Nats Acquire Pitcher Astacio – The Post
The Nats will sign former Padres pitcher Pedro Astacio so long as he passes a physical that includes an MRI of his shoulder. This is noteworthy because they did not do that for the last Padres pitcher they acquired, Brian Lawrence (The Wash. Times), thus necessitating Astacio. Astacio has a guaranteed contract with lots of incentives too.
More from The Wash. Times: Astacio signs guaranteed deal
Nationals’ new player won’t bug anyone – The Wash. Times
Matt “Country” LeCroy is such a fine guy that he will eat a roach for a $100 (may need to be adjusted for inflation) if a teammate puts him up to it. He wants to catch more, too.
Clayton eager for fresh start – Florida Today
More on the dreadlock-less Royce Clayton. More importantly, Florida Today has finally created a Nationals section, which includes Scott Brown’s blog. I really need to update my navigation.
A Questionable Force Play – The Post
Is Alfonso Soriano the T.O. of baseball? We will find out. I would have given this story more play, but I am still mad at GM Jim Bowden for not keeping his pants on when this trade became a possibility. Team president Tony Tavares needs to implement a dress code to keep Bowden from wearing those polyester athletic pants that come off so easily.
Nationals running up number of questions – Florida Today
Nine questions about the Nats answered.
Nationals Report – The Wash. Times
John Patterson brought a compound bow to camp and let Joey Eischen fool around with it. No good can come of this, I am having flashbacks to PSU lineman E.Z. Smith.