Back by popular demand, The Nationals Enquirer answers the latest installment of the Nationals.com mailbag! The correct answers are available on Nationals dot com; now we'll give it a shot.
Keep those e-mails coming to Nationals beat writer Bill Ladson, and we'll keep copying and pasting them over here. Thanks a bunch.
I take offense to Frank Robinson's recent comments in an interview conducted by you. Regarding his lack of popularity in Montreal compared to Washington, he stated, "The Montreal fans are not baseball savvy like the people in the D.C./Baltimore area." The reason he was unpopular in Montreal was not because we are not baseball savvy.
Everyone was aware of his accomplishments through his Hall of Fame career. The reason he was unpopular was because of his poor choices as manager. Continuously putting the likes of Jim Brower, Hector Almonte and Rocky Biddle in key game situations is an example. Edwards Guzman getting 150 at-bats is another. His love for Ron Calloway and Henry Mateo are further examples.
-- Jeffrey S., Montreal
Oh Jeffrey you big crybaby, lighten up.
What's up with the new owners not even having a conversation with Robinson yet? He is Frank Robinson, after all, not some no-name who is just warming the manager's chair. He deserves at least that.
-- Joe T., Silver Spring, Md.
You're right: he's not just some no-name who is warming the manager's chair; he's a Hall of Famer who is warming the manager's chair for Davey Johnson.
After all this talk about building the Nationals farm system, I'm wonder what the typical timeline is for that type of investment to pay off.
-- Troy Pomroy, Washington, D.C.
We wonder about that, too...3-5 years? We have no idea, really...but to use that old timeworn mailbag/chat/interview cliché: "That's a great question." Some good news for the Nationals yesterday: they signed top draft pick Chris Marrero yesterday (and convinced him to move from 3b to OF)
What are the Nationals going to do in center field? Marlon Byrd is a fourth outfielder at best, and Damian Jackson is an occasional fill-in. Where do the Nationals go from here? Do you think they'll look to acquire someone or are they content to finish out the year with what they already have?
-- Joel K., Washington, D.C.
Joel, you'll know the Nationals are really in trouble the day you look up and see LeCroy patrolling center. Bowden keeps threatening to get rid of the under performing veterans and play the kids, so they'll probably keep running out the Marlons, Jackson, etc. for a while and then call up some youngsters. Or maybe Jimbo can trick the Mets into a Livan Hernandez-for-Endy Chavez deal, straight up?
What do you see happening, the Nationals keeping Livan Hernandez or trading him before the deadline is up? Which teams are looking at the ace?
-- Peter, Alexandria, Va.
That's "Former ace," Peter. Livan will be moved, but we have no idea where he'll be moved to.
I read all about the situation with John Wetteland's dismissal. What's your take on it?
-- Dave G., North Dartmouth, Mass.
Our take on it is that Wetteland was basically a disrespectful clown. And the fact that Jimbo is still seeking him out for a job in some other capacity with the team speaks volumes about Jimbo, Jimbo's future with the team, and Frank's future with the team.
Why is Tony Armas always getting injured and how come the Nationals/Expos never get rid of him?
-- Alex C., Montreal
Another question from Montreal! Say, have you seen Youppi around anywhere recently? What was your question again?
What is the possibility of trading Armas prior to the deadline?
-- Brian K., Carle Place, N.Y.
Not very likely. See previous question.