LoDuca Signs With Nationals

The Washington Nationals are starting to look a lot like the New York Mets of the past. They traded Brian Schneider and Ryan Church to the Big Apple for Lastings Milledge, now catcher Paul LoDuca has signed with the team. In essennce, it was a four player trade between the two NL East rivals. Let's not forget who the manager of the Nationals is. It's Manny Acta, who was the Mets third base coach two seasons ago before taking the head job in Washington. Could there be a new rivalry on the horizon for 2008?

Let's face it, the Mets are a much better team than the Nationals, but that doesn't mean there won't be some bad blood between the teams come opening day next season. The Nationals probably feel like they got the better end of this deal, so look for them to improve next year. The Mets are undeniably more talented, but they need to go after some pitching, instead of messing around with the Nationals. I know New York doesn't have much to offer another club when it comes to youth, but Omar Minaya has to get his butt in gear and start making some deals.

For Mets fans, it must be frustrating to keep hearing this general manager keep saying that he likes the team he has right now. That's his answer for everything and it's got to stop soon. If he fails to make any more major deals before the season and the Mets get off to a shaky start in 2008, don't be suprised to hear the New York fans and media getting on Minaya's back. He is supposed to be an amazing general manager, but it's not looking that way so far this offseason.

Don't forget about the manager of the Mets too. Willie Randolph has to be partly to blame for last year's debacle in September. I know the players have to perform, but as a manager, you have to keep control of the clubhouse. Randolph will probably be fired if New York fails to make the postseason for a second consecutive season. As a Mets fan, you shouldn't be upset if Willie goes. You should be rejoicing. If your manager still hasn't figured out how the double switch works, then you know he's not the right man for the job.

As for the Nationals, they are hoping that Milledge turns out to be what the Mets had been anticipating for the past few seasons. Loduca is a hard nosed player and certainly will be liked in Washington. They might have a problem with Milledge's attitude, but the team will not have to worry about Loduca's hustle and leadership skills. Mets fans will surely miss their former catcher. It's too bad management didn't give Loduca a shot at coming back.

Shawn Marosek