No deal, but at least a win
Submitted by Jeff on Wed, 08/01/2007 - 6:02am.
- The Nats, after the anticlimax of a trade deadline without a trade, took the field last night perhaps a bit relieved they didn't have to say goodbye to anyone. And they played relieved as well: after falling behind 2-0 in the top of the fifth, the team rallied for five runs in the bottom of the inning, including a three-run double by Ryan Zimmerman. Chad Cordero, on the trading block until the 4 pm deadline, pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save. Nats beat the Reds, 6-3. (Box score)
- During the day, though, most people were buzzing about potential trades, none of which came to fruition. "We explored every possibility we could to help our club long-term," said GM Jim Bowden after the 4 pm deadline. "And at the end of the day, we did nothing."
- Chad Cordero attracted the most interest, with the Mets and Diamondbacks reportedly offering prospects for the closer, but the deals failed because the overly high value the Nats placed on Cordero and others. "There was a feeling among baseball people that the Nationals would have a tough time making a trade because it was asking for too much in return for their coveted players," Bill Ladson reported.
- Indeed, noted Phil Wood in the Examiner, "One National League executive I spoke with called dealing with Bowden 'about as much fun as a root canal.'" Wood leaves open the possibility that Bowden could pull off a deal through waivers in August, but "it can be argued that Bowden does his best work in the offseason."
- Bowden added that he "left one deal on the table" at the trade deadline because it required the Nats to give up some of its pitching prospects in the low minors. "It's hard walking away from some deals for 19-year-old players," he said.
- What has John Lannan learned from his infamous debut last Thursday in Philly? "Not to hit two people in a row," said catcher Brian Schneider. Lannan takes the mound tonight at RFK with that advice and more. "I'm looking forward to having people talk about something else like how well I did," Lannan said.
- While Jason Simontacchi is now eligible to come off the DL, the starter hasn't started throwing yet, and will be checked by the team doctor on Thursday. Micah Bowie, meanwhile, made a three-inning rehab start Tuesday for the Nats' rookie league team, allowing two hits and striking out three in three innings.
- Shawn Hill will get another rehab start in Potomac on Saturday, with plans to go five innings and 80 pitches. Although Hill hoped to return to the majors after two rehab starts, Manny Acta said that Hill will make a third rehab start before his return.
- Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the major league debut of Walter Johnson, the legendary Washington Senators pitcher, and both the Post and the Times look back at the life of the Big Train. The Nats plan to recognize Johnson's life before the game, and the Nats will wear replica 1927 Senators caps during the game.