From Joe in Sacramento, Calif.:
Hello again from 3,000 miles away. I was curious about the new stadium. How do you think it will rate compared to other new ballparks? Will it have a defining feature like most the other new parks, or will it be new, but bland like the new Comiskey, etc? I am worried because of the politics it took to put it together it may have just been "thrown together" and it was just the best that could be done. Thanks.
Mark Zuckerman:
Hello, Joe. Always nice to hear from our West Coast bureau. I'm very much interested to see how the new Nats Park stacks up against all the others around baseball. We won't really know until we get in there, but based on all the renderings, virtual tours and actual construction, here are a few observations: The place is going to be nice, I have no doubt of it. Will it stack up to the Camden Yards, PNC Parks and AT&T Parks (the gold standards)? Probably not. The reason is that there's no natural sweeping view of something that goes along with Nats Park. But that doesn't mean the place will be bland or just "thrown together." They've put a lot of time into this thing, and I think it's going to hold up well. The best features, I think, will be the view of the Capitol dome and Washington Monument (only from the first-base and right-field upper decks, though), the cherry blossoms behind the left-field fence and the glass and steel exterior, which won't look like any other park in America.

From Joanna Moorhead in Washington:
Do you think the Nats are seriously considering trading for Elijah Dukes? I can't believe a guy like that is part of "The Plan."
Mark Zuckerman:
OK, here's my take on the whole matter: The Nats have inquired about acquiring the very troubled but potentially talented Dukes from the Devil Rays. That's all they've done so far, inquired. They aren't the only team that has done so, they're just the only one that we know publicly has. I don't fault Jim Bowden for looking into it at all. It's his job to explore every avenue to try to improve his club for the long haul, and Dukes could certainly figure in ... if a lot of things went right. That's the key. My sense is that Bowden isn't exactlt frothing at the mouth to pick this guy up. If Tampa was willing to give him away for nothing, and if the Nats determine he's worth the risk, then fine. But I'd say it's unlikely it'll all come together.

From Screech'sBestFriend in Section 320:
Mark: The Nationals First Base Coach Jerry Morales carries either a stopwatch or click counter to his coaching spot on the field each inning. What exactly is he doing with this device. Pitch Counting? Or Timing the opposing pitchers move t first? I notice it all the time, but didn't really know for sure. Speaking of coaches, does Lenny Harris deserve alot of the credit for some the Washington's hitters breaking out of their early slumps. Or does Mitchell Paige deserve it? And, he's just here anymore to receive the proper praise?
Mark Zuckerman:
Jerry Morales does, indeed, carry a stopwatch with him out to the field, as all first base coaches do. It's used to time the opposing pitchers' move to first and to the plate and helps the club decide whether or not to give their runners the green light to steal second. As for Lenny Harris, yes, I think we should start to give him some credit for helping turn a few guys around. He doesn't get all the credit, though. Players like Dmitri Young and Cristian Guzman deserve praise for the work they've done. And Mitchell Page still deserves credit for the work he did before taking a leave of absence last month.

From Jim in Silver Spring:
Dear Mark: What is the status of Alex Escobar? He seemd like he as going ot have a breakout year last year - and then was felled by injuries. Will he be healthy in 2007, and if so, when will he be able to work himself into the lineup? Thanks.
Mark Zuckerman:
Escobar just began a rehab assignment with Class AA Harrisburg, but he's still got a little ways to go. He's hitting fine, but his formerly separated shoulder is not strong enough yet to allow him to play the field full-time. He'll probably use up the full 20 days down there, then hopefully will be ready to return and at the very least serve as pinch-hitter.

From Jim in Silver Spring:
Dear Mark: What on earth happened to Jose Guillen between the end of last year and free agency? Why did this team - devoid of power hitters like Jose - fail to make him an offer? Seeing his performance numbers - his health seems to be better. It sure would have bene nice for him to protect Zimmerman this year with a healthy Guillen, and have a much better top six hitters. with Schneider/Fick/Langerhans hitting below the Mendoza line, it would have helped the Nats BIG time. What have I missed? Thanks
Mark Zuckerman:
Here's what you missed: 1) Guillen was terrible last year, perhaps a result of his elbow injury which ultimately required Tommy John surgery. 2) Even when healthy, he was a divisive figure in the clubhouse, one who wasn't worth all the drama unless he was playing really, really well (as he did early in 2005). The Nats did offer Guillen arbitration last winter, though that was a procedural move only to ensure they'd get a draft pick from the Mariners as compensation once the latter signed him for I believe $5 million.

