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 minor leaguer. Jim Bowden is hoping Dmitri Young can keep Dukes in check, and he’s not worried about his outfield surplus.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:18pm: The Washington Post’s Dave Sheinin confirms that the Nats have acquired Dukes. That’d leave the Nats with four outfielders, five if Nick Johnson comes back and forces Dmitri Young to the outfield.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 1:30pm: Marc Topkin has some unconfirmed buzz that Dukes is indeed headed to the Nationals.
FROM 12-3-07 at 1:18pm:
C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Post says a Nationals-Rays trade may be in the works. We know the Nats have interest in Elijah Dukes, and I could see the Rays parting with him even with Delmon Young gone. After all, the Rays are known to be looking at various free agents to help in right field such as Geoff Jenkins.
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.
Nats Trying To Acquire Dukes?
Rays Index dug up a story on a Dominican news site. Apparently the Nationals are trying to acquire Elijah Dukes with the intent of making him their center fielder. Manny Acta went to the Dominican Republic to watch Dukes play recently. The Rays, of course, are asking for pitching in return. The Nats don’t want to give up Collin Balester, Colton Willems, Zech Zinicola, or Glenn Gibson in the deal.
If you speak Spanish check out the article here and let us know any interesting info in the comments that we weren’t able to glean from Google Translator.
Random Rumors
Some random rumors to help you get through your Thursday morning…
- As you might imagine, the Rangers are keenly watching and hoping Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract. That would free up $7MM for them in each of the next three years. Rangers’ manager Ron Washington’s wish list includes a center fielder, corner outfielder, and first baseman. The Rangers have been connected to Torii Hunter quite a bit, but they’ll have plenty of competition.
- Will the exchange rate free up a bunch of money for the Blue Jays? Perhaps even enough to make a pass at A-Rod? Hey, fans can dream. Mine!
- Something I didn’t mention yesterday – Elijah Dukes is playing winter ball. The Rays still don’t seem to have any room for him in the outfield or at DH. Maybe the Marlins will get involved again? Would Kevin Gregg work?
- Gordon Wittenmyer thinks the Cubs should keep Jacque Jones for 2008, which makes sense. Wittenmyer also believes 22 year-old Felix Pie with 194 big league plate appearances, has proven conclusively that he can’t hit Major League pitching. His suggestion is to trade Pie now.
- Larry Borowsky wants the Cardinals to sign Milton Bradley.
- Jeff Sackmann recommends against Geoff Jenkins‘ $9MM option for ’08, but the decision was tougher than you think.
Elijah Dukes To Stay Put Today
Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune says it’s his understanding that there’s "no chance" Elijah Dukes will be moved today. That makes sense; Dukes hasn’t taken part in baseball activities for over a month. He should be traded in the offseason.
White Sox Interested In Elijah Dukes?
The Devil Rays optioned Elijah Dukes to Class A and put him on the temporary inactive list back on June 22nd. He’s earning his Major League salary and getting counseling for his problems.
According to Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus, the White Sox may be interested. Given their clear need for outfielders for 2008, a Dukes trade makes plenty of sense. Chicago is a far way from Tampa and would represent a fresh start for Dukes.
Andrew Friedman and Kenny Williams have yet to match up for a trade to the best of my knowledge, though the Rays apparently have interest in Chicago’s available starters.
Elijah Dukes Demoted
We knew something was coming…the Devil Rays demoted outfielder Elijah Dukes today and also placed him on the temporary inactive list (ie, no pay).
A trade or release is forthcoming. According to the Tampa Tribune, the Rays spent yesterday exploring potential deals. You’d think with millions of dollars hanging in the balance, Dukes would just relax and focus on baseball with his new team.
Marlins Still Like Elijah Dukes
The Marlins have flirted with the idea of acquiring Elijah Dukes for center field for at least a few months. Back in March, Jayson Stark mentioned the idea. At that point, Peter Gammons felt that the Fish would not trade young pitching to get their center fielder.
Now they may be able to get Dukes for next to nothing. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Marlins have Dukes on the radar if they can get him for little. Any breathing reliever might do the trick. If the Marlins think, for some reason, that they can alleviate Dukes’ off-the-field issues, it could be a fantastic example of buying low.
By the way, one source tells me that the Nationals are definitely not interested in Dukes.
A less exciting but safe option for Florida would be Brady Clark, who recently became a free agent. The Marlins have some interest.
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.
Nationals After Elijah Dukes
According to Ken Rosenthal, Jim Bowden and the Washington Nationals are attempting to trade for Devil Rays center fielder Elijah Dukes. Rosenthal notes that Bowden has before extended opportunities with players with off-the-field problems, most recently Dmitri Young.
Dukes, who will turn 23 later this month, has an interesting line on the season. He’s at .199/.321/.409 with ten home runs and thirty walks in 209 plate appearances. It’s an odd way to arrive at a .730 OPS, but ultimately puts him pretty close to the average AL center fielder (.260/.332/.408). Obviously once Dukes’ batting average catches up – and I think it will – his OBP will be quite solid.
Baseball Prospectus’s PECOTA system shows comparables for Dukes like Rondell White, Jack Clark, Matt Holliday, Ellis Valentine, Vernon Wells, and Michael Cuddyer. Current Nationals Alex Escobar, Austin Kearns, Ryan Langerhans, and Mike Restovich all make his top twenty as well. I find that strange…maybe Bowden is collecting a certain type of player.
Dukes of course carries ridiculous character and anger management issues as baggage. The theory is that moving him away from Tampa Bay could calm him down. In the past, the Pirates and Marlins have expressed interest in Dukes.