Adios, Stubby

It's patently obvious that Jim Bowden hates Mexicans. First it was poor Vinny Castilla, shipped off to the border town of San Diego. Now Esteban "Stubby" Loiaza has fallen victim to Trader Jim's nativism, relocating to the Left Coast for $21 million over 3 years. Do I think this contract is 1 year too long and $1 mil per too rich? Yep. Do I wish the Nats had been in a position to at least make a competitive offer? Sure. Am I perplexed as to how we can still possibly be in the $50 million A.J. Burnett sweepsteaks? You betcha.

Unless we want to seriously entertain the prospect of a Hernandez-Patterson-Lawrence-Drese-Rauch/Rasner starting rotation next year, it's time for the Nats to start combing the local flea markets for pitching. Both Capitol Punishment and Banks of the Anacostia have done a little advance scouting of the 75% off irregular pitchers bin. The good news: Cheap Arms! The bad news: Yeeeech!

In the Silver Lining department, we are now entitled to Oakland's 1st round draft pick (22nd overall), since Stubby was a Type B Free Agent. And if we can get someone to take Hector Carrasco and Preston Wilson, well that's two more 1st rounders. Lord knows we need the prospects, seeing as how the readers of MinorLeagueBall.com voted the Nats farm system the worst in baseball. Read all about it (and my semi-stirring defense of our crappy minor leaguers) over at Basil's spot.

I'm just saying, Luis "El Guapo" Ayala, (Los Mochis, Mexico) might want to keep a bag packed.