Dukes Trade Coming Soon?
The Devil Rays have a new-look outfield, with Delmon Young in center, Jonny Gomes in right, and Elijah Dukes on the bench. Gomes just homered today and could really take off as a 30 home run guy if he plays every day.
Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times hinted this morning that if Dukes didn't start today, his departure may be imminent. He didn't, and Rocco Baldelli may be back by Friday. Some sort of action with Dukes at that point seems likely, whether a release, demotion, or trade. Jim Bowden's recent "character is extremely important" comment to the Washington post seems to indicate he's not interest in Dukes despite initial reports.
However, that comment may mean nothing. Dmitri Young choked his 21 year-old girlfriend last year, and Bowden signed him. Most likely Bowden just needs to sit with the player and feel convinced that he is reformed.
Dukes would still be a great fit for the Marlins, baseball-wise. The Rays were said to be looking for a solid reliever in return for Dukes, but that was a few offenses ago.
What reliever on the Marlins is good.
Posted by: kevybo1 | June 17, 2007 at 04:09 PM
lindstrom, owens, tankersly, pinto
all young arms that have potential for setup/closer capable.
Pinto could start as well.
Two are lefties and two are righties. All are under contract for 4+ years.
Posted by: Baseballfan79 | June 17, 2007 at 04:52 PM
It'd be interesting to see if the Padres come out of the woodworks to grab him. They definitely have the relief depth that the D-Rays crave. It sounds like a low-risk high-reward trade for Kevin Towers if he can get away with surrendering Royce Ring & Andrew Brown. These 2 guys could be killers in an ML bullpen but are forced to tear up AAA for the Padres.
Posted by: WestCoastBias | June 17, 2007 at 04:55 PM
Rays would probably do that deal in a second.
Posted by: wihargo | June 17, 2007 at 05:54 PM
I'd love for the Braves to get in on this and get a replacement for Andruw Jones next year but his personality doesn't really fit in a Bobby Cox dugout. I guess there is a little precident with Sheffield but he wasn't nearly as bad. Still, unload like Manny Acosta and Will Startup or one of the two and I'd do it in a second. Maybe playing under Bobby Cox would turn him around but most likely this wouldn't happen.
Posted by: was385 | June 17, 2007 at 07:30 PM
Eh, you are probably right. Not only in terms of bobby cox, but the whole Braves organization puts great focus on maintaining a reputation of having players of good character. I at first was not at all concerned about how dukes off the field trobles would affect his on the field value. But know that I have learned all the stuff this guy has done, i do not want him on the braves at all. He just cannot seem to keep his pants zipped, and also cannot seem to get his head straight. I do not care how cheap it would be to get him, I have absolutely no desire to see this dude in baseball, much less on the braves.
Posted by: bravesbeast | June 17, 2007 at 08:30 PM
Yeah I definitely don't see Dukes in a Braves uni. Cox runs a tight ship and the whole organization does try to maintain a good reputation of having players of good character like you said. Tankersely would be a good pick up with their bullpen struggles and undefined closer.
Posted by: A2000 | June 17, 2007 at 09:23 PM
i would love to see the Braves to get him, but as u all have kindly mentioned Bobby Cox and JS dont like that kind of player. owens, lindstrom, pinto, gregg, and tankersly are all good releievers the marlins could unload. but wat about the Nats i dont kno there bullpen but y not?
Posted by: bravesrule14 | June 17, 2007 at 09:34 PM
"I'd love for the Braves to get in on this and get a replacement for Andruw Jones next year but his personality doesn't really fit in a Bobby Cox dugout. I guess there is a little precident with Sheffield but he wasn't nearly as bad. "
What about Bobby Bonilla? JD Drew? John Rocker?
Posted by: jza1218 | June 18, 2007 at 01:39 AM
...you're comparing JD Drew to Elijah Dukes? So holding out after the draft and then supposedly not playing hard enough is on the same level as getting arrested 6 times and, most recently, threatening to kill your wife?
Posted by: desturbd1 | June 18, 2007 at 02:29 AM
Oh wait...my bad. It's just the fitting-into-the-dugout thing you're talking about. My mistake...
Posted by: desturbd1 | June 18, 2007 at 02:30 AM
Sometimes I almost figure that people dislike Dukes more than Brett Myres or Kirby Puckett.
Whatever, someone will take a chance on his talent despite his attitude.
Posted by: wihargo | June 18, 2007 at 04:51 AM