Fouled-Off Bunts: I Have Too Many Windows Open So Don't Expect Anything Coherent Edition
I missed this last week, because MLB.com updated its story several times, but Jim Bowden apparently offered Alfonso Soriano a 5-year $50 million contract extension, which Soriano had turned down. I recall that Ken Rosenthal and Tom Boswell both speculated that that could happen, but this was the first time that I've seen reference to it actually happening. I'll spare you the analysis now -- I'm sure you could fill your own in!
The griping about Soriano has begun. He misplayed a line-drive to left-center yesterday, and Jose Cardinal says that he's not shagging enough flyballs to get ready (When did they start hitting liners when shagging?) WaPo says that Soriano blows Cardinal off. MLB.com says that Soriano "hasn't been available."
Meanwhile, MLB.com reports that Frank Robinson pulled Soriano aside and told him to run hard to first. Soriano loves to showboat watch the ball, and in this case, he didn't run a flyball out. That's one of the maddening things about Soriano, and could be a flashpoint with a redass manager like Frobby. Remember, he was on Guillen's case for that last year.
Interestingly, Jim Bowden did a few innings of the Nats game on Friday night, and embarassed himself with his huckster fanboy impersonation. After Soriano cranked out the homer to left, Bowden screamed, bellowed, cheered, and pratically soiled his pants with excitement. Then, on the replay, Bowden pointed out how much he loved Soriano's SWAGGER! and confidence in just standing at the plate admiring his homer. Perhaps he'd like to talk to Frank about that?
While we're talking about disgruntled outfielders.... Jose Guillen's sciosciometer is rising. He wants an extension, and he wants it now! Jose SMASH!
5-$50 Jose? Good luck with that one. Even a four-year deal is a bit much. You just never know when he's going to blow up. $7 million is a pretty good deal for the production he provides though.
I'm sure this story'll stick around for a few days.
Regardless, there's a chance that Guillen starts the season on the DL, and that he wants to be sure he's healthy before playing. (Interesting how this is a priority in a contract year, huh?)
Mlb.com also reports that the Nats were (are?) close to trading Joey Eischen to the Tigers for Nuke Logan. Logan is less than useless, but Eischen isn't anything special. The article says that that would free up a spot for Bill Bray to be a second lefty, although it seems like he's not necessarily the most deserving.
One thought though.... Joey Eischen was re-signed as a free agent. Isn't there a rule that signed Free Agents can't be traded until June (or something like that?)
The same article contains this laughable assertion: "One source also said that Washington is looking into the possibility of trading outfielder Michael Tucker, who has looked overmatched at times this spring."
Saturday, everyone was worried about Zimmerman's errors (except Zimmerman, who blamed the boredom of spring) FRobby didn't like that answer, and talked to him: "Robinson talked to the rookie near the batting cage and told him to watch what he said. Robinson didn't like that Zimmerman wasn't that concerned about his defensive lapses.
"He said nothing was wrong with what I said, but it might have come out wrong," Zimmerman said."
So how did Zimmerman respond? Two two-run homers'll get FRobby off your back!
Patterson looked great, again. Tony Armas stunk. Regardless, the rotation is set -- by default, as it were.
Speaking of default... The Church/Byrd platoon that I've been pushing since God knows when seems like it's going to finally be a reality.
Federal Baseball notes a report that Brad Wilkerson is having shoulder problems, even if the MRI didn't show any problems.
Down with Comcast! Nationalspride.com organized an Anti-Comcast rally with a bunch of area politicians (including an alleged anti-semite/Wil Cordero All-Star) lobbing veiled threats at Comcast. District of Baseball was there, and has a first-hand report. The WaPo has a story, and the AP carries Comcast's side. Me? I wish they'd both burn in hell. (Why is my basic cable bill over $50 a month now??)
Hey, did you know the Nats Farm System sucks? The basic article mentions some of the changes they've put in place. Meanwhile, NTP wonders what could've been.
Distinguished Senators has his always enjoyable Season Preview, now with less swears! (Comparatively) On the Nats: "DFL isn't a very reliable guy, and he'll probably be spending his summer in Detroit or Milwaukee or somewhere like that, leaving us to suck really bad." Who's DFL? You'll have to click to find out.
Soriano said: "It's not the money. It's about me, the love that I have for the game and the fans. It's more important for me to play the game. If I worried about the money, I would have taken the $50 million when [Bowden] asked to sign to stay in Washington."
It is believed that the Nationals offered Soriano a five-year, $50 million extension.
Meanwhile, MLB.com reports that Frank Robinson pulled Soriano aside and told him to run hard to first. Soriano loves to showboat watch the ball, and in this case, he didn't run a flyball out. That's one of the maddening things about Soriano, and could be a flashpoint with a redass manager like Frobby. Remember, he was on Guillen's case for that last year.
