Nats need Bowden to work some trade magic
The Washington Nationals are a team in transition–at least that's what the fans are sincerely hoping. A 5th place team for the past two seasons, the Nats are going young in 2007 with a fresh managerial perspective provided by Manny Acta. I like Acta's go-out-and-get-'em attitude and focus on defense, as well as the team's move to "go young", but I know I'm not the only one worried about the starting rotation:
- John Patterson
- Beltran Perez
- Matt Chico
- Joel Hanrahan
- Mike O'Connor / Shawn Hill / Insert Minor Leaguer here
Ben Maller posted a headline earlier today that caught my eye: Ex-Padre Lawrence to Nats? My feeling on Lawrence is "what have you done for me lately?" After signing him last off-season, Washington was hoping that the RHP could return to form but Lawrence's comeback was shut down before he was even out of the spring training gates with a torn labrum. As it turns out, Maller's headline appears to be a misprint as the post itself only touches on the Rockies' recent interest in Lawrence.
MLB.com suggests that Jim Bowden will make a trade or two before spring training, and as the case has been all off-season, Ryan Church and Chad Cordero are the most likely trade bait. For a rundown of potential acquisitions from the Red Sox for Cordero, check out this heavily commented post on MLB Trade Rumors. Unfortunately, Bowden's been running into a familiar problem: every GM in baseball thinks he asks for the moon. That being said, Cordero's got some very hot stuff. Here's hoping Bowden can pull off a miracle deal or two and score some new arms!
