Q: How likely are any of the Nationals veterans -- especially Jose Vidro, Tony Armas, Pedro Astacio and Ramon Ortiz -- to be traded before the end of the season? If they aren't, how likely are any of them to be on the roster for Opening Day 2007? -- Meg
A: I think it's pretty unlikely any of the aforementioned will be traded at this point. There's only six weeks left in the season, and unless some contending team suffers a major injury, few are likely to make deals of consequence at this stage of the season.
I do think the Nationals will make a real effort to shop around Vidro during the offseason, hoping to find a club willing to take on the final two years of his contract.
The other three will be free agents, and I don't see Washington having much interest in re-signing either Armas or Astacio. I might bring Ortiz back, though, provided he doesn't cost too much.
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