Nyjer Morgan News

By the end of the summer, the signing of No. 1 overall pick Stephen Strasburg to a record contract and the installation of Mike Rizzo as general manager generated some actual excitement, even with the club headed toward its second straight 100-loss season.

You can hold out for more than the $15 million a year Boston is reportedly offering you, Jason Bay.

Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner will be the first to tell you the Lerner Group was not happy that the team finished with the worst record in baseball for the second consecutive season.

Do you see the Nationals bringing in another bat this offseason? And who might be the fit at the position? -- Justin L., Washington Yes, I think they will get another bat in the outfield.

Continuing the second half leaderboard series, I give you the NL second half stolen base leaders.

It could be the busiest offseason in Nationals history, and if the Nyjer Morgan/Sean Burnett trade was any indication, look for general manager Mike Rizzo to improve the team in a big way.

Why should the Nats consider Jim Riggleman for the permanent job as manager? -- Billy T., Washington The Nationals played much better baseball in the second half, and it's the first time in a long time a manager has made the players accountable for their actions on the field.

ATLANTA, Oct. 3 -- Nyjer Morgan is back home in San Francisco now, completely detached from the final days of the season, excluding some passing curiosity about the stat races.

'Hey,' Morgan asked in a recent telephone conversation. 'Am I still second [in the National League] in stolen bases?'

He is. Even though he hasn't played since Aug. 27, when he broke his left hand sliding headfirst into third base. (That was the 42nd and final stolen base of his season.) Since heading to the disabled list, Morgan has left behind a Washington Nationals team that misses his speed and defense. And Morgan, whose hand is almost fully recovered, has turned his attention to next season.

I would think a player as strong as outfielder Elijah Dukes would hit far more home runs than he has this season.

Willie Harris has been playing almost every day since center fielder Nyjer Morgan broke his left hand on Aug.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig strenuously denied that the Pittsburgh Pirates were emphasizing profits over victories, and said the idea that the franchise ownership was pocketing revenue was "economic myth." "I know how painful this is for the fans in Pittsburgh," Selig said in an extensive interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . "But, in ...

"We have genuine excitement about the potential of next year's club," said GM Mike Rizzo.

Nearly three weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Pirates guaranteed themselves of becoming the first major North American pro sports team to endure 17 consecutive losing seasons.

Although the Nationals are one defeat away from a 100-loss season, interim manager Jim Riggleman sees nothing but positives from the team in the future.

What are the chances of Cristian Guzman being traded this offseason? -- Ross B., Washington I think if they could get someone to take Guzman's contract, it would be more than 50-50. I find it hard to believe the Nationals would go into next season with Guzman at second base and Adam Dunn at first.

Is the Joel Hanrahan who's working these days out of the Pirates' bullpen the same right-hander who was shelled so often this season for the Washington Nationals.

After two seasons of almost 200 losses, I think the Nationals need to sign some free agents to bridge the gap.

With a roster spot vacated by Ronnie Belliard being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Nationals recalled outfielder Justin Maxwell from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

The Nationals have activated catcher Jesus Flores from the 15-day disabled list and will use him as a pinch hitter while he continues to strengthen his injured right shoulder.

Lou Piniella has offered himself up to critics looking to blame somebody for the Chicago Cubs' disappointing season.