Byline: Les Carpenter

Washington Post staff writer Les Carpenter was online Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the latest news in Major League Baseball.

A transcript follows.

____________________

Les Carpenter: Good afternoon and welcome to another baseball chat. Did anyone see Barry Bonds last night? It's like nothing has changed. That ought to throw a wrinkle in the NL West race.

If anyone has any questions I will be happy to try and answer them.

_______________________

Coronado, Calif.: Still have hope for this season. Based on salary and performance, do you see any reason for the Nationals to sign the following for next year: Wilson, Stanton, Armas, Spivey, Halama and Drese? In the alternative, don't Johnson, Schneider, Carroll, Patterson, Church and most certainly Cordero merit raises?

Les Carpenter: You should still have hope. In this crazy division who knows? I can't see the Nationals signing any of those players, Wilson and Stanton were one year rentals, Armas has disappointed too many people around the organization with what they seem to perceive is an unwillingness to pitch through pain and Halama was a desperation move. Spivey could be brought back to spring training as a backup infielder and I believe Drese is under contract for next year. The arbitration-eligible players will be tricky for the Nats and Patterson and Cordero could be candidates to hold out as that is probably their only option. It, of course, depends on the new owner -- if there ever is one

_______________________

CLEVELAND PARK, DC: In your opinion, has GM Bowden hurt the Nationals playoff chances by not paying proper attention to the pitching staff? So few games left, so few starting pitchers!