STAN'S MAGIC PIPELINE PIPEDREAM

"Given that we have had some extraneous problems, such as the bizarre first-half season of weather going into the mix, I'm pleased with where we are so far."
(Stan Kasten, via Nationals dot com, 7/22/2008)

Long live the StanSpeak Translator!

After three or four reads (but who's counting) through yesterday's Nationals dot com interview with Stan Kasten, we can't figure out if he's simply a disingenuous prick, or if he really is an honest broker stuck between the Lerner Family and Nationals Fans. No idea, but we'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But then, there are answers given to questions like: "You have been through bad times in Atlanta. How do you fix the Nationals' problems?" that just make you scratch your head:

"First of all, we have pieces on the Major League side that when they all come together, we are going to have more success than what we are having. Let me remind you that it's only two years [since the Lerner Group took over the club] and, yet, we now have a pipeline that will fill the needs that we have up here. The pieces that we have here when healthy, in conjunction with the pipeline that is starting to produce players in the Major Leagues, I think we will only have a few holes left to fill to make us truly competitive."

So, where is this pipeline, exactly? Taking a quick look at the Active roster, we're seeing three real, live, outfielders and Paul Lo Duca starting at first base. Sure, I'll grant you Balester, Clippard, and Mock filling in as #5 starter when necessary, but where's this magical pipeline to fill the needs of a real, live backup outfielder, and a real, live first baseman? The pipeline isn't there yet, unless I'm missing something.

Here's one more question we would've liked to hear an answer on:

Why did it take *this* long for the folks in your marketing department to come up with an interesting way to fill up some of those expensive empty seats behind home plate while at the same time selling some of your excess inventory?

Oh, and who do you have in mind to replace Jim Bowden? Rizzo?

(AP Photo by Evan Vucci)

Comments

[editor]

Why did it take *this* long for the folks in your marketing department to come up with an interesting way to fill up some of those expensive empty seats behind home plate while at the same time selling some of your excess inventory?

Don't blame the marketing department. Blame the folks upstairs (Stan, Mark, Ted).