I'd have to go with Young. He's been at least "not so bad" for years, probably one of the best-recognized names on the team, is crushing the ball, etc. 'Sides, it gets his trade value up even more.

"1. Who would you pick right now?"

Guzman and Young are my finalists, because of their excellent breakout seasons.

Da Meat is da man because he hasn't lost as much time to injury this season as Guz has. It pains me to say that, but something had to tip the scales. (On the other hand, might Guzie have had an even better season if he hadn't missed a month at the beginning? Perhaps I've tipped the scales the wrong way... but what a fun dilemma to have!)

"2. Who do you think it will be?"

Either Cordero or Young, because of their relatively high national profiles. Actually I'd like to hear Kornheiser on this subject.

Any of Barry's candidates would bring credit to our town and our team.

Who would I pick right now? Young.

Who will it be? Guzman. Young will be traded before the All-Star break.

Who would I pick right now? Young.

Who will it be? Guzman. Young will be traded before the All-Star break.

To all those wiser than I:

Can we still count on trading Young before the All-Star Break? Is there enough faith in Batista or Belliard to play first base? Young's no golden glove, but with Belliard also on the block and little confidence in Batista, who's going to fill in at first. What do we have in the minor league pipeline?

From the other side of the equation, are there any baseball executives out there that think Young's streak is anything but a hot streak? Sure he's batting well now, but what's his longer term appeal look like to another team? How many baseball GMs wouldn't bet on a slump to even out the numbers before the season ends?

I'd have a hard time picking between Young, Guzman and Colome if I was voting. But....if I was the manager of the team (Tony Larusso), I'd have to see where I needed help on the squad. There are a lot of good shortstops in the league so that leaves Guzman out. Same with first basemen (sorry Dimitri). The squad can usually need extra pitchers (don't forget the Selig fiasco) so I'd have to pick Colome.

Me! Me! Me!

... for me, it'd be a toss-up between Guz and Dmitri. But I'd go with Guz for what might seem like a ridiculous reason. It's just this: with all the talk aflurry about Dmitri being trade bait, and not having a future as a Nat, I'd have to go with the guy who IS now, and hopefully WILL BE a Nat in the future. If I took that line of reasoning out of the equation, then my choice would be Dmitri hands down.

... a pitcher you say? Not for me. I'm an offensive guy. My proclivities are for the guys who score. A pitcher is like a goalie - a pitcher might throw a perfect game (a goal tender might have a shut out) but if somebody doesn't score, it's not a win.

Colome because he's not at a log-jammed position like first or short. Young should go, but they should trade him now while he's en fuego. Guzman missed a month and has all of one homer and eight RBI. If average was the only criteria, he'd be good-to-go, but too few games and not enough production in those games keeps him on the outside looking in (though it pains me to say as much as I was a huge Guzman backer when he was signed [was/am a Twins fan] and have been defending him ever since).

Keep this short and simple

1) D. Young
2) R. Zimmerman

Re media visibility, did I ever get a surprise. Of Barry's candidates, who do you think is the most buzzed-about Nat?

Would you have said Ryan Zimmerman? I wouldn't, not to disregard him; it's just that a lot of other Nats have been competing for attention, for one reason or another, whereas all Zimmerman does is go out and work every day.

Anyhow, when I did a Google news search just now on the first and last names of each player (in quotes) and the team name, here were the results.

Ryan Church -- 2,021
Jesus Colome -- 935
Chad Cordero -- 1,345
Cristian Guzman -- 2,433
Dmitri Young -- 2,488
Ryan Zimmerman -- 2,822

As a control and benchmark, by the way, "'Alex Rodriguez' Yankees" scores 8,230 hits.

If electrons could vote, Zimm would be going to AT&T.

Seems to be the common wisdom that Dmitri is not in the Nats plan, and will probably/definitely be gone by the all star break. However the question I have is not just who is there to replace him in the short run, but who will be there later on this summer --or even next year.

We've been waiting for NJ, but Nick seems to be having an awfully slow recovery. What if the leg never fully recovers? Who do we have in that case? Broadway?

