Bowden resigns from GM

Nats Gene-- FORMER general manager Jim Bowden resigned today, after 5 seasons of messing up with the Nats, highlighted by signings of Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns, Johnny Estrada, Paul LoDuca, Wily Mo Pena, Daniel Cabrera, Corey Patterson, and Jason Simontacci. Also by the non-signings of Torri Hunter, Aaron Rowand, Orlando Hudson, Aaron Crow, and Mark Texeiria. Bowden was a terrible GM, mostly by relying a little too much on the Nat's farm system and young players. I like the idea of having young and promising players, but Bowden took it way too far, and decided to not get any proven player who has done it in the big leagues, like Milledge, Nieves, Alberto Gonzalez. And he uses this as a excuse in the press conferences. "Listen, we're young, so just shut up, go away, and let these un-established players build our championship club. Bye."

Bowden's statement included: "I am today resigning my position as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Nationals. It is an emotional decision that saddens me, but one that I feel is in the best interests of two of the things I love most - baseball and the Washington Nationals." also: "At the same time, while I have done nothing wrong, I place a greater value on the love, respect, and best interests of my family, friends, the game of baseball -- that I've served lovingly and faithfully for close to 25 years -- and, the reputation and future of the Washington Nationals, which I'm proud to have been a part of since its inception in 2004." and lastly: "Like anyone else, I have made mistakes in all areas of my personal and professional life, but I leave here with the true belief that I have done nothing intentionally to harm the Washington Nationals or Major League Baseball. The team, the fans and media can now turn all of their attention from the distractions off-the-field to where it belongs, on the baseball field for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season." Even though it is tough to resign from GM and probably not have a job again, at least you could tell the truth. He said he did nothing wrong as GM, he has to realize that Felipe Lopez wasn't that good, and Austin Kearns didn't hit .280 with 80 RBI's and 25 homers. He also said: "for the Washington Nationals and their upcoming 2009 championship season." I like how he's being optimistic, but championship season?

The Nats are not sure who will be the new GM, but Mike Rizzo, the former vice GM will be a candidate. Even though Rizzo will be better than Bowden was, I would like to get a former player who has GM/Manager experience rather than Rizzo. That's why I didn't like the equations of Bullpen coach Randy Knorr (I would have kept Rick Aponte) or hitting coach Rick Eckstein (Although it looks like he has proven himself, so far). Team president Stan Kasten, who will serve as General Manager until a replacement is found, said the team would have made its decision for new GM soon..

Adam Dunn has finally made his decision, he will play in the World Baseball Classic for team USA. I would like to see him hit in a Nat's uniform and get to know his teammates and coaches, but that gives Nick Johnson a chance to start at first base while there is an outfield of Willingham in left, Milledge in center, and Dukes in right, and see who plays the best. If all of the above stay, either Johnson, Milledge (probably not), or Willingham will be a backup, Nick Johnson the most likely.

Joel Hanrahan also said he will play in the World Baseball Classic, for team USA. He said he was considering it for a long time. He will join the team in Clearwater, Fla., and work out on Tuesday. Rick Eckstein recommended to USA that Hanrahan sould be on the team. A spot on the roster opened up when Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan pulled himself out due to concerns about the current state of his mechanics. "When Manny and St. Claire gave me the approval, I decided to do it," Hanrahan said. "I only have a year in the big leagues. I still have some work to do. I'm trying to develop my changeup this year. There is still work to do to get ready for the season. You are still committed to the Nationals -- you have to be 100 percent for them when April 6 comes around." Last year, he was 6-3 with a 3.95 ERA and nine saves.

The nats have started the season 2-3 in Spring Training play. The starters have looked really good so far, the bullpen has looked really shaky, and it looks like hitting from back when, well... 2008. The nats have averaged just 2.8 runs a game, in the last two losing to the Cardinals 2-9 and Orioles 7-5. In the Card's game, the Nats just had only four hits, and Daniel Cabrera made his Nats debut, going two innings and gave up two runs (one earned), while walking none and striking out none. Ross Detwiler had his first outing of the spring, and it was the worst I have ever seen, walking 4 and giving up a hit, so in total giving up 3 runs and retiring none. Justin Maxwell was the player of the game for the nats, going 1-2 with two walks, and robbing Chris Duncan of a grand slam, leaping over the wall. (above)

The nats finally got their first home run of the spring, Nick Johnson solo shot in their 7-5 loss to the O's. Scott Olsen made his Nats debut, throwing two scoreless innings, while walking none and striking out two, but then comes the bullpen. Tyler Clippard throws an inning, giving up 3 runs. Also Garret Mock (ERA: 13.50) threw an inning, giving up two. The nats have an off day, and then on Tuesday play the Italian World Baseball Classic team, John Lannan will start.

Nats 55, Nats 2-1

As you have noticed, I have changed the blog name to Nats 55. When I originally started the blog in November, Zimmerman was the best player on the team so I named the blog after his number, 11. Since they got Dunn, whose # is 44, I didn't know who would be more valuable in '09 so I added 44+11 and got 55. As you probably know, Lastings Milledge was our #44 last year. After Dunn signed with the D-Backs, he wore #32, with pitcher Micah Owings wearing 44. When Dunn was introduced to the media, he put on his 32 jersey. Lastings then gave Dunn a 44 number, and then Lastings decides to wear #85, a number only worn by AA backup bullpen catchers. He wears 85 when the numbers 1, 13, 18 and 35 are available. So that is the new name of the blog. Other number changes is Willie Harris from 1 last year to this year 22, Kory Casto from 5-27, Wil Nieves 53-23, Luke Montz 23-79 (79= he will not be on the roster), New pitcher Terrrel Young is 51, Scotty Olsen is 19, Martis 51-39, Marco Estrada 55-74, Ross Detwiler 29-48, Tyler Clippard 19-36, Daniel Cabrera is 40, and Collin Balester 40-49.

The nats have already started their spring training games and are 2-1 so far. They look pretty good, especially Jordan Zimmermannnnnnnnn. he threw 2 innings on Thursday, allowing no baserunners and striking out three. The first game was against the Astros, and they lost 6-3. Nothing much happened that game, and they won the second game against the Tigers 2-1. Zimmermannnnnn, Bally-Star, and Terrel Young combined for 6 scoreless innings, and the El Tigres was held to only two hits. The Nats won the third game, against the Astros again, 2-0. The pitching was outstanding yet again, and Shawn Hill was great in his only inning. Once again, the pitching held their opponent to only two hits. The Nats scored two runs in the second inning, thanks to RBI doubles by Jesus Flores and Cristian Guzman. The nats play the Cardinals today, and Daniel Cabrera is starting. A report on the newest nats, Josh Willingham is 1-2 with a run, Scott Olsen will pitch tomorrow against the Orioles, and Adam Dunn is 0-3 with a walk.

Jose Rijo was fired recently, he was a special assistiant; I don't know why the heck they have to make it into such a big deal...

The Nats also released left hander Odalis Perez, who signed (signed means you like the contract and have agreed with it) a one-year minor league deal with the Nats, and then didn't show up to spring training because he said he didn't like such a "horrific deal"... even though he agreed with it about two weeks ago...

Acta: '08 is history

Today the Nats had their first workout session for the pitchers and catchers who reported friday. All of them showed up except for Daniel Cabrera, who will stay in the Dominican Republic for about another week because he is having his first child, Jorge Sosa, who the Nats signed as a non-roster invitee, and Odalis Perez, who signed a minor league deal with them. Sosa and Perez have until sunday until they are considered late. Early today, before their first workout session, the nats had a team meeting. It was addressed by Acta and Bowdon, and Acta told them to forget about 2008, and he expects them to play .500 baseball. Acta is excited to get the '09 season to a start, and he says this years Nats are the best team he's seen since he joined in 2007 as manager (Getting Dunn means it's going to be the best if your record as manager is 132-191). "This is the first time we have a legitimate cleanup, power guy in our lineup," Acta said referring to Dunn. "This is the best team we have had in the three years I've been here. ... I try to win with what I have. I'm not going in here thinking abut 2010. This is a good bunch of guys. Baseball has shown you the last few years that if you do things right, you never know what might happen."Acta still think one of the Nats only weakness is the bullpen. The nats must get one more really good relief pitcher other than Saul Rivera.

The nats will also add a bullpen member, 26 year old right hander Jason Bergmann. Last year he really stunk as a starter, going 2-11 with a ERA of 5.11. Even though he struggled last year, he showed glimpses of brilliance, and he still has very good movement on his pitches, especially his slider. Today he came up to Manny Acta, and asked him what his job will be during the 2009 season, and Manny said he will be a middle reliever. Bergmann was not available for comment at the time.

Along with the first workout, the nats had their first bullpen sessions, with Randy St. Clare watching each and every pitch carefully, and he was impressed with all of them. "I was pleased with everybody," St Claire said. "Everybody threw the ball very well. The deliveries look very solid out of this first group that threw today. I was impressed with a lot of the guys." Although all of them were pretty good, the one who shined today was 22-year old Jordan Zimmermannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. "I love his arm stroke," St. Claire said. "He has that really quick arm action. It's out of the glove and it's short and it's on top of the ball. He is a strong kid, he has a good body. His lines are very good. His delivery is very solid for a young kid." I wasn't really a fan of Zimmermannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn before, because I thought anyone who hasn't pitched above AA is unproven. Although after hearing about how much everyone has been raving about him, I have big expectations for him.

