From B. Prophet in Reston:
Mark: Now that a possible All-Star appearance by Cristian Guzman is out the window, who will be the Nationals' representative? Is it as simple as taking their most productive player (Dmitri Young) or is there a glut of first baseman ahead of him and somebody else may get the nod?
Mark Zuckerman:
Good one to get started with, because we're now four days away from the announcement of the All-Star teams. I do believe the most-deserving player on the Nats roster (by far) is Dmitri Young and he should get the nod to represent the team in San Francisco. The problem: I count at least three other first basemen who have just as strong a case (Prince Fielder, Albert Pujols, Derrek Lee). So the question becomes whether or not Tony LaRussa can afford to carry four on his roster. (Of course, Dmitri could just be considered a pinch-hitter, I doubt he'd play the field.) And if not Young, then who, especially now that Guzman is hurt. To me, the only other possibility is Chad Cordero, but even that would be a stretch. I say put Dmitri on the team. It's a wonderful story of redemption.

From Rachel in Fairfax:
Do you think sending Brandon Watson back to the minors was a good idea? Was there someone less productive who would have been a better choice?
Mark Zuckerman:
Watson's demotion back to Class AAA Columbus last night (after only five games) was disappointing to a lot of people in the Nats' clubhouse. They had a hard time understanding why the kid wasn't given more than five days to show what he could do, plus he did fine up here (5-for-18). The problem was that he was the only available candidate with minor-league options left. The other logical choice for demotion (Nook Logan) is out of options, and club officials were worried another team would scoop him up. Is that fair to Watson? No, not really. But it's the harsh reality of this sport sometimes.

From Brian in Alexandria:
I understand the Nationals feel the need to maintain a RH presence on the bench for pinch hitting purposes, but is Tony Batista the optimum solution to that issue?
Mark Zuckerman:
No, he's not. Batista is what he is: an aging player who is good for an occassional big hit but is well past his prime. Unfortunately, he's the best the Nats have at this point. This is where the Guzman injury is especially painful. If he's healthy, he and Lopez are in the lineup and Ronnie Belliard is coming off the bench as one of the best role players in baseball. Now, Belliard's in the lineup, leaving the bench incredibly thin and leaving Batista as their best right-handed option. It's not good.

From Brian in Chitown:
What's the status of Nicky Johnson? How's his progress and when can we expect him back? I haven't heard anything about the slow-healer for a month! Thanks- BD
Mark Zuckerman:
Hello, Chicago! One of my favorite cities in the world (and not just because I went to college there). ... Not too much new to report about Nick Johnson, which is why you haven't seen much in the paper lately. He continues to take batting practice, fields grounders and recently has been running the bases. While he's making some strides, it's still baby steps at this point and I think we're still a ways off from him returning to the lineup. Mid-August, perhaps?

From Michael in Westport, Conn.:
What is your opinion on how the Nats are handling the negotiations for this kid McCleary (at least I believe that is his name)? He dropped down in the draft since his had an offer to attend Stanford. The consensus was that he would have been a first round draft choice if not for Stanford. The kid says he will sign for if offered #1 draft choice bonus. If the Nats cut its major league payroll so as to develop it minor league system it would make sense to pay the kid as a top thirty draft choice. This would give the Nats three numner one draft choices. If they don't sign him then I question whether management is really willing to spend money to develop this team.
Mark Zuckerman:
Jack McGeary is the young man's name, and no, he still hasn't signed (like several other top draft choices). Yes, he believed he would have been a first- or second-round pick if not for his strong committment to attend Stanford this fall. The Nats, though, decided to take a shot at him, so they selected him in the sixth round. They will probably offer him more money than a typical sixth-rounder would get, but not first-round money. And as a result, McGeary will probably go to college in the end. That said, I don't fault the Nats for giving it a try. And if they don't sign him, I don't believe it's fair to question management's willingness to spend money to develop this team. They're going to shell out millions of dollars to their top five or so draft picks. Whether or not they meet an 18-year-old's ludicrous demands for money doesn't mean they aren't committed to developing the franchise.

From Steve G. in Potomac:
OK, we're nearly three months into the season and Ryan Zimmerman still isn't hitting very well. This is a guy who should be hitting .300 right? Instead, he's being out-performed by several players at his position. Although I'm guessing nobody on the Nats will ever express concern, are you surprised he hasn't turned it on?
Mark Zuckerman:
I'd say I'm mildly surprised at Zimmerman's struggles. I certainly thought he'd perform better, but remember that he's still a 22-year-old in his second big-league season, and he's being asked to carry an entire lineup. Tough for anyone. His production numbers (12 homers and 42 RBI) are more than respectable. It's his .247 average and even worse, his .298 OBP (77th among all NL regular position players!) that bother me. He's still got half a season to turn it around. If he can get the average back around .270 while still hitting 25 homers and driving in 85-90 runs, there will be few complaints.

