Bill Ladson Mails It In

It's been a while since I've ripped Bill Ladson, so here goes...

One of my favorite features is his mailbag. He hasn't done one for months, and I was starting to miss his banal insights. Just when I was feeling depressed, he rips out a new one! Way to go, Rocket man!

I want to give him the benefit of the doubt, hoping that the insipidness of the questions was weighing down his meaty analysis.

Then I thought about it.

Isn't he the one selecting the questions? I wouldn't dare suggest that he's making the questions up, because he'd sue me. But could he pick questions that are actually... say... interesting? Or at least lead themselves to insights? But then that'd force him to work hard at answering them, cutting into his valuable time polishing Tony Tavares' shoes or playing the Mary Poppins role to one of Bowden's five children.

Where else can you get insights like:

What is the future of Tony Armas Jr. with the Nationals? -- Mayker C., Orlando

Armas is a free agent and most likely will not return. He made over $2 million in 2005, and the Nationals likely are not going to pay that kind of money for him next season.

or

Is Nick Johnson a free agent this offseason? -- J.P., Washington, D.C.

Johnson is arbitration eligible for the third year in a row, and he is expected to be back with the Nationals for the 2006 season.

Wow! Thanks for the info, Laddie!