Closer Chad Cordero is really just a big kid (The Post). A big rich kid following an arbitration victory. The club’s cool with it though. He turned down a two-year deal though. He is still humble (The Wash. Times) though and back to focusing on hitters (Florida Today).

Stan Kasten expects progress (The Wash. Times) this year. What does he consider progress I wonder? He won’t give a prediction (Florida Today) though, but remains excited and convinced that The Plan will work.

The third part of this Post notebook article that includes Manny Acta being evasive about rotation questions and Luis Ayala’s eagerness to return mentions that RFK Stadium will have a new p.a. announcer this season. Jim Clarke, who held the position for the last two seasons, did not pass an audition for his old job. Barry Svrluga also mentioned it on Nationals Journal.

Shawn Hill spent most of his career pitching in pain (The Free Lance-Star). he knew he had elbow problems, but doctors did not think it was significant enough to operate on. That changed in 2004. Now, he is healthy and says the pain made him a better pitcher.

Columnist Dick Heller of The Wash. Times visited some Nats fans at a Bethesda church.

Devil Rays castoff Travis Lee is vying for time at first base (The Free Lance-Star) with Larry Broadway, Dimitri Young and Robert Fick. He leads active first basemen with a .997 fielding percentage.

Thomas Boswell has an interesting column in today’s Post. Bos goes on and on about how Acta is a 21st century manager, unlike Frank Robinson. However, in the last paragraph he wonders aloud if better managing might ultimately cost the Nats a future MVP if they win too much and don’t get the first or second pick of the draft. While I see where he is coming from and I know this isn’t football I can’t help but think of Herman Edwards.

Q&A with Chris Snelling – The Wash. Times

GETTING TO KNOW YOU (Joe Thurston) – The Free Lance-Star