By the way — Nats Still Suck!

Make it 11 in a row, that is, 11 losses, simply pathetic.
Some roster Junk:  Nationals called up 2005 draft pick Marco Estrada.  Estrada replaces Luis Ayala in the bullpen, a role that Estrada has not had since 2006.  Estrada has had an impressive year in the minors.  Combined between Harrisburg (AA) and Columbus (AAA) Estrada went 9-6 with an impressive 3.06 ERA.  In addition, Kory Casto was optioned back to Columbus to make room for Anderson Hernandez, obtained via trade with the Mets for Ayala.  Hernandez played 125 games with New Orleans and hit .203 with 57 runs scored, 5 homers and 36 RBis.
Now, the Washington Post just wrapped up a chat with Nats beat reporter Chico Harlan.  Here are some of the highlights we found interesting or felt needed to be commented on.
First question was rather interesting;

Please tell me the following won’t be here next year: Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, Jim Bowden, Lenny Harris, Pete Orr, Joel Hanrahan, Aaron Boone and Jesus Colome.

Of all those on your list, Hanrahan has the best odds of being here next year — and frankly, DJ, I don’t understand why he deserves much scorn. Some scouts I’ve talked to even in the last days are convinced that Hanrahan has the best stuff on Washington’s entire staff. He CAN become a decent closer. I’m not saying it’ll happen, but it can.

I agree with the fact Hanrahan should be given every opportunity for the Nationals 2008 bullpen and

possible even closer role, but best arm on the staff?  I prefer to put John Lannan at that spot.

I’m not speaking specifically of anybody here, but it’s hard to imagine this team entering 2009 without some major changes.

The only thing I would change there is capitalize MAJOR because this team is horrendous.  Included in that list of those possible getting axed, send Jim Bowden with them.  He has been in charge of the front office for how many season now, 3, 4? yet this team is progressively way worse than the last two season, and two of his major acquisitions, Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns were a waste.  Time for the Lerner’s to move beyond the Reds connection that did not work with the Reds either.
On the failure to sign first round pick Aaron Crow and who is at fault…

Who’s to blame? Everybody. Crow’s agents tried to play the Boras game and couldn’t get the deal. The Nationals thought they could bring Crow down to meet their number and guessed wrong.  Both sides are worse off for the future. I’d say, though, that Crow loses more. Just slightly. The Nats get a compensatory pick, so they’ve offset their development by 10 months. Crow will have to go through another year by impressing people with his performances in Fort Worth.

Enough said on the Crow issue.  Sucks you can’t sign the first round pick, but the Nationals will likely enter the 2009 draft with the 1st and 9b pick, two picks in the top ten.
On the status of Willie Harris…

The team will has very tentative plans to go to work on a contract extension for Harris, I’ve heard. Last I spoke with Harris’s agent, no substantive offer had yet been made. But there’s no question the team wants Harris back for next year.

Sure, why not.  Harris is not going to help this team win.  Facts are facts, just like every other ball club, if the Lerner’s don’t want to spend, the Nationals won’t win.  If the Lerner’s don’t want to win, then the bigger questions is, why did they buy the damn team.  I am beginning to question that.  Stan Kasten and Jim Bowden can claim ‘plan’ all they want, but two and half years int the plan, this team is far worse than it ever has been.
And on the Nats as the prugatory hell of baseball …

This ties in well with the earlier question about Washington and its place in baseball. Washington’s place is in the very darkest corner of public awareness. Those in the sport have recently used the team for joking purposes, even. Right at the July 31 trading deadline, Texas Rangers P Eddie Guardado was informed by his manager (while taking a steam bath) that he’d been shipped to the Nationals.
According to at least one account, an irate Guardado soon huffed into a conference room to ask his GM about the deal.
But nobody could keep a straight face.
They were just pulling a prank.
Tell me — is that a sign that the Nats have become purgatory? Or even something worse?
Thanks Mr. Lerner.  Thanks Mr. Kasten.  Thanks Mr. Bowden.  Our new franchise has actually crossed the line beyond laughingstock.
That’s it.  Read the entire transcript.