FLop better know that B. Boone's promotion puts his job at real risk.

... Boone promoted in two days. Is there some kind of favoritism happening here? Dave, or anyone: did you guys ever get over to the minor league fields to see if Bret really was tearing it up over there? My decidely negative gut says JimBow has a God-fatherly affection for all things Cincy, and this time it played out in record time.

I did see Boone take some swings, and his bat speed looked very good. But it's only fair to ask whether the Nationals are showing any favoritism to Boone because of his family ties. Of course, I can ask Bowden that question, but we all know what he will say.

great post Dave. i can't think of a better way to start my day than hearing the news of Boone's promotion. now while im skeptical like natscan(although not to that degree, yet), the optimist in me says this is gonna push Felipe, Ronnie, and Cristian that much harder to solidify their roles on this team. i just hope they all get a fair shake and Felipe in particular gets the chance to redeem himself this year. i know it's been said time and again, but he really is the ideal leadoff hitter for this team if he can just find it again.
Oh, and here's hoping Perez pushes the presumed starting rotation likewise. there's nothing like good competition, and Bowden's made sure there's plenty of that to go around. Can't wait!

No better way to start a Saturday that a full article, notebook AND two posts! Nats overload, well that's not possible.

Re: Boone. I'm all for it. For a GM, players are currency. Finding out Boone can likely still hit is like getting an unexpected 5% bonus at work. It's free money. If he can still hit, they have one more option for how to improve the team.

And there still is no down side here. If he flounders when he gets in the games next month, you release him, no problem.

Sure, I wonder about favoritism, but frankly I don't care because it will be clear in the games.

If we could approach March 30th with four starter quality middle infielders, that's fantastic! I'd love to see what Jim Bo could get for two of them in a trade.

good morning dave! nice to see you on the job; such faithfulness will not go unrewarded -- in another life if not in this one. i see the boone promotion more in terms of pushing felipe than jimbo mindlessly having a cincinnati blind spot. he may indeed have one, but you shouldn't really automatically default to that explanation when there's another, perfectly good one lying around.

[from last thread]

Hey Jeeves,

I just re-read
What I earlier said,
And boy, is my face red.

... allow me to re-phrase:

... next time you cross the bridge and come to N.B. and have some extra time, why don't you stop by and say Hello.

... and now back to our regularly-scheduled Washington Nationals Spring Training.

Go Nats!!

PS - Does anyone know where I can find a list of arbitration awards WITH player stats? Maybe I'll make my own website and track that.

"Boone is already on the record saying he is not interested in playing another position or doing time in the minors."

Glad to see the nepotista is a team player!

Avar avers:

"Sure, I wonder about favoritism, but frankly I don't care because it will be clear in the games."

... now I agree with bruce above, that looking under cabbage leaves for familial favouritism is rather skeptical, especially during ST when everyting is shining, including the sun. And I also admit that skepticism, as natural as it is with me, is not very conducive to optimism. But I want to respond to Avar that if, and it's a big IF, any level of favouritism were to be involved in Bret's advance, it will not necessarily 'all come out in the wash' of playing the game. I.e. if Jim were to favour Bret, that kind of thing could very easily spill over onto the diamond, or the line-up card, or who gets a free pass to all kinds of things.

... but as I said, it's ST and skepticism ought to be banned until April Fool's Day.

Go Manny! Go Jim! Go Bret! Go Nats!!

Reduxit - Hey, we just disagree, no problem but I will say I'm all for skepticism!! A lot of bad things in life can be avoided by skepticism. Don't stop on my account.

Anyone get their season tickets in the mail yet?

A much improved package, with spiral binding that avoids all the bending that prior packages would go through during the year.

Does anyone else get slightly creeped out by the way that Bowden watches guys in batting practice and then comments about it. I mean I know he's a talent evaluator and a GM and all but doesn't his relationship with the players seem a little too hands on at times?

If I were trying to build some hype about a player to build up his value prir to a trade, first I would start him low at the minor league camp, declare he was too good to leave there, then start playing him more than expected to further demonstrate that he is just too good to sit, talk him up, then trade him to a team desparate for a 2B at the end of camp.

BTW, nepotism may have gotten DC the first shot at Brett, but it won't get him onto the 25 man roster. No way. Performance will be the final determination. I have too much faith in Acta.

Michael,

"... the way that Bowden watches guys in batting practice and then comments about it - a little too hands on at times."

... right on man. I said as much last year and I think I was correct then. The kind of comments he makes, the evaluation he makes should be Manny's department. JimBow has every right to comment, but as a fan, I want to hear it first and foremost from Mr. Acta

Dave:

... if I recall correctly, last year Manny named four guys to be formal or informal clubhouse co-captains or mentors or some kind of authority figures. They were Austin K., Brian S., Ryan Z. and the other name escapes me.

... do you know, or can you ask, if that same kind of arrangement is or will be in place for this year? It seems to me it might be even more important what with all the new guys bringing their hard-earned baggage with them.

Maybe. There's no way to tell what goes in one ear and out the other.
******************

Michael,

"... the way that Bowden watches guys in batting practice and then comments about it - a little too hands on at times."

... right on man. I said as much last year and I think I was correct then. The kind of comments he makes, the evaluation he makes should be Manny's department. JimBow has every right to comment, but as a fan, I want to hear it first and foremost from Mr. Acta

Posted by: natscan reduxit | February 23, 2008 11:37 AM

Webcam shows more advertising going up...might be WP ad. Plus...HD board on again.

So does that mean one of the other catchers, or somebody from the minors camp, will get the first game, or at least part of it?
************
One more news nugget: Mananger Manny Acta said he does not expect either of his top two catchers, Johnny Estrada and Paul Lo Duca, to be ready to play by the first exhibition game, Feb. 28. Both are coming off surgeries. Neither has had any setbacks, but the Nationals are easing them back into action slowly. The third catcher on the depth chart, Jesus Flores, is expected to arrive in Viera today and report to camp tomorrow, after resolving visa issues in his native Venezuela.

He's the GM. He gets to do that.

**************
Does anyone else get slightly creeped out by the way that Bowden watches guys in batting practice and then comments about it. I mean I know he's a talent evaluator and a GM and all but doesn't his relationship with the players seem a little too hands on at times?

Posted by: Michael | February 23, 2008 11:28 AM

Hey Boone,

How about playing where Manny tells you to play, or hit the road.

Love,

Mom