http://washtimes.com/sports/20070111-121641-7252r.htm


By Mark Zuckerman
January 11, 2007


Upholding their pledge to become major players in Latin America, the Washington
Nationals yesterday signed four players from the Dominican Republic, including
a 17-year-old left-hander they believe could crack their starting rotation in
the future.

Lefty Randy Almonte, along with 16-year-olds Marcos Frias, Ricardo Martinez
and Francisco Vizcaino, all agreed to terms on professional contracts with
the Nationals, who are working toward rebuilding their franchise. "When I
first came in, they had a budget of zero," general manager Jim Bowden said.
"After discussions with them, we were able to reallocate some dollars for Latin
America. We started. We walked. I think now we're jogging. And eventually,
we'll be sprinting." None of the four new acquisitions compares with shortstop
Esmailyn Gonzalez, who received a $1.4 million bonus when he signed with
Washington last summer, but all were being pursued by other teams. The
foursome was chosen out of a field of about 50 Dominican players who tried out
in front of manager Manny Acta last month at the team's San Cristobal Academy.
Almonte is the highest rated of the bunch. A 6-foot-6 left-hander with an above
-average fastball, he's likely to come to the United States and participate in
minor league spring training this year.

Scouting director Dana Brown and assistant GM Mike Rizzo will travel to
Venezuela tomorrow to scout five more young players.