Mike Nichols: In a recent post to your blog, you stated the lack of success of recently fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire had more to do with the front office’s selection of pitching talent than St. Claire’s coaching.  Do you believe new pitching coach Steve McCatty will have the same difficulties or will his philosophy be better suited for the Nationals turn towards their younger pitching staff?

Willy from The Nats Blog:  From what I have read there is a pretty big difference in the two’s pitching philosophies. Randy St. Claire was famous for his use of video analysis, breaking down a pitchers every move on the field to try and perfect their actions on the mound. He wanted pitchers to think about everything they did, every motion they made. McCatty on the other hand cares less about mechanics and more about a pitchers mental approach. He has said that he believes if you are talented enough to be in the big leagues then all that matters is your mental approach and your ability to ‘attack the zone.’

Unfortunately, I feel that with a younger pitching staff like the one the Nationals have, an approach like St. Claire’s might be more beneficial. The four rookie starters for the Nats have the talent to be successful, but they also need to learn to pitch. I sure like McCatty’s character and think he was a great pitcher in the 80’s. But he didn’t get the job done as a pitching coach in Detroit in 2002, and I don’t know if he’ll get the job done here.

Mike Nichols: You haven’t been bashful in your opinion of manager Manny Acta, even stating he should be fired. Using the same argument you gave for Randy St. Claire, can more of the blame be put on organization inability to acquire talent rather than Acta’s presumed inadequacies as a manager?

Willy from The Nats Blog: A pitching coach’s success should be measured on whether or not his pitchers are over or underachieving. The same goes with a clubs batting coach and the teams hitting. However a manager should be evaluated on whether or not the players on the team come to the game as professionals, prepared to play everyday. That is where Manny Acta has failed.

The Nationals this year have been marred by unprofessionalism. In fact I have heard many journalists say that this and last years team were the most unprofessionally run team they’ve ever seen.  There seems to be a losing attitude on this club, and Manny Acta seems to be accepting of it. There is no commitment to play defense, and no accountability for player’s mistakes. These are things a manager can take charge of; regardless of the talent the front office gives him.

Mike Nichols: What are you thoughts on what the Nationals will do as we approach the July 31 trade deadline? Obviously I wouldn’t expect them to be buyers, but do you expect them to trade players like Adam Dunn and/or Nick Johnson?

Willy from The Nats Blog: Under the Jim Bowden regime, it seemed we could never trade any of our older talent at the deadline. I am hopeful this will change this summer under Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten.

Nick Johnson’s contract is up at the end of this season and he should definitely be on the move. Contenders like your very own New York Mets as well as the RedSox both have a need for a solid bat to replace sluggers Carlos Delgado and David Ortiz. I’m sure the Nationals have already investigated both teams young talent.

I expect Adam Dunn to stay at least through this season. The Nationals have him locked up for another year, at a solid price, and he is one of the few exciting players on the team’s roster. I would not be surprised to see Josh Willingham on the move however, if his hot streak at the plate continues through June. The Nats need to clean up that crowded outfield.

Mike Nichols: Lastings Milledge was named the Nats opening day center fielder after spring training, but after hitting just .167 during the the first two weeks of the season Milledge was demoted to the minors. Is Milledge still in the organization’s plan going forward or has Milledge already worn out his welcome?

Willy from The Nats Blog: Lastings Milledge got sent down to Syracuse after only 24 at bats with the Nationals this year. Now in 22 games in Triple-A he is batting .253, and only .194 in his last 10 games. This is surprising for most Nationals fans after watching Milledge grow a great deal last year as he was one of the teams more reliable hitters.

The organization has said very little about their intentions for Milledge, but it seems that his two biggest supporters, Bowden and Acta, are gone or are about to be. Personally I still have high hopes for the young guy. He showed serious 20-20 potential last season, and good defense. He’s not doing himself any favors though, hitting worse now in the minors than he did last year in the majors.

Mike Nichols: Finally, with the MLB First-Year draft coming up next week and the Nationals expected to select pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg with the first overall pick, assuming they can sign him quickly, what are the odds the Nationals will promote him to the Major League level this season?

