Ignorant Inbox

That's the best title I could come up with...without further awkwardness, here's your Inbox:

Are the Nationals interested in Martinez or Glavine? They would do well as starters or relievers. They also can be mentors to young pitchers such as Jordan Zimmermann, Ross Detwiler and Shairon Martis.
-- Yu-Hung,Su, Chiayi,Taiwan

Ladson says neither are coming. Glavine is just not worth having on a team anymore as a player-he's not half of who he used to be. If he were willing to be a player-coach, I could see them signing him in the last month or two of the season when the youngsters start to hit their innings maximums, but I do not see him lasting as a FA that long without retiring.

Martinez is still an intriguing option in my opinion, but if he's still on the market, he probably isn't worth having around.

Do you like Wil Nieves or Josh Bard in the lineup while Jesus Flores is on the disabled list?
-- Brandon A., Vienna, Va.

"I like Nieves because he can play defense and is a better hitter. In the long term, Nieves is a backup and will be that way when Flores recovers from his right shoulder injury."-Ladson

Huh? Nieves is a better hitter? His career .225/.267/.290 line is obviously other-wordly, as Bard sits far below him at .264/.331/.394. Ladson, you've said some strange things before, but are you really going to try and tell us that Wil Nieves is a better hitter than Josh Bard? I mean, even Bard's .239/.301/.373 line from this year is better than Nieves' .259/.299/.296, and that's without considering Nieves' .080 advantage in BABIP that will spread the gap even more throughout the year.

When Willingham plays, it seems like good things happen for both him and the team. Do you see him becoming an everyday player at some point this season?
-- Douglas, H., Huntsville, Ala.

I'm guessing he'll start every 3 of 4 games when he comes back from the bereavement list. This next week or so is Kearns' last chance to break into the rotation for a while.

Do you think Lastings Milledge should have been sent to the Minors?
-- Daniel R., Philadelphia

Yes.

With the bullpen problems, why have the Nationals not gone after Chad Cordero?
-- Rafael B., Miami, Fla.

Because he's not a free agent?

The Nats have the most errors in baseball. That, to me, reflects heavily on the coaching staff. Has Manny Acta taken any steps to address this?
-- Terry C., Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

Nope. Zimmerman and Johnson need to step it up, but it's not like we can really expect more out of Willingham, Dunn, Belliard, Guz, etc.

The Nationals are keeping Kearns because he works hard and never complains. Why does that matter at all if he can't hit?
-- Scott N., Bethesda, Md.

Incorrect. They're keeping Kearns because they have no other options (Maxwell simply has not been doing well this year and Milledge/Bernadina are hurt). He's a good fielder and his bat will come around. Be patient because he's not going anywhere soon.

Don't you now think after two-plus months of everyday playing, Orlando Hudson should have been signed? He doesn't appear to be injured at all and is hitting extremely well.
-- Peter G., Vancouver, BC, Canada

He's looked great after two months, yes, but I am going to take Ladson's word for it that he failed his physical with the team. Hindsight is 20-20, but I think it would be irresponsible for the Nats to sign a guy who failed his physical. That being said, I'm not sure what caused him to fail a physical-perhaps he refused to get his wrist checked out and that was a deal-breaker. I can't fault the Nats here without knowing everything about his physical, but there is another side to the story as well I'm sure.

Before I misplace the link, check out The Hardball Times' interview with Rich Gale, the newly promoted Syracuse pitching coach.