***Note: The link from Nats Home Plate to this chat wasn't up for a while, but I'm told it is now. Sorry for the problems...***

From Billy T. in D.C.:
With the Twins anemic offensive output at DH this season, shouldn't they be interested in Dmirti Young, our "man of his statue" at first base?
Mark Zuckerman:
You know, I brought this up with someone in Minnesota last weekend, thinking just like you that he'd be a natural fit for the Twins. The reaction I got: "Too much baggage." I then proceeded to tell this person how Dmitri has been nothing short of an outstanding human being since coming to Washington. So unfortunately, there remains a perception around baseball about this guy being a problem, which honestly is not the case. Whether the Twins ultimately get involved, I think there will be several clubs who come calling before long, especially AL teams in need of a DH.

From Kristin in Fairfax:
Isn't it time to re-examine the All-Star list you had a few weeks ago? I'm thinking Dmitri, Cordero, and -- dare I type it -- the New Guzi have to be considered.
Mark Zuckerman:
You're right. When I wrote that story a couple weeks ago, the Nats didn't have a single logical All-Star candidate. Boy, how much can change in a short amount of time? At this point, Dmitri Young seems like the best choice. He's among the league leaders in hitting, and he's been doing it all year. Guzman could also be considered, but he's got to keep this up, it can't just be a two-week thing. Here's one problem, though: Those guys play positions that are loaded with talent, and it's going to be tough to bump another deserving candidate in favor of them. That's why my hunch -- and it's only a hunch -- is that Tony La Russa will end up taking Chad Cordero. The new emphasis on the All-Star Game makes bullpens very important, and Cordero would both be a deserving Nats representative and a useful player to help the NL win the game.

From Ms. Gilbert in Florida:
Would you be afraid to exchange text messages with Elijah Dukes if he made the team? I mean, a reporter has to do what a reporter has to do, right?
Mark Zuckerman:
Come on, that's not right. Funny, but not right.

From Jeffrey Saffelle in Alexandria:
I have read and heard about The Press concerned that, at New Nationals Park,
the PRESS BOX is so high up behind home plate, many will not be able to
cover the game as well as before at RFK Stadium. What are your thoughts on
this topic? How does this compare to other stadiums you have worked?
Mark Zuckerman:
Yes, it's true: The press box at Nats Park will be all the way up at the top of the upper deck. (At RFK, it's on the mezzanine level, right in the middle). My thoughts? I never want to come across as a whiner, because I'm getting paid to cover major league baseball games for a living. I understand that low-level press boxes are prime real estate that can be turned into club seating that make a lot of money, so I don't begrudge teams for putting the press boxes up high. I have no problem with being in the upper deck, provided I have a clear view of the field and ample space to work that's not subject to rain/wind/snow/etc. I would, however, have a problem if the Nats wanted to move the press box down the baselines, as the White Sox did this year at U.S. Cellular Field. It's very important to me to be able to see pitches close to straight-on. Helps see how a guy's stuff is, which helps me write better stories.

From Jim in Silver Spring:
Dear Mark: With all of the trade talk at mid-season, we do not hear ONE word in reference to the Nats. Is this team interested in improving itself in midseason, or are they just hoarding their money to wait for free agency in the off season? Can you explain this?
Mark Zuckerman:
Oh, I think you'll hear plenty of trade talk involving the Nats in the coming month. What you won't hear is about them trying to acquire expensive major-league talent. What you will hear is about them trying to deal veterans like Dmitri Young, Ronnie Belliard, Jesus Colome and (maybe) Chad Cordero in exchange for prospects who will help this club over the long haul.

From Bill in D.C.:
Based on how each propsect has played to this point in the season...can you rank your top 5 prospects in the Washington chain?
Mark Zuckerman:
Hmm, good question... Off the top of my head, I'd list them like this:
1. Chris Marrero (tore the cover off the ball at Hagerstown, just promoted to Potomac, and he's still only 18 years old.)
2. Collin Balester (Has looked really, really good at Harrisburg. Wouldn't be surprised at all if we see him pitching at RFK in September.)
3. Justin Maxwell (Statistically, was actually better than Marrero at Hagerstown, and has now joined him at Potomac.)
4. John Lannan (One top club executive predicted the right-hander would actually make it to D.C. before Balester.)
5. Brandon Watson (OK, so he's probably not the fifth best prospect in the system. But for crying out loud, he's riding a 39-GAME HITTING STREAK!)

All right, our time is up. Thanks to everyone who wrote in. Enjoy the game tonight either from the comfort of your living room or from the stands at Camden Yards. Talk to you next week!