Nats - birthday edition

Happy Birthday, Frank Robinson.

What do you buy the 70 year old manager of a banged-up team desperately seeking a halt to a two month slide?

Nats GM Jim Bowden provided an early present in the form of San Francisco’s utility infielder Deivi Cruz (.268/.301/.397) to spell the hapless Cristian Guzman (though at .194 he’s getting back up to Mendoza Line standards). Cruz should be an upgrade at the plate, but I have my doubts that he can play everyday at the dizzy heights of .700 OPS. He can fill in for both Guz or (and/or would be a push!) the battered Jose Vidro at second. (Jose: Why leg out a triple when you're hurt and your team cannot afford to throw away baserunners?)

In return, the Gigantes get righty Ben Cox who has put up reasonable numbers in Savannah’s bullpen, but as far as I can figure out is well down the (thin) Nats' depth chart. Net sum zero?

Frank gets another present tomorrow when third baseman shortstop third baseman of the future now, Ryan “Dutch” Zimmerman arrives. Dutch certainly has been tearing it up at Harrisburg. His glove is tearing it up at short too.

Frank gets to tinker with Deivi and Dutch.

Happy Birthday, Frank.

Go new Nats.