Nats Enquirer

The Future Of Baseball In DC Hanging In The Balance

Let's see if we have this straight: Without the emergency legislation proposed last night by Cropp to cap the city's costs at $300 million, the lease as submitted (actually it was submitted, then resubmitted and then re-resubmitted) probably would not have passed tonight's vote. But nobody seems certain if the new legislation, let's call it the "really  guaranteed maximum price" (not to be confused with Mayor Williams' "guaranteed maximum price") , will be accepted by the other parties involved: MLB and the Clark/Hunt/Smoot construction companies.

So if the council votes yes on this stack of papers that resembles the original agreement tonight, we're not sure if that means anything to MLB.

And if the council does not approve the stack of papers tonight, MLB might choose to go to full arbitration, which could mean another six months of wrangling over this deal. Or, there's always that other option.

So regardless of what the council decides tonight, our pessimistic side is telling us that this thing is far from over.

"We're basically just doing a crapshoot and saying, 'Well, let's just blow up all the work we've put in here over the last four or five months, go back to arbitration and square one and run the risk of [the Nationals] leaving in June." (Mayor Williams, 2/07/2006 via Washington Times)

"There is a lot the mayor has not delivered...There's a lot of work left to be done." (Kwame Brown, 2/07/2006 via Washington Post)

"The key will be how they write the provision...If they write it in such a way that they attempt to undo what we already agreed to [with baseball officials], then we'll have problems. But if they come up with something that strengthens what we already agreed to, then there's no problem, and we can go forward." (Vince Morris spokesman for Mayor Williams, via Washington Post 2/07/2006)

"We're getting to a point where if we do not act, we're adding to the [stadium] cost overruns...We can't let anyone use the excuse that the council has not acted. This is a responsible approach." (Linda Cropp, via Washington Times 2/07/2006)

Enquirer Answers The Mail Bag!

Back by popular demand, The Nationals Enquirer answers the mailbag for MLB.com's Nationals beat writer Bill Ladson.  Bill provided his answers earlier today. Now we'll give it a shot.

Every time Jamey Carroll is mentioned, his name is accompanied by the phrase, "the most fundamentally sound player on the team." What exactly does that mean? -- M. L., Washington, D.C.

It's just another way of saying that Jamey is a light hitting utility infielder who hustles down the first base line every time he grounds out.

Should the Nationals try to trade Carroll? He probably won't get much playing time with Marlon Anderson, Robert Fick and Royce Clayton on the bench. -- D. C., Nova Scotia, Canada

Yes, they should try to trade Carroll, but it's doubtful that they could. Playing time isn't the issue here - the question is whether the Nats will even have a roster spot available for him by the time they break camp. Don't expect him to stick; look for him to be released or offered a chance to start the season with AAA New Orleans.

What solutions have been made to make sure that the Nationals don't fade in the second half of 2006 like they did last year? The first half of 2005 was so promising. I'd like to see that success throughout the entire '06 season. -- M. D., Montreal

The secret to a no-fade '06? More utility infielders per capita than any other city in the majors.

But here's a more important question for you, since you're from Montreal and all: Whatever happened to Youppi?

What is going on with Sammy Sosa? Are the Nationals going to wait until the last minute to sign him? -- K. J., Lake Park, Fla.

We put in a call to Bowden himself to ask him about the Sosa situation, but we got his voicemail. He never called back. Come to think of it, we called him last week to ask him about the state of the starting rotation, but he must have had a real busy week, since we never heard back from him. Jim, if you're reading this: Call me.

With all questions regarding the Nationals' Opening Day infield, how do you see Brendan Harris fitting into the picture? -- B. F., Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Bay in the House!! Well...he'll probably start the season at AAA New Orleans or something.

Do you think Robinson needs to be more patient with his starting pitchers? He used his bullpen quite a bit in 2005. -- M. Z., Utica, N.Y.

We put in a call to John Halama to ask his opinion, but we got his voicemail. He never called back.

(all questions taken from The Washington Nationals Official Website; please don't sue us. Thank you)

Vegas, Baby?

Worth noting that MLB has given Florida Marlins (and former Montreal Expos) owner Jeffrey Loria permission to explore relocating the Marlins, BUT MLB is not allowing the Marlins to talk to Las Vegas.

Vegas, of course, was one of the finalists in the running for the Expos.