So St.Louis Manager, Tony Larusa gets to pick right? 1B (Pujols, Lee, Howard), SS (Reyes, Rollins, Ramirez), 3B (Cabrera, Wright, Jones), will be croweded 2B (Utley) and C (Martin) are lean. OF and P is always full of candidates. If I recall correctly last time LaRussa was in charge he went heavy on relief pitching. I think Guzman and Young are most deserving, but will be squeezed out. If Hill or Bergman were back (unlikely)and had made 2 good starts before the selections I think they would be considered. If Cordero rips off 10 for 10 in saves by then he is automatic. If Chipper Jones is on the DL and Zimmerman gets hot, then Zimm has a shot. Church has been the most consistent performer who has startd all year. Prediction: Cordero will go 9 for 10 on Saves and be the most deserving and will also be the selection.

1. Young's my choice, narrowly, over Guzman, because he's been hotter longer. But a. he's likely to be gone, and b. there are too many other first basemen, so therefore, the choice will be:

2. Cordero - he's been an all-star before, he's got name recognition, his numbers are on an upswing, and there's always a need for bullpen arms at the all-star game. It should be Colome, but he would have to have absolutely eye-popping numbers to get it over Cordero.

Unfortunately, Young won't make it. Just look at the other 1B that will be picked before him:

Derrek Lee, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez, Ryan Howard

All will have more votes and/or have more *star* appeal than Dmitri.

Guzzy won't make it either:

Jose Reyes, Edgar Renteria, Hanley Ramirez, Jimmy Rollins, JJ Hardy will be picked before Guzzy.

Zimmerman doesn't have a chance unless he has a TREMENDOUS next three weeks and overtakes:

Miguel Cabrera, David Wright, Aramis Ramirez and LaRussa's Scott Rolen.

And no chance for Ryan Church.

That leaves pitching. Jesus Colome or Chad Cordero will get picked, although I'd be inclined to start stumping for Matt Chico if his next few starts are as good as his last couple have been.

I think it will be Young, hopefully he will pinch hit and NOT play the field. I think Young and Belliard will be waving bye bye very soon....unless Lopez continues to struggle and then how can you not keep Belliard?? I think the Nats brass are hoping Zimm goes on a tear over the next few weeks, (4 HIT GAMES OVER THE NEXT 3 NIGHTS WOULD BE JUST FINE WITH ME!!) and makes the All Star selection decision much easier.

OH AND BY THE WAY....BEAT THE O'S!!!

Young, which would possibly up his trade value if chosen on July 1st and then traded before the game? Its a stretch. Talk about a positive story though! Guy has terrible offseason problems, gets a second chance and works his way into the all-star game!

Who would I pick now? Anyone that can pump-up their trade value by playing in the All-Star game.

Who will it be? Dmitri Young (PH only)

1) Jesus Colome -- my pick because he's been the most consistent player on the squad; However,

2) Dmitri Young -- Comeback Player of the Year candidate will be the pick. That OPS is so sexy!

BTW, if Zimmerman were on a good team, he would be on the bench. At best, he would be hitting no higher than 7th in the batting order.

Zimmerman has been a disappointment offensively and inconsistent defensively. And this guy wants to play 162 games? (I still got love for ya Zimm.)

Managed to elicit some praise for Barry even from the great Gene Weingarten:

"Gene Weingarten: Consonant man is the best. As good as they come. "

The fact that 1st base and SS already have tons of studs has absolutely nothing to do with Dimitri or Guzman getting picked. LaRussa will pick the player that he thinks is most deserving. And that player may or may not get any game action.

Considering the recent records of the NL vs. the AL in the All Star show, I think LaRussa will pick the players that he thinks will give him the best chance to win.

... you know, at this juncture I have to offer my own variety of blasphemy. I really can't take this question seriously, for the simple reason that for all my years of being a ball fan, I still cannot fathom the value of the All-Star game. In the past, it at least showcased some talent playing a real game. But in recent years it has showcased some talent ... and that's about all.

... having made my confession, I am open to hear from others who wish to show me all the ways I am wrong in this.

1. I'd pick, solely based upon performance, da meat hook. but if you consider the all-star team and who will be on it and what LaRussa will go with I'd say:

2. Cordero. Jesus colome just doesn't have the kind of numbers that get you in. But a closer with the chief's numbers has a great chance. Now if Jesus C. was our closer...

