Mark Lerner discusses Jonathan Papelbon-Bryce Harper fight

I texted a good buddy of mine yesterday asking whether I would see him and his sons at Nationals Winterfest this weekend. I inquired because this friend is a staunch Nats fan - the kind with a lower-level, full-season ticket plan who also makes the yearly pilgrimage along with his boys to spring training. This guy and his family love the Nationals, so naturally I figured to see them decked out in their Bryce Harper jerseys and curly W caps at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center over the next two days.

Here's the response I received to my text: "Winterfest will be the (family's) boycott protesting the ongoing embarrassment beginning with the (Jonathan) Papelbon acquisition."

It's a similar sentiment I've received from fans at holiday parties and on Facebook, Twitter and Nationals Pastime. Beginning this morning, at the team's chief offseason celebration for fans, several Nats players will be faced with answering questions about how the team moves into 2016 after Papelbon's late-season dugout brawl with reigning National League MVP Harper. The embarrassment of the fight will carry over into spring training with the image of Papelbon's left hand clutched around Harper's throat figuring to be the picture splashed across every major national publication's 2016 season preview for the Nationals.

Yesterday, the Nationals posted a blog from principal owner Mark Lerner featuring his responses to several questions delivered by fans over the past week through social media channels. Naturally, Papelbon was the overriding topic and the first question Lerner addressed.

Q: "Why haven't you cut Jonathan Papelbon yet? His act was embarrassing to a Nats fan. I will not attend or watch a game until he is no longer on the roster."

Lerner: "I knew this would be the first question, so let me tell you what our thinking is right now. This continues to be a tough one. The incident between Jonathan and Bryce Harper was an unfortunate and unacceptable blow-up between two very passionate players. Luckily, they put it behind them almost immediately. It was probably easier for them to do that because they know each other in a larger context: as teammates who both want to win. I know both players would love to have that unfortunate moment back. We have asked (general manager) Mike Rizzo to determine what roster best puts us in a position to win a World Series. He will certainly do that based on talent, and what's best for our clubhouse moving forward."

Rizzo has been shopping Papelbon all offseason but reportedly didn't receive any real interest at the recently concluded Winter Meetings. The Nationals are in a vulnerable position. Teams know Washington wants to flush the memories of the fight down the toilet and move on from the veteran closer. Therefore, it's a highly unlikely the Nationals receive a fair trade offer. Furthermore, the Nationals owe Papelbon $11 million in 2016, though Rizzo said this week that the team is not opposed to eating salary to make a smart baseball move.

Then there is the actual roster predicament - who will fill the closer role if Papelbon is dumped? Disgruntled right-hander Drew Storen wants out, and many of the game's best closers - Craig Kimbrel, Francisco Rodriguez, Ken Giles - have already found new homes this offseason, leaving the remaining pool limited.

It's highly doubtful we'll see Papelbon - who filed a grievance against the Nats for withholding his pay during his season-ending four-game suspension - at Winterfest this weekend. Although, I think there's even more of a chance that Papelbon shows up as Santa Claus than ever putting a Nationals jersey on again.

We'll see.

Hope to meet a bunch of you die-hards this weekend.