Dave Sheinin says the Nats are shopping Felipe Lopez to the Cubs.  We haven’t chimed in lately on the Lopez stuff, but we’re more on this side than this one.  Ken Rosenthal says the Nats are looking at Angel Berroa, a non-roster invitee shortstop and former Rookie of the Year who has also dissapointed in recent seasons.  He’s with the Royals.  Rosenthal also mentions the Orioles, Giants, Twins, White Sox and Cardinals as possible 2008 teams for Lopez. 

Lopez recently said that he would not be happy on the Nationals’ bench.  It seems that Belliard and Guzman have locked up 2nd and Short and indeed that Lopez will be the man left out.  We’re still pulling for Felipe to turn this thing around and return to All Star form. 

Opening day is just nine short days away! Stan and the Nationals say the Metro is the way to go.  Metro gives riders a little more incentive to take the train with these commemorative Nationals SmarTrip cards.  They go on sale today and you can order them here. As usual, the cards cost $5 and the user must add to the value to cover fares.  I tend to lose a SmarTrip card a week so I might have to get one of each. 

Wow we are shocked about the J Pat news, but admittedly relieved and a little pleased. This isn’t just about the big loss to the Orioles the other day. It’s part of Patterson’s continuing pattern of complaining and blaming poor performance on lingering pain, and every other excuse possible.  Remember this one?

“I was picking up a ball during BP,” said Patterson, “and I turned to throw the ball in the bucket, and as I was set to release the ball, that’s when the other ball hit me in the face. It spun me around and I saw stars for a little while and walked off the field. It has been a crazy month. I have been sick for almost the whole month. I’m finally on medicine to get that cleared up. I get hit in the face with the ball yesterday, and now my arm’s throbbing and sore. How much more stuff can you deal with?”

Recently, days after Patterson blamed a vicious flu on his bad performance against the Orioles, Tim Redding pitched a phenomenal game under the same conditions.

A bad game never seemed to be Patterson’s fault. In 2007 he was limited to just seven starts.  While attending the May 5th game in Chicago last year, we felt like we witnessed a total melt down. John pitched just two innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. He was placed on the 15-day DL the next day due to right elbow soreness. We didn’t know at the time, but that game would be the last time we’d see him pitch in 2007. 

The team was pretty patient after last year’s long drawn out search for new treatments.  It got old fast. He eventually underwent surgery in September, his second in two years.  Throughout his whole major league career, John is just 18-25.  He’s played in 88 games in six seasons. Guess he can nurse his bumps and bruises on somebody else’s DL. Releasing Patterson also creates an opening for a young guy like John Lannan.

Dave Sheinin reports that the Nats have released starter John Patterson today.

 Wow - more thoughts to follow soon!

Update:

Mark Zuckerman

Bill Ladson

Stan’s Metro ride was a success.  An afternoon stroll ain’t quite the same as the mad rush expected before and after games, but we appreciate his efforts to make the point.  

By the way, have you seen this weird Metro promo where Marshmallow Peeps race to the ballpark by metro and by car?  Very strange creative inspiration on that one.  And, we’re still waiting to hear more about those Nats themed SmartTrip cards?

Don’t forget the Ryan Zimmerman Chat with the Washington Post - Today at 1:30

Also, keep voting for Heart in the You Make the Call contest! It’s currently in 4th place, so get moving!

Jonathan Forsythe’s new video is a must-see. He asks all the Nats if they know the Redskins colors. Most fail - but have a lot of fun in the process.

Justin Maxwell was one of the stars of yesterday’s 9-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on ESPN.  Maxwell hit a 3 run homer in the 6th inning.  In the 7th, he had a stunning diving catch, stealing a hit from Brandon Inge.  A local guy and a Maryland graduate, Maxwell is one of many exciting young prospects in the organization.  He is expected to play at AA Harrisburg this season.  We talked to Justin in Viera for just a few minutes to get his thoughts on the upcoming season.

What are your expectations for the team this season?

Expectations? I think we always come into the season looking to win. Like I don’t think anyone expects much from us. Last season they predicted the team to lose so many games, but we really take that to heart and we want to prove people wrong again this year.

Who did you look up to as a kid? and on the team?

My parents, they have always been influential in my life. I try to follow in their footsteps and make good life and career choices. On the team, I look up to Dmitri Young. He kinda took me under his wing last year and helped me learn the ropes of being up in the game. I think he’s helped me out a lot.

What do you like about playing in DC?

I live half an hour away and I like that the most, being able to have my family and my wife close. They are all able to come watch me play.

What do you want Nats fans to know about you?

Oh I dont know, that I’m a hard worker and I love playing this game.  I especially love hearing the crowd cheering for me.

Photo:  Associated Press

The Nationals announced that President Stan Kasten, Screech, and Metro officials will take a ride to Nationals Park on the Metro tomorrow. Stan has been telling us for a while now that metro is the way to go, so it’s cool that he’s going to test out a route himself. The goal of the event is to demonstrate the convience of taking the train to a game.

The group will depart Chinatown - Gallery Place Metro tomorrow at 2pm and take the green line to the Navy Yard stop in front of Nationals Park.

From the press release:

The Washington Nationals and WMATA demonstrate the convenience and ease of use of the Metrorail system in getting to Nationals Park.  The route traveled will mimic one of the many available to fans that will arrive at the new ballpark via Metro this season.  Guests of National Park who don’t have reserved parking spaces are encouraged to take Metro to the ballpark.  In addition, there will be FREE parking at RFK Stadium for those who take the FREE Nats Express to the Park.  There will also be a bike valet available for cyclists.