You're kidding, right?

The Nationals apparently are negotiating a new contract with Jim Bowden, even before Major League Baseball selects a new owner of the team. The duration of the extension is unclear:

... while an extension for Bowden would provide near-term stability, it likely won't extend into next season, one source said. Baseball officials are still in the process of choosing from among eight groups interested in purchasing the Nationals from MLB. Tavares has said he believes the new owner should have the right to choose the team's president, general manager and manager.

The Nationals apparently want to sign Bowden to a very short-term extension for the purpose of stability in the free-agent signing period of the off-season. Why would Bowden sign an extension? The only rational reason would be that he has no other options. If he can sign now with another team and eliminate the uncertainty about his future, we assume he will do that.

This story raises two important issues. First, and most importantly, it's very important that MLB move quickly and select an owner. The delay is materially harming the Nationals' ability to move forward with any off-season plan, and they won't be able to do anything significant even with a GM until a new owner is on the job.

Second, the new owner will have to make a decision on a GM very quickly. As the incumbent (to use Chris Needham's word), Bowden probably will have an advantage because the alternative--interviewing and evaluating candidates--will take some time that the Nats may not have, depending on when an owner is selected. If a new owner is selected soon, a new GM is a distinct possibility. If not, we may be stuck with Bowden for another year.

Ugh!