Willy from The Nats Blog: Acting general manager Mike Rizzo has come out and basically said that no players they take in the draft this year will reach the majors in 2009, and that includes Strasburg. This is probably the best thing for the kid anyways. Contract negotiations, as they do for most top 10 picks, are likely to go down to the August 15^th deadline. This means Strasburg would have not pitched competitively for a good amount of time and wouldn’t even be at the top of his game, much less Major League ready. If he does get significant minor league experience in 2009 however expect him to make a push for the rotation in 2010.

Mike Nichols: Good stuff. Thanks, Willy.

I also answered a few Mets related questions for Willy, which you can read later today, by clicking here.

That said, following today’s game, Jose Reyes told reporters that his leg is still not feeling good, and said there is ‘no chance’ he will start tomorrow.

What’s more, Ramon Martinez was removed from today’s game in the eighth inning with back pain, Jerry Manuel explained.

According to Manuel, he considered starting Fernando Tatis at shortstop today, suggesting he could turn to Tatis tomorrow in place of Martinez and Reyes.

Meanwhile, prior to the game, Manuel said it is possible Ryan Church could be put on the disabled list, as he will have his sore right hamstring examined tomorrow.

Church also said he is experiencing pain his right hip.

…seriously, at what point does Omar Minaya step in and help manuel out, who is playing so short-handed right now, it would not shock me to get a call that i’m on deck to hit… i mean, omar, give the guy the tools he needs…

…from what i can gather, the Mets are reluctant to promote a player like Ruben Tejada or Jonathan Malo, because they are not on the 40–man roster… that said, manuel basically has two guys available on his bench at this point, and one is his back-up catcher… unreal…

By the way, Nationals 1B Nick Johnson was a late scratch today due to ‘stomach discomfort,’ according to the Steve Yanda of the Washington Post, who writes:

When you first heard that Johnson had been scratched from the starting lineup at the last minute, how many of you figured he had been traded… That was the consensus up in the press box. Turns out, Johnson is still a member of the Nationals… Manny Acta said Johnson should be ready to play tomorrow at New York.”

…honestly, at this point, if the Mets make a sudden trade, i bet it’s for an all-purpose infield type, like a Mark DeRosa, before it’s a one-position solution… or, minaya should trade for Ben Casey…

Brandon Eddy: After starting the season 1-10, which included blowing three straight games last weekend, Nationals management didn’t waste time by shaking up the bullpen on Monday. Do you see the trio of Garrett Mock, Kip Wells and Jason Bergmann stabilizing the bullpen for the long or short term? And what kind of message do you think it sent through the clubhouse?

Ed from Federal Baseball: I’ve been arguing for Jason Bergmann moving into the bullpen for some time now. In his first Spring Training working strictly in relief, Bergmann threw 11.1 innings without allowing an earned run, and the fact that he had an option remaining was cited as one of several reasons he was sent to Triple-A to start the season, so you can argue that he should have been here from the beginning.

“Acting” GM Mike Rizzo was with Arizona when the D-Backs drafted Garrett Mock in 2004, and Mr. Rizzo was the Nationals’ Assistant GM when Washington acquired him in a trade in ‘06. There’s talk that Mock’s being groomed as the next closer should Joel Hanrahan falter, so Mock and Bergmann could both play important roles the rest of the way. Kip Wells is 10 years removed from being a 1st Round pick, he’s bounced around and he’s one of those guys you sign and hope he still has something. He earned a job and a promotion so far, so who knows?

If the Nationals do trade Nick Johnson or one of their outfielders this season, it will be for pitching, but I think the biggest boost to the pitching might come from the Draft…if the Nationals can sign San Diego State University’s Stephen Strasburg. As for the message the bullpen moves sent, along with Lastings Milledge’s demotion, the Nationals have let the players know that there are other options in the organization, which hasn’t been the case until recently with this franchise.

Brandon Eddy: Despite a two-hour rain delay in his MLB debut, Jordan Zimmermann was impressive on Monday night. He worked out of trouble and stayed aggressive in his six innings of work. How important was that win, not only for Zimmermann, but for the team after their poor start to the season?

Ed from Federal Baseball: That two-hour wait to make his major league debut must have been excruciating for Jordan Zimmermann. DC’s “Acting” GM Mike Rizzo predicted early this spring that Zimmermann would make the rotation, and he was ranked as the top prospect in the organization by just about everyone who makes lists, so his debut generated a good deal of interest from the core of the fanbase and even registered in the baseball world more than most Nationals’ debuts.

