Major League Baseball

Washington Post staff writer Barry Svrluga was online Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. ET to talk about the latest baseball news.

The transcript follows .

____________________

Barry Svrluga: Greetings, hot stovers. Pitchers and catchers in less than a month. How about that?

Thanks for joining us. Let's get to it.

_______________________

New Carrollton, Md.: What's up Barry?

Baseball season draws near. Can't wait, I'm too excited.

anyhow, on to the questions.

What's the current status of Jose Vidro's Knee? What's the current status of Soriano's attitude?

why are we talking to Sammy Sosa?

Who's in line to do the TV Play-By-Play for us this year?

Is the Post going about with this silly "Two-Team City" thing again this year?

How much Baseball Content(besides the Games) is going to be on Washington Post Radio? How much general sports content?

When's the Book coming out?

thanks, and looking forward to some great Nats coverage from you this year.

Barry Svrluga: A winter's worth of pent-up questions, New Carrollton? I'll answer a few.

Vidro's knee: The reports are good, but as we know from last season, when things went pretty well in spring training but his legs grew tired late in the year, the reports don't mean much now. The Nationals want Vidro to lose some weight and be methodical about buidling strength in his legs so that he doesn't put undue strain on the problematic knee. We'll see.

Soriano's attitude: Is there a more intriguing storyline in the spring? Or up till the trade deadline? He's not talking right now. Doesn't want to stir the pot more than he already has. Again, stay tuned.

Two-team city: We're keeping Jorge around to cover the O's, if that's what you're asking. I think we should cover the O's. Jorge? That's entirely different.

_______________________

Rosslyn, Va.: Are any of the Nationals' minor leaguers (Bill Bray, Brendan Harris, Larry Broadway, etc) going to get the chance to compete for a spot on the opening day roster? Or are the veteran free agents (Fick, Anderson, Tucker, etc) already a certainty regardless of spring training performance?

Barry Svrluga: Robert Fick and Marlon Anderson are certain to make the team. Michael Tucker, however, has a non-guaranteed contract, so he could easily be an afterthought come April. Minor league 1B Larry Broadway missed so much time due to injury last year that he's a long shot to make the squad. Plus, Fick is far more versatile. LHP Bray would seem to lose out in a numbers game with Joey Eischen and Mike Stanton both on board. Of the names you mention, I think Brendan Harris -- who had an excellent offensive season last year in the minors and continued to excel in the Arizona Fall League -- would have the best shot, though that might mean someone like Jamey Carroll doesn't make the team.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: Now that the Nats are firmly entrenched in the DC market (for now...), don't you think the Post should dial back O's coverage and make it equal to the paper's Ravens coverage?

Barry Svrluga: My assignment is to cover the Nationals, and that's what I do. I have no control over our Orioles coverage,and even less control over Jorge, whose ego simply threatens to take over the entire department.

I would think there are plenty of readers in, say, Howard County, part of the Post's circulation area, that go to Camden Yards on a regular basis.

_______________________

World Baseball Classic: We have tix to a preseason game, but it falls during the World Baseball Classic. Is there any site that lists all players committed to the teams so we know if we are likely to miss our favorites?

Barry Svrluga: I believe mlb.com should be able to help you out. For the Nationals, you're likely to miss Brian Schneider, Chad Cordero, Soriano and maybe a few others, like Vidro (if he's healthy) and Luis Ayala and maybe Gary Majewski.

_______________________

Spring Training: I know you won't be there at the time, but from your time there in 2005, can you give a timeline of a sample day for the players at spring training?

I'm going the first weekend after the position players show up and if they quit at noon on Sunday, I don't need to be there all day. Though I hear Cocoa Beach is nice...

Barry Svrluga: Yes, typically workouts run from around 9:30-ish to noon or 1, but they can be cut short at 11 on occasion, too (depending on the weather for golf).

_______________________

Portland, Maine: Don't you wish you covered the Phillies?

Barry Svrluga: No. I wish I covered the Portland Sea Dogs.

Seriously.

_______________________

Dili, East Timor: Barry -

Do we have any shot at Jeff Weaver?

