Larkin to D.C.?
The new Washington franchise needs a shortstop, not to mention a first-base coach and front-office help. Free-agent shortstop Barry Larkin could fill one or more of those roles, and he has a longtime association with interim Washington G.M. Jim Bowden, who was the Reds' GM for 10 1/2 years.
Bowden, without commenting on Larkin specifically, says he wants to add veterans who could help the Expos' young players develop. Larkin certainly would fit that description, and the Expos' leading in-house candidate at shortstop, Maicer Izturis, is not ready to play full-time.
Bowden is wasting little time in his effort to reshape the Expos. Working out of his Los Angeles home, he began contacting rival executives about possible trades almost immediately after taking his new position. Based on his previous tenure with the Reds, it's safe to assume that he will do whatever he can to find pitching.
The team faces a tough call on oft-injured righthander Tony Armas Jr., who could be too expensive for the Expos in arbitration but attractive to other clubs in a trade. Besides shortstop, Bowden also might look to upgrade in center field, where Endy Chavez had a .318 on-base percentage last season.
"I don't think there's anybody better at looking at that waiver list and convincing $2 million players to play for $300,000," says one of Bowden's former managers in Cincinnati, Davey Johnson.
Senior writer Ken Rosenthal covers baseball for Sporting News. Email him at kenrosenthal@sportingnews.com.
http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3137874
Yes! I hope this is true. I hope the Nationals make an impact this offseason. Their roster is very thin.