1
2
3
GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUZZZZZE

If this was the NHL and their wacky "Vote for the last All-Star" gimmick we could do a "Vote for Rory" type write-in campaign for Levale Speigner. We know we want that Johan vs. Levale matchup again.

Seriously, it'll be Chad "Heart Attack" Cordero. Always room for relief pitchers. If it was an AL park, maybe Dmitri could make it as the DH.

Having watched most of the Hagerstown Suns home games this year, I think you're going to be impressed with Maxwell. He has been hitting lead off for the Suns and his batting stroke has continued to improve. Right now I believe he's a better all around player than Chris Marrero and more exciting to watch. Speed on the bases, covers the outfield extremely well and can hit with power. If he stays health I think you could see him with the Nats in 2009 also.

We should start a B.S. fan club. Er, no pun intended.
Seriously though, I'm starting to worship the ground consonant man walks on.

All Stars: Interesting to read the breakdown from natbiscuit and e. Put that way, it does look like stiff competition for all our guys. It's weird, as much as I love our guys I just don't have a standout person that I'm dying to vote for like I did the last two years. I love Da Meat but I'm with the others who think he'll get traded pretty quick. Love Guzzie but up against the other shortstops, doesn't look good. I really can't say.

To natscan reduxit:

Sad to say, I don't think you are wrong. When I was a kid, the All Star Game meant something to the players and the fans. I remember the tears from a losing pitcher (Sullivan??) when I was a kid. They cared and were proud to be there. Pete Rose played to win (remember Fosse?). Now, it is just an All Star Show with a bunch of over-paid, cynical and ungrateful prima-donnas. But, I'll still watch and hope that I'll see something special happen.

I'd go with Colome. He's impressed me in the way he's evolved since his Nuke LaLoosh days in Tampa Bay.
But if either of them is healthy/off the DL by all-star time, Shawn Hill or Jason Bergmann should go. No one expected the Nats' starting pitching to be worth a bucket of spit, and they've both been a pleasure to watch this year.

Young to the All Star game. Great human interest story from the would-be "historically bad" team.

Why the rush to trade Da Meat Hook? If he goes:
1) Who plays first base?
2) Who rocks the clubhouse?
3) Who leads the offense?

We need Young in '07.

I agree with Markus Kamau, he gives us more than we can probably get for him. All we need is for Zim to improve his throwing and Dimitri is adequate at 1b and great to have on the team.

Natscan comments: "I'm an offensive guy."

Well, no. Strongly opinionated, perhaps. (Gotta love these context-free citations. 8^D )

Nor, in all seriousness, are you blaspheming the All-Star Game. Notwithstanding the obligations that attend the playing of a kids' game for a seven-figure salary, there are probably any number of guys who would love (and could use) a few days off.

I suspect a lot of those guys might also feel that way about the postseason, a phenomenon that the late Leonard Koppett noted back in the 1960s and which I have no reason to believe would have changed much since then, even with the orders-of-magnitude advances in pay between then and now.

Don't know about All-Star, but Guzman is my early pick for Comeback Player of the Year. OK, its gotta be Colome. It won't be a position player unless somebody (Young) stays white hot for the next month.

Don't know about All-Star, but Guzman is my early pick for Comeback Player of the Year. OK, its gotta be Colome. It won't be a position player unless somebody (Young) stays white hot for the next month.

...he'd be our saver (sorry, couldn't help myself)

---

2. Cordero. Jesus colome just doesn't have the kind of numbers that get you in. But a closer with the chief's numbers has a great chance. Now if Jesus C. was our closer...

I love meat hook just as much as the next nats fan, and I completely acknowledge how valuable he is to our young team at this time. But he is an important piece of "The Plan". We have to buy low (his minor league 500K contract) and sell high (.342 AVG, .923 OPS), this is exactly why we got him in the first place. We are going to get some great prospects for him.

Funny enough, I think that he will be our all-star representative but he will be traded before the game.

Which Boz personality wins the seniority contest there? Jekyll or Hyde?

Seriously, you should pull the "ability to write coherent rational thoughts" card whenever you and Boz are drawing straws for an article...you would win every time.

Hendo,

... my, but how we become conditioned by external influences. The name Pavlov rings a bell.

... most of us on this list of Nat-terers can recall those halcyon days when the only thing following the regular season was the World Series. Yet now, we'd most likely complain and feel cheated out of our birthright if we were asked to yield our wild cards, and our A/NLD/CS excesses.

