Good News: Stan's Staying

I've been laying into Stan pretty hard core lately, and I don't take any of that back. I still think the Crow non-signing was a mistake, and I'll insist it was a mistake till every last one of you stops listening (Hello? Is anyone there?? Oops--I guess you're tired of my Aaron Crow rant).

But this story is good news for the Washington Nationals:

Nationals team president Stan Kasten denied reports on Wednesday that he is unhappy and wants to leave the organization.

Reports from the Washington Times and other media outlets indicated that the Lerner group was not listening to Kasten's advice on improving the franchise, but Kasten said he plans to stick with the Nationals and see them become championship contenders.

"I have no plans to leave at all," Kasten said. "I came here committed to making this a championship franchise. I continue to be optimistic that we are going to get it all done here.

"We have had bumps and bruises. We've had some hurdles and some challenges. But we have accomplished a great deal in the two years. My plan is to stay here."

Kasten also said he gets along with the Lerner group. Kasten acknowledged debate on certain issues, but would not discuss those with the media.

"I think there have been wild exaggerations, but overall, we continue to be on the right track," Kasten said. "I absolutely get along with the Lerners. We discuss everything vigorously, debate it and work through things. My relationship with every member of the family has been outstanding."

Kasten joined the Nationals in 2006 as team president and a founding partner.

I still believe that Stan Kasten is one of the better pieces we have in place. Is he perfect? No. But he's proven that he knows how to be an effective team president for a winning baseball team. I don't give him credit for building the Braves dynasty--John Schuerholz and his scouting team gets the lion's share of that credit. But a GM can't do his job without support from a good team president, just as a manager can't do his job well if he doesn't have a good GM over him.

When Stan says or does things I disagree with, I'll say so. But I believe that with all the pros and cons, Stan is way more part of the solution than part of the problem.

I'm glad you're sticking with it, Stan. Now for the love of god Fire Jim!!

• Oh, and I've been meaning to apologize for all the extreme negativity lately. I promise I'm going to start posting on silver linings and signs of hope soon. Because there are some.