And, if not, is it the money or the various extra-curricular problems that other free agents have cited?

Thanks!

Barry Svrluga: No shot for the Nationals and Jeff Weaver. Too expensive. Washington never showed much interest. I think the extra-curricular problems you mention (stadium, ownership, etc.) had more of an impact on some other free agents such as Brett Tomko.

_______________________

20003: Is it true that the USOC has offered Sammy Sosa a six-week Skeleton deal? I hear that, when they introduce Sosa, he's going to be wearing a Willie Gault throwback bobsled-jersey.

Barry Svrluga: Wow. I heard the exact same thing. But Sammy wants guaranteed skeleton money, and the people who mind the skeleton coffers are seeing if there's any meat left on that bone.

_______________________

Just Wondering: How does it put out a Nationals' fan living in DC that the paper also provides substantial coverage of the Orioles? If anything, the larger baseball staff inevitably seems to make for better baseball coverage. After all, Jorge has to do something once the Orioles fade and are no longer worth full-beat coverage.

Barry Svrluga: Is this message from Emilio Garcia-Ruiz, our much-beleaguered sports editor?

If not, thanks for the perspective.

_______________________

Capitol Hill, DC: Hey hey Barry!

Have the Nats made any progress on shipping out Alfonso Soriano? Not only is he turning out to be a potential clubhouse cancer, he also happens to be the player with the highest discrepancy in arbitration. Does he really think he's worth $12M per?!

Great acquisition Bodes!

Barry Svrluga: The problem with Soriano's arbitration request from the Nationals: Rafael Furcal. The former Atlanta SS got $13 million annually from the Dodgers. Throw out OBP (I know, I know, you can't just throw it out), and Soriano is far superior to Furcal in almost every offensive category. Soriano's agents will use that argument, no doubt.

Here's what I expect with Soriano: A lot of controversy in spring training; some sort of resolution after we determine Vidro's health; the possibility that he would to T.O. on the Nationals; and a trade not in spring training, but some time during the first three months of the season. Here's how Nationals fans should look at the Wilkerson-Soriano trade on Aug. 1: What does Washington have in exchange for Wilkerson? Only then will we know if it was a worthwhile deal.

_______________________

Rosslyn, Va.: Who is most likely to be traded before July? Nick Johnson, Jose Guillen, Alfonso Soriano, or Jose Vidro?

Barry Svrluga: Soriano

_______________________

Richmond, Va.: What's the status of your book....Is it finished, when does it come out, etc.?

Barry Svrluga: Thanks for asking, Richmond (and others). The book, "National Pastime," is basically done and is due out March 28 -- less than a week before Opening Day.

_______________________

Panera, Melbourne, Fla.: With the World Baseball Classic, what kind of timeframe will we see for players actually showing up to their team's camp (and what kind of spring training games early)?

Barry Svrluga: Some of the guys who are playing in the "Classic" (how can it be a classic when there hasn't even been one yet?) could show up in camp as early as Feb. 1. The classic ends March 20.

_______________________

Midlothian, Va.: Barry,

Thanks for your great work. I have sort of an inside baseball question. Occasionally, quotes similar to ones in your stories show up in other inferior outlets. Is it that the Nationals do a lot of this stuff via conference call or press conference? Or does the front office just stick to the same talking points with each reporter?

How is access with the front office?

Barry Svrluga: Hello, Midlothian.

Jim Bowden, the GM, is very good at staying on point when he's making an argument or explaining why he did or didn't do something. Typically, all the beat writers will get him separately by phone, but he'll send the same message. When it's a conference call (as it was when they signed Schneider to a four-year deal), I'll indicate it in the story.

The front office is generally quite accessible.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: In the wake of the Abramoff scandal, congressional leaders are racing to change lobbying regulations to prevent Members of Congress and staff from accepting tickets to sporting events.

Are the Nats nervous about any impact this could have on attendance?

