Englund signs, Bowden stays, D-Rays Bays

by Basil on Jun 30, 2006 6:17 PM EDT in News Comment 5 comments

Nats.com provided a perfectly acceptable "Have a nice holiday weekend" message, issuing a press release to announce:

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with outfielder Stephen Englund, the club's second-round selection (70th overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden and Scouting Director Dana Brown made the joint announcement. . . .

The Nationals have now agreed to terms with 22 players from their 2006 First-Year Player Draft, including three of their top four selections, outfielder Chris Marrero (first round, 15th overall), right-handed pitcher Colton Willems (first round, 22nd overall) and Englund (second round, 70th overall).

That fourth selection is Sean Black---the high school pitcher out of New Jersey who, of course, is still mulling whether to follow through with a commitment to Seton Hall.

No word yet on the money Englund agreed to, and whether that dough fit MLB's slot for the pick.

* * * *

The BPGers are conveying that Stan Kasten has announced Jim Bowden will remain GM of the Nats . . . for how long, I can't really discern. One poster said "now and forever," whereas Rocket commented that Kasten remarked (as interpreted by Bret Haber) Bowden would be the GM for the "foreseeable future."

My inclination is to presume that Kasten was referring to this season; say what you will about Bowden (Please! Do!), but it doesn't make much sense to replace him during the middle of the season, only to fill the position on an interim basis with one of Bowden's underlings---or, worse yet, Bob Boone.

However, I obviously didn't hear what Kasten had to say.

Update [2006-6-30 18:55:42 by Basil]: Well, what do you know? The Yudites are saying Charlie Slowes just announced it on the radio pregame. (I suppose I should be listening.) Apparently, Bowden has been retained on a permanent basis, contract terms undisclosed, Kasten "delighted." Film at eleven.

* * * *

The Nats kick off a three-game set at The Bobby (Does anyone call it that anymore?) against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and SBN site D-Rays Bay is on the scene. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to read a blogger devoted to the opposing team to do a thorough scouting report? If so, wonder no more; just scoot on over here where Patrick Kennedy provides a pretty in-depth look at our Nats:

. . . But hey, at least they have a new owner and a new stadium! Theodore Lerner was finally selected as the new owner of the Washington franchise in early May, ending a four year reign of terror under MLB ownership. Former Braves president Stan Katsen was selected to be the ballclub's CEO. It has not been announced whether the Nats' disgrace of a General Manager Jim Bowden will be allowed to continue once the season is over, but it appears manager Frank Robinson will be shown the door after season's end. . . .

And just to tell you how much of a trainwreck that organization is, they optioned Ryan Church to Double A Harrisburg earlier this season. He must have been hitting poorly, you say? Nope, he had an .823 OPS!!!!! This from the same person who was screwed out of a job coming out of spring training. What a mess of an organization. . . .

And, oh yeah, I have not even gotten to the pitchers. Washington's pitching staff is among the worst in the NL, only .18 off from the NL cellar in ERA. They are also second in the league in walks, and their performance is particularly pathetic considering they play in the most pitcher-friendly park in the league in RFK Stadium.

However, one of the pleasant surprises found this season on the Nats pitching staff is tonight's starter, Michael O'Connor, who has led the Washington rotation in posting a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts for Washington. He has struggled a bit with control, but right now, Washington will take what they can get.

Those are just excerpts, selected by me to maximize reaction. But, as a general principle, man, I wish I had time to scout the opposition like that. Instead, I'm too busy copying gimme baseball brain-teasers.

For a short scouting report of the Rays, though, I will get right to the point: Their TV play-by-play guy is the best in the business.

At any rate, Patrick sees Tampa winning two of three, although he's a bit uncertain about the rubber match. It's a good thing he hasn't seen this team play recently!

Just kidding. I'm sure the Nats will take at least one. Maybe.

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I hope I didn't come off too harshly in that......

I know how I could have come across as a bit arrogant in my diatribe. I mean, a Devil Rays blogger attacking another team? That doesn't come out right.

But anyways, yeah, nothing against the Nats or their fans. I love the fact that baseball has returned to D.C. I love the D.C. area, in fact I was just there a few weeks ago.

The motive of my statement was entirely in good spirits however. I hoped to point out how poor off Nats fans were to have such an inept GM putting the worst possible team on the field. I mean, if my team were moving into a new stadium and they had as bad of a team as this one with no farm system, I would be pissed. I feel for you all, I have never experienced the joy of a 70+ win season in my existence with my hometown team :D

But anyways, hope I didn't come off too strong. I hope the Nats do well, and I wish you the best after this series.

And Basil, you are 100% correct, Dewayne Staats is the best TV man.....ever. His coolness cannot be expressed by mere mortals, we are lucky to have him in St. Pete. Though you guys have one of our broadcasters up there, Charlie Slowes. He was our original radio guy. I always liked him, but he didn't get along at all with his partner and both were fired two years ago. What do you guys think of him?

DRaysBay

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jul 1, 2006 2:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Patrick,

Not arrogant at all, buddy. And we would call "just the Tampa Bay Devil Rays" something like Tom Boswell Disease in these parts. He looks down the schedule, finds some "easier matchups," and apparently it doesn't occur to him that the Nats would probably be considered a relief to those teams as well. ;-)

As for Staats, I've got to disclose a bit of a bias with him: he's related to me through marriage. ;-)

Keep up the good work there, Patrick. You guys do a very good job.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla! And Brian Lawrence!

by Basil on Jul 1, 2006 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rays

I think the Rays have a bright future, and I think you saw their most complete game of the year last night. The team really is talented, and I think you will see them having more and more success as the year goes on.

And about Dewayne, you are related to him through marrige? That must mean you are related to the late Dee Staats, is that correct? My condolences, her death really hit Dewayne hard when I talked to him about a month after. You can really tell how many people that man touched, how many people admire him greatly, by the tributes to him when his wife passed. He has touched so many people, fans, coaches, players, everyone in St. Pete, and to just watch the outpouring of support after her death to Dewayne was just incredible. It showed just how highly respected he is.

Anyways, thanks for the kind words, and good luck this season.

DRaysBay

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jul 1, 2006 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Dee was my first cousin. Our fathers are brothers, but her father (my uncle) is about 20 or so years older than my father, so I'm only a year older than their older daughter. I used to spend summers with them when I was a kid; I'd travel out to Chicago with my dad when they were in Chicago with the Cubs. Dee's funeral was very touching. She meant a lot to many, many people.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla! And Brian Lawrence!

by Basil on Jul 1, 2006 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm so sorry........

For your loss, I met Dee once, in a Stein Mart of all places with Dewayne. She seemed like such a nice person, and to see how many people were touched by her within the Rays organization spoke volumes about how wonderful she must have been.

DRaysBay

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jul 2, 2006 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs