From Mark S. in Falls Church:
Hi Mark, Thanks for your excellent, in-depth coverage of our Nats. I have to confess I was not happy at first glance about the Wily Mo Pena deal. Why are we always having to bottom-feed for players? Why do we still have to take other clubs' castoffs, now that we actually have real ownership? Still, I have to admit that Wily Mo does give us a different look in the batting order. He's the first bona-fide cleanup man in the Nats brief history. What is your take on this trade?
Mark Zuckerman:
Thanks for the compliments, Mark. I don't know that I'd go so far as to declare WMP a "bona-fide" cleanup hitter. Yes, he has the potential to hit 40 homers, but in parts of five big-league seasons, he's yet to do it. I do think it was worth it for the Nats to take a chance on him. They really didn't have to give up much for him (Class AAA right-hander Emiliano Fruto) and the Red Sox are paying all but $75,000 of his salary this season. Now, Manny Acta needs to put WMP out there almost every day to see what he can do, and WMP needs to show what he's truly capable of and whether he deserves a permanent spot in the lineup.

From Barry Prophet in Reston:
Now that Jim Bowden has continue turning the Nationals into Cincinnati East with the trade for Wily Mo Pena, how does this change the off-season shopping list? Do they still spend for a center fielder?
Mark Zuckerman:
Yes, I believe they will still be looking for a center fielder this winter (and be willing to pay big bucks for a top free agent like Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter or Aaron Rowand). The addition of Wily Mo certainly helps address a need, but the Nats can't plan on going into 2008 with an outfield of either WMP/Church/Kearns or WMP/Logan/Kearns or Church/Logan/Kearns. They need a legitimate, PROVEN bopper in the middle of the lineup. And a guy who can play a mean center field wouldn't hurt either.

From Screech's Nemesis in Burke:
What can we look forward to seeing from Wily Mo the rest of this year? More three strikeout and single homer games, or do we have better to look forward to?
Mark Zuckerman:
Hmm, I sense a recurring theme here. What do you think was the biggest story of the last week? ... I think the three-strikeout, one-homer game is probably going to be the norm (though he's only struck out three times total in four games with the Nats so far). In an ideal world, this guy could probably slug 35-40 homers, hit around .260-.270 and strike out 150 times. An intimidating presence, to be sure, but not the kind of guy you build an entire lineup around.

From Brian in Alexandria:
Have the Nationals made any indication when Josh Smoker or Jack McGeary are slated to make their professional debuts?
Mark Zuckerman:
Smoker and McGeary, the two high draft picks who signed just before last week's deadline, have both reported to the Gulf Coast League and are beginning to build their arm strengths back up. They will probably each get a start in the next week or two (before the GCL season ends) and perhaps could be bumped up to short-season Class A Vermont after that just to get a chance to pitch once or twice more before the minor-league season ends.

From George in Gaithersburg:
In the days after the Pena trade, I heard some people term it as Jose Vidro-for-Wily Mo Pena? How is that?
Mark Zuckerman:
OK, you asked for it ... Last winter, the Nats traded Jose Vidro to Seattle for Chris Snelling and Emiliano Fruto. Snelling later was traded to Oakland for Ryan Langerhans, who last week was designated for assignment. Just yesterday, Fruto was traded to Arizona for Chris Carter (the minor-league first baseman, not the former Vikings wide receiver). The Nats then immediately sent Carter to Boston as the player to be named for the Wily Mo Pena deal. So you could now say that the Nats traded Vidro for Wily Mo.

From Stan in Washington:
I caught you on TV last night. Great job! What was that like? When can we expect to see you on the tube again? Do you have any TV deals in the works?
Mark Zuckerman:
Ha! Yeah, like Stan Kasten had nothing better to do last night than watch me on Washington Post Live... I had a good time, was a lot of fun. And thankfully, they gave me 10 good minutes to talk about the Nats to make up for the 80 other minutes when I faked my knowledge of the NFL, DC United and PGA Tour golfer Mark Calcavecchia. But given my difficult work schedule, I wouldn't count on seeing me in studio again til the offseason.

From Joseph in Sacramento, Calif.:
With a season that has to be described as a success (even though the win total may not show that), what can be expected for next year? There is a sense of optimism around the Nats these days with a new stadium, a solid draft, ownership that seems to have a plan that has the possibility to lead to success and a team that plays hard on a nightly basis. The Nats have found some diamonds in the rough and have some other players, Zimmerman the most obvious, who can be everyday productive, star players. What do you believe the 2008 Nationals team will look like come opening day? Thanks from 3,000 miles away.
Mark Zuckerman:
Greetings from 3,000 miles away ... I'm very interested to see how much (if at all) the Nats' roster changes between now and Opening Day 2008. Certainly, several guys playing right now (Zimmerman, Dmitri, Belliard, Lopez, Kearns, Schneider, Shawn Hill, John Lannan, most of the bullpen) appear to be part of next season's plan. But I also believe the front office is going to make good on its promise to increase payroll in the new stadium (perhaps doubling this year's $37 million tally). Look for them to invest in one top-tier free agent, preferably a center fielder. Maybe look for them to add one free agent starting pitcher. And always look for Jim Bowden to try to improve his team through trades.

From A.G. in Potomac:
Now that Nick Johnson has been declared out for the season, are they any whispers within the front office that this is a career-ending injury?
Mark Zuckerman:
Everyone with the Nats is being very careful to say they are positive Nick will be back playing next season. The problem is, no one can really know for sure with an injury as severe as this one. The fact that they re-signed Dmitri Young to a two-year extension tells me they at least have some legitimate concern that Johnson either 1) won't be back at all, or 2) won't return to his previous form.

From gilsfan in wanting info:
Mark, I heard that John Patterson pitched batting practice in Viera on Sunday. Can you tell us how his arm felt the next day and, assuming everything is all right, what is the next step for him? I'm still looking forward to seeing him pitch in RFK in September. Thanks,
Mark Zuckerman:
Haven't gotten any reports on Patterson since he threw the other day for the first time. This is still a lengthy rehab process, though. I would imagine it will take a couple of weeks until he's ready to pitch in a game down there. Then, he needs to build his arm strength back up to a point where he can last four or five innings in a major-league game. There's still time to make that happen, but not a whole lot.

From Donald Sanger in Falls Church:
If it really worked out in the end to be Vidro-for-Wily Mo, how would you rate that deal for the Nats?
Mark Zuckerman:
Let's see ... the Nats traded away an aging second baseman making $16 million combined in 2007-08 for a 25-year-old slugger with major power potential who is making only $1.8 million this season. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

From Fredo in Corleone, Italy:
Hey....I saw you on Washington Post Live, too...you weren't nearly as good as that other guy from your paper they have on all the time.
Mark Zuckerman:
Elfin?

And with that, I think it's time to say goodbye. Talk to you next week from sunny L.A.!