The Nationals announced that they signed left-hander Zach Duke to a minor league deal (Twitter link). The Astros released Duke earlier this week.
Duke, 28, posted a 4.93 ERA with 3.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 49.6% ground ball rate in 76 2/3 innings last year. The 2009 All-Star owns a 4.56 ERA with 4.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 49.0% ground ball rate in seven seasons with Arizona and Pittsburgh. SFX represents the Clifton, Texas native.
If converted to a lefty specialist only he can find another MLB job but as a starter he is done. Still surprised the Astros did not try that route especially after losing Escalona.
I guess I am OK with this. He is a former All-Star with terrible stats, but the Nats have to backfill their AAA roster. Let’s hope he finds something deep within that makes this work.
It’s good you’re okay with it. I’m sure The Nationals would’ve released him had you disapproved.
The comment section is for opinions on the subjects in the article is it not? Oh and by the way, I too, am ok with this deal.
Relax, it was a silly joke. Your sarcasm reader is broken.
It’s a perfectly fine depth deal.
That would be every fans dream soon turned nightmare, wouldn’t it? I am pretty sure I would be a lousy GM in real life.
I’m confident I also would be. I think I’d rather watch and enjoy baseball!
Now they have 2 John Lannon’s. My question? which one is the worst.
You most be kidding. Is it just because they are soft-throwing LHP that you lump them together? Lannan is actually one of the league’s top groundball pitchers and is a good 4 or 5 on about 3/4 of ML staffs (and an ace for a team like the Orioles). Career ERA+ for Duke: 93. Lannan’s career ERA+ is 103. Case closed.
UMMMMMMMM, obviously Lannan is better. They aren’t even close to being the same pitcher.
1 is being paid 5m to throw BP and the other on a MILB deal. It’s not like either has pin point control and is a Jamie Moyer, or Bill Lee who would ever be capable of being anything but a back end SP on a 2nd division team when they couldn’t find anyone else.
Not dicing either personally. They just don’t don’t have anything and neither would have been pitching at the MLB level if not for being lefties at all.
So many former Bucs vying for spots on the Nats.
who?
Nady, Duke, Michaels (until he was released), along with Burnett and LaRoche who are already on the roster.