The below graphic is from Baseball America and represents the amount spent by the teams in Major League Baseball on signing bonuses for draft picks in their respective year. Three things worth noting here:

1. The Nationals outspent everybody in 2010 and 2009, yet it seems that 2009 raised the bar as three other teams spend over $10 million in 2010 when the Nats were the only to do so in 2009.

2. There is a distinct change between 2008 when Bowden ran the team and 2009/2010 when Rizzo and Kasten have been in charge. While you have to remember that the Nats failed to sign their first pick in 2008, Aaron Crow, even with a $4 million bonus (which was more than they offered) they were still pretty far back.

3. It's really interesting to see a team like the Red Sox on this list considering they have been in contention all three of these years...perhaps it says something about the value Theo Epstein places in young talent.

Bill Ladson of MLB.Com reports that Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg is likely headed to the 15-day disabled list after hurting his arm in the 5th inning of Saturday's game against the Phillies:

"Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg is likely headed to the 15-day disabled list because of a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm, according to a baseball source. The team may not make the move until Thursday, when Strasburg was originally scheduled to make his next start."

This will mark the second time in his young career that Stephen Strasburg will go on the disabled list, leaving many worried about the potential superstar's future durability. The first stint came only a month ago as the 22-year-old was scratched from his Jul 28 start due to "shoulder stiffness." Now, Strasburg will be put on the shelf again as a precaution to heal his strained flexor tendon.

If this does mark the end of Stephen Strasburg's 2010 rookie season, what an amazing effort it will have been. In 12 starts the righty posted a 5-3 record with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in just 68 innings pitched. That works out to a 12.18 K/9 ratio, 5.41 K/BB and an impressive 2.6 WAR in only 12 appearances.

As noted by Ladson, Strasburg's next scheduled start would be Thursday, which works out perfectly to bring up fully-rehabbed starter Jordan Zimmermann. While the Nats had likely hoped to have the clubs ace of the future pitching on the day they officially introduce Bryce Harper as a Washington National, Zimmermann will be close second choice. The 24-year-old starter was the clubs top prospect before Strasburg was drafted and had a strong rookie year last season before going down to injury.

To help preview our upcoming series with the Chicago Cubs, I talked with Al Yellon from Bleed Cubbie Blue, one of the top Cubs blogs on the net, to talk about the Cubs season thus far and what the future holds for a franchise in the midst of a transition period.

TNB: Stephen Strasburg goes down again with an injury, possibly ending his season. Is he the second coming of Mark Prior?

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Well, based on what I heard late yesterday, it appears Strasburg may be able to pitch after all. I know the Nats have to be very careful with him given his potential and the money they have invested in him. Prior's injuries may have been caused in part by a couple of freak accidents (a collision with Marcus Giles in 2002, and a line drive off his right elbow by Brad Hawpe in 2005).

I was hoping to see Strasburg against the Cubs this year, but he wasn't scheduled to pitch in this series anyway. Perhaps in 2011. I wish him well -- he's a tremendous talent.

TNB: Derrek Lee is now with the Atlanta Braves. What was his significance to the Cubs franchise and what does the team plan to do with first base?

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Derrek Lee was one of the most popular Cubs of his seven-season tenure with the team; you can see fans wearing his jersey all over Wrigley Field, even during the last series with the Braves. He finishes with the fourth-highest OPS of any Cub with more than 1500 plate appearances and 11th on the all-time Cub HR list. He plays the game with class and dignity and I wish him well.

The Cubs are going to try rookie Tyler Colvin at first base (where he played a bit at Clemson) during the Nats series. It's not clear whether this is a genuine tryout or just a way to make him more versatile; the Cubs may have to go to free agency or trade to get a full-time 1B for next season.

Nationals' starting pitcher and key to the franchise's future, Stephen Strasburg, left the mound in the 5th inning Saturday night in visible pain after throwing a change up. Following the pitch Strasburg clearly recoiled in pain, first with a facial grimace and then by shaking his arm as if he had strained his elbow or forearm.

Through 4.1 innings, Strasburg had struck out six batters while only allowing two hits and one earned run. He had only thrown 56 pitches on the night.

While it may be too soon to speculate, this could be the last we see of Strasburg in 2010...probably not due to physical restrictions...but likely as a precaution.

Update - 10:20 P.M:

Mark Zuckerman tweets that Strasburg suffered a strain to the flexor tendon in his forearm,  sill have an MRI tomorrow.

Last night working against the Washington Nationals, Halladay walked three, balked, and was constantly working his way out of jams. You would think these "magic acts" would overshadow the fact that he allowed 11 base runners in seven innings because the Nationals were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Regardless, this is why Philadelphia got this guy, for outings like these. Trust is one of the most important measurements of a starting pitcher and you can always trust players like Halladay and Cliff Lee to give you quality outings.

Will he play, or will he not play? That is the question surrounding the New York Mets and Jason Bay.

It has been about a month now where Bay has been suffering from symptoms of a concussion sustained in Los Angeles. I just don't understand why the Mets would even consider him playing at all the rest of the season; didn't they learn anything from the Ryan Church situation? Lets be honest, the Mets are out of the race, give Bay the rest of the year off to fully recuperate instead of rushing him back for meaningless September, its not like he was being productive anyway.