Barry Svrluga: Someone on the Hill mentioned this to me last week, and it's something I'll look into. RFK became a place for lobbyists to entertain last year, and my understanding is there's a movement to push the level of gifts down to $20, which can get you in the ballpark but not into one of the primo seats. Thanks for the reminder.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: As a season ticket holder, who was bummed by our "fall from grace" last season, what I enjoyed most at the end there was Ryan Zimmerman. I'm thrilled he'll be starting at 3rd, even though I dug me some Vinny too. Anyway, just a comment. I loved the article on him-thought it was great, and am inspired by his whole family. Here's to a great season!

Barry Svrluga: Thanks, DC. I have been impressed not only by Zimmerman, but by the reaction of some of the veterans around him. They seem to think he's someone they should take care of because he could be quite a special player. And the family was quite gracious in letting me come down to Virginia Beach to get to know them better.

_______________________

Harpers Ferry, W.Va.: Any chance of the Barry Svrluga Radio Power Hour on Washington Post radio? Or are you holding out for your own ESPN job?

Barry Svrluga: I envision WSVR.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Is there any chance of getting a decent back end starter by Opening Day? Or are we stuck with Livan, Patterson, Lawrence and some combination of Drese/Armas/Rauch/Ortiz et al?

Barry Svrluga: My guess is that's what your stuck with. But I also get the feeling that Bowden -- who didn't make a trade in spring training last season -- will make one this year.

Keep this in mind, too: The GM change in Cincinnati yesterday ,where Dan O'Brien was fired, could be significant for Washington. Bowden is still obsessed with some of his former players over there, namely Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns. The former front office, with O'Brien reporting to John Allen, basically refused to deal with Bowden. I don't think that will be the case with the interim GM, Brad Kullman.

_______________________

Valkaria, Fla.: Dear Barry: We went to Space Coast Stadium the other day for tickets. Giftshop and box office were locked. Checked the executive offices. There was a woman sitting amidst boxes. Things seemed in disarray. Tickets won't be available till early Feb. This seems pretty Mickey Mouse compared to other teams. Also, try some of the restaurants in Melbourne and and on the beach -- there's much more than Panera out there.

Barry Svrluga: There's been a transition in Viera this year in which the Nationals now run things as opposed to the minor-league team that inhabited Space Coast Stadium. I would expect things would be a little rocky. Isn't everything with this franchise?

Was just talking to someone about hitting Bonefish Willy's down there in Melbourne. The best restaurant I could find.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Hey Barry -- although the Nats have a better radio deal, will we, the fans, still have to suffer through the same terrible TV situations?

Barry Svrluga: If you have Comcast, I think it'll actually be worse. There's a good chance only 30-35 games will be on WDCA (Channel 20). The distribution of MASN broadcasts should be wider (on RCN, Verizon HD TV and other outlets), but Comcast customers, I'm afraid, are in the same boat.

_______________________

SW Washington, D.C.: Now that they're looking at a new stadium design, are there significant costs involved in completely re-architecting it or are the design people doing this out of the goodness of their hearts? At what point do you think the designs will be released to the public?

Although, I have to admit, the whole stadium thing is becoming a yawn. I can't wait for spring training to start so baseball can be about the sport of baseball while the rest of that gets hashed out (hopefully to a positive end).

Barry Svrluga: I have a similar feeling about the "yawn" aspect of the new stadium. There's a just-get-it-over element to it, no?

_______________________

15th & L NW: Please, please, please tell me Rob Dibble won't be doing the Nat's broadcast. I would rather have Ron Darling singing the broadcasts than Dibble doing them.

Barry Svrluga: The Nationals are still trying to gauge Dibble's real interest, from what I hear. Darling, in case you missed it, has moved on and will be involved in Mets broadcasts.

_______________________

Ougadougou, Burkina Faso: Barry,

Did you get a chance to talk with Brad Wilkerson after the trade? How did he take it? Do they get attached to places or is baseball just a business and they go with the flow? Is there two or three cities that ballplayers prefer? i.e. LA, Boston, Milwaukee? What are the true baseball towns that players love to play.

Barry Svrluga: Thanks for chiming in from Burkina Faso.

