Ugg. West Coast trips suck. So in the spirit of suckiness, let's answer the latest edition of the Nationals.com mailbag! As usual, keep those e-mails coming to Nationals.com, and we'll keep copying and pasting them over here and giving our half-assed answers! Here we go:
Is Aaron Boone going to get more playing time? He should.
-- D.O., Winnipeg, MB.
Be careful what you wish for...Zim's shoulder could make you see a whole lot more of Aaron Boone than you bargained for.
It seems like after every game, there's an item about Lastings Milledge being careless or lackadaisical on the field. And all I hear from him are excuses. What is he still doing in center field?
-- A.C., Atlanta, Ga.
I don't think it's Milledge being careless or lackadaisical: he's a work in progress. But aren't there coaches for that sort of thing? Anyway, we'd love to see him stuck in one of the corners, move Dukes to center. Yeah.
Can we get some love for Tim Redding? What a warrior, but nobody talks about him. He's by far our best pitcher this year.
-- S. C., Washington, DC
You obviously aren't one of the 10 people who stop by this site daily; Redding gets lots of hugs and love from The Nationals Enquirer.
Acta and Washington management should be commended for their patience, but how much longer will it last?
-- D.O., Winnipeg. MB
About as long as Willie Randolph has a job. Hate to say it, but the Mets are warming up a seat for Acta for 2009 and beyond...
Does choking up on the bat yield more or less power than a regular grip? Thanks for your help.
-- S.J., Eau Claire Wis.
Yes.
I completely agree with Nationals' idea of building a strong farm system. However, the club needs to get somebody to make fans excited, and somebody who is proven. You can't keep getting guys hitting .100 with five RBIs in a month. They also can't keep bringing up young guys before they are ready. I think the Nationals must stop being stingy and at least sign one big-name free agent.
-- A.H., Nazareth, Pa.
Hi. Where's Nazareth PA? Can't you go bombard the Pirates or Phillies mailbags or something? Go away.