Nationals No. 1 draft pick P Stephen Strasburg said that he has not "'heard from the Nationals' since he was drafted, other than receiving a minor league contract -- a technicality that prevents him from becoming a free agent." In DC, Thomas Boswell noted Strasburg "seemed a bit perplexed by the lack of communication since the signing deadline" is August 17, but both the Nationals and Strasburg are "in a stalemate period now because both sides know the long history of negotiations involving clients" of agent Scott Boras. The Nationals "apparently ... aren't anxious to poke themselves in the eye with the first sharp stick of these negotiations" ( WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/14 ). PIRATE SHIP : In Pittsburgh, Rob Biertempfel noted though the Pirates have the “lowest ticket prices in the majors and have not raised them in seven years,” a “price hike is possible -- but not likely -- in 2010.” Pirates Exec VP & CMO Lou DePaoli: “We’re starting to look at that now. The prices have to go up at some point. I’m generally aggressive when it comes to that, but you have to be realistic. We’re in one of those precarious situations where if you get aggressive, it can really backfire on you” ( Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/15 ). The TRIBUNE-REVIEW's Joe Starkey today writes the Pirates have "no business even considering a price hike for next season." Starkey: "Not by a penny. Not by half a penny. ... Maybe the Pirates should keep their streak of wage freezes intact until their streak of losing seasons ends” ( Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/16 ). NO "A" FOR EFFORT : In Oakland, Monte Poole writes under the header, "Fall Of A's Lands In Beane's Lap." The A's have "fallen into utter insignificance," as there is "no buzz in the community and, naturally, no rush to buy tickets." The result is a fan base "becoming increasingly disgusted or apathetic and the near certainty of a third consecutive losing season," and the repair job "falls to" A's GM Billy Beane ( OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/16 ). PHILLY PHAVORS : In Philadelphia, Paul Hagen reported the Phillies paid out $175,000 "in incentive bonuses" to their five players on the NL All-Star team. Phillies 2B Chase Utley and LF Raul Ibanez earned $50,000 apiece, while CF Shane Victorino, 1B Ryan Howard and RF Jayson Werth received $25,000 each ( PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 7/15 ).
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