... yes, there were less teams to be sure, but the simplistic beauty of that succinct system defies comparison in today's era of second and third chances.

... the teams of that era learned to live with the inevitability of 'wait until next year', something I find hard to imagine from the owners of today.

Dancer 13:
Actually, yes I agree with you he'd pick the best player to win. I was responding to e's comment how he/she commented Dimitri wouldn't get picked because some other 1st basemen would be picked ahead of him or Guzman because some other shortstop is better.

e:
Once the top 2 or so from each position are set by the votes, the manager is left to pick the player from a team/s that aren't represented by the fan vote. If JJ Hardy is say 5th in voting, that doesn't mean Guzman wouldn't be selected b/c JJ's better. If Guzman was by far the best player on the Nats, LaRussa would be obligated to select him.

1. Young to showcase his trade value, if he's still around in a month (part of me gets the feeling he will be, just so JimBow can up the ante the closer we get to September and the more desperate contending teams get).

2. Cordero more likely.

3. I'd love for Z-man to go, but I get the feeling he'll have plenty of chances in the future.

That's good. Trademark that puppy!

---

... most of us on this list of Nat-terers

My all-star: Guze, baby!
Who will it be: I'm guessing Chief

I totally cannot get into this question... mostly because I can't get into the All-Star game.

If the Nats had a player this year that was competitive in the balloting, I might feel a little different... It gives me the opportunity to weigh the relative merits of the other players at that position... Is Zimmerman better than Wright, etc.. At this point, it is just about filling a roster spot with one of the guys... not whether someone is "an All-Star", because at this point, the only person with a vote that matters is LaRussa.

LaRussa is gonna either pick someone to pinch hit, or a pitcher. I don't think it matters what position he plays, because there's no chance they'll get a turn in the field. That being said, I'd love to see Dmitri get it, cause he's got the best chance of hitting a walk-off homer and getting the car.

On a different, but related topic, Dmitri should be traded as quickly as possible... The argument that he brings more than we would get for him is not the case, because what he brings right now is not useful past the end of any particular game. He brings a good chance to get a base hit every time he comes to the plate, but that is ephemeral... there is no value in that once the game is over, because he has no long-term value to the team, and for the most part, wins don't matter this year. Sure, he's a good clubhouse chemistry guy, but the clubhouse chemistry would probably be OK without him. His statistics are what are going to be attractive to another team desperate for a hitter, and when are his statistics going to be better than they are right now? Nick will be back soon, hopefully... Belliard is as fun to watch at first as Cordero is pitching in a one-run game.

"The Plan" is going to have its painful moments, no question... trading Dmitri will be one of them, but unlike the what George Allen said, the future is not now.

To natsfan1a: That was a terrible pun, you should be ashamed. (I'm jealous because I didn't think of it!)

"We have to buy low (his minor league 500K contract) and sell high (.342 AVG, .923 OPS), this is exactly why we got him"

... I agree with this logic. But in doing so, a part of me dies to the all-encompassing world of business and commerce. I long for the return of the day when some decisions can be made for more altruistic reasons. In this case, as I've said before, I feel Dmitri's value to the team and the fans is something more than what a business plan can reflect.

I agree with natscan reduxit. He's actually more fun to have around than Soriano was and costs a whole lot less.

Barry,
Mark Redman was released from the Braves May 22, which only further makes your case.

Everyday Colome is going to Pac Bell to represent the Nats. CASE CLOSED??...fade to black

1) Zimmerman
2) Zimmerman

My 2007 Washington Nationals All-Star rep is Jesus Colume. Set-up men never get any love. If Aramis Ramirez or Cabrera is hurt and he gets really hot the next few weeks, I could see Zim getting the call. Short of that, I think Cordero will be picked by LaRussa since they always tend to have more closers than anything else.

It won't be DYoung because JimBow should pull the trigger on a deal forthwith. His value cannot get any higher, and I can see JimBow getting several teams worked up in a lather for guy like DYoung (particularly in the NL West where DYoung would be a good fit with Arizona, Dodgers, San Diego, Colorado as a big veteran bat off the bench). I don't know if AL teams will lust after him as much, except for the Yanks, of course. It's been a hoot watching the circus in NY these past 3 months.

