The Blog Because They Love You

Despite the long offseason and the doldrums of winter, there was a flurry of excellent blog posts today. All are well worth your time.

Oleanders and Morning Glories takes a look at Soriano and the difficult position he's in.

He asks:

As those that follow the Nationals know, Alfonso Soriano is playing a dangerous game (not the most dangerous game, that involves Cossacks). He is refusing to play OF, gambling that whatever he loses by being a “poor teammate”, he will make up by maintaining himself as a second-baseman. Most of us have assumed that this is a bad move on Soriano’s part, but is it really?

For the answer, you'll have to click through. A few weeks ago, I took a look at a similar question, but from the National's perspective.

Nats Blog pours through Tom Verducci's latest column and finds a line that should make your jaw drop:

Verducci suggests that Sosa may sign a deal (and I assume he does not mean a minor-league deal, but he doesn't say) "with the MLB-owned Washington Nationals largely because commissioner Bud Selig has had a strong relationship with Sosa and wants to get this erstwhile ambassador of the sport off the street, hat in hand. "

Read the rest of their post for the entire remark, and the potential questions this raises as the team moves forward. It ain't good!

Banks of the Anacostia considers whether Jose Guillen's recent blather about wanting a contract extension is a good idea. He does a thorough analysis, looking at Guillen compared to other batters in the league, and is well worth your time.

The Nats have finally signed Felix Rodriguez to a one-year $600K contract. Roster bonuses would elevate that to $1.2 million. Rodriguez is a good gamble, but the bullpen is already loaded. How many roster slots does Bowden think he has?

At any rate, Federal Baseball looks at Felix as a player, and gives a thumb up to the signing. He walks you through his career, and tries to figure out whether last year's stats were something to worry about.

Did you click on them all yet? No? Well, get to it. I'll be waiting.