One by one the Nationals are avoiding the arbitration process with the players eligible. Yesterday, the Nats and Tim Redding agreed on contract terms. Redding received a one-year $1 million deal with additional bonuses if he pitches more than 180 innings. Tim’s performance last year was a pleasant surprise, he really stepped up when so many of our starters fell to injury. He was called up in July and went 3-6 with a 3.64 ERA. We are excited to have him back next year, and are interested to see what Spring Training will bring for the rotation.

As of now, the Nationals still have two players eligible for arbitration, Jon Rauch and Felipe Lopez. It sounds like the Nats had been trying to work with Rauch on a deal but nothing has been agreed on yet. It’s all quiet on the Felipe Lopez front, although we’ve heard he is expected to compete with Guzman for a starting position during Spring Training. We’d love for Felipe to prove himself, and have the kind of amazing season we all know he can have.

Less than a month to go now!

We headed to the Washington Capitals game last night to spice things up a bit and attend another of the 2008 Winter Tour events. There seemed to be a good turn out. Manny, John Lannan, Jason Bergmann, and Charlie Slowes were signing autographs and talking with fans. Jason especially was really looking forward to seeing the hockey game.

The Capitals ended up beating the Senators 4-2. It was the first time the Capitals had swept the Senators since the 95-96 season. Exciting game, but don’t expect to see us trading in our seats at the new ballpark for seats in the Verizon Center. Tickets were pretty expensive. $35 for a seat in the very last row!

I guess $35 is a popular number, rumor has it that’s what it will cost season ticket holders to park at the new stadium next year…a little excessive don’t you think? We haven’t received our parking package yet, but are interested to see what exactly is being offered.

Check here for some more pics from last nights event.

With just about 30 days left before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, baseball fans are getting excited. MLB.com posted a countdown clock on all our team sites yesterday and MLB.com’s Mark Newman wrote a fantastic piece on surviving the next 30 days. The Nationals also appear to have some great Spring Training packages available if you still haven’t made your travel plans!

The House Oversight & Govt. Reform Committee’s hearing on the use of performance enhancing substances by major league baseball players begins today. Former Sen. George Mitchell (D-ME), MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, and Don Fehr, president, Major League Players Association will meet with the Committee.

You can watch live on CSPAN2.

Nationals manager Manny Acta recently sat down with Fox5’s Dave Feldman for a brief discussion about the upcoming season. Acta talks about last year’s team, the future of the organization, Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Chad Cordero and the Mitchell Report.

While not addressing the Lo Duca* situation directly, Acta said that the players accused “have to be man enough to admit it.”

You can see Manny tomorrow night at the Washington Capitals game. He will join Jason Bergmann and John Lannan to sign autographs before the game as part of the continuing winter tour.

Harvard Boys: A Father and Son’s Adventures Playing Minor League Baseball. John Wolff and Rick Wolff. New York, Skyhorse Publishing, 2007.

As father and son, John and Rick Wolff both experienced the highs and lows of minor league baseball. Harvard Boys chronicles John’s baseball career from Harvard to Arizona to Bristol to Massachusetts to Kalamazoo through one summer of baseball. John recalls his experiences in diary form while his father, Rick, adds insight from his own baseball experiences along the way.

The story is a fascinating look into the life of minor leaguers and prospects. It begins with spring training in the dry Arizona heat. John invites us into his day-to-day life on and off the field. A Harvard grad who instead wanted to live out his baseball dream, John struggled to prove himself throughout the summer to the White Sox organization. More than just providing game re-caps, the book also describes the competition, emotional obstacles, personal challenges and financial problems that toughen ballplayers in the minor league system.

The book is enjoyable because it is genuine. John watches superstar prospects accelerate much faster than he can. He struggles to prove to his coaches, and to himself that he belongs. At each turning point, John picks up the pieces and moves on to find a new pro ball opportunity.

His determination is refreshing and serves as a wonderful reminder at how great the differences can be between minor and major league ball. While our Washington Nationals are treated to spreads of healthy food and stays in the nicest hotels, John’s always looking for a free meal and trying to find cheap sources of air conditioning and transportation.

Along the way, John’s father Rick, who played minor league ball in the Tigers organization and worked for the Indians, offers encouragement, insight and memories as he responds to John’s experiences. For as much as the game may change from year to year, readers begin to understand that many elements will always stay the same.