I see Zimmermann’s rise as a sign that the work the Nationals have done to replenish the system is finally paying off. The fact that he went toe to toe with Derek Lowe and earned the win was impressive, and the fact that Zimmermann’s win is one of only 3 the Nationals have so far, with 22-year-old Shairon Martis having won the other two, is one of the few positives to point to early.

Brandon Eddy: My last question is in regards to Ryan Zimmerman’s contract extension. Would you agree or disagree that the Nationals potentially got a discount on Zimmerman? Nine million a season is definitely nothing to sneeze at, but if he reaches his offensive potential in 2009 and beyond, his price tag could have gone much higher when he hit free agency. Please break down the deal in a positive and negative view.

Ed from Federal Baseball: I think it’s tough to judge Ryan Zimmerman’s worth since he’s succeeded on a losing team in what’s generally been considered an inferior lineup. The comparisons I always hear are Dustin Pedroia (25yo, 6-years/$40.5M), and Ryan Braun (25yo, 8-years/$45.0M). Zimmerman, (24yo, 6-years/$45.0M) is a year younger, and has more MLB experience than either Pedroia or Braun, so I think Zimmerman got about what the market dictated, (though Pedroia has won a World Series and an AL MVP Award, and Braun has put up far better power numbers).

I think Zimmerman enjoys his position as the cornerstone and face of the Nationals’ franchise, and the Nationals have marketed him as such, so as they continue to struggle this was an important move to make to show the fanbase they’re serious about building around their young stars. Zimmerman may have been able to get more in a few years, but it’s impressive that he got $45 million now when there’s not a lot of money being handed out.

As for a negative view of the deal, with the Dunn signing, and now Zimmerman, the Nationals have spent a lot of money just months before they’re going to have to try to sign a #1 pick, and the #10 pick. They better keep the checkbook open.

Brandon Eddy: Great stuff. Thanks Ed!

The Braves would go after Furcal, because they will likely have to trade SS Yunel Escobar in a deal for Peavy, Rosenthal explains.

…the buzz from around baseball suggests the Braves, A’s, and Indians are among at least eight teams who have shown interest in furcal, meaning he could very well end up getting the four-year deal he is said to be seeking…

Meanwhile, Nationals GM Jim Bowden denied reports that his team is interested in free-agent OF Manny Ramirez, saying in an e-mail, ‘We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez.’

Instead, according to the MLB.com, “The Nationals are looking for a left-handed hitting slugger, and they are pursuing free agents Mark Teixeira and Adam Dunn and Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder.”

Lastly, in the New York Times, Justin Salblich takes a closer look at the closer’s market, who is available, who isn’t, and where they may end up.

Randolph, as quoted by Sporting News:

“They’ve reached out to say, ‘we’re interested.’ This is just the early stages.”

…two former mets personnel on one bench, is art howe going to be the third base coach too…i wish the best for willie but think he has too much pride to be an understudy, especially manny acta’s…

Lo Duca, who battled various injuries this season, was batting .230 with 0 HR and 12 RBI in 46 games this season.

…the buzz from Miami last week had been that the Marlins might look in to trading for lo duca during the Trade Deadline…

Scott Lauber of the News Journal takes a look at the Phillies deep bullpen, who lead the Major League with a 2.58 ERA, and cites their success as the reason for the team’s fast start.

Balls, Stick & Stuff examines the Phillies ability to put teams away in the late innings.

Marlins (35-29, 2 LB):

Mike Berardino of the Sun-Sentinel gathered team reaction regarding their former teammate Dontrelle Willis, who was recently demoted by the Tigers to their Single-A affiliate.

At his blog for the Miami Herald, Greg Cote asks, “Who is the Marlins biggest rival?” Currently, the Phillies lead fan polling with 49.2%.

…that’s a tough question, but even though the Marlins have been a thorn in the Mets side for awhile i don’t think the Mets are their biggest rival…

Braves (32-33, 6 LB):

According to Thomas Stinson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, John Smoltz underwent successful shoulder surgery on Tuesday. However, during the surgery it was discovered Smoltz has ’significant deterioration’ of his labrum, which puts his career in serious jeopardy.

David O’Brien of the AJC also reports the Braves placed Tom Glavine on the 15-day disabled list with a strained elbow.

