Rick Snider » Now that the season's over, time for Nats management to get busy
By: Rick Snider
Examiner Sports Columnist
October 4, 2009
A wicked season few will remember finally ends for the Washington Nationals come nightfall.
While some say it can't end soon enough, or that it has been over since Redskins training camp, I totally disagree. I love the game unconditionally. After waiting 34 years for my favorite sport to return, I'll take bad baseball over no baseball anytime. I wish they played year-round.
I even snagged a pair of $5 tickets last week and sat in the distant bleachers with a dozen or so other souls. Those final games are always fun because it's die-hards and not tourists in the stands. One poor soul was scoring the game in his season-long scorebook. Can you imagine having a scorebook from this season?
But it's time for Nats management to get busy. They come off their worst season ever and the most losses in the major leagues for the second straight year. Washington needs to decide on a manager, free agents and a draft plan.
Manager comes first, and it's an easy choice -- Jim Riggleman. The Nats were halfway decent under the native Washingtonian. I like his old-school ways and getting far more from the team in the season's second half, including a sweep of the New York Mets in the final home stand. Did you see Justin Maxwell's game-ending grand slam on Wednesday?
Surely, the team will look around at other managing prospects. Management will show fans they're working hard on improving. It's all about ticket sales after attendance dropped 500,000 from 2008. But Riggleman would be a solid choice.
The draft is eight months away, but scouting is year-round. The Nats can get another hot prospect in the draft next June, perhaps catcher Bryce Harper, a 17-year-old phenom playing college ball next spring. Combined with this year's top pick pitcher Stephen Strasburg, that's some future battery. Sports Illustrated called Harper the most exciting prospect since LeBron James. If true, it makes this miserable season worthwhile just to draft Harper.
What about the current lineup? Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn were among the top 3-4 combinations in the game. Another outfield slugger would be nice, but the return of injured Njyer Morgan excites me with his speed, especially on the base paths.
The Nats need some bullpen help, middle infield and a starting pitcher. Everyone knows the team has the money given the currently small payroll.
Hopefully, next September isn't just for die-hard fans.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail rsnider@washingtonexaminer.com.
