed Sandy Alomar Jr for their backup catcher's job. There's not much left. John Flaherty is looking like the best of a bad lot. Todd Greene is a possibility. He's a low average slugger with little defensive value.

Nats Blog has two excellent posts, both worth your time.

The first breaks out the abacus, and breaks apart the stadium deal, and what it's going to mean in revenue for the city. Using fairly conservative estimates, increased baseball revenues alone will account for about $200 million of the stadium's cost. And that's not counting development, or some categories of revenue.

The second is a little more abstract, but deals with.... well, I can't really explain it. My little pea-brain can't summarize it better than DM wrote it. Read it, and if you don't like it or find it interesting, I'll come do your dishes.