I don’t know why we anticipated a long quiet boring winter. This off-season has been anything but long and boring (so far).

We were so pleased to receive a season-ticket holder invitation/discount to the Tommy Lasorda book promotion at the Smithsonian next week. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Lasorda’s new book, I live for this, was my first book selection to review in this off-season. So far, it’s been a great read, but look for a full review sometime after the event.

Additionally, the Post reports that the Nats are planning a Fan Fest and other activities to promote the team throughout the region before next season. The city, however, is very angry with the team’s Maryland-based events.

Dmitri and Lenny Harris are having some fun this off-season, too. They were recently spotted at Dontrelle Willis’ charity bowling event.

For Zimmerman, a fun productive off-season is being put on hold. The third baseman injured his wrist this weekend, notably one day after hitting 14 home runs at the Home Run Derby in Chesepeake, VA. He is expected to undergo surgery today at Sibley in DC and recover in a few weeks. It’s an injury that is fairly common among golfers and baseball players. His recovery timetable is about 4-6 weeks, so he hopes it won’t affect Spring Training or the 2008 season. We wish him a safe and speedy recovery!

But, didn’t that headline just make you stop breathing for a moment? He’s expected to take the field 162 times a year, produce at the plate, impress us with sparkling defense and stay healthy. It’s time to sign him to a long-term contract. He is clearly a center piece in the future of this organization. We can’t take him for granted. Zimmerman will also not be able to golf at his own annual event for the ziMS foundation, though Schneiderman and Kearns are expected to be there.

The GMs are busy this off-season too. They voted yesterday to allow some instant replay next season. Our own Bowden was one of 5 leading the charge.

As the GM meetings in Orlando continue, Kasten and Bowden’s “talk to everyone” philosophy is becoming clear. Last weekend the Nationals made preliminary contact with the agents of Torii Hunter of the Twins and Aaron Rowand of the Phillies. Hunter had recently expressed interest in playing in Washington. Stan Kasten met with Andruw Jones last week, this meeting was also very preliminary, but the Nats have at least made contact with three top centerfielders. There are now rumors about former Red Cameron as well. The Washington community and the new stadium are both big incentives to play for the Nationals.

Additionally, both Tom Glavine and Livan Hernandez are aparently interested in joining the club. The interest is mutual as the Nationals would like a veteran on the starting rotation to act as a mentor to the young guys like Bergmann, Hill, and Chico. Bill’s weekly notes also suggest perhaps the team could let Felipe and Cordero go this off-season. Of course, we’d hate to say goodbye to these guys.

You can now vote for Best Moment in the “This Year in Baseball Awards.” While not a Bonds fan, it’s tempting to choose it because of the Nats being tied to that moment forever.

Last, but not least, some sad news about former Nat Jose Guillen using steroids. A report surfaced yesterday that former National Jose Guillen purchased over $19,000 worth of steroids and human groth hormone (HGH) from 2002-2005. At least one shipment was placed while Guillen played for the Nats. Guillen will be interviewed by the MLB. Its interesting to note that some of the perscriptions written for Guillen were provided by the same dentist who wrote those for Paul Byrd. HGH was banned in 2005 but players aren’t tested for it currently, because the urine tests aren’t reliable.

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