Did Washington's general manager Jim Bowden intentionally omit the fact that reliever Gary Majewski was damaged goods?

Put another way, what did Bowden know and when did he know it?

Given the facts that are currently available and doing a bit of reading between the lines, it sure appears as if Bowden engaged in a seedy game of deception and concealment.

If he didn't blatantly lie, then he more than likely camouflaged the knowledge that Majewski was battling shoulder tendonitis and had taken a cortisone injection just prior to the deal being consummated.

Bowden was hardly being upfront and aboveboard. He was into playing a shell game. There's no way he verbally expressed to Reds' G.M. Wayne Krivsky that Majewski was contending with some very troubling physical issues.

Bowden conveniently neglected to mention that little piece of pertinent information. His approach seems to have been what the Reds don't know is no concern of mine. Obviously, Bowden felt no obligation to conduct this business transaction in an ethical and transparent fashion.

If it took a cloak of secrecy and a bit of chicanery to get the deal done, then so be it. In Bowden's warped world, all that matters is the end result. How you arrived at that final resolution is immaterial. Morality and honor are nothing more than quaint concepts that only get in the way when it comes to some serious negotiating.

But the fact that Bowden might engage in such questionable tactics really should come as no surprise. He's long been perceived as someone who will shade the truth and probably betray a trust.

In many regards, he's about as believable as a used-car salesman. Or a realtor selling beachfront property in Arizona.

In the Old West, Bowden would have been the peddler selling that magical elixir that promised everything but proved to be of little benefit. He would have made a great snake-oil salesman.

In baseball circles, Bowden's reputation is hardly pristine. To many execs, he's thought to be an arrogant punk who's not above some double dealing if he can get away with it. There are plenty of front office types who wouldn't trust Bowden as far as they could throw him.

And perhaps just as telling, Bowden has had more than his share of run-ins with other clubs who felt he tried to mislead and dupe them.

In this latest imbroglio, Bowden's dubious assertion is that the Nationals made available all relevant data pertaining to Majewski's health. He claims nothing was withheld.

His lame defense is that the Reds simply didn't do their homework and had Krivsky thoroughly investigated the matter, he would have be fully aware of Majewski's ailing shoulder.

Sorry but that dog just won't hunt. It's almost inconceivable to think that Krivsky would have pulled the trigger on such a major deal without first making sure that what he was getting in return wasn't defective.

Also, it's hard to imagine that the Reds' G.M. would be making an issue about Majewski's health at this stage if he didn't feel he'd been genuinely deceived.

By going public with his suspicions, Krivsky is implying that both he and his team were probably swindled.

The fact that Krivsky has spoken to Bowden about the affair and didn't like what he was told only serves to reinforce the notion that the Cincy exec feels he was wronged.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear the Reds have much recourse in a matter of this sort.

Sure they can file a grievance but the prevailing opinion is that will produce little in the way of satisfaction. Generally, nothing tangible comes from this type of protest. The powers-that-be don't like getting their hands dirty over unseemingly affairs such as this.

In baseball's perverted environment, the buyer must always beware and if someone is shown to have maliciously engaged in dishonesty and trickery, why, that's just the way it is. You pay your money and you take your chances.

If they refused to address the steroid scandal until literally being forced to do so, why would anyone think that Bud Selig and his minions would act to intercede on the Reds' behalf over an act of simple treachery.

As far as the Commissioner's office is concerned, if there's a dispute between Bowden and Krivsky, then the two concerned parties are the ones who must broker a settlement, if there's to be one.

No matter that a serious breach of ethics might have occurred in this instance.

No matter that an infirm Majewski pitched abysmally for Cincy and seriously damaged the Reds' postseason chances.

No matter that the Reds gave away two frontline players believing that what they got in return was legitimate and in tact.

No, none of that seems to be of any importance.

Baseball would prefer to just turn a blind eye to such shenanigans and ignore the stain that it leaves on the game.

So the Reds are now stuck with a Majewski who's definitely impaired and currently occupies a place on the disabled list. He was of no help before, certainly is of no help now and doesn't figure to be of any help in the near future. Some deal!

The fact that Bowden will probably be allowed to get away with this act of fraud is galling to all those who value straight shooting. It flies in the face of how business should be conducted.

But one thing's for sure.

Don't look for any more deals between the Nats and the Reds.