Yes, I talked to Wilkerson the day after the trade. He was, at that point, stunned, even though his name had been mentioned over and over and over beginning during the season. Yes, he reliazes it's a business, but I think he liked playing in DC, and the Montreal/Washington franchise is the only one he had ever known. So there will be an adjustment that is both personal and professional.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Our group of Nats fans at work barely speak to each other other than to say "Hang in there." I don't wear my cap and place it on the computer anymore. We have essentially gathered around a burning 55-gallon drum because we never got to light the hot stove.

Throw us a bone- do you have any idea of whether progress has been made? Should we expect a new owner, when named, to try to make a splash by throwing some money around quickly? We thought last year that a new owner might come in and change the uniform or the name of the team- after the slow bleed this winter, we barely have a team.

Tell us something surprising that doesn't include David Catania. This town has plenty of excess Redskin love that could sustain the Nats if given half a chance

Barry Svrluga: I think what baseball is missing here is exactly the sentiment you're expressing: There was excitement, but the whole process has beaten it out of many people.

I'll address one other point here: I would not expect a new owner to come in and immediately bump the payroll to $100 million. Will things improve? Probably. Will the owner be able to consider a deal presented to him by the GM and consider it on its baseball value and not just its bottom-line value? Yes. But I don't think there's going to be a Dan Snyder-sign-everyone-that's-out-there approach, regardless of who gets the team.

_______________________

Columbia, Md.: I think the Post has it all wrong about Howard County. It's true we are closer to Baltimore than Washington, but we are very governmentcentric. On my little cul de sac we have people who work for NASA, NOAA, the FDA, JPL, NSA ... well you get the idea. No one identifies with Baltimore. Now if you want to keep Jorge around for charity reasons ... I mean no one forces me to read about the O's. Seriously, the exciting strategic switches in the National League are much more interesting to the highly educated Columbian. -A Giddy Baseball Snob

Barry Svrluga: I love people who admit they are A) giddy and B) snobs.

Thanks for the viewpoint.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My neighbor works for the sports commission and told me that there are rumblings of a new February 7 target date for a vote on the Nats stadium lease. What do you know about this?

Barry Svrluga: Yes. If there's going to be a vote, that's the date. But remember that MLB and the city are in mediation at this point, and there will be no vote unless the lease terms will be passed. I continue to say that the most likely outcome is that both sides will allow it to go to arbitration because MLB figures it will win and will then be able to impose lease terms on the District, and the council members won't have to vote one way or the other, thus letting them run from any political ramifications of taking a stand.

_______________________

New Carrollton, Md. - Part 2.: so, you speak of trading Soriano, like you know something we don't.

Are we actively looking to flip him somewhere?

Can you give some sort of vague-ish "nod, wink" type of answer, if you can't really say anything?

Barry Svrluga: Nod.

Wink.

(There aren't takers right now, though.)

_______________________

WORSE!!!: Your summary of the TV situation was the most depressing thing I've read in months (domestic spying, feh). 30-35 games? I have a five-year-old kid who loves watching the Nationals. It's appalling that the Lords of Baseball would squash him so.

Barry Svrluga: I wish I could bring better news. I do not like to even be a part of squashing a 5-year-old.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Is there anyway that us loyal Svrulgalites can, you know, 'take out' Jorge? We could do it quick and easy, slow and painful. All we ask for is more reporting by you and a few tickets to the Nationals throughout the years. Also, if you could arrange for a ticker-tape parade that would be nice.

Barry Svrluga: I see nothing. I know nothing. Do what you must.

_______________________

Washington, D.C. 20002: Now that Washington is again a major league city, when is the newspaper of record going to gives us fans a weekly baseball notes column? The Post has two beat writers, who could alternate writing Sunday columns. Also, tell your embattled sports editor that this reader is tired of seeing American League information on the page preceeding the National League page.

Barry Svrluga: Good question, 20002. We seamheads here at the Post got together just last week (that would be me, Sheinin, Jorge and Boz himself, led by our fearless editor Tracee Hamilton) and began to hash out a plan for Sundays. We're definitely going to beef up the baseball presence on that day. Details when the regular season begins.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: I think, with the roster that we have right now, we're looking at 65-70 wins this season. How many wins do you predict?

