Fouled-Off Bunts: What Beautiful Cheekbones Edition

The Times says that the Nationals are close to an arbitration-avoiding contract extension with Brian Schneider. Good for Bowden. Good defensive catchers who can bat their weight aren't that easy to find, and the Nats farm system has fewer major league quality catchers in it than my apartment building.

It also notes that the team isn't the close to a deal with Nick Johnson, and (no suprise) Alfonso Soriano. It wouldn't shock me to see Soriano file at $11 million+ for arbitration. They have to file by Tuesday.

Our friends at the Free Lance-Star have a closer look at the Nats new third base coach, Tony Beasley. Beasley, who shouldn't be confused with Mr. Beasley, seems genuinely excited for the opportunity. Bowden apparently did his homework:

"[Bowden] told me I wasn't recommended by anyone, and he didn't know me. He was interviewing me strictly on my track record.

"That made me happy. No one has given me anything. I've always tried to work hard and get what I deserve."

The NY Sun looks at the derailed careers of two former Cubs, one of whom is already in the region, and another who is rumored to be on his way.

From 1998 through 2004, [Sammy Sosa] averaged 46 home runs a year, and he'll be 37 this year - not young in baseball years, but not so old it's inconceivable he has something left. Unfortunately, he doesn't. Whether because of age, because he stopped corking his bat (or his muscles), or whatever else, Sosa is done as a ballplayer. He has no defensive value, can't hit for average, and doesn't hit for enough power or draw enough walks to compensate.

A player without his credentials - who hit .221/.295/.376 at age 36 while battling injuries last year - would be scraping for a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training; any team considering signing Sosa to an actual deal with a guaranteed job is being blinded by gaudy stats from years ago

Wanna play baseball with Ryan Zimmerman? Have $95 burning a hole in your pocket? Free on January 21? Here ya go.

And finally.... Not that there's anything wrong with that, but here's an article from a friendly alternative paper in San Francisco, admiring athletes for their ummm... not-on-the-field talents, with special binocular-aided attention to Cristian Guzman in particular. I'll try not to think of him as being lithe and nimble again.