Day Laborer

The Post reports that the Nationals have signed Jim Bowden to a short-term contract:

The Washington Nationals today extended the contract of General Manager Jim Bowden through April, a move that gives the ownerless franchise an idea of who will be making decisions on the roster and coaching staff entering the 2006 season.

Bowden apparently has some ideas on how the front office can operate more effectively:

Bowden, in turn, reshaped his front office, naming former major league catcher and manager Bob Boone to head the player development department, the most significant in a series of appointments that put Bowden's stamp on the baseball side of the Nationals' business.

Whither Frank Robinson?

Bowden said he has not made a decision on whether to retain Manager Frank Robinson and his coaching staff. He said he would like to have an answer "hopefully by Thanksgiving."