Nationals Journal - Daily news and commentary on the Washington Nationals - November 16, 2008

Shots At the Breeze... With Ryan Zimmerman

I had the chance to chat today with Ryan Zimmerman, who's currently hanging low back home in Virginia Beach. His shoulder is doing well. His fantasy team is not. Here's more from our Q&A, transcribed with quality-assured 97-percent accuracy. Q:...

By Chico Harlan | November 21, 2008; 3:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (24)

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Former Nat LeCroy to Manage Class A Suns

The Hagerstown Suns, one of the Nats' low-level Class A affiliates, today announced their 2009 staff, which includes a new manager, Matt LeCroy, whose name might sound familiar. Indeed, LeCroy, a big leaguer for eight seasons (2000-07) spent 2006 with...

By Chico Harlan | November 21, 2008; 1:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)

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The First-Base Picture, Beyond Teixeira

Since we all seem to be of the mind that the Nationals are the longest of longshots to win the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, it may be useful to look - as the Nationals have been doing, I'm told -- at...

By Dave Sheinin | November 21, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (40)

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Teixeira Sets Deadline ... at a Football Game

Well, mlb.com is reporting that Mark Teixeira would like to have a new contract by Christmas. Here's what he said when interviewed by ESPN on the sideline during the Georgia Tech-Miami game Thursday night: "I don't want to put a...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 21, 2008; 8:21 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)

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The Suitors Line Up

I spoke today with Scott Boras, who represents Mark Teixeira, the top offensive player on the market -- and indeed, Washington's greatest target in the free agent market. The super-agent was predictably coy about the what's in store for Teixeira,...

By Chico Harlan | November 20, 2008; 5:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)

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Jewett is New Class A Potomac Manager

With last year's manager, Randy Knorr, now a part of the Washington coaching staff, Class A Potomac knew it would need a new manager for 2009. The team today announced that Trent Jewett, a long-time minor league manager with the...

By Chico Harlan | November 20, 2008; 12:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (16)

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Lannan on All-Rookie Team

John Lannan was one of 10 players named today to the 50th Annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team, which recognizes the best rookie from each position, plus one left-handed and one right-handed pitcher. Lannan, who went 9-15 with a...

By Chico Harlan | November 20, 2008; 11:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)

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Teixeira Watch: Why It Might Be a Long Winter

First of all, let me ask you this: Does Teixeira news (or non-news, as the case may be) belong here -- or over in that other blog? In other words, do you feel strongly enough about the Nationals' level of...

By Dave Sheinin | November 20, 2008; 10:38 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (26)

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Globe: Sox Offer to Teixeira Will Make History

The Boston Globe's Tony Massarotti has this to say about the Red Sox and Mark Teixeira: Here's a prediction: By the time this is over, win or lose, the Red Sox effectively will have made Mark Teixeira the largest contract...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 19, 2008; 3:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (48)

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Stearns Returning as Class AA Manager

The Harrisburg Senators, Washington's Class AA affiliate, will keep much of its coaching staff intact for 2009. John Stearns is returning as manager, Troy Gingrich is returning as the hitting coach, and Beth Jarrett will again serve as the trainer....

By Chico Harlan | November 19, 2008; 2:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)

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Roger Bernadina Medical Update

Good news for Roger Bernadina -- and for the Bravos de Margarita, his team in the Venezuelan Winter League. It looks like Bernadina's recent injury, diagnosed as a right calf strain, will require a two-week strength and conditioning program. After...

By Chico Harlan | November 19, 2008; 11:32 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Foli to Manage Syracuse

Tim Foli will return as the manager of the Nats' Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs. Steve McCatty will be the pitching coach, Darnell Coles will be the hitting coach and Mike Quinn will be the head athletic trainer. Foli has managed...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 18, 2008; 2:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)

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Kasten on Teixeira Reports: Not So Fast

Nationals President Stan Kasten said today that reports -- including ours -- of a significant and imminent offer to free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira are highly premature, saying, "You're way ahead of us here." While Kasten, as is typical,...

By Dave Sheinin | November 18, 2008; 1:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)

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Marlins Fans: Less Happy

Another way to judge a trade: See what fans of the opposition think. The Nats' acquisition of Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen from the Marlins seemed to be well-received among the Nats Journal faithful. Not surprisingly, Marlins fans who participated...

By Tracee Hamilton | November 18, 2008; 11:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)

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Nationals Journal: November 16, 2008 - November 22, 2008