The ESPN.com rumor page reports that the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres are the only teams apparently interested in negotiating with Pedro Astacio. It references a story in the Washingtom Times, possibly this one regarding the offer from the Nats:

The Nationals have offered the 36-year-old right-hander a non-guaranteed, minor-league contract to report to spring training, and baseball sources said he's expected to decide between the Nationals and San Diego Padres within 48 hours.

So, Astacio couldn't even pitch for the Padres until May 1 (he missed the deadline) while the Nationals are only willing to give a minor league deal. Sounds like Cincinnati has an opportunity to make a pretty appealing, incentives-laden offer. Hopefully, they see that their apparent drop out of the race is a play to bring the price down.

I guess the next 48 hours will tell.

I went to the official site of the Milwaukee Brewers looking for some information about them signing my boy, Jason Romano. Instead, I was greeted with the smiling face of Dan O'Brien.

The article says that O'Brien is meeting with the front office for a few days, and it sounds like everything is a go for him to come on-board as a consultant. Brewers' general manager Doug Melvin specifically states that O'Brien will not be a threat to take the job of assistant manager Gord Ash. O'Brien was Melvin's assistant when Melvin was general manager for the Rangers.

Good to have buddies, I guess. Will O'Brien draw two paychecks this season? The Reds still have to pay him for 2006, you know.

The most intimidating quote of the story: “[O'Brien is] just a guy with a wealth of information.”

Yeah, he's got a wealth of information…about the Reds. If we're not careful, they're going to find out about our bad pitching.

According to Hal McCoy in a story in the Dayton Daily News today, guest pitching instructor Tom Browning suggested that Eric Milton adjust his delivery toward the first-base side to get a better angle. When a right-hander is at the plate, Browning thinks the new rubber position will help Milton get inside and improve his performance.

No word yet on Browning's advice for increasing stamina or dealing with stiff competition.

Tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. to noon, general manager Wayne Krivsky will appear in a chat room on MLB.com to field questions from the inquisitive public. If you would like to get a chance to participate, get yourself an MLB.com account here.

I, of course, will be using my position, influence, and feminine wiles to sit in the waiting room with everyone else for the chance to ask a question. After my questions at the Reds caravan, I feel like I can't just ask any old question. I'm considering several approaches. I could use this opportunity to:

• Ingratiate myself to the management. Things are so much cooler since you've been around, Mr. Krivsky, sir. How does it feel to be the awesomest (and handsomest) general manager around?
• Do some ingeniously subtle advertising. How will you REDirect the team now that that HOThead O'Brien is gone? It's an enigMA MAn.
• Demonstrate my deep understanding of the game. Why don't you just hire Sammy Sosa or something?
• Ask the only question that really matters. When the heck are you going to get us some pitching?

Of course, you and I both know I'll probably fall back on asking him about the mustache. Tune in tomorrow to see what I ask. Or whether my feminine wiles are even enough to get me past the waiting room.