Bowden Deal Likely to Be Short-Term

Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden, whose contract will expires Saturday, is still without a deal for the rest of the season, though team president Tony Tavares said last night he expects a resolution this week. "I've told Jim I'll take care of him," Tavares said. "He's not worried about it. I'm not worried about it."

Though Tavares has the authority to determine Bowden's salary -- Bowden likely will get a raise from the $300,000 he would earn annually at his current pay scale -- he must get approval from Major League Baseball, which owns the team, on the length of the contract. A source said MLB is reluctant to sign Bowden beyond this year, given that it would like to sell the team during this season.

Tavares wouldn't comment on the length of how long a new contract would extend, but expressed a desire to take care of Bowden, who declined to address his status.

"Why should he be made the sufferer?" Tavares said. "Why should there be all this uncertainty around him? He's done a good job." Mound Will Be Rebuilt The troublesome mound at RFK, which Nationals and opposing pitchers from both the Nationals and opponents have complained about, will be rebuilt when the team leaves for a nine-game road trip next week.

Reliever Joey Eischen and pitching coach Randy St. Claire have been in constant conversation with the grounds crew, and the landing areas will be improved, team Nationals officials said..... Manager Frank Robinson, 69, will speak to the Senate Select Committee on Aging tomorrow on the subject of working past retirement age.