Trade Talk

If I accomplished nothing else this weekend, it was a success for one reason. I managed to talk My Son the Braves Fan off the ledge.

He was distraught because the Braves acquired Dan Uggla. Really. They gave up a reliever and a utility guy (yes, a good one) to get a 30-HR machine. Very much a plus deal for the Braves.

But my son like Omar Infante a lot, didn't want to see him gone. I get that, I said, but you have to give to get. The key is to make sure you get more than you give. I think the Braves did here. I had crazy dreams of Uggla in Washington.

As fans, you're supposed to have favorite players. The lesson in today's free agent and wheeling-and-dealing times: Don't get too attached.

It got me to thinking. If the Nats do make trades, will any departures make me screams "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo?" Only a couple.

*Jee-SUS: Obvious, and there's no way it happens.

*Zimmerman: See above.

That may be it. There are a couple of others I'd be a bit distraught to see traded.

*Zimmermann. Jee-SUS he isn't but I remained convinced for now he's going to be pretty good so I'd like to see him stay.

*Ramos. I'm not sold on the guy yet. I don't think any of us saw enough last season to really tell either way. Jury's still out and all that. But if this cat is such a hot prospect that the Nats gave up a young and proven closer for him, well, he damn sure ought to be worth keeping.

*Danny Espinosa. See Zimmermann, above.

But if the price is right?

There many other players I don't want to see guy but I won't lose sleep if the return is right. Ian Desmond? I like him a lot and wouldn't mind seeing him stay for a long time. But suppose the return is along the lines of a Zach Greinke (yes, I know it would cost more than Desmond)?

I just hope if the Nats do trade proven they get more than one piece of potential for it. We'll see soon enough, I guess.

Finally, I have to give it up for Ben Goessling at MASN. He got me this morning. I saw the headline "Why You Should Want the Nationals to Sign Carl Pavano" and I'm thinking, "Wow, this better be good." Because I don't want the Nationals to sign Carl Pavano.

It's good. I still don't want him signed but it's good.