Nationals To Let Milledge, Dukes Compete For CF

Does this mean either Dukes or Milledge are going to sit in favor of Kearns, Pena, or Harris? If so why not just put Harris, Milledge, and Dukes in the OF and put Willingham at 1B and cut the dead weight?

My Opening Day Nationals Roster:

Catcher: Jesus Flores

First Baseman: Nick Johnson

Second Baseman: Adrian Hernandez

Short Stop: Christian Guzman

Third Baseman: Ryan Zimmerman

Left Fielder: Josh Willingham

Center Fielder: Lastings Milledge

Right Fielder: Elijah Dukes

i agree, even though I, a cubs fan would have liked to see Dunn in RF, would like to have the Nationals sign Bradly and trade the Kearns and Willy Mo Pena and put willingham at first.
This is why the nationals managment is screwed up. They get some talent, but never give the talent a real opprotunity... just like the cucs (pie,cedeno,Fukudome first year slumps + bench/platoon second year)

wait wait wait, you wanted to see ADAM DUNN in RIGHT FIELD?

do you know who adam dunn is?

Willingham at first then an OF consisting of Willie Harris, Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge. Trade Wily Mo to an AL team so he can DH for the Mariners or something, or keep him to pinch hit when you need a HR. Austin Kearns and his .627 OPS (65 OPS+) should be sold to a Japanese team for 100k. Although, Kearns does play above average defense, the Nats have to build for the future and play both Dukes and Milledge.

Whoever loses the centerfield battle with play right. So the outfield will look like this:

Willingham - LF
Milledge/Dukes - CF
Dukes/Milledge - RF

Then we just sign Dunn to play first and we are set. Any other FA signings will be gravy.

"Does this mean either Dukes or Milledge are going to sit in favor of Kearns, Pena, or Harris? If so why not just put Harris, Milledge, and Dukes in the OF and put Willingham at 1B and cut the dead weight?"

Seriously. If you can have Dukes in CF, he could be just a tremendous asset for the production he can give you out of that position, but it isn't like his bat couldn't play in a corner outfield spot. If it comes down to it, just stick Dukes in a corner. Although I can see why one would prefer him to play center field, that much is obvious. Still, both players should see 500 at bats. And that could turn into an animated competition as well. I wouldn't want to be the guy to take a spot from Elijah Dukes. He is incredibly frightening.

"Let the kids play, they both have great potential though I do like what Willy Mo brings to the table. They need to cut ties with Kearns. Go with Pena, Milledge, and Dukes in the OF. Move Willingham to 1B and use Harris in a UTIL role."

Exactly. That is how I would go about things as well. Wily Mo hasn't panned out, but he was once highly touted, is still young, and still has never gotten a real chance to play. By real chance, I mean 500 at bats. There is no reason a team like the Nats can't give him that. It isn't like there is somebody better. He had a good 150 AB's in 07, and struggled playing sporadically again last year. He still has massive power potential. Give Milledge, Dukes, and Pena at bats each next year. They all have some nice upside and you may get 80 homeruns out of your outfield.

nrmax88 -

I couldn't agree more. Dukes looks like he could play middle linebacker for the Redskins right now. He is a BEAST. Dukes clearly has the most upside of anybody on the Nats...like 40-40 upside. But I dont see any reason that he and Milledge can't both be 25-25 guys next year. Put them on either side of Zimm with Willingham in the 5 hole and watch out.