We Want A Trade!

Not everyone was happy with Bowden's non-move. Here's a sampling of some who were opposed to Bowden's restraint.

Banks of the Anacostia compared it to his Prom Night.

what Bowden has done is put the Nationals in a lose-lose situation. If they do manage to sign him, Bowden will likely overpay for what Soriano will likely deliver in value. If we don't sign him, the Nationals will have spent $10 million, traded Wilkerson, Sledge, and a young arm (Gallaraga), and missed out on 2-3 (and perhaps more) A- to B-level prospects in exchange for two draft picks.

I didn't see the A-level prospects he was talking about. The rumored Ayabar/Saunders/McPherson deal was just that, a rumor. The LA Times says that that was what they offered for Tejada, and that their offer for Soriano was much less.

Curly W thinks that Bowden is a lousy poker player.

As for Soriano, well, Bowden got what he deserved. He told everyone who would listen about how eager he was to shop Soriano and how high the price would be, to the point where other GMs seem to have just tuned him out. Bowden was bluffing so hard at poker that the other 29 guys at the table just checked their bets.

It takes two to trade. The other GMs knew what Bowden's price was; he said it loudly and repeatedly. If you tell the person that you're playing that have a 2 and an 8 over and over, is that really a bluff? The other GMs just weren't willing to meet his price. You can make an argument that he should've settled for less (a reasonable argument with which I'll disagree), but focusing on his bluster ignores the heart of what he said.

Nationals Nation wonders what this does to Kasten's stated strategy, and wonders what Bowden's real plan was -- if there even was one.

I understand what people are saying: there were no good offers on the table, so Jim Bowden decided to stand pat...but no one believes that was his plan going into the trade deadline: Jimbo was hoping that another GM would get careless and give something of value for a two month rental. When that failed to happen, then all the sudden people are calling him a genius for not giving in. Well I'm not one of them. Now we will lose our bargaining power if Soriano doesn't sign on the dotted line for an extension. If he doesn't, we're gonna have to settle next year for what we get in the draft.

OMG has a thoughful post that, while not disapproving of the deal, worries about (probably legitimately) what it means for the future.

I think in the end, I really didn’t want to see Soriano back. He’s having a magical year, but I think that is it. A magical year. Like Luis Gonzalez when he hit 57 or to bring it more locally like Brian Roberts last year. The Nats are getting the maximum one can squeeze out of Soriano and basing decisions on it as if it were an every year occurance.

I think he misses the mark on the offense (see his comments for more), but his point about the effect on the pitching is right. $15 million means the team can't afford Jason Schmidt or Barry Zito. We'll have to hope for a health John Patterson, a non-BP-throwing Livan, and some magical pitching fairies to dig us up another Hector Carrasco or 9.

At least the good fans in Section 320 are thrilled.

Its a BOLD MOVE!! I am glad they kept him. Soriano will become the FACE OF THE FRANCHISE. The POSTER BOY MARQUEE Player. Alfonso easily could still be around when the Nationals truly come competitive. In the meantime, WE, AS FANS, have someone to look forward to seeing every single time we go to RFK and the new stadium.

Section 320 can continue to lead off the game with the Alfonso!! SORIANO!!! Cheer. And, my wife, Sohna, will continue to attend as many games as possible to see NUMBER 12 play for the NATS. I can't tell you how happy THAT MAKES ME IN MY HOUSE!!