Nationals News: Rich Owner Pennybags

by John Quinn on Jun 11, 2010 11:30 AM EDT

Principal owner Ted Lerner says that "spending money is not gonna be [an] issue" with the Nationals. Really good to hear, and I think I might even believe him.

Stephen Strasburg won't ever have to read the scouting report, according to Tyler Clippard. This article is really worth reading, as it sounds like Clippard is a pretty funny guy.

Strasburg delivered David Letterman's Top Ten last night. Click here to watch it.

Tyler Clippard was used for the save last night, but Matt Capps "may be back in there tomorrow."

Majestic says that Strasburg's jersey could be the number one selling Nationals jersey in history by the end of June.

Strasburg may have hit 103 MPH, and Jim Bowden says that "it's good to see baseball back in Washington."

Mike Rizzo announced that there has been no agreement made with Scott Boras, Strasburg's agent, about his inning limit.

Ross Detwiler may be ready to return to the majors in as little time as a month, but he's going to have to earn his spot.

Strasburg's debut was one of Bob Costas' top ten sporting events ever.

The Nats June 19 game against the White Sox (also Ryan Zimmerman bobblehead night) will be televised nationally on Fox.

DCist tries BGR's Strasburger and concludes that it might be a little TOO much.

D.C. Sports Bog wraps up the Strasburg haiku contest.

Nationals Daily News has distilled the throng at Nats Park for Strasburg's debut into 60 seconds.

Dave at Nats News Network had an interview with Manny Acta, former Nationals manager and current Indians manager.

Chuck James, currently recovering from shoulder surgery, combined with two relievers to no-hit the Altoona Curve.

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In case you missed it...

Stan Kasten was interviewed on MLB Network yesterday between 6 and 7pm. He said that the plan all along was to get a good starting rotation and then spend money on the position players. He named off all the pitchers, injured and healthy, in the pipeline and said that he thinks it will be sooner rather than later. Normally Stan talks and talks but says nothing, but this seemed different.

Also, somewhere I saw an interview with Riggles and he said that if the Nats are actually contending late, they could skip Strasburg or limit his innings in order to save some of his innings for later in the season.

by RoscoeNats on Jun 11, 2010 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome

Lets not forget, the Lerners are the richest owners in baseball, if there is anyone who could afford to lose money for a few years in order to win and build attendance, which would increase revenue, (which is exactly what Leonsis did) , it would be them. The DC market could certainly support a much higher payroll than the Nats currently have, as long as the Nats win first. (The market could support an even bigger payroll once the Lerners start getting more of the TV money).

Aim for the head baby Jesus

by Doncosmic on Jun 11, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Article

When the Nats get that rotation solidified, they need to hop the payroll to the middle of the pack. My computer is acting up…so search google for “revenue sharing is making an impact” and check the chart at the bottom of Maury Brown’s article of 3/2/10.

The chart shows postseason appearances by payroll rank from 2000-2009.

My dern paste button isn’t working…Not about to reboot this close to the end of Friday.

by RoscoeNats on Jun 11, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Good article.

Here it is.

Pretty strong correlation between payroll and World Series wins, I’d say…

by John Quinn on Jun 11, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks.

by RoscoeNats on Jun 11, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Correlation is only 0.247

Minnesota (5 appearances 22nd highest payroll) and Oakland (5 appearances, 24 highest payroll) blow it on the high side, Mets (2 appearances 4th highest payroll) REALLY blow it on the low side.

Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by natsstats on Jun 11, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I do agree with upsizing the Nats payroll though

They need a 2nd catcher and a right fielder. They’d be over .500 right now if they had a proper roster.

Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by natsstats on Jun 11, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions