Nats Enquirer

DuPuy Drops a Bombshell: Baseball Has Questions About Cost Cap

Surprised? It sure doesn't sound like MLB will get behind the new deal as currently constituted; could the District and Baseball be heading to arbitration after all? (Meanwhile, the Williams camp continues to view the world through rose-colored glasses...)

"It clearly contains conditions, restrictions and new provisions which go well beyond our previous agreements and raises a number of questions...We want to make sure that the kind of ballpark we agreed upon will be built." (Bob Dupuy, via Washington Post 2/11/2006)

"We want to make sure that the kind of ballpark we agreed upon will be built, that it can be paid for as we have agreed, that the team be able to exercise adequate control over the ballpark site, that we understand the limits of the legislative power to further rewrite contracts we enter into and that the balance of burdens and benefits agreed to by us in mediation is readdressed, since it has been seriously disrupted by the legislation." (Bob DuPuy, via mlb.com 2/10/2006)

"It's a good sign. It shows MLB is just as keen to press ahead with the ballpark as we are...So far as we can tell, the late-night revisions made by the council do not jeopardize the deal and mostly reaffirm our existing plans."  (Williams' spokesman Vince Morris, via AP 2/10/2006)

(Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam)

Waiver Wire Casualty: Darrell Rasner Claimed By Yankees

Because you can never have too much pitching too many spare parts on your 40-man roster.

Yanks claim Rasner. No matter how you spin it, this one just doesn't add up. There wasn't a light hitting utility infielder available to be sacrificed instead?

Nats Win First Battle Against "Sensitive, Caring" Soriano

Soriano loses his arbitration case against the Nats, settling for a paltry $10 million in 2006, $2 million less than he was looking for. Now the real battle begins.

Heartwarming elevator encounter between Bowden and the Fonz recounted in the Washington Post.

Bowden holds his ground in Florida Today Q&A:

"If Vidro is healthy, Vidro is our second baseman. Jose Vidro is not a player that has other places he can play and be as effective as he is at second, where we feel that Soriano is so talented that he could move to either center or left field and really help our team...He's a really good kid. He's a caring, sensitive person. " (Jim Bowden via Florida Today 2/10/2006)

Bowden On Steroids

Considering the Nats' interest in certain former sluggers this offseason, Bowden offers an interesting answer to the question of whether he thinks baseball's steroid problem has been cleaned up:

"Well, the problem has gone away because the players are going to be tested so many times that if you are guilty you are going to be caught. The fallout is still ongoing. In other words, there are players out there that we don't know whether they did or they didn't (use steroids) before testing.

You're seeing performance drop dramatically, you're seeing size drop dramatically and you don't know as a GM, Well, did this player have an off year? Or could this player have been on steroids and now is off them, and now we're seeing what the real player is without steroids?" (Jim Bowden, via Q&A on Florida Today 2/10/2006)

On an unrelated note, the Nationals will meet with Sammy Sosa's agent Adam Katz on Saturday, according to MLB.com.

Bud: "We don't know what we're looking at yet"

Doesn't sound like anyone does. MLB reviewing the new deal. And don't underestimate the potential for Gandhi to further complicate the situation.

Far From Over: MLB "Very Concerned" About New Deal

As council members pat themselves on the back for passing...something, is there any reason to be confident that MLB will approve the new lease deal?

"We are very concerned about what we heard during the debate, and we need to read the materials and the legislative language so we can determine whether they are consistent with the agreements between Major League Baseball and the city." (Richard Levin, MLB spokesman, via Washington Post 2/09/2006)

"I'm looking to get the project under way so we can talk about the benefits...I would hope they sign it as quickly as possible so they can name an owner." (Mayor Williams, via Washington Times 2/09/2006)

Soriano's Arbitration Hearing Set For Today

Mr. "There Is No I In Team" wants $12 million; Nats offered $10 million. Hearing set for 2 pm.

Could Bowden's big headache be going to the Cubs if Sammy makes the team?

The Cubs long have had an interest in Soriano, but Washington came up with a better trade offer from the Rangers over the winter...He continues to insist he will not play the outfield, creating a National problem because Jose Vidro is their second baseman.

Either Soriano or Vidro might have to go if Sosa makes the team and it probably would be Soriano, who will make either $10 million or $12 million next season, depending on the outcome of Thursday's arbitration hearing. The Nationals most likely would like a front-line pitcher in return, although they may have to settle for less. (via Chicago Tribune 2/08/2006)

Nats Bulk Up With LeCroy

Nats sign DH Matt LeCroy to a one year, $850 K deal. Too bad there's no DH in the NL. He's being touted as a backup option for Schneider, although he spent just 1 inning behind the plate last year in Minnesota. More likely, he'll spend most of his time at first base facing lefties during Nick Johnson's inevitable 30-60 game stint on the DL. Has some power, but struggles against right handed pitching. And didn't really hit at all away from the friendly confines of the Metrodome, but we'll ignore that. Hey Matt, my beer league softball team needs a first baseman, so if it doesn't work out with the Nats, pick up the phone and give me a call.

"With the addition of Matt LeCroy, I am pleased to add a professional right-handed hitter to our bench who can also serve as a backup at both catcher and first base." (Jim Bowden, via mlb.com 2/08/2006)

This video from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety will help you get to know a little more about the newest Nat.

(Photo of Matt LeCroy from Minnesota Department of Public Safety Web Site)

Say It Isn't So(sa)

Nats reportedly offer Sammy Sosa a one year, incentive laden deal. (Hey Fenty, if you thought the lease was a bad deal for the city, wait 'til you see Sosa flailing about at RFK this year!)

Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said Tuesday the team has offered Sosa a guaranteed major-league contract and is waiting to see if the seven-time All-Star accepts it. The deal is believed to be for only one year and laden with incentives. (via Florida Today 2/08/2006)

Council Approves a Lease, But Will MLB Go Along With It?

After rejecting the original agreement, the council attempts to save face and save baseball in the District by approving a new deal to cap costs at $611 million. Now we'll have to wait and see what MLB thinks.

"Today's vote is a serious setback to all those in the Washington community who sought the return of a team to the nation's capital...I regret very much that D.C. officials have failed to honor the agreement they made when they successfully bid for the Expos to move to Washington. Baseball has no choice but to pursue arbitration so the terms of our original agreement can be honored and to begin to explore whatever options are available to us" (MLB President Bob DuPuy after the lease was rejected, via Washington Times 2/08/2006)

"I have no comment until we study this...The city has an obligation to build a stadium in conformity with the Basic Stadium Agreement." (Bob DuPuy after the new new lease was agreed upon, via Washington Post, 2/08/2006)

"I hope everyone who voted for this gets a thank you note from baseball...We are voting on a very unfair deal that every member of this council would say is a bad deal." (Adrian Fenty, via Washington Post 2/08/2006)