No failures to communicate – The Wash. Times
Lannan and Orr Among Those Sent to Minors – The Post
Orr, Lannan are among final cuts – The Wash. Times
Final roster is no surprise – The Free Lance-Star
The 25-man roster is set. Long story short, players on the bubble with options were sent down the minors, players without options are going to Washington.
Manny Acta will explain to the players who are on the 25-man roster, but riding the bench, why they are not starting.
First Base Job Seems To Be Johnson’s – The Post
All signs point to Nick Johnson being the regular first baseman over comeback player of the year Dmitri Young. Johnson, who missed all of 2007 following a late 2006 season broken leg, has been solid this spring and is a much better glove at first. He is an early candidate for comeback player of the year too. Young showed up in camp overweight, possibly due to his diabetes medication.
Nats’ Chico Kicks Into a Higher Gear – The Post
Nats’ Chico a leg up on batters now that he’s getting his leg up – Florida Today
Another look at the new/old mechanics that Matt Chico is employing this season.
MICHAEL ZITZ – PAIN AT THE PARK? ONE MAN’S TAKE ON THE NEW BALLPARK: IT’S GOING TO COST FANS TOO MUCH – The Free Lance-Star
A Fredericksburg columnist wishes the park was in Virginia out by Dulles instead of in D.C. I’m going to disagree about that point. I will agree that the view of the parking garages in the outfield is uninspiring. Zitz also notes that a building owned developed by the Lerner family blocks the view of the Capitol dome in some cases. Yes, it is ironic, but the building was planned before the ballpark was announced and does not block the view from that much of the upper deck. As for the line “Those who don’t take Metro regularly may be a little uncomfortable taking their children on the train for night games” suggests a little bit of “mean world syndrome” that is grounded more in outdated stereotypes (about subways other than Metro) than reality.
Overall, Zitz is pleased that there will be NL to take his kids too, even if it costs too much.
Nationals Park: Home (At Last) – The Wash. Times
Baseball ’08: Arms Race – The Wash. Times
There is some overlap between these two sections and I simply don’t have time to read them all this morning. However, I am looking forward to going through them later today and commenting on some of the articles.
One thing is certain though, the Lerners are going to make a lot of money. Capital Punishment reminds us that the Lerners are not taking a dime of profit (for some time) we should expect to see quite a farm system.
NL East Preview: Nationals puzzle nears completion – Philly Daily News
This preview takes the “they haven’t gotten one big name free agent, so they are not ready to contend” angle.
NOON CHAT:
Designing Nationals Park – washingtonpost.com
“Architects Joe Spear and Jim Chibnall of HOK Sport will be online Thursday, March 27 at noon ET to discuss their design for Nationals Park, their goals for the stadium and the challenges to making those plans a reality.”