The Washington Nationals break three days for the All-Star Game. You wonder who’s returning?
After a false alarm firing last month, the deed was finally done as the Nats fired manager Manny Acta late on Sunday. The Nats didn’t do much to save the coach’s job. They’re so far in last place that 1962 New York Mets survivors are laughing at the Nats to replace them as baseball’s worst team ever.
The only race the Nats are winning is for the first pick of next year’s draft — for the second straight season. And, it would take a couple winning months to blow that pick. With the trade deadline looming, Washington figures to only get worse in the final two months if peddling top players.
Firing Acta won’t solve anything, though. This team stinks like I-295 alongside Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant. Acta’s just the unfortunate caretaker of baseball’s Titanic. The Nats would be smart simply to finish the season with him and find a successor in October when the talent pool deepens.
But, firings aren’t always rational. The team could seek a “fresh start” involving an interim manager. It’s a way to sucker you to the park to suck down $7.50 beers. But, Washingtonians know baseball season essentially ends July 30 when the Redskins open training camp so why bother with the facade of a new field boss?
The only players not on the trading block are Ryan Zimmerman and Jesus Flores. There’s also a young pitching staff that nobody will seek. Otherwise, anyone could go by the July 31 deadline.
Interim general manager Mike Rizzo is smart to say this isn’t a fire sale. The Nats don’t have to give away players. Adam Dunn isn’t taking his long balls to the American League for a bag of balls. While Washington can finish last with him, they don’t need to help others win without extorting a solid Triple-A prospect, preferably a reliever.
Washington badly needs bullpen help — long and short. Maybe the Nats’ recent 10th overall selection, Drew Storen, can help in 2010, though his recent poor start at Hagerstown suggests 2011. The starting pitching has enough prospects, but relievers have inspired a drinking game around town that strains DUI limits.
The season’s second half certainly looks more interesting than the first when Washington faces Chicago on Thursday. Then again, it has to be better.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or
e-mail [email protected].
