Nats Not Pursuing Manny Ramirez

The Washington nationals are making a play, a big play, to significantly improve the franchise, from the disaster of last season. They got off to a pretty good start, acquiring Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen via trade with the Florida Marlins. Not a bad deal at all for the Nats, and Olsen will fit nicely into the Nationals starting rotation and could end up being the Nats #1 ro #2 starter, dependent on what further moves are planned.
One further move that WILL NOT happen is the pursuit of Manny Ramirez.

“We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez,” Bowden said in an e-mail.

The Nationals are looking for a left-handed-hitting slugger, however, and they are pursuing free agents Mark Teixeira and Adam Dunn, along with Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, which was reported by MLB.com a day before the annual General Managers Meetings in Dana Point, Calif.

The Nationals are also looking for a center fielder and have expressed interest in Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who was acquired from the Athletics as part of the Matt Holliday trade, which became official on Wednesday.

If the Nationals are looking to get better, but also planning long term success, Ramirez really does not fit the philosophy then.   Ramirez is 36 and although putting up his best numbers last season, would not likely

figure into a long term plan.  Fit Nationals Park he would.  But don’t think for one minute that the Lerner’s are prepared to dump that kind of money into an aging veteran.  Heck, we have a hard time convincing them to dump some cash into Ryan Zimmerman, the supposed building block of the franchise.   Same thing with Teixeria.  Although much younger, I simply don’t expect that size of a cash dump.
Smoker surgery … 2007 first round draft pick, lefty Joshua Smoker, had shoulder surgery.  The Nats claim he will be ready for Spring Training.  Smoker got pounded last season in Hagerstown, allowing 23 runs in 18 innings.  Maybe shoulder surgery will help.
Winter Ball Update:  Here is your Nationals leader board for winter ball.
2B Anderson Hernandez is hitting a whopping .408 in 98 at bats with 10 doubles and 4 triples.  Hernandez will likely be the Nationals starting second baseman, with the trade of Emilio Bonafico to Florida.  Hernandez finished the season last year hitting .33 in 17 games.  Nats have to love what they are seeing in Winter Ball.  Jorge Padilla has 22 at bast and is hitting .409.  OF Frank Diaz is hitting .347 in 95 at bats with 3 homes and 19 RBis.  Leonard Davis, a recent addition to the Nationals 40 man roster and the Nationals Minor League Player of the Year, is hitting .311 in 61 at bats with 3 homers and 13 RBis.  SS Alberto Gonzales is hitting .362 in 47 at bats.  1B Bill Rhinehart, who had a real nice year int he Nats minor league system, is hitting .282 with 3 homers and 20 RBis in 71 at bats.
RP Adam Carr has made 12 appearances and recorded 3 saves.  he has an ERA of 3.65.  Zechery Zinicola has made 12 appearances is 1-0 with 1 save and an ERA of 4.05.