Why Does Ken Rosenthal Hate Freedom?

Ken Rosenthal vivisects the Nationals, but not in the way you'd expect. He leaves the piss-poor on-field product alone, but focuses on the front office and the operation of the team. If the stories are true, and Stan Kasten et al don't actually deny the events, just the intent in some cases, it's a damning indictment and gives credence to the worst thoughts we've had about the Lerner ownership group.

You really owe it to read the whole thing. A quick summary can't do it justice. It's long, but an interesting story, even if you don't believe everything in it.

First the good:
--The team's budget for scouting and Player Devl. is top 5 in the majors.

Then the rest:
--Poor work environment and shoddy treatment causing some employees to leave (I give the least credence to these; it's easy to complain when you've been sacked)
--Squabbles over per diem payments to employees
--Refusal to let an employee use Fed Ex to ship files
--Over 50 employees have been dumped, some of whom were hired by Bowden.
--Letting Rick Eckstein walk as hitting coach because they couldn't tender him a contract on time, then filing a grievance for tampering when he signed elsewhere
--Scouts have a hard time getting travel expenses reimbursed.
--Questioning the sunflower seed budget
--An overly bureaucratic procurement policy which slows down purchases
--Expenses for the cost of baseballs in the minors
--Questioning why Ronnie Belliard wanted another order of bats
--The appearance of a dysfunctional front office with contrasting styles/personalities and the tensions between Lerner, Jr/Bowden versus Kasten and even Mike Rizzo.

Give it a read. It's worth the 10 minutes or so.

I did like this part though:

There have been a lot of changes because, to be honest, our standards are much higher," Bowden says. "We want to be best in the game. And when you want to be the best in the game, unfortunately there has to be turnover.

Such as in your job, Jim?