Should the Nats have traded Soriano?

They could have picked up some big time prospects. Didn't the new owner say he was going to work on building up the farm system? Are they really gonna have a chance to keep this guy long term? My thinking he is gone after this season anyways and you could have got alot for him. Don't get me wrong, I like Soriano, but he is gonna demand a huge contract and that doesnt leave alot of cash for a supporting cast.

I disagree, gigity. I think for one Soriano will be a National next year, if fact over the next three or four years. Secondly, I think what they could have possibly gained in potential talent they already have a proven commodity in Soriano. Not only is he a hellacious hitter but his attitude, according to his own teamates, is infectious. I think this is a guy who can easily play at a very productive level for at least, at least another five years.

Sure they forfeited some possible farm prospects but they can still build around Soriano. And don't forget they still have a few promising young guys on the team already.

too bad we will never know what teams were offering for him. then we could judge.

too bad we will never know what teams were offering for him. then we could judge.

Appearantly they weren't offering enough. Bowden wasn't budging!
Word has it he'll fetch between $12-15 mil next year. Even if he walks, we get a couple of top picks. But in no uncertain terms Soriano himself has said he wants to be back in Washington.

It seems like the Nats have a group of guys on the club that want to play in the new stadium and grow with the team.

They have to beat out the Orioles in the local battle. Camden Yards of one of baseball's best stadiums (possibly helped by the harbor) and the O's will always get fans even when the team stinks, which is every year. The Nats need to attract more fans if they ever want to build a newer stadium and draw a bigger crowd. The Orioles lack a big name player since Ripken retired. Tejada is the closest they have to a player who can draw fans, but he wants out and is losing fans every day. Washington has one of the best players in baseball, despite his bad attitide sometimes. Prospects won't draw crowds, but a player the caliber of Soriano can. He's having a HUGE season and is warming up to the idea of staying in D.C. long term. That's great news for the team.

Appearantly they weren't offering enough. Bowden wasn't budging!
Word has it he'll fetch between $12-15 mil next year. Even if he walks, we get a couple of top picks. But in no uncertain terms Soriano himself has said he wants to be back in Washington.

It seems like the Nats have a group of guys on the club that want to play in the new stadium and grow with the team.i sure hope so

no one traded a good pitcher, so no. there wasn't anyone to get. they better sign him long term though. he keeps butts in seats.

If they don't sign him long term they'll look really stupid. However, as it is, I think they're doing a good thing by keeping him. He's a great ballplayer who's committed to playing left field for them. I think they can build around this guy. He may never be a great defensive player in left field, but look at Manny Ramirez, he can barely field anything and sometimes looks like he's not even trying to make plays on balls in left. As long as he is adequate in the field and continues to be a great hitter, they did a good thing...if they can keep him.

Soriano may come back but I'm sure he'll test the market first. I'm not too suprised that they didn't trade him. I am surprised that the Nats didn't trade anyone though. I especially thought Livan would be traded to a playoff contender looking for another starter. And the season-ending injury to Jose Guillen killed any chance of him being traded.

They have some decent players-Schneider, Johnson, Zimmerman, Church, Kearns, Lopez but they could use some more depth.

Tejada is the guy that should have been dealt. They could have had Everett, Ensberg and Oswalt. Then, they would have flipped Oswalt to the Mets for Milledge and other prospects. OR they could have picked up Ervin Santana (who looks like has a bright career ahead of him) and Eric Aybar. I just don't get why they kept him. I'm a big Tejada fan, but dealing would have made them a better team. I guess Angelos realizes that trading him would have meant trading away the biggest star they have and without star power in baseball, you may not have much of a fan base.