"Vegas officials have reached out directly to Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, but Loria's hands are tied. Though Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has suggested stadium financing wouldn't be a problem (he has never offered specifics), none of the Marlins' other suitors has offered a better financing package than the one available here." (via Miami Herald 2/05/2005)

We've been afraid to think about it, but: What happens if the lease gets shot down by the city council on Tuesday? Would MLB walk out on Washington? Could Vegas be in play?

More Lucchino To DC Speculation

When it finally happens, don't forget we told you so.

With Theo Epstein back in power in Boston, speculation is growing that Larry Lucchino might leave. Lucchino is a Washington native, so perhaps that's a possibility. Epstein and Lucchino were said by Red Sox people to have worked well together in the past, but Lucchino's "slow-play strategy" in Epstein's contract talk drove a wedge between them. (Jon Heyman via NY Newsday 2/05/2006)

>Also notable from Heyman, Kasten in the ownership mix?

Baseball leaders are frustrated by Washington politics and can't believe they haven't been able to name a new ownership team yet. The last word was that groups led by Jeff Smulyan and Ted Lerner were leading. But don't count out Braves exec Stan Kasten, who could be in the mix. (Jon Heyman via NY Newsday 2/05/2006)

Nah, we all know it's gonna be Smulyan.

Williams: Heaven and Earth Moved To Get Revised Lease Details To Council

Mayor Anthony Williams finally handed over the "guranteed maximum price" cost capping details to the council yesterday. Construction costs capped at $320 mil. Vote still set for Tuesday, but it will take an act of divine intervention to get this thing to pass.

"The council should declare victory, say they improved the deal and move forward...We moved heaven and earth to get this to them today. We should vote Tuesday. The idea that this process can go on indefinitely is not okay with me." (Mayor Anthony Williams, via Washington Post 2/04/2006)

Council Chairman Linda Cropp said she was unsure of whether the council would approve the lease Tuesday, since the attorneys and many council members had not yet reviewed many of the new documents. (via Washington Times 2/04/2006)

"I'm not there yet...I have asked chairman Cropp to postpone the vote." (Kwame Brown via Washinton Times 2/04/2006)

"The big issue is when you add all this up, what is it going to cost the city?...The biggest issue of contention for me is that baseball is getting something for nothing. They're not going to make money on us." (Marion Barry via Washington Times 2/04/2006)

(Photo by Mannie Garcia / Reuters)

Vidro Cleared To Play In WBC

"I have worked with José since 2003 and this is the best condition in which I have seen it.  It is seen cut and has lost a lot of grease." (Bruce Thomas, Nationals team doctor, via Primera Hora 2/03/2006)

Or something like that. In what may be an indication of the status of his balky knee and ankle, José Vidro has apparently been cleared by the Nationals to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, according to the AP, which quotes Nats' team spokesman John Dever as giving the green light in Primera Hora, a Puerto Rican daily newspaper.

Just for fun, we ran Friday's story from Primera Hora through a Spanish to English online translator, and this is what we came up with:

Vidro will be able to play in the Classic

The National of Washington announced yesterday that the stellar one intermedista José Vidro will have permission to play with Puerto Rico in the World Classic of Baseball.

After several days of bad news before the possible drop of the toletero ponceño Javy López, the team of Puerto Rico received a refreshing air with the news that they will include Vidro in the second base. 

"José Vidro is eligible to play for Puerto Rico in the World Classic of Baseball", indicated John Dever, spokesman of the National, in interview with FIRST HOUR. 

The participation of Vidro in the event was in suspense from the middle of December, when Dever reported that Washington had objected it. 

At that time, the statement of the National indicated: "due to matters of health, the National will not permit that José Vidro play in the first World Classic of Baseball". 

Vidro comes to pass for a season limited by problems with an ankle and then with the right knee.  The form of objection of the National alluded to the knee, but the management of the team of Puerto Rico was maintained optimist that Washington would give him so quick permission the intermedista were evaluated by the doctors in the camps of training. 

Dever assured yesterday that did not have information by what the National approved the permission.  "Jim (Bowden, general manager of the National) only reported me that has permission to play". 

All indicates to that itself due to the good results of Vidro in the exams to the ones that was submitted by the doctor of the National, Bruce Thomas, when came to Puerto Rico the past Sunday 21 of January, together al physical coach of the team, Kazuhiko Tomooka. 