Eckstein works... I guess...

Even though it was the pitchers and catchers who reported on Friday, six position players showed up, and Nick Johnson was one of them. New hitting coach Rick Eckstein was in the cage working with hitters, including Johnson, Kory Casto, Ian Desmond, Pete Orr, Justin Maxwell, and Willie Harris. Johnson was the one to watch, as he will compete for the first base job come opening day. He was recently called by Eckstein to watch videos of his swing, and it turns out it needs work, as his left elbow was way too low (right) at the time of the swing, when he went to left field. "Rick showed me the tapes of my swing, and I realized I had been doing it wrong my whole life." They watched swings from Nick Johnson, dating back from his debut with the Yankees, in 2002. Eckstein also wants Johnson to start hitting on where the pitch is (inside pitch, hit to right field, down the middle, go to center field, etc...). The last six days Eckstein has thrown batting practice and they feel Johnson has made considerable improvement. "Even though it still feels awkward, I think my swing has gotten a lot better." Johnson's wrist still isn't fully 100 percent from last years injury at Shea, but he said he is close. If Johnson's swing becomes a lot better, this might mean the nats would want him back for next year, mean they should deal Milledge, and even that probably wouldn't happen.

In other news, Shawn Hill threw a bullpen session without feeling any pain. He has not had one healthy season in his seven year career of professional baseball, but he has high hopes for next season. He is not projected to be in the rotation, but Manny Acta said if Hanrahan can't handle the closer role, Hill would be a canidate. I like the idea of Hill as a closer, because he has great stuff and a lot of strikeouts, his arm is built for only pitching one inning, and look at what Kerry Wood did last year. If Hill isn't a starter, the rotation should be: 1. Lannan, 2. Cabrera, 3. Scotty Olsen, 4. Bally-star, and 5. Zimmermannnnnnnnnn/Hill/Chico. The nats want Olsen in front of Cabrera, because he is a better pitcher, and I have Cabrera in front of Scotty to mix up rightys and leftys. People always say that the #1 starter has to be the best because they are the best. As long as you start every five days it doesn't really matter.

23 players were signed on friday. They are: outfielders Roger Bernadina, Leonard Davis, Elijah Dukes and Justin Maxwell, infielders Kory Casto and Ian Desmond, catchers Jesus Flores, Luke Montz and Wil Nieves. Pitchers Luis Atilano, Collin Balester, Matt Chico, Tyler Clippard, Ross Detwiler, Marco Estrada, Joel Hanrahan, Mike Hinckley, John Lannan, Shairon Martis, Garrett Mock, Saul Rivera, Steven Shell and Terrell Young, all of them were one year deals. The ones who have not yet signed a contract are: Jason Bergmann, Mike O'Connor, Alberto Gonzalez, Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, and Ryan Zimmerman. Willingham and Zimmerman are arbitration-eligible.

Johnson won't accept backup role

Nick Johnson said recently that he will rather have a trade than accept a backup role. There are still five men (Dukes, Willingham, Milledge, Johnson, and Dunn) competing for four spots, which is the outfield and first base. I've decided that they have to get rid of either Lastings Milledge or Nick Johnson. Milledge would be hard to get rid of, considering Bowdon said he is in our long-term plans and Acta recently said Lastings would be our center fielder. Dunn and Dukes are already guaranteed a starting spot. Each of the five are too good to be a backup, yet Milledge is the worst. I hate how the Nats, to them, Milledge is a young, great slugger all-star, and Dukes is what? A nobody who's got arrested twice? Dukes is a stud, and they don't realize it. If nobody leaves, I can't imagine Lastings Milledge (below, on his check-swing) mis-playing another ball while a healthy Nick Johnson or Josh Willingham sitting on the bench. Also they're treating Austin Kearns as if he deverves to even compete to start? Kearns over Dukes?Kearns over Dunn??? Nick Johnson has a higher chance of getting traded, as for the second year in a row he said he will start or he will accept a trade. The Nats are starting to get really mad at him, as he has made eight major trips to the DL in his career. Reportedly, three teams looked at his medical record, including the Oakland Athletics, who have extreme interest in him. They also might actually mean it, because Jim Bowdon isn't their GM...

Even with that, it wouldn't be too bad to keep Milledge as a backup and if they keep all five, remembering that this is still a young team that is the most injury-prone in baseball. Not only if someone gets injured/traded in the outfield or first base, Milledge could step in but also at catcher. If Flores goes down, I don't see Montz or Nieves being able to be a starting catcher. Then, you could put Willingham at catcher and have a outfield of Dukes, Milledge, and Dunn. Although, Flores has never been injured in his career, excluding a cruel play by Chase Utley ( He dove into home, spikes up, on-purpose, after the game: "I didn't do anything").