I really enjoyed Harvard Boys. I found myself quickly engaged and curious about how his summer would unfold — even tossing the book aside in anger for a few days after a frustrating turn of events. Well written and insightful, I often found his stories to be humorous. The book is loaded with the superstar prospects that have quickly and quietly made their mark on baseball. Their cameo experiences are entertaining but not the focus. The story’s biggest accomplishment is bringing fans into the dugout and onto the team bus for a summer. Overall, a nice father-son story full of the ups and downs of minor league baseball in America.

You can purchase the book at your local bookstore.

Yesterday, the Washington Nationals participated in NBC4’s 15th Health and Fitness Expo at the DC Convention Center. Radio announcer Charlie Slowes, team president Stan Kasten, RHP Jason Bergmann and infielder Aaron Boone were present. It was Aaron Boone’s first appearance as a National. It looks like Boone will be wearing a number 8 on his back this season.

The players demonstrated batting, pitching and fielding for youngsters and took their questions before answering questions from the adult fans in attendance. The kids were eager to learn about the game from Jason and Aaron. Ever the teacher, Jason showed the children different grips for different pitches. Aaron helped them practice a ready stance, fielding and throwing.

After the demonstration, the children asked questions of the players. One child asked what the hardest pitch is to hit. Bergmann explained that while he’s a pitcher and doesn’t hit often, he hates good sliders. Boone’s most concerned about perfect placement. He explained that Freddy Garcia has a lot of deceptive movement.

There were a few questions about how the guys stay healthy. Both players warned the kids to limit junk food and eat lots of small meals throughout the day. Boone explained that he loved to cook which encouraged a youngster to suggest that the team publish a cookbook. Bergmann reminded fans of Patterson and Schneider’s decision last season to remove the junkfood from the clubhouse.

Fans and adults also asked a few questions. Stan Kasten explained that Opening Day tickets and single game tickets in general would go on sale at the beginning of March. Season-ticket holders will have an opportunity to purchase before that time. With 75 days left, Stan talked about how busy the club is getting ready to open the new park. “It’s the busiest off season of my career,” he explained.

Charlie also asked Aaron and Jason about the impact of steroids on the game. “I think they’re bad,” said Boone. He expressed confidence in MLB’s steps toward cleaning up the game. Bergmann agreed with Boone and said there’s plenty of ways to improve your game without performance enhancing substances - citing lifting and proper nutritrion as two examples.

After the questions, Kasten, Boone and Bergmann signed autographs for fans. The presidents entertained fans throughout the Expo - even joining an exercise class for a few minutes.

Here’s our photos from the event. Miss Chatter has some great ones too.

Turns out bloggers and crazy fans think alike. After the event, we figured we’d make the most of our green line ride by stopping at the new stadium for a quick look. Nats320 was there and also has some great pictures.

It looks like the stadium and the Metro have lots of work ahead, but here’s to counting down the days.

The Nats also have this cool new video up of the park construction.

The Nationals just announced they avoided arbitration with Chad Cordero and signed the closer to a one year $6.2 million deal. This is great news for both the Chief and Nats fans. Chad has said on numerous occasions that he wants to stay in DC and loves playing for the Nationals. As the Nationals are trying to mold a group of young men into a championship team, it makes total sense to keep the talented young closer in Washington. While he keeps our hearts pounding in the 9th inning, Chief usually gets the job done. Congratulations Chad!

From the Press Release:

The 25 year-old Cordero, who has successfully converted over 80 percent of his save opportunities each of his complete three seasons as a closer, ranks second on the franchise’s all-time saves list with 128 (Jeff Reardon, 152). Last season—on June 12 vs. Baltimore at the age of 25 years, 86 days—Cordero became the second-youngest closer in big league history to reach the 100-save plateau (Francisco Rodriguez, 24 years, 246 days). Cordero is 20-14 with 128 saves and a 2.79 ERA in 299 career appearances spanning four-plus seasons with Washington and Montreal.

The Nationals now have three players left who remain arbitration eligible: Felipe Lopez, Jon Rauch, and Tim Redding. It will be interesting to see what happens for them in the next few weeks.