Is it still January? So, first of all, the good news is that we’re 16 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting.  Just look outside.  Before you know it, you (I) will be complaining about the heat and humidity at Sunday afternoon games.  Hard to believe,  but we’re almost there.

I assume Steph will have some re-cap of her thoughts about Nats Fest and the Caravan.  I know she’s also working on something about the Potomac Nationals Hot Stove event.  I wanted to share links to my stories about all of the Nats Caravan events.  What a busy week:

Day One
Day Two
Day Three
NatsFest
Day Five
And…
This interview with Terrell Young

As well as all the photos I took along the way:
WV and Rockville
DC and Annapolis
Woodbridge and Charlottesville
NatsFest
School Assembly
Children’s Hospital

Now for all the news we may have missed…

LICEY WON!
The Tigres won the finals in 5 games to be the Dominican Champs this winter. Since they won’t be celebrating like this in DC anytime soon, it’s fun to watch this video (bottom right corner) of them celebrating after their big win.

Grand Slam E-Z Payment Plan:
Beginning on Friday, January 23, 2009, fans may renew or purchase season ticket plans (full, half or partial) and make monthly payments through over the next 6 months.  Fans opting to purchase tickets through this payment plan will receive all of their tickets at the start of the season, allowing them to enjoy every game while they pay off their balance each month. Fans simply attach their credit cards to their account to allow for convenient, automatic payments when due.

Keith Law’s Rankings came out and well…Nationals #29 out of #30, with 1 in the top 100 (#42 Jordan Zimmermann)…Yikes, that’s bad.

MASN adds Rob Dibble
Kasten: “We are thrilled to have a talent like Rob Dibble join our broadcast crew. His enthusiasm and knowledge will quickly make him very popular among Nationals viewers. Rob and I talked today about the three things we know he will be: honest, informative and fun.”  And - Don Sutton joins the Braves Radio Team

And on a completely unrelated note, HERE WE GO!

I received a text this morning from a friend informing me that Ryan Zimmerman was chatting with Elliot in the Morning on DC 101.  I love Elliot’s interviews, he regularly talks with Redskin’s Chris Cooley and numerous Capitals players, it was a real treat to hear Zim this morning. 

They chatted for about 15 minutes and Elliot asked all the right questions. 

Turns out Ryan has held a New Years Eve party with his buddies for the past couple of years.  He said New Years is a great time for all of his friends to get together.  Chris Cooley attended this year and reportedly liked the ice luge.

Then they talked about the baseball stuff, starting with arbitration.  Zimmerman was hopeful that he and the Nats would reach an agreement before the deadline.  He claimed they were a little over a million dollars apart in their offers, and was confident something could be worked out.  He said he wants to be in Washington, and would like a deal to make that official.  Zim said he has played here through some of the worst times and would like to stay and see the team win a World Series.  He said it would almost be like going full circle. 

Elliot asked how Zimmerman thought the team would play in 2009 and Ryan candidly replied that things couldn’t get any worse than last year.  Ryan was excited about the Willingham and Olsen trade, and said he thinks Kasten and Bowden are doing things to make the team better.  Ryan predicted that maybe next year they would get a big name free agent and kind of complete the lineup.  He said “it doesn’t take much to get from the bottom to the top.”  Zim also said the guys are all healthy and ready to go. 

They talked about Elijah Dukes for a while.  Elliot wanted to know what he was like in the clubhouse.  Ryan gave a very mature and honest answer.  He said that Dukes deep down wasn’t a bad guy, he’s just gone through some difficult things and can’t seem to escape a weight he’s put on his own shoulders.  Ryan said Dukes was a good teammate, that he wants to win and would do anything for any of the guys.  It’s the little things like being on time or getting his act together, that have made it difficult.  Zim said he just needs to get it all together and realize what a great player he can be. 

Zimmerman is in Tampa right now working out and preparing for Spring Training, but he is coming up for the Winter Caravan and Nats Fest.  Ryan said he’s excited for the events.  “It’s important for us to relate to the fans, they buy the tickets that pay our salaries, and a lot of times they don’t get to do this fun stuff” he said.  Ryan said he personally enjoys relating to the fans and hearing their stories.