Young is not going anywhere until and IF Nick is 100%. That may not be this year. If Johnson can't (God forbid) make it back like he was then Young is a fantastic find to fill his shoes. He will be here at the All-Star Break.

As for All-Star pick he is in the running. His numbers stack up great against his peers. 2nd in OBP, 4th in OPS, 1st in BA near the top in RBIs. Very solid pick.

Guzzie, I am a fan and his BA is fantastic but he just isn't hurting the other team because he isn't driving in runs. He is scoring well but I think you pick All Stars based on driving in runs. Way too many SS ahead of him in RBIs, HRs, OBP, OPS. No way he makes it and I in all fairness he shouldn't.

Cordero. Just not among the most dominant closers consistently this year. Lately yes but I don't think for long enough to warrant or draw a pick.

Colome, as consistent as any of his peers (middle to late relievers who are not closers or set up men). He deserves a pick and may get one.

So, I would lilke to see Young get it because it's the ultimate feel good story and he's a great guy and his case is very strong vs. his peers.

I think LaRussa will pick Colome because he'll want a stable of relievers to eat innings since they all only go 1. Although wouldn't be surprised if LaRussa picked him and he would be a great PH.

I love Zimm as much as anyone but his numbers aren't even close to his peers. For NL 3B, there is Cabrera, ARAM, Wright (in that order) and then everyone else (just based on the numbers right now, Zimm will be there long term). The only dark horse there would be Jones if he's healthy which he won't be.

Natscan observes: "... most of us on this list of Nat-terers can recall those halcyon days when the only thing following the regular season was the World Series."

I just barely missed the cut. The first WS I remember watching where I had half an idea what was going on was the '71 series which the Bucs took from the Orioles. By that time there were East and West divisions. (When Koppett wrote "The Thinking Fan's Guide," in 1966, the leagues had 10 teams each and no divisions. Our Nats finished 8th, at 71-88, ahead of -- get ready for this -- the Red Sox and Yankees.)

The big controversy in '71 was the playing of World Series games at night. Night games were a boon to my Dad, who drove a delivery truck in the days when trucks were trucks and didn't have sissified luxuries like dashboard radios and hydraulic clutches.

Now, of course, we whine that WS games keep us up too late, which is true, but we'll never please everybody.

I think we are over-rating Dmitri's trade value, and while I think he will be traded, it won't be as soon as everyone thinks.

All-Star pick? Elijah Dukes.

Honest, not spitting bile pick? Dmitri.

In my heart pick? Guzman.

... I see Guzman is leading off tonight with Flippie hitting second, moving him along.

... many of us have suggested this move. Now we'll get an idea of just how prescient we truly are.

You're right, Dancer13. I should light a candle or something.

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To natsfan1a: That was a terrible pun, you should be ashamed. (I'm jealous because I didn't think of it!)

I'm totally on (or is that started?) the Ryan Church to the All Star Game bandwagon. To that end, I have voted 1100 times. By hand! Yes, I realize that a thousand voted here or there is not likely to make a difference, but I just can't stop. Churchie has such spirit! . . .or something. AND he just hit his seventh home run. And I figure he's probably not going to be on these team once he gets hot again, as Bowden is nearly certainly going to trade him for some sun flower seeds, a 39 year old infielder, and secret twix bars to keep Ray King satisfied.

I don't think that Dmitri's trade value is high... I think it is higher than nothing, which is what it was on April 2. Unless a team has a gaping hole at 1B, his only real value is as a hitter off the bench or a DH...

I think there's a lot of risk waiting until July to trade him... and almost everyone is going to dislike whatever the trade turns out to be... but unless you have a place to play Dmitri in 2008, he's certain to be traded... and the trade deadline will probably be too late.

Young isn't going to stick around in DC "until and IF Nick is 100%." Are people forgetting that the Nats have a perfectly capable defensive first baseman in Fick? And the front office probably wouldn't mind giving Broadway a chance up when the rosters expand, either.

Young is Bowden's kind of guy, in a sense. He believes that rebuilding teams get better at the trade deadline. Dmitri's hot streak only makes him more valuable in a trade, and you can't pass on that kind of value when you're looking to the future.

He'll be here at the All-Star break, but once the trade deadline hits, Da Meat gets Da Hook, regardless of Nick's health.