Alfonso Soriano sure knows how to leave a lasting impression.
Soriano blasted a home run as the Washington Nationals beat San Francisco on Thursday. It’s a long shot for the outfielder to return from the Nats road trip that overlaps the July 31 trade deadline. Soriano’s 32nd homer might be his last for the home team at RFK Stadium.
If that was good-bye, at least it was on good terms.
And if that was essentially the season ender, it was a good late run before turning over the roster to youth. The Nats front office wants to swap veterans for prospects and turn the final two months into an extended preview of 2007. That doesn’t figure for a lot of victories.
Livan Hernandez may have pitched his last game locally on Thursday while pitcher Tony Armas is also rumored to depart. Jose Vidro and Jose Guillen are only staying because of injuries.
It has been a lot of fun following the Nats. The current six-game winning streak has teased fans into believing the team is close to contending. The current lineup isn’t bad and the pitching has been good enough.
It was a good day at the ballpark despite long lines at the frozen margarita stand on a typical lazy, crazy day of summer. The game moved briskly, the ball seemed to jump off the bat despite high humidity and a hot afternoon at the game sure beats a cool day in the office. Nothing like playing hooky for the 29,717 fans.
But the reality of a so-so team about to be rebuilt is near. The team’s best player must be traded since Soriano doesn’t want to negotiate a new deal until season’s end when becoming a free agent. It’s too risky to lose Soriano during the winter for compensatory picks when two top-flight prospects can be obtained now.
Hernandez’s recent strong showing, including three runs over seven innings against the Giants, has raised his value. Best to sell him now while the interest is high. Like peddling umbrellas in the rain.
The Nats might trade everyone down to the bat boy. Those four presidential mascots could be sent to FedEx Field for the Funky Four and a Redskinette to be named later (Miss July, please).
Exiting Washington for the future good is of little consolation to the current Nats, though. Soriano and Hernandez both like playing locally, where they’re becoming cult figures to the growing fan base. At least fans along third base and left field cheered Soriano as he headed out for the final inning after missing one last chance to hit in the eighth when left on deck.
Oh well, it’s Redskins season starting Monday anyway. Wait — can we trade Dan Snyder for Mark Cuban?
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