The Atlanta Braves continue to churn out quality pitching prospects, this time, its Brandon Beachy whose making a name for himself.

I love hearing of guys finding success after going to a small school like Indiana Wesleyan and being passed up on in the draft. Beachy sounds like the real deal, you have to tip your cap to the scout who found him. After watching the video interview, you get a feeling that this kid wont be intimidated by the aura of the major leagues, due to his composure and somewhat unusual superstitions. Look for Beachy to be the player to watch in next seasons spring training.

Ben Goessling of MasnSports.com reports that Bryce Harper, the Nationals number one overall pick in 2010, will not play in the Gulf Coast League this season:

"Bryce Harper's professional career will begin sometime next week, when the Nationals introduce him to the media at Nationals Park and send him to the Nationals' Gulf Coast League affiliate in Viera, Fla., for the end of their season. But Harper won't play any games for the rookie league team, general manager Mike Rizzo said today...Rizzo said Harper will work out with the team in the final days of its season, getting ready to play in the Nationals' instructional league this fall."

Comments leading into last weeks signing indicated that the 17-year-old Harper was "dying to play," however, it looks like he will have to wait to get his chance. The Nationals want to get Harper into their camp and give him some coaching before they expose him to professional competition, which makes sense. While Harper dominated his junior college opponents last season, batting .443 with 31 home runs and 98 RBIs, there are some who claim there are holes in his left-handed power stroke and that there are parts of his game that are a bit immature.

The Nationals are also doing themselves a favor by making sure they get Harper his coaching, before any opportunity for failure. It is a lot easier to make adjustments in a player while he still has strong confidence, and the last thing they want to do is put him in a situation to fail...especially before he turns 18.

Harper will be introduced as a National during the next home stand.

I didn't see this coming. Great pickup for the Braves, getting a veteran leader who brings years of post-season experience to a young club. Lee has had a down year in 2010, batting just .251 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI. Lee will inherit the first base position from Troy Glaus, who has been placed on the disabled list and will take some time off getting acquainted with third base when rehabbing in the minors. Atlanta upgraded from Chipper Jones to Lee as far as an intimidating presence in the lineup. Look for the former Cub to fit right in with his new team and finish the year with a strong second half.

Mets Blog thinks that flamethrower Bobby Parnell should be the teams closer.

Although I have faith in Hisanori Takahashi getting the job done, I would like to see Parnell out there in save situations. In last nights game, Parnell was regularly hitting 100 MPH on the gun, and hit 102 MPH at least twice. How can a guy with that kind of stuff not get an opportunity as a closer? The Mets already tried him out as a starter last season and he was a disaster, it looks like his true calling is the ninth inning. I just can't understand why Jerry Manuel isn't taking this time to see what kind of makeup Parnell has in the closers role.

Wes Helms will be with the Florida Marlins next season, agreeing to a 1-year extension worth $1 million.

Nice pickup by the Marlins, keeping their veteran presence with the team. On a team full of young players, Helms has virtually been the veteran leader in all four years with the team. His teammates respect him, and more importantly, the organization respects him, and we all know how hard it is for the Marlins to show any loyalty towards anyone. With a make or break season coming for Chris Coghlan in 2011, while making the transition to third base, Helms can take the former Rookie of the Year under his wing and lead him to a great bounce back year. Every team needs a player like Wes Helms on their roster.

In a recent Q&A Washington Post columnist Tom Boswell expresses his feelings on the organization of the front office management of the Nationals since day one:

"There are a dozen different kinds of relationships between owners and their brain trusts. I'm sure Kasten was amazed that his views were only given a fraction of the weight that Ted Turner gave to them. Mostly, Stan takes flack for everything that goes wrong, says 100% of the public words for the team, pulls many strings behind the scenes and protects the Lerners (while they learn a new industry) because that's who he is: the loyal sarcastic bulldog on the front lawn. 

But, to be brief, I've never seen a greater waste of a major talent than the way the Nats have used Kasten. 

And if you like Rizzo a lot, which I do, ask yourself this: Who was the Lerner's first hire on THE DAY they took over the team? It was Rizzo. And who do you think decided that? Kasten, of course. On Day 1 who in ownership would ever have heard of somebody in the D'back operation?"

Analysis:

There isn't very much positive press written about Stan Kasten, and it's not hard to see why. From day one the club has seemed mismanaged. Putting power into the hands of a guy like Jim Bowden,

Bill Ladson of MLB.com tweeted today that the catching prospect Wilson Ramos has been called-up from Syracuse for tonight's game:

Ramos was traded to the Nationals by the Minnesota Twins for closer Matt Capps at the trade deadline in July. The 23-year-old catcher was considered one of the best catching prospects in baseball coming into 2010, but was stuck in Minnesota behind reigning MVP Joe Mauer.

Since being traded to the Washington organization, Ramos has been rejuvinated, hitting .317/.349/.483 with two bombs in 60 at bats with Syracuse.