OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - A New Day in DC

glenn · 02-27-2009, 08:35 PM

I arrived at Space Coast Stadium after an early morning flight, ready to embark on my new job as General Manager of the Washington Nationals. Actually, interim General Manager, but hopefully that'll change shortly. First on my agenda, get to know the team, our players, our needs, and a meeting with the brass where we'll review the budget, and talk about "The Plan". Maybe we need to start calling it "The Plan 2.0".

From the email I was sent, our current finances don't look too good:
Payroll: $62,293,500 (26th)
2008 Attendance: 2,400,759 (23rd)
Fan Interest: 12 of 100
Projected Final Balance: $12,794,816
Available Dollars for Free Agents: $1,706,000

I did some reading on the plane to get ready for my first day on the job, looking over the top 100 prospects on baseball. I'm not proud to say it, but either we have no prospects in the top 100, or someone sent me the top 100 non-Nationals prospects in baseball. That should prepare me for my meeting with Mike Rizzo, our VP of baseball operations. He came over from Arizona, where he rebuilt their farm system, in 2006 and reports directly to me. I'm going to put him to work right away getting ready for the upcoming draft, since the Nationals have the number one overall pick. I'm also going to refer to him as my Scouting Director, and he'll be responsible for keeping me updated on our players.

Next on the agenda, a meeting with manager Manny Acta and his staff:

Bench Coach - Jim Riggleman
Hitting Coach - Rick Eckstein
Pitching Coach - Randy St. Claire
Team Trainer - Lee Kuntz

Acta is 40 years old, and entering his third year as manager, all with the Nationals. His 132-191 record isn't exactly awe inspiring, but he hasn't had a lot to work with either. He is signed through 2010. I'll give him a chance to impress me, but I'm not sold on him just yet.

After that, it is time to take a good look at our roster, and see our strengths and weaknesses, to see what we need to do. Then my first interview, with Nationals beat reporter Jim Davidson.

Then it is time to work the phones, and get to know my fellow GM's, and see if we can work out any deals. Hopefully Jim Bowden signs on with another team soon, and I can find somewhere to unload some of these players. It looks like we've got enough outfielders on our roster to field an entire team.

02-27-2009, 08:35 PM	#3
glenn Major Leagues Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 407	2/28/2009 I arrived at Space Coast Stadium after an early morning flight, ready to embark on my new job as General Manager of the Washington Nationals. Actually, interim General Manager, but hopefully that'll change shortly. First on my agenda, get to know the team, our players, our needs, and a meeting with the brass where we'll review the budget, and talk about "The Plan". Maybe we need to start calling it "The Plan 2.0". From the email I was sent, our current finances don't look too good: Payroll: $62,293,500 (26th) 2008 Attendance: 2,400,759 (23rd) Fan Interest: 12 of 100 Projected Final Balance: $12,794,816 Available Dollars for Free Agents: $1,706,000 I did some reading on the plane to get ready for my first day on the job, looking over the top 100 prospects on baseball. I'm not proud to say it, but either we have no prospects in the top 100, or someone sent me the top 100 non-Nationals prospects in baseball. That should prepare me for my meeting with Mike Rizzo, our VP of baseball operations. He came over from Arizona, where he rebuilt their farm system, in 2006 and reports directly to me. I'm going to put him to work right away getting ready for the upcoming draft, since the Nationals have the number one overall pick. I'm also going to refer to him as my Scouting Director, and he'll be responsible for keeping me updated on our players. Next on the agenda, a meeting with manager Manny Acta and his staff: Bench Coach - Jim Riggleman Hitting Coach - Rick Eckstein Pitching Coach - Randy St. Claire Team Trainer - Lee Kuntz Acta is 40 years old, and entering his third year as manager, all with the Nationals. His 132-191 record isn't exactly awe inspiring, but he hasn't had a lot to work with either. He is signed through 2010. I'll give him a chance to impress me, but I'm not sold on him just yet. After that, it is time to take a good look at our roster, and see our strengths and weaknesses, to see what we need to do. Then my first interview, with Nationals beat reporter Jim Davidson. Then it is time to work the phones, and get to know my fellow GM's, and see if we can work out any deals. Hopefully Jim Bowden signs on with another team soon, and I can find somewhere to unload some of these players. It looks like we've got enough outfielders on our roster to field an entire team.