Chico Harlan of the Washington Post has all kinds of observations from NatsFest.
- Nationals president Stan Kasten expressed his distaste for free agent pitching contracts, but might consider it if the team is closer to contention.
- A quote from Kasten regarding the Ryan Zimmerman extension talks: "I know it’s just a coincidence that [Zimmerman and Ryan Howard] have the same agent who doesn’t seem to like to do long-term contracts before free agency." That’s a reference to Casey Close. Currently the two sides have a $1.15MM gap on Zimmerman’s ’09 salary.
- Zimmerman is friends with Adam Dunn, who would love to play for the Nationals.
- GM Jim Bowden expects the free agent market to get moving within the next ten days. Bowden still hopes to add a left-handed middle of the order bat as well as starting pitching.
