Boswell: Nats acting like a team that sees respectability in sight

Biz <3 Pudge!

Regardless of whom the Nats acquire in this game of pitching musical chairs—and hurlers Andy Pettitte, Randy Wolf and Brad Penny have already been grabbed, reducing competition for the rest—the Rodriguez signing is as revealing an omen as the Nats are likely to provide this offseason.

Pudge has played in 14 all-star games, won 13 Gold Gloves, been AL MVP, caught for two pennant winners and one world champion and has more runs and hits than any catcher in history.

And, at 38, he can still play. Last year, St. Louis allowed the fewest stolen bases in baseball. The Cardinals’ catcher, Yadier Molina, is the new Pudge lite. The Astros allowed the second fewest steals. Their catcher, until a mid-August trade, was Rodriguez. Even now, only the fastest dare to steal on him and 35 percent get thrown out. Also, Pudge is still a passable batter—middle of the pack among catchers in homers (10) and RBI (47) last year. Yet the Nats merely signed him to be a $6 million sub who may play 70 games.

At last, the Nats appear to be a team that can’t bear to lose 100 games again—and take the flack and lost attendance that go with it. And they are willing to take out expensive insurance in case catcher Jesus Flores doesn’t recover fully from shoulder surgery.