Washington Nationals Wiretap

Giants Trade Cruz And Christiansen

The Giants made two trades on Tuesday, as Deivi Cruz and Jason Christiansen were dealt.

Cruz, 32, was San Francisco's starting shortstop for most of last season, but was relegated to bench duty with the acquisition of Omar Vizquel this year. He was traded for right-handed pitcher Benjamin Cox, 23, from Washington's Class A Savannah.

Christiansen, 35, was designated for assignment last Friday after appearing in 56 games from the bullpen this year, logging a 6-1 mark and 5.36 ERA. He was also an outspoken critic of manager Felipe Alou's use of the relievers.

Acquired from Anaheim were left-handed pitcher Dusty Bergman, 27, who pitched for Triple-A Salt Lake this season and has played seven years in the Minor Leagues. He pitched two innings in one contest for the Angels last year.

Also traded from Anaheim was right-hander Ronnie Ray, 21, who was a combined 7-6 with a 4.40 ERA for Class A teams Rancho Cucamonga and Cedar Rapids this year. In nine starts, he was 4-2 with a 3.51 ERA.

Alou said it was a good move for Cruz, who will likely see regular action at Washington.

Via MLB.com

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Nationals Get Approval To Move Forward With Stadium

A $23.2 million contract for initial work on a new stadium for the Washington Nationals will go to a joint venture of three firms.

The District of Columbia Sports and Entertainment Commission announced Friday its board of directors approved plans to hire the consortium of Clark Construction, Hunt Construction Group and Smoot Construction.

The commission said the trio has worked on 15 other ballparks for Major League Baseball. Ten of those had HOK Sport as the architect. HOK is part of a separate architectural joint venture in the Washington stadium.

Via AP

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Sale Of Nationals To Be Done By Early September

The sale of the Major League Baseball-owned and operated Washington Nationals should be complete by early September, with possible approval and closing by the end of the season, MLB's second-highest official said on Wednesday.

Eight groups are still in the running, with the three that have the strongest ties to the District among the top candidates. On Wednesday, a report was presented to the relocation committee, which has overseen the team's move from Montreal and its sale, and later heard by the executive council.

"The Commissioner is committed, he said, to getting this done within 30 days," Bob DuPuy -- MLB's vice president, chief operating officer and No. 2 official behind Commissioner Bud Selig -- said. "Ballpark, Labor Day. That's still our target for announcing a winner."

Via MLB.com

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Jose Guillen To Seek Second Opinion On Shoulder

Outfielder Jose Guillen will get a second opinion on his ailing left shoulder, heading to Alabama on Monday to see Dr. James Andrews. An MRI showed a small tear in his rotator cuff.

"I'm going to do what's best for me, my family and the team," Guillen told The Washington Times on Sunday. "I have a long future ahead of me. ... I've got to look out for my career and see what's going to be the best for me."

Via ESPN

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Designs Of Washington Park Begin To Take Shape

Joseph Spear has not spent much time in Washington, but the man who will design one of the most important additions to the city's skyline -- a baseball stadium -- has learned quickly that the city is hard to define.

"It depends on who you ask," Spear said. "There's a federal city and a local city. We are 100 percent committed to a ballpark that represents D.C. What does that mean? Our answer is both. We'll do something symbolic of both."

So on a recent day at the corner of South Capitol Street and Potomac Avenue in Southeast Washington, Spear ignored the rumble of trucks coming from an industrial warehouse and explained his vision for a 41,000-seat ballpark that one day could rise here like a "V."

The facade along South Capitol Street would be built of stone and glass, echoing the grandeur of the District's federal landmarks -- including the Capitol Dome less than a mile north. The other facade, along Potomac Avenue, would have a connected but distinct feel; largely made of steel and glass, this side would be lacey, almost skeletal, and afford views from inside the park of the Anacostia River to the south.

Spear moved to a spot that would be outside the ballpark but near where the two facades would meet.

"From back here," Spear said, "you could look up [through an open section in the wall], even if you're outside the stadium, and see the scoreboard."

Via Washington Post

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