Lastly, Elliot asked if Zim thought Obama would throw out the first pitch at the home opener this year.  Ryan said he definitely should and that having the president there for the first game should become a tradition every year at Nats Park.

We really enjoyed listening to Zim this morning.  They should let Ryan speak about the franchise more often.  We haven’t felt this good about being a Nationals fan in while.  Ryan’s enthusiasm was evident and that’s the stuff the fans need to see. 

Also, everyone wish Kristen a very happy birthday today!!

We hope each of you had a happy holiday!  It was nice to take a nice long break post Teixeira and get some sleep.  Here’s a few links and updates for now.  We’re working on having a Women in Baseball interview up any day, so check back soon.

After 84 innings this season and a lot of overuse, Saul Rivera recently started pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter Leagues.  In 4 innings, he has 4.50 ERA. 

Saul’s buddy Wil Nieves bounced back from a miserable start in winter ball.  Nieves now carries a .295 average in 78 at bats, hitting .355 over his last 10 games.

And remember Jonathan Albaladejo?  The hefty Yankees reliever who was lights out with the Nationals at the end of ‘07? He has given up no runs in 19 innings in Puerto Rico.

Playoffs began last week in the DR.  The Tigres/Nats/”softball girls” are 2-1 so far, including a 5-2 win on Monday over Nelson Figueroa and the Aguilas.  Anderson Hernandez is 6 for 13 in the playoffs and has collected doubles in each of those games.  New National Jorge Sosa started on Friday; he pitched 5 innings and gave up 1 earned run with six strike outs leading his team to a 14-4 win.

The MLB Network launches on Thursday, January 1st!

Dave Letterman might be a Nationals fan?

The Cabrera deal is official.  $2.6 million for one year.

Opening Day is just 96 days away!

I think I’m one of the only suckers working for part of the day today…well the term “working” is loosely defined, by working I mean I’m present in my cubicle.  I had a chance to read Boswell’s article today about the Nats, Teixeira, and the evil Yankees.  I agreed with pretty much everything he said.  Here are a few of my favorite parts -

When a franchise has the worst record in its sport, but has no financial or operational handicap to excuse it, only one thing matters: Get better.

Why? If the Nats did not know the reason before they sought Teixeira, they certainly should grasp it now. The Nats, by building their major league product too cheaply, did more than shortchange their fans in the inaugural season at Nationals Park. By obsessing exclusively over the long term but neglecting absolutely fundamental improvements to the big club, they made Washington a home that Teixeira could not take seriously.

Instead, the Nationals have wasted two offseasons, neglected two free agent pools of talent and, with injuries last season, dissolved into a 102-loss joke. They didn’t have to be. So, when the Nats might have had their coup, the Yanks swept Teixeira up with ease.

After all, who’d want to play baseball in Washington at any price? That’s what has to change.

Here’s to change in the new year, and fielding a team that can be taken seriously.  We hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

Mark Teixeira!  Please, please, please Mark say yes to the Nats offer and make our Christmas wishes come true.   Even if you only say yes to shut them up, it would be enough.  You’d be a star in DC! 

During the first day of the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Manny Acta gave an interview to mlb.com.  The subject of Jesus Flores as starting catcher came up once again.  Sounds like Manny and the Front Office want a little competition behind home-plate.

Yeah, we would like to have a guy that can push him. It’s such an early age that he doesn’t feel it’s all his, and he can just sit down and rest. That’s not his makeup or his character, but we as managers always like to do that, so we like probably a guy that can push him and give him a run for his money.

It seems a little unfair that Flores has to prove himself again this year.  Last offseason, the big question was if he was ready to play everyday in the majors.  When both Lo Duca and Estrada got injured early on, Flores really stepped up.  He had a great first half of the season, even led the team in RBI’s at one point.  Sure he isn’t perfect, but no one on the team is. How about trying to push Zimmerman, Kearns, Milledge or heck even Dmitri Young to be better too?  Should extra catching really be a top priority when we still don’t have a reliable first baseman, a solid rotation or a dependable bullpen?  If Nieves isn’t the guy the team feels can help Flores develop, I hope they pick someone solid.  The “veterans” they picked last year to help him sure didn’t work out as planned.

