THE BELTWAY BOYS: WILL HE .... OR WON'T HE?

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WILL HE .... OR WON'T HE?

[March 22nd] - It all comes down to today. After months of posturing and postulating from both sides, it's "do or die" time for the Nationals. It's rather simple, really. When Frank Robinson writes his name into the lineup, will Alfonso Soriano jog out to left field at Roger Dean Stadium? WTEM radio is reporting that Soriano told Frank Robinson that he will play in left field this afternoon, but really, who knows until he does ... or doesn't.

Both sides are now lining up their experts in what could become the sports case of the century. Terms like "seminal moment" are being bandied about by representatives from both sides. Labor lawyers are reading the same player's contract and are coming up with two very different conclusions. Yes he has to play the outfield; no, he doesn't have to.

The legalities of Soriano's stance takes a back seat to what will happen when he next plays a major league baseball game, especially if he continues to refuse to change positions. He will be a pariah wherever he plays. He will be booed mercilessly both at RFK at on the road. Fans now know that he lied about his age and sat out a season in Japan to become a free-agent. He has a past, fans no longer care about his future, and sports writers will make his present very, very difficult.

I keep glancing at the clock on my den wall, watching the seconds tick away to either the end of the Nationals' season before it even starts or the beginning of yet another divisive clubhouse. You know you're in trouble when Jose Guillen is saying he's worried about the clubhouse environment if Soriano stays on the team.

Tick - tick - tick - tick .....

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 7:57 AM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?