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Nationals Still Pursuing Dukes
A week ago, a Dominican news site reported that the Nationals were trying to acquire outfielder Elijah Dukes. It's a love affair that's gone on for some time now; Jim Bowden has a thing for athletic, troubled ballplayers. The Rays still want some kind of useful pitcher or shortstop in return, but the Nats don't want to surrender anyone of value.
Tonight, MLB.com's Bill Ladson has further details on Washington's pursuit. He quotes a baseball official close to the situation who believes it's more likely than not that the Nationals acquire Dukes. Coincidentally, the Nationals' third base coach is currently coaching Dukes in winter ball. So far he's avoided any incidents.
If the Nats acquire Dukes, they expect manager Manny Acta and first baseman Dmitri Young to act as mentors to keep him in line. Young had his own problems but has taken advantage of a second chance.
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The Rays really need to dip into their crop of young outfielders and net some good pitching in return. This is the list of guys that I know of that could start in the outfield for them next season:
Carl Crawford
Elijah Dukes
B.J. Upton
Rocco Baldelli
Jonny Gomes
Delmon Young
These guys are all good players and it would be silly to bench 2-3 of them; trade somebody! My guess is Baldelli and Crawford go for good pitchers and Gomes could get swapped for a reliever/shortstop. If they lose those three for pitchers, this is their likely '08 lineup:
Akinori Iwamura - 2B
Josh Wilson/Brendan Harris - SS
B.J. Upton - CF
Carlos Pena - 1B
Delmon Young - RF
Evan Longoria - 3B
Elijah Dukes - LF
Dioner Navarro - C
--platoon situation- DH
Posted by: JD | November 21, 2007 at 10:01 PM
The Cubs ought to find a way to inject themselves in this situation, coming away with Ryan Church.
Send Marshall and Cedeno for Church, and then the Nats can flip one for Dukes (probably Cedeno) and keep the other for themselves (probably Marshall).
Posted by: davearm | November 21, 2007 at 10:28 PM
They don't have as many OF'er as you think.
Crawford - LF
Dukes - state pen (just guessing)
Upton - CF
Baldelli - DL (just guessing)
Gomes - DH
Young - RF
Pridie - UT OF (you forgot to mention him)
I wouldn't be sursprised if they traded one of Baldelli, Crawford or Gomes, but there isn't any reason to trade all of them and open a hole in the lineup.
Elijah Dukes will not be with the team next spring. But he has almost no trade value.
Interesting that you mention SS and pitchers as the Rays big needs since they have some of the best prospects at those positions in the minors. They'll be patient and wait for them to develop unless a great deal comes to them.
Posted by: kab21 | November 21, 2007 at 10:39 PM
elijah dukes will be 1 of the 5 best players in baseball within 5 years.
Posted by: bsox21 | November 22, 2007 at 12:30 AM
You are a great person.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | November 23, 2007 at 01:34 AM