Barry Svrluga: I think you're probably right. Seventy-five would be the most I could see, and that's if a lot of things go right.

_______________________

Portland: So are you from Portland, Maine?

Barry Svrluga: No, but I worked there for nearly three years. Go back every summer. Went three times last year.

But shhhhhhh. We don't want too many people to understand how great it is. And we certainly don't want them taking all the reservations at my favorite restaurants, Street & Co. and Fore Street.

_______________________

Dundalk, Md.: While I'm undecided as to whether acquiring Kris Benson for Jorge Julio and John Maine is a net plus for the Orioles, acquiring Mrs. Benson is a definite minus. Is there any chance Kris might divorce her prior to the start of spring training?

Barry Svrluga: The relationship between Kris and Anna Benson is one of the most interesting in sports. Crazy. I'm sure either Jorge or Dave Sheinin will delve into this at some point in spring training, because in a strange way, she can have a bigger impact on a franchise than he can.

Orioles are committed to the young closer now, but the rotation is definitely better.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: The Nationals are going to have 3 of the top 26 picks in the 2006 draft. Please tell me that Bowden is not going to making those decisions. Zimmerman in 2005 fell into his lap. I worry we're in store for three toolsy OFs in 2006.

Barry Svrluga: At this point, I'd be surprised if Bowden wasn't making those calls. I was just talking to him the other day, and he mentioned how excited he was about those three first-round picks. Yes, Zimmerman fell into his lap -- but there are other teams that would have taken other players had they been at No. 4. Bowden will likely put a lot of evaluation trust in scouting director Dana Brown and Bob Boone, his special assistant.

_______________________

Charlestown, W.Va.: Barry, any chance there will be a new owner before the trading deadline in July? I have already accepted that we will not have an owner by opening day....

Barry Svrluga: I am done predicting on this topic. Done.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Are we going to finish ahead of the Marlins??

Barry Svrluga: It will be a compelling battle. First one to 70 victories wins?

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: What happened to Rick Short? Will he be back with the Nationals' organization, or has he joined another team?

Barry Svrluga: The Nationals sold Short's rights to a Japanese team. It's a good opportunity for him to make more money and support his family, a way for him to cash in on the decade he spent in the minors.

_______________________

Section 314, row 6.: In a "Florida Today" article, Chartese Burnett, Nats Vice President, Communications, was asked when Nationals Spring training tickets would go on sale. Her response, "any day now. We're working seriously to make sure it happens."

Why is this level of incompetance tolerated by Tony Tavares?

Barry Svrluga: I thought that was a strange response, too, and I'll find out precisely when spring training tickets are going on sale.

_______________________

Court in Washington, D.C.: Why the push to get Watson in the lineup over Church and Byrd? Personally, I like Bryd with his combo of speed and power.

And will all three be on the roster or is a deal in the works? Church still the most valuable?

Your thoughts?

Barry Svrluga: I think the only way Watson makes the roster is if he wins a starting job. I said this in a previous chat: It's almost similar to the Endy Chavez situation last spring. The team would love it if Watson had a break-out spring and earned the leadoff job because he has the skills that are best-suited for the spot. But can he beat out both Church and Byrd? I doubt it.

_______________________

20009: Why did the Cubs sign Wade Miller? Seems like he's just another hard throwing, injury-prone starter like the rest of their staff...

Barry Svrluga: I thought that was curious, too. Maybe they want to channel all the Wood/Prior injuries into the body of Miller and have him spend the year on the DL instead of their stars.

_______________________

Vienna, Va.: Your NL East predictions?

Barry Svrluga: All right, I'll take the bait provided by Omar Minaya:

1. Mets (although I'll probably be proven a sucker by September)

2. Braves

3. Phillies

4. Marlins

5. Nationals

_______________________

Jorge Here: I'm like, you know, a GOOD writer. And the Orioles are, um, real cool and stuff. So there!

Barry Svrluga: Stated with your signature elegance.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Come on the Nats aren't going to be that bad. Look how bad things looked last year. The Marlins? Please. The Nats will win 70+ games easy.

Barry Svrluga: Someone is seeing sunny skies here in DC.

