Fouled-Off Bunts: Game On! Edition

The Nats play their first exhibition game today, this one against Korea's Kia Tigers. Nope, Soriano isn't in the lineup. They're bound and determined to push it off for as long as possible. The great thing about playing the Kia team is that even if they start strong, they're probably going to fall apart by the 7th inning. [rimshot].

Tony Williams says he can come up with the cash for cost overruns. Because our Wall Street overlords demand that DC takes out more money than they need, the mayor has proposed that that extra $20 MM or so be used for overruns. Apparently, he forgot the promises he made prior to the council's vote that that money could be used for schools, library's, etc.

Predictably, and completely understandably, some on the Council aren't pleased with this idea, saying that it violates the cap on the legislation. Even though it's money they're borrowing undeer the guise of the stadium, it's not money that was intended to actually be spent on the stadium.

More importantly, what does this mean for MLB and it's deadline to accept or reject the Council's lease? MLB has been silent, presumably working behind the scenes. Did they ask Williams for this? If so, it's silly for Williams to accede. MLB simply has too much to give up at this point for them to reject the lease. Letting them off the overrun hook is another case of the city giving away the farm when they have all the leverage. That doesn't make sense to me, but it does make me think that MLB is at least telling DC that they were going to reject the lease -- even if they might not actually do it when push comes to shove. MLB be dishonest? I suppose it's possible. ;)

The Times gives us today's Tony Armas profile.

"Tim came back when he released that capsule and said, 'Jim this is one of those surgeries that I've done, medically speaking, that this is a guy to bet on,'?" Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "?'If this guy went 7-7 last year, I can see him going 15-10 this year. This surgery should really loosen him up, really help him, really allow him to finish his delivery that he wasn't able to do last year.' So that obviously influenced our decision."

If that's the case, it's a great sign. Armas was missing something on his pitches last year. Watching one of his games, especially in person, was brutal. Not only did he work slowly, but his pitches weren't good enough to fool batters, resulting in LOTS of foul balls. He just needed a little more bite to them. If the surgery allows him to throw more freely, perhaps that could be enough. And seeing how glowing Randy St. Claire was last week, maybe it's true?

Wishful thinking in spring training? Nah!

Jose Guillen's still working at half speed, saying that he won't be ready to go all out til mid-March, at least. Guillen even raises the possibility of having to start on the DL. If he does, does Michael Tucker survive the axe -- a possibility that Dave Sheinin hinted was very good in yesterday's chat?

Davey Lopes is going to turn the Nats into a speed team. Um, sure. While he should definitely improve the baserunning (and just having Soriano on the team is sure to do that), keep in mind that about 1/3 of the Nats caught stealings were the result of busted-up hit-and-runs.

The Post has more info on today's lineup, noting that Matt Lecroy is getting the first of what should be many long looks at catcher. One minor nitpick though. Minnesota had essentially given up on him as even a third catcher. He only caught one inning last season.

Just A Nats Fan has the gruesome details on our husky 'catcher's' eating habits. On a musty couch in a basement somewhere, Joe Rogan smiles.