Q: Dmitri Young is absolutely on fire right now. Since we know Nick Johnson will be back eventually and Dmitri will be traded to a contender in need of another bat, shouldn't the Nats just deal him right now while his value is sky-high?
- Don Ramsey, Washington

A: Yes, Young's value has got to be as high at this point as it's ever going to be. So it would seem to behoove the Nationals to listen to every offer they can get right now, rather than waiting till the trade market heats up next month.

Sure, they'd have to find a fill-in at first base until Johnson is ready -- anyone for a Robert Fick/Ronnie Belliard platoon? -- but that's a small price to pay for whatever return the club could get for a red-hot Young.

Q: It seems as though Levale Speigner has been overexposed and has yet to adjust as either a starter or long reliever. Why do the Nats think he can be a valuable-enough pitcher in the future, given the state of the pitching staff, to continue to carry Speigner per Rule 5 conditions?
-- Alan, Alexandria

A: It's a fair question, and one it appears the Nationals are beginning to consider. Speigner clearly doesn't look like he'll ever make it as a major-league starter, not without developing another pitch.

And what's his future role in the bullpen? I can't find anyone with the club who thinks he'll ever amount to more than a middle reliever. So if that's the case, perhaps it's time for the Nationals to cut bait with Speigner. Be grateful you struck gold with Jesus Flores in the Rule 5 draft and offer Speigner back to the Twins for $25,000.

Hi everyone from not-so-beautiful RFK Stadium on a beautiful summer day. Seriously, if you're not doing anything tonight, come to the ballgame. It may be one of your last chances before the stifling humidity returns and settles in for the rest of the summer. Plus, how many times will you get to see two powerhouses like the Nats and Pirates trade blows? (Er, forget that last line). Anyways, plenty of questions to get to, so let's get started. As always, click on the above link to submit your question or e-mail them directly to natsmailbag@washingtontimes.com. Here we go...

Q: Hey Mark, since we've been getting intimately acquainted with the DL and pitcher rehabilitation this season, what exactly is a "simulated game"? - Jim Mehl, Arlington

A: The simulated game is exactly what it sounds like: an opportunity for an injured player to pitch in game-like conditions. Instead of simply throwing in the bullpen to a catcher, the pitcher faces actual live hitters on the field and approaches them like real at-bats.

Once he completes three "outs," he retreats to the dugout for a few minutes (just like in between innings) and then comes back out to face more hitters in his second "inning." Most guys will usually do this for about three innings or 50 pitches. It's a good exercise for them before they head out on a real minor-league rehab assignment.

Q: It seems like Chad Cordero is back to his old form closing out games. Do you agree, and if so, what's turned it around for "Chief"? - Donald Sanger, Rockville

A: I do agree, and I think the explanation is simple. Cordero has been a new man since taking a week off to visit his grandmother before she died. His mind was understandably preoccupied with thoughts about his family for much of the first month of the season. Once he went to California on bereavement leave, he was able to clear his head and return refocused on baseball. I think his positive results since then are a reflection of that.

Good afternoon from beautiful Camden Yards. Seriously, this place is fabulous, looks as nice as the day it opened in 1992 and still beats almost every other new ballpark in the majors. Plenty of questions to get to, so let's get started. Click the above link if you have a query, or email me directly at natsmailbag@washingtontimes.com. Here we go...

Q: Brandon Watson hasn't gone hitless at Columbus since April 30. Meanwhile, Ryan Langerhans and Nook Logan are lucky to come up with one hit every three days in Washington. What's it going to take for the Nats to call Watson up? - Billy Mumphrey, Arlington

A: Don't hold your breath. Yes, Watson's hit streak (42 games entering Sunday) has been remarkable, and he deserves all the credit in the world for it. But the consensus within the Nats' front office is that last year's Opening Day center fielder hasn't changed all that much as a hitter and probably wouldn't do all that well against major-league pitching. Plus, might as well let him enjoy the notoriety that comes with the hitting streak at Class AAA. Perhaps once the streak is over, the Nats will consider bringing him up for a look-see.

Q: What's up with the Nats' interleague schedule this year? They're supposed to play the entire AL Central, right? So how come they're not playing the White Sox or Royals, but they did just play the Blue Jays for the umpteenth straight year? - Donald Sanger, Rockville

A: Yes, the NL East is matched up with the AL Central this year, but the schedule is so convoluted, it's not even worth trying to explain. Basically, the presence of natural rivalries (like the Nats-O's and the Mets-Yankees) combined with the imbalanced number of teams in each league (16 in the NL, 14 in the AL) make it impossible for everyone to play the same teams.

Today's live chat with Mark Zuckerman has been postponed due to techinical difficulties. We'll return next Wednesday at our regularly scheduled time. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Q: Was John Lannan's promotion to Class AAA Columbus surprising to you? Is it more a function of lack of personnel in front of him, or is it his performance that drove the move? -- Brian, Alexandria

A: No, it was all about Lannan's performance. He succeeded at Class A Potomac. He succeeded at Class AA Harrisburg. And he succeeded in his first start for Columbus, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings. This guy may not have been on the radar screen a year ago, but he's quickly become a fast-tracker to the big leagues. If all continues to go well, look for the left-hander to make his Nationals debut by September.

Q: What's going to happen to Nook Logan? Am I right in assuming there's no place for him on the roster now with Brandon Watson and Ryan Langerhans performing better? -- Jason Hankey, Bethesda

A: You are right that Logan appears to be the odd man out once Robert Fick returns this week from his mother's funeral. Watson, while hardly a big-time prospect, deserved to be called up following his 43-game hit streak and has performed well so far.

Langerhans, meanwhile, has improved at the plate and looks like a solid fourth outfielder. Given all that, there doesn't appear to be much reason for Washington to hang on to a light-hitting, poor base-running, former switch-hitter.

Good afternoon, everyone, from Atlanta, where the Nats will be trying to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Braves tonight. Things have taken a turn for the worse over the last few days, what with Cristian Guzman's season-ending injury, Brandon Watson's return to the minors and the disappearance of the Nats' offense. Plenty to get to, so let's get started. As always, if you have a question to ask, click on the above link or email me directly at natsmailbag@washingtontimes.com. ...