_______________________

Burke, Va.: Others thank you for doing these chats, etc, but let me thank you for your excellent writing and coverage of the Nats. Do you believe that the turnover in Reds organization will open new trade oportunities for the Nats. The previous adminsitration seemeed to hate Bowden and behaved very childishly towards him. Is Kearns a target? P.S., I like Bowden and think some of my chat mates are way off base in their criticism.

Barry Svrluga: Burke, you are both kind and insightful. The anti-Jorge.

I'm telling you: Watch the Nationals target some of those Reds. I'm not saying that's good or bad. I'm just saying ...

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Here's a dream outfield for the Red Sox. Trade for Rocco Baldelli and put him in right. Then their outfield, from right to left, would be Rocco, Coco & Loco (Manny)!

Barry Svrluga: Too clever.

_______________________

Thurmont, Md.: Assuming he stays, and Vidro is healthy, where will Soriano play?

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when FRobby tells Soriano to go to CF and he says no.

Barry Svrluga: Best prediction I heard from a member of the Nationals organization: Soriano won't even bring an outfielder's glove to spring training, kind of as a protest. They'll have to order him one.

Again, I think this will be the defining story of the spring.

_______________________

Boston, Mass.: Was Theo holding out for a new owner in DC and when it didn't happen, decided to go back to the Sox? Was he ever really interested in the Nats job?

Barry Svrluga: I think the speculation about the Nationals' future GM was/is/will be out of control. Different groups in the running to own the Nats told me they didn't have any backdoor plan to bring in Epstien, and I believe them. Does that mean they wouldn't have asked after they took control? Of course not. But to suggest that things were/are/will be in place is not correct.

Keep in mind: No one knows what the "Nats job" you speak of will be. What's the personality of the owner? What's his philosophy? Will he spend freely?

_______________________

Craig Hill, Md.: I'm a little bit worried about the bullpen. Have you heard anything about Ayala's arm? Will he be ready for the season?

Have the Nats looked at offering any minor league deals or spring training invites to pitchers?

Barry Svrluga: I think, of all the things to worry about on this team, the bullpen would cause me to lose the least amount of sleep. Ayala's agent says his elbow is healthy and he should be ready to go -- could even pitch in the Classic. Cordero won't save 47 games again, but he's solid. Stanton and Eischen are serviceable from the left side, and Jason Bergmann showed the kind of poise last year that should allow him to do a decent Hector Carrasco impersonation. Throw in more improvement from Gary "Tex" Majewski, and it's not a bad group.

_______________________

Yudatown, Fla.: I've heard all sorts of names tossed around for the CF position this year ... Godwin, Byrd, Watson. What in the world does the organization have against Ryan Church? The guy was golden until he got hurt making a balls-to-wall play (literally) in Pittsburgh.

Barry Svrluga: It's not something against Church as a CF. It's more as a leadoff hitter. Here's my projected order:

1. ????

2. Vidro

3. Soriano

4. Guillen

5. Johnson

6. Zimmerman

7. Schneider

8. Guzman

Who else would you lead off? That's why they'd love if Watson would win the job (even though that's unlikley).

(P.S.: There are some who would like to see Johnson hit second because of his high OBP, move Zimmerman up to fifth and hit Vidro sixth. I'll be intersted to see if Frank tinkers with the lineup much in the spring.)

_______________________

Re: Last place: Hey Barry....what was your spring training prediction last year for the NL East standings??

Barry Svrluga: I believe, though I could be wrong, that I went:

1. Marlins

2. Braves

3. Mets

4. Phillies

5. Nationals

So the only one I got right was the Nationals, and even that happened in a much different fahsion that I expected.

_______________________

Barry Svrluga: Folks, as usual, many more questions than there is time to answer them. Thanks for stopping by.

Full disclosure: I leave later this week for Europe, and I'll end up in Turin, Italy to cover the Winter Olympics. The Nationals will be in the capable hands of Dave Sheinin for the first part of spring training, and I'll see you back on the beat in early March.

Over/under on number of fly balls Soriano shags between now and then: 10.

_______________________

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.