Interestingly, Jim Bowden did a few innings of the Nats game on Friday night, and embarassed himself with his huckster fanboy impersonation. After Soriano cranked out the homer to left, Bowden screamed, bellowed, cheered, and pratically soiled his pants with excitement. Then, on the replay, Bowden pointed out how much he loved Soriano's SWAGGER! and confidence in just standing at the plate admiring his homer. Perhaps he'd like to talk to Frank about that?
He declined to talk about the type of contract that he wants, but according to two sources, he wants a five-year deal worth $50 million. However, the Nationals are offering a four-year deal that would pay between $6.5 and $7 million per season. Washington is not planning to go to the $10 million per year range, according to one source
5-$50 Jose? Good luck with that one. Even a four-year deal is a bit much. You just never know when he's going to blow up. $7 million is a pretty good deal for the production he provides though.
I'm sure this story'll stick around for a few days.
Regardless, there's a chance that Guillen starts the season on the DL, and that he wants to be sure he's healthy before playing. (Interesting how this is a priority in a contract year, huh?)
One thought though.... Joey Eischen was re-signed as a free agent. Isn't there a rule that signed Free Agents can't be traded until June (or something like that?)
"He said nothing was wrong with what I said, but it might have come out wrong," Zimmerman said."
So how did Zimmerman respond? Two two-run homers'll get FRobby off your back!
posted by Chris Needham at
9:37 AM
8 Comments:
Heading to Jupiter to see which part of the roller coaster the Nats run today against the Cards.
Might report on SorianoWatch audioblog if there is anything of note.
By
Bote Man, at 3/27/2006 11:10 AM
1. Your basic cable bill is that expensive to get you to shrug off the incremental $15 cost and upgrade to digital. Comcast (and everyone else) want to wean people off basic so they can push out more services. Except showing the Nats games, of course.
2. I'm surprised that you are so blase about potentially losing Eischen. He's no Ayala, but I think he's an important part of the bullpen at this point. And for heaven's sakes to lose him to that douche from Detroit...
Yet another example of Bowden talking out of both sides of his mouth. He says he's looking for pitching, yet always seems to be shopping pitching. Perhaps he can trade Tucker for a handful of magic beans.
I hate Bowden. Hate him! I'm also beginning to hate Boswell, but that's for another rant.
By
Brandon, at 3/27/2006 11:55 AM
Eischen's just not that good. He's not particularly effective against lefties, and the only reason we know his name is because he has a big mouth. If he kept quiet and didn't say anything, his pitching is blah.
I think that Bray or Bergmann can do just as well as Eischen can for half the cost.
Of course that savings will just go towards funding another second baseman....
By
Chris Needham, at 3/27/2006 12:03 PM
I hear ya. And the cost is just the thing, isn't it? There's a real sense, at least to me, that Tavares and Bowden simply feel like they've been given a pot of play money to spend to their heart's content before a new owner comes in and starts from scratch.
There isn't a sense of permanence to any of these signings because no one knows what this franchise will look like in a year or two. The new owner will come in and restructure everyone's contract. I think this is part of the reason that JB is addicted to the deal instead of the result of the deal...he exists in a relatively consequence-free environment compared to the other teams.
By
Brandon, at 3/27/2006 12:14 PM
Well, his actions do have a consequence.
It's just that Bowden's goals are different from the team's. He's trying to have a little flash, catch that lightning in a bottle, and can have less concern about long-term answers.
(That being said, I don't think he's done much long term harm, but....)
The subplot in this is my payroll estimates. He was supposed to have a $60 million budget, which the team seems to be over. (Especially with Clayton's contract becoming guaranteed)
Maybe it's a cost cutting move because the bean counters are restless? I dunno... just speculation.
By
Chris Needham, at 3/27/2006 12:18 PM
Yeah the payroll numbers don't quite add up. Also, buried in some WaPo article last week was the news that the team has hired new directors of marketing/ticket sales, etc.
This is odd considering the team is on the precipice of new ownership. Something is going on behind the scenes that hasn't yet come to light.
By
Brandon, at 3/27/2006 12:22 PM
It's probably safe to assume that those sorts of decisions are being made with some sort of winking and nodding going on behind the scenes.
By
Chris Needham, at 3/27/2006 12:24 PM
I'd rather have Eischen than Stanton. I just can't shake the feeling that Stanton's been coasting on his glory years for too long now and is due for a spectacular, career-ending shelling long about July.
Of course, my preferred solution is to trade Stanton, Tucker, Fick, Bowden, and Boone for a 10-gallon drum of "Deepin' Dots" to keep Livan fat and happy.
By
Nate, at 3/27/2006 4:23 PM
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