Elijah Dukes Rumors

Nationals Notes: MacDougal, Dukes, Flores

Let's take a look at some Nationals tidbits courtesy of the latest mailbag from MLB.com's Bill Ladson and Phil Wood of MASNsports.com: Mike MacDougal is currently the favorite to be the Nats' closer in 2010. In 52 appearances last season, the 32-year-old posted an ERA of 3.60 but had as many walks as he did strikeouts. However, the club could be looking to upgrade as Ladson hears that they are interested in acquiring free agent reliever Mike Gonzalez. If they ink Gonzalez, Ladson sees the two men sharing the closer role. Don't expect Washington to make a move for free...   Continue Reading

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Mike Rizzo Chat At The Washington Post

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post chatted with Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, and posted the full Q&A on his blog. A few hot stove highlights: Starter Scott Olsen had surgery in July to repair a small labrum tear in his pitching shoulder. Having earned $2.8MM this year, the Nats would have to pay him at least $2.24MM in 2010 if they tender him a contract. Rizzo said he's getting health reports on Olsen daily and the team will use the coming months to decide whether to non-tender him. Rizzo says closer Mike MacDougal has "done a great job." MacDougal represents...   Continue Reading

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Edes On Tejada, Nationals, Shapiro

Yahoo's Gordon Edes updates us on the Cardinals' search for a bat and more in his most recent column. Here are the details: The Cardinals aren't interested in Miguel Tejada, but they are looking to add offensive help at third or in the outfield. Some have criticized the Pirates for taking Tony Sanchez fourth overall, but Edes hears they chose him because they like his tools and believe he's polished enough to reach the majors before most players in the draft. The Nationals would move Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge. Ryan Zimmerman is their only untouchable player. The Rangers have...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Sign 23 To 2009 Contracts

Bill Ladson of MLB.com has a bit of Nationals news for this afternoon. The team has agreed to terms with 23 of its players, including names like Elijah Dukes and John Lannan. As for a review of the Nationals' arbitration-eligible players, Ladson has the list: Jason Bergmann, Mike O'Connor, Alberto Gonzalez, Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham and Ryan Zimmerman.   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pirates, Hudson, Tigers, Braves, Dunn, Yankees

On this day 29 years ago, Albert Pujols was born. 2009 will be the sixth year of his eight year, $111MM deal (safe to say Cards will pick up his '11 option). According to Fangraphs, Pujols has already been worth $151.9MM in the first five years of the contract ($30.4M per season), begging the question: How much will Pujols command following the '11 season, when he will be 32? Last winter, Alex Rodriguez signed for 10 years and $275MM prior to his age 32 season. With less than a month to go before pitchers and catchers report, many players are...   Continue Reading

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Nationals To Let Milledge, Dukes Compete For CF

Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge are the Washington Nationals' two candidates for the center field opening, MLB.com reports. The Nationals, after missing out on the newest Cub, Milton Bradley, have decided to look internally for center field help. Milledge (.268/.330/.402) played center field for the Nationals in 2008. He'll turn 24 in April. Dukes (.264/.386/.478) will be 25 in June.   Continue Reading

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Olney's Latest: Cardinals, Snell, Milledge, Maine, Fuentes

Buster Olney's latest offering is packed full of links: Bernie Miklasz notes that the Cardinals have only three starting pitchers (Adam Wainwright, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro) locked up for next year (he's not expecting Chris Carpenter to contribute in 2009), and no prospects waiting in the wings. His solution? Pry open owner Bill DeWitt's wallet, "and please, no el cheapo deals for rehabbing pitchers, medically risky pitchers, broken-down pitchers." The Pirates have it a little bit tougher. According to pitching coach Jeff Andrews, it consists of Paul Maholm and "a blank sheet." Here's one vote for adding Ian Snell,...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Release Lo Duca, Lopez

The Washington Post is reporting that the Nationals released both Paul Lo Duca and Felipe Lopez following tonight's game. The move was made to free-up space on the roster for Elijah Dukes and Emilio Bonifacio. Lo Duca was hitting .230/.301/.281 in 139 at bats this season and made $5MM on a one-year deal. Lopez was hitting .231/.303/.309 in 324 at bats and was in his final arbitration-eligible season, making $4.9MM. Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.   Continue Reading

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Mr. Dukes Goes To Washington

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 4:19pm: The Rays will receive a 20 year-old southpaw starter named Glenn Gibson. Gibson was actually rumored way back on November 14th in this deal and the Nats didn't want to part with him. He's said to have a "decent fastball, very good curve, and tons of polish." Scratch what I said about getting Dukes for nothing; Gibson is something. He's been compared to Will Inman but with a little more projection. UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:34pm: The Post's Barry Svrluga has more on this trade. The Nats basically get Dukes for nothing - just an as-yet unknown..   Continue Reading

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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..   Continue Reading

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