Comings & Goings

The Post chronicles J.B.'s extension, including this fulsome praise from Tony T.:

"He's got a vision. He's got a plan, and he sticks with his plan. I think for all those reasons, and the fact that he's a very hardworking guy -- I'd stack him up with anybody in that GM's capacity -- he deserved this."

Now, being single-minded and adhering rigidly to a "plan" might be admirable qualities in a President, but in my GM's I prefer flexibility and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. Like say for instance not jettisoning every minor league pitcher you can toss overboard, and not promoting every toolsy 5th-OF prospect you can get your hands on. But that's just me.

Meanwhile, as Tony was busy grafting his lips firmly to Trader Jim's anatomy, Brian Cashman re-upped for 3 more years with the Yanks, the Diamondbacks did something interesting by signing local boy Josh Byrnes, and the Red Sox took steps to mend fences with Theo Epstein. So Cashman, Byrnes, Epstein and Bowden are off the market. Guess which one the Nats got.

Elsewhere, St. Barry of Svrluga heralds the arrival of Damian "Freddie" Jackson & Bernabel "Fidel" Castro, and notes the gloriously impending departure of Deivi "Penelope" Cruz and Preston "F****n" Wilson. Also filing for free agency: lefty reliever Joey Eischen, whom Bodes would like to replace with ex-Oriole B.J. Ryan. Yes, and Jim should check into the possibility of replacing Goooz with Derek Jeter while he's having opium fantasies.

Finally, it seems that the Nats and Esteban Loiaza are at least one year and $3 million/per apart on a contract. Paging Victor Santos.