Honestly, if the team is this worried about who is behind the plate, then I think Nats fans have reason to really worry about next season.

In the DR:

Anderson Hernandez is racking up triples in the Dominican League.  He was 3 for 4 last night with his 5th triple in 27 games.   He’s hitting .414 with a 9 game hitting streak.  Six of those were multi-hit games.  Licey won 6-5, maintaining their second place tie with Azucareros del Este.

In Puerto Rico:

Nationals prospect Jorge Padilla hit a grand slam and drove in six runs for the first place Lobos.  Justin Maxwell’s fallen into a brief 1 for 16 slump with 7 strike outs.

In Venzuela, Alberto Gonzalez returned to the lineup after missing a week.  He went 1 for 4 with an RBI in the 9-6 win.

In Arizona, the Saguaros lost 4-7. Davis was 1 for 4 with a double.  Rhinehart went 2 for 4 with a double,  a homer and 2 RBI.  VanAllen pitched 5 scoreless innings, giving up only 2 hits while striking out 6.

In Puerto Rico, Justin Maxwell blasted his 3rd homer in 5 games last night.  He went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, 2 walks and 3 RBI.  Guess his wrist feels better.  More competition for the crowded Nationals outfield?

In the DR, Anderson Hernandez continues to impress.  He went 2 for 4 last night with an RBI double.  It was his 4th multi-hit game in a row.  He’s hitting .408 in 98 at bats with the Tigres del Licey and leading the league in hits and triples.

In Venezuela, Jesus Flores has hit safely in all of his seven games.  On Tuesday, he hit a go ahead home run for the Magallanes.  Alberto Gonzalez is also having a great week.  On Tuesday, he went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored.  Last night, 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored.  He has 17 hits in 12 games with the Bravos.  I’m not sure why, but Roger Bernadina has not played in a game since November 1st.  He hit .175 in 11 games in Venezuela.

Jesus Flores made his first appearance for the Magallanes yesterday.  As Designated Hitter, Flores went 1 for 5 with an RBI double and 3 strike outs.

The Licey Tigres lost 5-10 last night.  Bonifacio, playing center field and hitting lead-off, went 3 for 4 with a triple.  Anderson Hernandez went 0 for 4, walked, stole a base and had an error.   He still leads the league in average (.433) and hits (29).

In Arizona, the Peoria Saguaros won a close 13-12 game with a lot of help from Nats prospects.  Leonard Davis played right and went 2 for 4 with a walk.  Bill Rhinehart followed Davis in the order, hitting 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 doubles and an RBI.  Ian Desmond was hitless, but he scored after being walked.  Mets prospect Daniel Murphy doubled to secure the walk off victory.

Cory VanAllen pitched a scoreless 5th inning Friday night for the American Rising Stars in a loss to the National Rising Stars 6-7.

In Arizona over the weekend, prospect Bill Rhinehart had a huge game.  Playing LF, Rhinehart went 2 for 6 with a double, a homer and 3 RBI.  Leonard Davis was 1 for 4 with 3 RBI and an error.

In Venezuela, Luis Jimenez is back in action after being pulled from a game in the first inning last week.  On Saturday, Roger Bernadina went 2 for 4 in a 0-13 loss for the Bravos.

In the Dominican Republic, Anderson Hernandez and Emilio Bonifacio continue to shine.  After going 0 for 5 on Friday night, Bonifacio had a better game on Saturday, stealing 2 bases, walking twice, and going 1 for 3.  Hernandez went 3 for 4 on Friday with a double and 2 runs scored.

On Sunday, Licey won 11-3.  Bonifacio was 1 for 4 with 3 runs scored, while Hernandez went 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

Nationals Pride Blogger Mike Henderson of Hendo’s Hutch is out in Arizona to catch some of the AFL, so be sure to check his blog for updates this week!