MVN: Most Valuable Network

In lieu of Nationals Enquirer who I imagine is sitting on a beach, earning 20 percent.

With the acquisition of Josh Willingham and rumors swirling about the Nats wanting Carlos Gonzalez, I can't help but notice that the team has a lot of outfielders. What do they plan on doing with all of them?
-- Pat R., Oakton, Va.

Play a "shortfielder" next season?   Create a travelling dance troupe of "Angels in the Outfield" (now that Christopher Lloyd has no house he's free to travel around reprising his Oscar-nominated role of "Al, the Boss Angel".  Seriously though the title on that link has him as  "Taxi" star Christopher Lloyd?  "Taxi"?  I know people loved the show but the man forever will be Doc Brown, end of story.  "Taxi"...the guy who wrote that headline must be 50 years old.)

Oh yeah the outfielders... Remember when the Nats invited 319 pitchers to camp?   They don't care about having too many of anything.   Expect everyone to get 3 at bats in spring and the Nats to end up with Milledge, Dukes, and Kearns as expected.

How do you think Scott Olsen will impact the clubhouse dynamic? He's not known for his cool.
-- Unidentifed Nats fan, Washington, D.C.

Should the Nats have added Fonzie?  or Snoopy?  (wait, I'm dating myself just as bad as that "Taxi" guy)   I mean... should the Nats have added Chuck Bass? I think Olsen will finally add the much-needed angry vicious whitey dynamic that was lost when Jamey Carroll skipped bail and left town. 

We don't know - nobody does.  If you force me to guess, I'd say it won't matter at all.  Manny's eternal sunshine seems to keep the clubhouse fine. If this team can handle Elijah Dukes I'm not worried about Scott Olsen.   

Do the Nats have a legitimate chance at landing Mark Teixeira, or is it just talk?
-- Chris E., Glendale, Calif.

In theory all 30 teams have a legitimate chance, does that help?  Given the talk they've made I think they are going to make a 3/4-hearted run at Tex but in the end the money and talent combination of at least a half-dozen other teams will be greater.  

Now that Emilio Bonifacio has been traded to the Marlins for Olsen and Willingham, do you think trading Jon Rauch to the D-backs for Bonifacio was a good trade? The Rauch trade never sat well with me, and I think this confirms the Nationals lost out in the deal.
-- Will R., Rose Haven, Md.

I agree with you that the Nats should play the kids. But is there any indication they will? They have a lot of young outfielders and now they have more. No matter how good they are, I don't see a place for Roger Bernadina, Leonard Davis or Justin Maxwell.
-- Garry F., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

They shouldn't just play kids just because they can.  They should play kids because they are good. Which is why Milledge and Dukes and others ARE going to play. Trust me they'd love to have one of those three work their way into the lineup by being so awesome but none of them have proven they should yet.  Until then Kearns and his 8 million dollar contract trumps these kids' modest talents.  Plus these "kids" are all older than Dukes and Milledge. 

What are your thoughts on the new jerseys? Will they amount to more wins in 2009?
-- Michael S., Mount Airy, Md.

Love 'em - the Stars and Stripes one alone is worth a win everytime the Nats put it on given that the other team will double over in laughter/nausea at their very sight.