From Jeffrey Saffelle in Alexandria:
Is there any update on John Patterson's "Around The Country Tour" to see four different doctors about his ongoing nerve problem? Do you sense, at all, the Nationals getting tired of him--feeling he may never be right, like 2005 Patterson, again.
Mark Zuckerman:
Nothing new on Patterson yet, though I may inquire about it today. The sense is that John wants to get all these different doctors opinions and then compare them in an attempt to figure out what the real problem is. It's an exhausting (and frustrating) procedure for both Patterson and the Nats, both of whom just want the guy to be healthy and pitching again. Here's the problem in my mind: What if Patterson doesn't come back to pitch this season, or if he only comes back to make a few more starts? What do the Nats do next winter? Can they really bring him back for another go-around, or would they just decide it's time to cut bait and run? This could be a major decision for the organization this winter.

From Jonathan in College Park:
Hola, hope you are enjoying the ATL. Any word on how negotiations are going with Detwiler, Smoker and Burgess? Also, does Caron Butler have a future as a pitcher? Ok, I would like to know how much interaction any Nats have as either fans of other area sports teams or as friends with other players on the Wizards, etc. It's really cool for example to see Ovechkin at Wiz games. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Mark Zuckerman:
Thanks for the kind words. ... Negotiations with Detwiler, Smoker and Burgess: ongoing. Smoker, a Georgia native, met with Manny Acta, Stan Kasten and others Monday night and sounds like he's close to signing. Burgess spoke with Jim Bowden yesterday. Detwiler negotiations have been going on for several weeks. I expect all three to sign, all sound like they want to get on the playing field ASAP. ... As far as Nats interacting with other athletes, yes it does happen plenty. Ryan Zimmerman is a fan of all sports and recently received a playoff-game-worn Penguins jersey from Sidney Crosby. I know Jason Bergmann likes hockey a lot, too, and was shown on the Jumbotron at Verizon Center at a game last year.

From Steve in Arlington:
Mark, do you read any of the Nationals blogs regularly? Do you believe they add to to the discussion or just regurgitate the work you and your fellow sportswriters do?
Mark Zuckerman:
Yes, I will admit to checking out various Nats blogs and message boards from time to time. For the most part, I'm usually impressed with them. The time and effort those guys put into those things is remarkable, and they often leave me simultaneously howling in laughter and pondering interesting points. That said, I'll always believe the newspapers (and websites) that cover a ballclub every single day are the best source for information and opinion. The reason: We're actually there in the clubhouse every day with these guys, and I can't tell you how valuable that access is to understanding everything that is going on with a team. Some of those bloggers are quite devoted and quite astute, but you'd be surprised how often they opine on something and really have no idea what's truly going on inside the clubhouse.

From Jake in Fredericksburg:
The season isn't half over yet, but the Nationals are going through starting pitchers like no team in the majors. Looking into your crystal baseball, what will the Nats' rotation be like come mid-September? Any hope for the team's first-round pick to get a look?
Mark Zuckerman:
I think you're going to see plenty more changes in the rotation (and on the roster as a whole) over the next few months. Of the current starters in the rotation, I'd say Jason Bergmann and Matt Chico will most definitely still be there at season's end (provided they stay healthy, of course). Micah Bowie and Jason Simontacchi have done a nice job, but I wouldn't be stunned if they got bumped for some younger guys. Mike Bacsik, I believe, is on borrowed time now. The guys to watch for later this season: Shawn Hill (hopefully back by August), Joel Hanrahan and/or Emiliano Fruto (currently at Columbus), John Lannan (also at Columbus) and Collin Balester (at Harrisburg). Ross Detwiler, this year's top pick, could in theory get a look in September, but only if he signs soon and really does well in the minors.

From Tom in Columbia:
What players on the Nats are other teams showing interest?
Mark Zuckerman:
Dmitri Young and Ronnie Belliard are drawing the most interest from contending clubs, and I expect both to be dealt before the July 31 trade deadline. Other possibilities include Jon Rauch, Ray King, Micah Bowie and perhaps Chad Cordero (though as I've been saying all along, the Nats will only trade him if they get a whole lot in return).

OK, that's going to do it for this week. Sorry to cut things a little short, but I've got to go fight traffic to get to Turner Field for tonight's game. Thanks to everyone who asked questions, and as always, if you've got more inquiries, send them to natsmailbag@washingtontimes.com, and I'll run in Monday morning's weekly Mailbag. See you later!