You always talk about how the Nats are going to be historically bad this season. So, how bad? What's your prediction? -- Tina, Tysons Corner

Thom:
I took a cursery look at the 2007 schedule and tried to envision from the Nationals' pool of starting pitchers the lineups they'd be facing from each of these teams as well as the pitching matchups they'd be facing with other teams. Based on this unscientific, non-geek formula, I came to a record of 54-108. They have to face the Phillies and the Mets lineups 36 times this year. How many games do you think they'll win out of those.

Hi, Thom. Isn't it risky to rush the young pitchers into the major leagues? The nats are going to lose this year regardless of whether there are journeymen or prospects on the mound. So why risk bad things happening to young pitchers by starting them in the majors when they aren't ready for that level of competition? What's the harm of letting them spend more time in the minors? -- Chris, Washington, DC

Thom: I agree with you. As tempting as it is to put Matt Chico out there he isn't going to make a whole lot of difference in the outcome of theNationals' season, and I think he'd be better off starting the season at triple A. If he dominates there throughout a half year or so, there's no reason you couldn't bring him up after that. But ideally, I think it would be better not to rush some of these young guys.

We may have to face the Mets lineup but we also get to face their pitching, which whilenot old or inexperienced is Chan Ho Park. David, Fairfax, Va

Thom:
Chan Ho Park, who would be the No. 2 starter in the Nationals rotation -- and that's if Patterson stays healthy.

Not much talk about OF Michael Restovich. He's got some major league experience, but no one seems to give him any shot at making the club. Any opinion of him? Robert, Springfield, VA

Thom:
I don't know a whole lot about him. But I do know in the pecking order of outfielders, Austin Kearns is probably the only guy they are counting on, who they know will be out there. Then, in various combinations, you have Nook Logan, Ryan Church, Alex Escobar, Chris Snelling. ... and I think that would be it for the outfield they would carry. Remember, Manny Acta said they're going to use 12 pitchers. So they're not going to have much luxury when it comes to position players.

54-108. Well it's in writing now. I don't think they'll be nearly that bad. Do you think they will improve each year starting in '08 to the point of being a playoff team? -- "pwilly" No.Va.

Thom:
Do I think that they will improve? Yeah. I think they are on the right track to building up the organization again. My whole contention has been being at least entertainingly competitive this year does not preclude also building up the farm system at the same time. One doesn't mean you can't do the other. There's a difference between being bad and being embarrassing. Last year was bad. This year could be embarrassing.

Hi Thom, Two questions: On your "Chatter" post last night, when you made the thinking comment relating to newspaper articles versus blog posts, were you talking about your own observations while writing in those different mediums or bloggers in general (not that there's anything wrong with from-the-hip content)! -- misschatter (Blog Land)

Thom:
I was talking about my personal discovery and also personal observations of other blogs. Again, like you, I wasn't saying there was anything neccesarily wrong with "off the hip" comments. I just think we all need to recognize the difference and the accountability that goes with the different mediums.

One more -- A reader just pointed me to an SI article that claims they heard in Viera that Bowden may be on the hot seat and in line to be replaced. Do you think there's any teeth to that rumor? Anyone know how long his contract was signed for anyway? -- misschatter (Blog Land)

Thom:
It's never been revealed how long his contract is. The general consensus is that Bowden has been able to remain in a job because of the close relationship he built up with the Lerner family. I think everyone assumes he's on a short leash when it comes to "Bowden-like" behavior. But some of his baseball decisions last year -- the drafting of Ryan Zimmerman, the trade for Austin Kearns, Ryan Wagner and Felipe Lopez -- have made the team better. So visibly, baseball-wise, there should be no reason for him to be on the hot seat.

Thom: Another Michael Restovich question? No Mike, Manny hasn't told me anything about how you're doing. But as soon as he does, I will let you know.

Thom, 108 losses would be a franchise record. I think that's a tad harsh. As bad as the pitching looks right now, it's better than the end of last season. Anything less than 100 losses is a win for this club! I think the Lerners would be embarrassed, don't you. -- Tim (Burke)

Thom:
Three things: 1) It may be a franchise record if we're talking about the Expos, but it's not a Washington baseball records. The Senators lost more than 108, so it's not something we haven't seen here before in baseball. 2) People are underestimating the value of major league pitching experience -- even bad major league pitching experience. Last year's starting rotation had signifigantly more major league pitching eperience than the scrap heap they have put together in Viera to be this year's rotation. 3) As far as the Lerners being embarrassed, they may be, but if they are sold on player devolopment, then the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft maybe worth it.

What about the hiring of Mike Rizzo? Could he be the guy the Nationals see as their future GM given his success in scouting/player development in Arizona?
-- Brian (Alexandria)

Thom:
Again if you assume that the general manager, Jim Bowden, hired Mike Rizzo, you have to give Bowden credit for that. Rizzo is very respected throughout baseball and is credited with helping build the Diamondbacks into one of the better player development systems. I would think that he'd be a GM candidate for whatever team may have vacancies.

Hello. Why don't the Nats try out the relief pitchers for starting jobs instead of rushing the young, injured guys. Rausch, Schroeder and Wagner come to mind. -- Jim (Manassas)

Thom:
Jim Bowden puts a high value on being able to win games in the sixth, seven and eighth innnings. And more and more, it seems like a strategy other teams are using as well. So perhaps the only strength on the Nationals' roster this year is their bullpen, and I think it would be a mistake to tinker with that by trying to make a guy like Jon Rauch, who is very valuable in his relief role, into a starter.

Admit it: You actually like Viera better than Lauderdale, right? -- Art V., Reston

Thom:
Let's say the architecture in Lauderdale is better than the architecture in Viera. But certainly, as an architect, you would recognize that.

Thom:
And on that note . . . . thanks for joining us. We'll schedule another real soon. See you then!