Hi everyone -- Mark Zuckerman here at last. Sorry for the delayed start. Our lunch with Stan Kasten ran a little long, but I'm here now and ready to take your questions, so let's get going...

From Joe in Sacramento, Calif.:
Hello from a west coast Nats fan (and may I add I may be the only one out here). First, I would like to congratulate the team having for what must be considered a successful season for what was expected of them, and it is nice to see them gaining some much needed national exposure due to playing the Mets and the upcoming series with the Phillies because of their gritty play. But, my question deals with the future of GM Jim Bowden. Now that the Nats have begun building the foundation of a farm system and have gained numerous "outcast" players like Young, Pena, Belliard, etc that have panned out, will it be time next year to hire a new GM that may be viewed as a more long term, stable GM? Just curious on your thoughts.
Mark Zuckerman:
Funny you should ask that question to get us started, because Stan was asked something along those lines just a little while ago. His answer: "The general manager is here, period." Is that definitive enough for you? I know there's always been a perception that Bowden wasn't Kasten's guy and so he probably wouldn't last long here. And while they remain two different personalities, I do believe there's a certain amount of respect from one to the other in their desire to win and in their willingness to do whatever it takes to win. I've also said from the day Bowden's contract was extended last summer -- don't ask me the length of the deal, which is apparently more top secret than nuclear codes -- that you really can't judge Bowden's work here for another two or three years. They're building this team by restocking the farm system. How can you reasonably judge the GM until all those prospects he's acquired have time to reach the majors?

From Barry Prophet in Reston:
The Nationals are playing a bunch of games against teams vying for playoff berths -- do they actually take this spoiler thing seriously or is that TV-driven?
Mark Zuckerman:
They absolutely take this seriously. Manny Acta held a team meeting back at the beginning of the month, stressing the importance of finishing strong (and perhaps affecting other teams' playoff hopes). He made the point again the other night after the Nats fell behind 4-0 to the Mets, then watched as they rallied to win 12-4. It may not seem like much, but these guys take pride in dealing the Mets and Phillies serious blows. They also really want to finish above the Marlins and not be dead last in the NL East again.

From Kristin in Fairfax:
So there we were at RFK Stadium on Sunday: One line for the good beer, another line for the soft pretzel, and another line for the fountain soda. Thank goodness there were two of us, but it still took an inning. Please tell me the concessions (and the new company) will be better next season in the new park.
Mark Zuckerman:
I (and the Nats) have every reason to believe things will be better next season in the new park. I mean, really, how can they be any worse? But I can't say how much for sure. Certainly, there will be more concession stands. The concourses will be MUCH wider. And you'll be able to still see the game while standing in line. All significant improvements, to be sure.

From NatsFanatic in Centreville:
Ross Detwiler has pitched in only one game since being recalled. What's the plan for him over the season's final two weeks?
Mark Zuckerman:
The Nats have been really cautious with Detwiler, this year's No. 1 draft pick. They don't want to throw him into any situations of real consequence, especially in games that affect the pennant race. I think Manny Acta will try to get him into at least one game at RFK, though, before the week is over. If there's a game that's out of hand, perhaps he can come out of the bullpen to pitch one inning and give the local fans a chance to see this future star in person.

From Richard in Olney:
Mark, any particular favorite memory from RFK? And are you going to take any mementos with you on Sunday?
Mark Zuckerman:
Hmm, I wouldn't mind grabbing home plate and taking that with me. Unfortunately, the Nats plan to dig that up during a postgame ceremony and "transport" it to the new ballpark. I am interested, though, to see if fans try to do anything at the end of the game and what kind of security there will be in the place. It would be one thing if this was the final sporting event of any kind to be played at RFK. But remember, this place will remain in use, with D.C. United continuing to play. I doubt security is going to let fans do much ransacking of the place.

From jpsfanandproudof it in Temple Hills, Md.:
Mark, you, along with other Nats writers, have seemed skeptical that John Patterson had a real injury this season. After Patterson's surgery, Jim Bowden said, "Clearly there was a major problem that had to be resolved." Are you now satisfied that it WAS a real injury? It was surely an unusual one, which caused his arm to hurt even when he took a deep breath or yawned, and with the nerve constricted by the blood vessels, the more he exercised, the more his arm hurt. Since the actual surgery was very minor - even though the injury was major - and his arm should heal quickly, do you think the Nationals will give him a chance to come back next year?
Mark Zuckerman:
I don't believe I ever questioned whether or not Patterson was hurt. I may have conveyed some frustration by teammates and Nats management over John's inability to stay healthy, and I know some had a perception that John wasn't particularly adept at pitching through pain. Now, I don't think anyone knew how serious it really was until Dr. David Ruch operated on Patterson last week and discovered a "web" of blood vessels wrapped around his radial nerve. Whether the Nats will bring Patterson back next season, it's still too early to tell. They'll be very interested to see how he looks once he's allowed to resume throwing in a couple months. Then, it's decision time.

From GoNats in D.C.:
What's the new ballpark like? Since you got a sneak peek, can you give us a preview?
Mark Zuckerman:
I got to see the park on Saturday when several Nats took batting practice, and I must say the place looks really cool. I was impressed with how wide-open it all felt. In many places, you can see through the stands and see blue sky in the background. The scoreboard is HUGE and should be a major attraction of the place. The plaza area behind left-center field (where most people will enter the ballpark) is also big and should quickly become a popular gathering spot. The Nats clubhouse is GIGANTIC, I'm betting perhaps five times as big as it is at RFK, and that's not even including all the lounges, weight rooms, saunas, etc. that are attached to it. The press box is way up there, on top of the upper deck (but I don't expects fans to care much about that). It should be quite a place, though.

From Art in Richmond:
Who are your picks in the National League for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year?
Mark Zuckerman:
Hmm, I actually will be voting for MVP and Rookie of the Year, and I believe we're instructed not to reveal our picks until the results are announced in November. But I will say that the MVP race is wide open and I honestly have no idea yet who to pick from a pool that includes David Wright, Chase Utley, Prince Fielder, Matt Holliday and others. Rookie of the Year is a little easier to predict, though there are several top-notch candidates, from Ryan Braun to Troy Tulowitzki to Hunter Pence to Chris B. Young. Cy Young? It would seem to me that Jake Peavy is close to securing that one. Manager of the Year? Arizona's Bob Melvin is the frontrunner, though I do expect Manny Acta to get some second and third place votes.

OK, that appears to be all the questions for this week. Sorry for the delayed start, but thanks again to everyone who sent one in. Remember: Next Wednesday's our final chat of the season, so please don't hold back and send me any lingering questions you may have. See you then!