Thomas remained "static" al to see that the knee of Vidro was better and in good condition.

"I have worked with José since 2003 and this is the best condition in which I have seen it.  It is seen cut and has lost a lot of grease", said Thomas to mlb.com. 

The physician explained that to show him how well he was, he did exercises of legs and he jumped without feeling pain.  Besides, time ago that Vidro already he was batting both-sided of the dish and collecting roletas. 

Due to that the second base sabaneño wants to play for Puerto Rico in the Classic, Thomas indicated that for the moment gave him a "cautious green light" to participate in the event.

So what did we learn? Well, besides the fact that Spanish to English online translators are loads of fun, Vidro is healthy enough to play for Puerto Rico (we'll ignore the part about 'losing a lot of grease' because who knows what that means) , so presumably he should be ready to go for Opening Day, April 3rd, turning The Soriano Situation into a four-alarm crisis. Somebody's gotta get traded, and quick.

Update 2/04/2006: A bit more info on Vidro's health from the FOXSports.com, and a better translation of that Bruce Thomas quote above. This is old news (from last Saturday) but it's news to us (although Ladson mentioned it in passing in his mailbag, we missed it):

Nationals team doctor Bruce Thomas went to Puerto Rico to see Jose Vidro last Saturday and was "ecstatic" to see that the second baseman's injured right knee is much better, and that he is in great shape.

"I have been working with Jose since 2003, and this is the best shape I've ever seen him in. He looks trim and has lost body fat," Dr. Thomas said. Vidro is already doing baseball activities, swinging from both sides of the plate and talking routine ground balls. It looks like he might even play for Puerto Rico in the WBC. (via FoxSports.com Sat. 1/28/2006)

Royce Rolls In To Put The Heat On Guzman

"We're not going to sit back and watch Cristian Guzman have another year like he did last year...This [signing] gives us a viable option to go to in the event we don't see improvement from Guzman." (Jim Bowden via Washington Post 02/03/2006)

"I told Jim, 'Whatever it takes for the team to win, that's what I'm all about...Coming in, I'm just going to prepare myself like I have in the past. I'm going to get ready to play 162 games. I'll let everything else take care of itself. I have a tremendous amount of respect for [manager] Frank Robinson, and I know he will put out the best lineup that's going to help the team win, and that all you want." (Royce Clayton via MLB.com 02/02/2006)

(Photo by Francisco Medina/Tucson Citizen)

Deutsche Bagged: Private Financing Deal Is Dead

 

And the beat goes on: $246 mil private stadium financing deal with Deutsche Bank is kaput. Let the finger pointing and buck passing begin.

"It was never my plan. It was a plan that was recommended by the CFO." (Linda Cropp, via Washington Post 2/02/2006)

"We'll have the lawyers figure it out." (Natwar Gandhi, via Washington Post 2/02/2006)

Meanwhile, DC Council still on track for The Vote on Tuesday

"I don't have any intention whatsoever of pulling this." (Anthony Williams, via Washington Times 2/02/2006)

"I like free tickets for kids, but that's not what moves me...There's been some progress made, but there are some unanswered questions." (Kwame Brown, via Washington Times 2/02/2006)

Hello, F-Rod

Nats betting $600K that Felix Rodriguez will bounce back after an injury shortened  season last year with the Yankees (5.01 ERA - 34 G, 32.1 IP, 33H, 18ER, 20BB, 18K).

Let's see, is there anything else to say that hasn't been said already?

-A few seasons ago there, he was a great setup man.

-According to his bio on mlb.com, F-Rod "lent his name and image to the Giants "Travel Safely" campaign, which recognized the importance of safe travel and various transit agencies throughout the Bay Area."

-Do you think he's really 33?

(photo from expressfan.com)

Gandhi Gets Williams To Change Lease (Again)

But this time, the lease is really, really, really done. Everybody ready for that easy council vote next Tuesday?

Asked whether he was satisfied, Gandhi said: "I think so. I'll wait to see the final paperwork. (via Washington Post 02/01/2006)

"They still have a distance to go...There are seven or eight of us who are not comfortable to approve the lease as they described it." (Marion Barry, via Washington Post 02/01/2006)

(Photo from bizforward.com)