Nationals (26-40, 13 LB):

Mark Zuckerman of the Washington Times recaps the Nationals dramatic 7-6 victory over the Pirates last night and a in-dugout argument between manager Manny Acta and OF Elijah Dukes.

Video of the Acta/Dukes “discussion” can be seen here.

Over at Oleanders and Morning Glories, Harper Gordek wonders if the Nationals lineup is the worst ever.

Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports SS Jimmy Rollins broke one of Manager Charlie Manuel’s two team rules by not hustling out a routine fly ball that was eventually dropped. Rollins was benched by Manuel the following inning.

Over at Beeleaguer, Jason Weitzel provides his opinion on the Rollins’ benching.

…terrific job by manuel for benching rollins for not running hard…its sets a good tone for his team that even the reigning MVP can be punished for his actions…also a good job by rollins for taking full responsibility of his lack of hustle …

…on a side note, the Phillies are scaring me…winning the nl east last year has given them confidence, as such, they have finally learned the ability to win and be a front runner…and their ability to comeback from any deficit is quite impressive…

Marlins (32-27, 1 LB):

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald recaps the Marlins loss to the Braves last night, as well as, their 3-7 road trip, which knocked the Marlins out of first place.

On the same note, at Fish Stripes Craig is thankful the Marlins road trip is over and blames the team’s defense for the Marlins woeful road trip.

Braves (32-29, 3 LB):

According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chipper Jones, who hit the 400th homerun of his career last night, plans on playing into his 40’s.

Jones, who is 36-years old, is a free-agent at the end of next season.

…i’ve said it before, but i think chipper has a good shot at being the first player in 67 years to hit .400 in a season…he misses enough games due to nagging injuries that he may hit .400 and still qualify with enough at-bats…

Martin Gandy of Talking Chop says the Braves returned to their ‘tried and true draft strategy’ by drafting high school pitchers from the south.

Nationals (25-36, 10 LB):

Over at Oleanders and Morning Glories, which does an excellent job keeping tabs on the Nationals, Harper Gordek recaps a few quotes from Nats GM Jim Bowden, which have a similar tone.

Mike Phillips of the Miami Herald, citing a ‘major-league source,’ reports the Marlins are on the verge of signing OF Jacque Jones.

Jones was batting .165 with 1 HR and 5 RBI in 79 at-bats this season before being released by the Tigers.

Over at Fish Stripes, Craig analyzes the Jones signing from a defensive prespective.

Phillies (24-21, 2 LB):

Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia inquirer says Brett Myers‘ stubborn use of his fastball is costing him this season.

Chase Utley does the “little things,” writes Tom Goyne of Balls, Sticks & Stuff.

Braves (22-21, 2 LB):

After feeling more discomfort in his shoulder following a Saturday Bullpen session, Johm Smoltz’s late May return may be in doubt, writes David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Nationals (19-26, 7 LB):

Ben Goessling of the Washington Times says the loss of Nick Johnson, who led the team with a .415 OBP, leaves a big hole in the Nationals lineup.

Dan Uggla tries to explain his recent power surge, in which he has hit 8 HR and drove in 16 runs since May 1, to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.At his blog for the Sun-Sentinel, Juan C. Rodriguez says the Marlins are missing Mike Jacobs and Josh Willingham in the middle of the order. Rodriguiez also speculates the Marlins maybe a player for the recently released Jacque Jones.

…i’m not sure what to make of the Marlins this season and if they will be around in the long run…they seem to be relying way too much on the long ball and their pitching continues lag in the lower half of the national league…i’ll be interested to see how they fair over the next month, in which they have games versus the Diamondbacks, Mets, Phillies and Rays…

Phillies (22-18, 2 LB):

David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News takes a look at one of the Phillies main concerns this season; their struggles against left-handed pitching this season.

Over at PhilliesFlow, Erik Grissom is curious why Charlie Manuel elected to play Jayson Werth in center and Shane Victorino in right.

Braves (19-19, 3 LB):

David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Rafael Soriano, John Smoltz and Mike Gonzalez are close to returning from their injuries and may be back in the bullpen by the end of May.

…and, that folks is a scary thought…

Nationals (16-24, 8 LB):

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post asks a few Nationals, including Manny Acta, for a response to the criticism they received for their dugout chants during Tuesday’s game versus the Mets.