Before immediately blaming Trader Jim for the failure to sign the team's first-round draft pick, read this blog from the Post's beat writer, Chico Harlan. It's the transcript of an interview with Bowden, and is enlightening. It's long, but it's worth it.

More than 3,700 words from Jim Bowden on Aaron Crow

      

Yet another example of the front office's lack of class in dealing with its players is well documented in a Bill Ladson story on Nationals.com today.

Chad Cordero learned the hard way yesterday that he was going to be non-tendered at the end of the season so the front office can renegotiate his salary for much, much less money. Nats GM Jim Bowden made the announcement on Sports Talk 980 AM yesterday, then confirmed it to Ladson.

Cordero responded, "I'm shocked he would say it now and make it official. It's a bit upsetting. It's early. I understand that it's a business."

My problem isn't the decision, it's the manner it was delivered. Wouldn't a phone call to Cordero or his agent have been appropriate? A heads' up to a guy that's been a loyal and integral part of this franchise?

This apparent lack of common courtesy is disturbing, but not surprising. It is, of course, not the first time Bowden has gone to the media for leverage in a negotiation. It's just without class. Bowden hasn't earned the right to be so brazen with this precariously maintained team.

      

Without a bona fide star on the roster, the brass decided that to sell the club, they had to sell a future star - Zimmerman. It was a gamble, but it paid off. Zimmerman has led the club on and off the field. He is personable and the closest thing to local you get. He's played well enough that many experts, including Mike and Jeff, believe him to baseball's next big star.

Dave Sheinin's blog post recounting Jim Bowden's comments today on the contract negotiations with Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, has got me a little concerned. The relevant quote from Bowden:

"We've made it clear to [Zimmerman and Van Wagenen] that if Ryan is willing to sign a contract that is similar to what all the other good young players are signing for -- if he's willing to do a market signing, we are prepared to do that with him. We're not going set all new markets with him. We're not going to change the pay scale of Major League Baseball for one player. But there are so many signings that are all in the same range, and our organization is prepared to do that. And we have communicated that to Brodie. At this point, we're not close. But there's always going to be time, and the other thing we all know is we have control of the player for four years no matter what. So we have a four-year security blanket with him."

In going public with this, Bowden is now playing hardball, which I believe to be a huge miscalculation. It's actually a little bit offensive. As Sheinin points out, Stan Kasten usually keeps contract negotiations close to the vest... as professionals do. Even if agents are using the media and fans to gain leverage, Kasten has been wise enough to not get bogged down in that.

To actively go out and try to embarrass the face of your franchise, as Bowden did today, is just wrong. We're not talking about a free agent looking for a cash grab. We're not talking about a declining veteran trying to squeeze out another $500K before washing out of the league. We're talking about a kid who was rushed out front, asked to shoulder major responsibility inside and outside the clubhouse, and who has done it all with a smile - and a piddly contract.

Just this week the Lerner family gave manager Manny Acta a bonus check to thank him for the job he's done. A humbled Acta nearly declined the check, but was probably grateful more for the huge vote of confidence. It was a classy move from the ownership that set a positive tone for the organization.

But for Bowden to call out Zimmerman this way is just wrong. If he did it with Kasten's blessing, then consider me disappointed. If he did it on his own, consider me not surprised.