Color Me Confused

The Washington Nationals moves perplex me. Look at the Pirates trades thread for the 1st part.

To make room for Nyjer Morgan, the Nats have optioned Elijah Dukes to AAA. As everyone knows, Dukes is the toolsiest outfielder they have. He is also a little bit of a prima donna and is prone to making bad decisions. Why would you send down a guy that has the potential to be an everyday OF when this type of move could result in him just shutting down (Dear Washington: You did the same thing to Lastings Milledge. Good decision...).

This now leaves the Nats with an OF of (for the worst team in baseball): LF: 30 year old Josh Willingham or 29 year old Adam Dunn, CF: Nyjer Morgan, RF: Dunn, Willingham or 28 year old Austin Kearns. Willie Harris is also there. The Nats must make another deal. Maybe they did this so Willingham can play everyday (and thus hopefully enhance his trade value), but why not just cut loose Kearns?

Kearns is hitting a paltry .197-.330-.322 and has never really shown signs of being the player they expected him to be when they picked him up. He also has no place for their future. I am never in favor of releasing a 28 year old OF who has a plus arm and on base skills, but I would rather do that then option a player to the minors who is as likely to shut it down for the season as turn it around when he has the potential to be that guy.

Basically, the Nats need to do something. They will need to, by July 31st, trade Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham for sure. This would allow them to play Dunn at 1B, Kearns/Harris in LF, Morgan in CF and Dukes in RF. Everyone would slot correctly.

They are likely going to be unable to pull a major league ready arm (like a Manny Delcarmen) for either. But, I think a package of Nick Johnson to the Red Sox for a AA arm like Felix Doubront (21 year old, 4-2, 3.57, 58 IP, 29 BB, 58 K) and a young hitter, lets go with OF David Mailman (20 year old, .297-.357-.467 at low A prior to promotion at High A). I saw both these guys play and they don't seem to be as highly regarded, but I bet both play in the majors.

I think a good deal for the Nats would be dealing Willingham to the Braves for right handed reliever Craig Kimbrel, though he was the Braves 2nd round pick last June so they may still value him highly. If they want pitchers, they can look at Edgar Osuna (3-4, 3.19 in High A prior to promotion to AA), Cole Rohrbough (other analysts love, I was unimpressed in Low-A last season, 4-4, 4.96 in High A) or Jose Ortegano (3-5, 3.66). Yes, all 3 of these guys are developmental and may or may not work out, but why not give it a shot?

Another route if they don't want to deal inter-division would be dealing him to the Giants for 2B Nick Noonan, whose stock has taken a hit with his .243-.317-.359 line in High-A, but I still believe will be an average 2Bmen.

I limited these deals to players I have seen play and have no idea if the Braves/Giants/Red Sox would be interested in even considering dealing those assets.