That looks like it in the offseason for the Nats. Jim Bowdon said yesterday that they no longer had interest in Orlando Hudson. They still should have got a couple of stud relief pitchers. In the bullpen the nats are putting way too much pressure on Hanrahan, Shell, Mock, and probably Terrel Young. They need one more old (28-34 years old) relief pitcher, and maybe even Juan Cruz could help. You can tell that Chad Cordero is not coming back, because Dunn took his old number, 32. Dunn didn't say much while at his press conference, but some bad news is that you can tell Dunn is really disapointed that he came to Washington (59-102) instead of a contender. So pretty much the only other move this offseason for the nats would be a trade invlolving getting rid of Nick Johnson.

Dunn Deal... REALLY!!!

Finally! Jim Bowdon finalized the deal to sign 1b/LF/RF Adam Dunn earlier today.He would be great for our lineup. If nobody gets injured or gets traded, this is what they should do: Dunn starting RF, Dukes starting CF, Willingham starting LF, Johnson starting 1B, Milledge #1 backup for outfield. When Johnson gets hurt, move Dunn to first and move Willingham to LF. The lineup: 1.2B Anderson Hernandez, 2.SS Cristian Guzman, 3.3B Ryan Zimmerman, 4.LF Adam Dunn, 5.RF Elijah Dukes, 6.1B Nick Johnson, 7.C Jesus Flores, 8.CF Lastings Milledge, 9.P, top pinch hitter: Josh Willingham. In that lineup there is tons of power. I could also see three people hitting 30 bombs with Zimm, 'Lijah, and Adam Dunn (this guy needs a good nickname). I could also see Lastings, Johnson, and Flores hitting 20.
Dunn has been a monster in his career, bombing at least 40 gone-bombs each of the last 5 seasons. He can also have a great on-base percentage, last year's was .381. This guy is huge, as he stands at 6-6, 267 LBS, and just that alone is enough to strike fear into opposing pitchers. Even though he has bombed at least 40 in the past 5 seasons, that should be over-looked, consitering he has hit exactly 40 in the last 4 seasons and he is playing in the arguably-most hitter friend park in the majors at The Great American Ballpark. Sadly, leaving that park might be bad news for Dunn. After going to Arizona for a short stint, he struggled. Just look at what Kearns and Lopez were going to be before they got traded. Also look at what happened all the other players Bowden got from Cinnci. Also you can't be sure he can even stay heathy. You can tell that Dunn wanted to go to a contender, as he waited this long to sign. He figured the Nats were about the only team left running for him after th Angles signed Mark Texeiria. There is Dunn (on the right) relaxing the offseason, thinking about which contender will sign him.
Pitchers and Catchers report in two days. Nothing much to say here, other than some good news that Jesus Flores has already caught three games from Daniel Cabrera.

Bowden Screws up again, Patterson retires

Again.
A few days ago, he said the Nationals are no longer running for major free-agents, including second basemen Orlando Hudson and left fielder Adam Dunn. This means another year of Nick Johnson getting injured and Ronnie Belliard, or even Dmitri Young playing their pathetic first base. Dunn or Hudson would've been great fit for Washington, lacking a power hitter or a true leadoff hitter. After Johnson gets injured, maybe what would not be so bad is Willingham move to first, Dukes move to left, Milledge in center, and Austin Kearns or Wily Mo Pena in right. Even though Bowden said this, he could've only said it to lower the price of Dunn and Hudson, and then possibly sign either one to a longterm deal. Although it may seem like that would happen, don't forget how close they were to getting Texeiria, when Texeiria said he was favoring the Yankees the whole time. Also it looks like the Cubs, who were once the lead runners, are no longer running for Dunn after signing Milton Bradley, another left-handed hitting outfielder, but you can't be sure after the Red Sox, Angles, and Orioles said they officialy dropped out of Texeiria but then came back in the race. I am really mad at Bowdon if they don't get anyone, considering they said they would get someone good.
Also, John Patterson, a former starting pitcher for the Nats, retired from baseball the other day. His career came to an end when he started to throw in early January, and his arm started to hurt again. He was a great pitcher when healthy, his best season in 2005 when he went 9-7 with a ERA of 3.13 and 185 strikeouts. In 2006 was when the injuries got in the way, going 1-4 with a 4.51 ERA. He struggled more in '07, and the Nats released him in '08 after a arm injure.
" I don't know what went wrong. I wish I had a chance to have a few more healthy seasons," He said recently. What I would have done is just take 2 or 3 years off, then spend the next year in the minor leagues, and then return to the majors and see what happens. In other news............

• Tim Redding signed a 1 year, 2.25 million deal with the Mets.
• The Nationals said they are willing to give Jordan Zimmermannnnnnnnnnnn a shot at starting next year.