From Barry Prophet in Reston:
I read where Tuesday night's attendance was the lowest since the Nationals moved to town. Is there any concern from ownership about this or do they automatically think attendance will spike with the new stadium?
Mark Zuckerman:
Yes, you read that correctly: Last night's attendance was 15,611, smallest at RFK since baseball returned three years ago. I don't, however, think ownership is terribly concerned. It was the day after Labor Day, so kids are back in school. Tuesday nights don't generally draw well. And the Marlins may be the worst draw on the Nats' schedule. Put the Mets, Phillies or Braves in here last night, and attendance is probably over 20,000. Still, I do believe that ultimately, the Nats will have to field a winning team to attract the number of fans (30,000 per game) ownership truly desires.

From NatsFan#1 in Burke:
I've heard rumors that Dmitri Young may be moving to left field when Nick Johnson comes back from the DL. What are the chances of this happening?
Mark Zuckerman:
Zero. Nil. Nada. None. ... I know you read that in some places when Dmitri signed his two-year extension at the end of July, but trust me, it's not happening. Dmitri is a first baseman (and some would question whether he's even that) and nothing else. Besides, the Nats have a good-hit/poor-field left fielder already in Wily Mo Pena. Look at Dmitri as insurance in case Nick Johnson isn't ready by Opening Day. And really, can we say we know he'll be back with any certainty? Not based on how the last year has played out.

From Billy T. in Silver Spring:
This isn't as much a question as it is a problem that has to be addressed before the new park opens. Last Friday, I went to the Nats' main ticket office at noon and it took more than a half-hour to buy two tickets for the RFK finale. With increased demand for tickets at the new ballpark the Lerners, who preach customer service, should realize that the box office is the first point of contact for many potential customers, some of whom may never return after receiving shoddy or indifferent service.
Mark Zuckerman:
Fair point. Sometimes, in the internet age, we forget that some people still want to purchase things in person with an actual human being conducting the transaction. Let's hope the Nats remember this, too, as they move into their new ballpark.

From NatsFanatic in Front Royal:
I'm sure you agree that Jesus Flores has been a pleasant surprise this season as the back up catcher. Is there any chance he could overtake Brian Schneider next year or maybe catch more games?
Mark Zuckerman:
Flores indeed has been a huge surprise, proving he's major-league material even at age 22 and even without any experience at the Double-A or Triple-A levels. I wrote about this subject a couple of months ago, and the consensus among club officials was that the kid still needs to play everyday next season, and the only place that could happen is in the minors. But feelings in the organization have clearly changed since then. I still don't believe anyone thinks Flores will be ready to be an everyday major-league catcher next season, but I wouldn't be surprised if you see a scenario in which he starts sharing time more with Schneider. How about 100 starts for Schneider, 60 for Flores?

From Tim:
Mark, your story today focused on the small crowd at RFK. Maybe that's embarrassing, but a bigger story is what will happen in Baltimore this weekend when OPCY becomes Fenway South. The Orioles attendance is completely propped up by Yankees and Red Sox fans. While, games against Toronto, KC and the D-Rays draw 17K or fewer fans. As of yet, this sort of take-over doesn't happen in DC. Can it? Also, when will the Orioles poor attendance become the story?
Mark Zuckerman:
I used to cover my share of O's-Sox/Yankees games at Camden Yards, and was always amazed by how many visiting fans show up there. Until Baltimore fields snaps this streak of nine straight losing seasons, I have a feeling that trend will continue. As for D.C., you do see a surge of Mets, Phillies, Cubs and Braves fans when they come to town, but perhaps not on the same level as in Baltimore. It'll be interesting to see over the next few years how that plays out at the new ballpark. Just like the O's, I believe the Nats need to have a winning team eventually to sustain a strong local fan base.

From Brian in Alexandria:
How much overhaul do you see of the 40-man roster as it is currently composed? Who are the guys least likely to return?
Mark Zuckerman:
Hmm, interesting question, and one I haven't looked real hard at yet (though I will want to once the season ends). There will obviously be some changes to the 40-man before the Rule 5 draft this winter. Minor leaguers with (I believe) either two or three years experience must be added to the roster or risk being lost to Rule 5. Not sure who in the system will fit that bill, but there appear to be several players on the current 40-man who could be let go. A few possibilities (and this is purely speculation and not based on actual inside info): Robert Fick, D'Angelo Jimenez, Alex Escobar, Jason Simontacchi, Billy Traber, Mike Bacsik, Mike O'Connor.

From R.O. in D.C.:
You wrote in your story today that since Ray King got traded after Sept. 1, he is not eligible for the playoffs should Milwaukee qualify. What's the point of this rule?
Mark Zuckerman:
MLB requires that all postseason rosters must be set by Sept. 1. Any player acquired after that is not eligible for the playoffs. The reason? Baseball doesn't want a last-place club pawning a valued veteran off to a contender during the final few weeks of the season, just so said contender can squeak into the playoffs and maybe win the World Series. Would it be fair, for example, for the Reds to trade Adam Dunn to the Yankees for a bucket of balls on Sept. 15, and then for Dunn to play left field throughout the playoffs in New York?

From gilsfan in Utter Chaos:
Have you heard anything yet about when and where John Patterson will have surgery on his arm and who will perform the surgery? I am looking forward to seeing him back next year with a healthy arm. He is clearly the Nats best pitcher when his arm is healthy - which it hasn't been for a long while now. Let's hope the doctor(s) get it right this time!
Mark Zuckerman:
No word yet, but Patterson is very concerned with making sure he picks the right doctor for this procedure. This could be a make-or-break surgery for the right-hander, who doesn't know if the Nats will be offering him a contract this winter. Even if he's back, he knows he's got to prove he's healthy and can pitch effectively again.

From Gary Fogel in Reston:
Is it me or does Felipe Lopez always swing at the first pitch of the game? On a team that doesn't have a lot of hitters, is he the biggest disappointment on the team?
Mark Zuckerman:
Lopez has been a huge disappointment this season, especially with his lack of plate discipline. This is a guy who reached base at an impressive .362 clip following his trade from Cincinnati last year. This season, his OBP is an abysmal .309. Also a growing concern: His high rate of strikeouts. He's four away from his third straight 100-K season. Was talking to a team official about him yesterday who said one problem is that Felipe really isn't a leadoff hitter. He's been forced into that role because the Nats don't have anyone else. Further reason that should be a priority this winter.

From a Jewish Fan in Fairfax:
What are your thoughts on Brewers' Jewish Rookie Ryan Braun and the upcoming Jewish holidays? Do you think he will take a day or days off for Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur or will he play because the Brewers need him for their playoff run? He could be the NL ROY--do you think that would have an impact on his decision?
Mark Zuckerman:
Oy vey! I just heard about this dilemma, and trust me, it's a dilemma. I don't know much about Braun's Jewish upbringing and how religious he is, but if he practices somewhat intently, I wouldn't be shocked if he took Kol Nidre (Friday night, Sept. 21) off. Shawn Green has done that before, including at least once during a playoff race. I know yours truly won't be at RFK on either the 21st or 22nd. It's a tough decision, and one that must be made entirely by the individual. It's no one else's place to tell Ryan whether he should play or not.

OK, that should do it for this week. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Talk to you next Wednesday from South Florida!