BlogsMemo To The Washington Nationals: DO NOT TRADE NICK JOHNSON!!!
by Ed Chigliak
on Jul 2, 2009 12:28 AM EDT
52 comments
Asked by Washington Post writer Chico Harlan in a 7/31/08 Nationals Journal article entitled, "The Fully-Contextualized Jim Bowden Q&A", why the Nationals' didn't make a deal to trade away any of the veterans on their roster, then-DC GM JIm Bowden explained that there had indeed been conversations, but in the end:
"We just came to the decision, We don't want to give anybody away. That didn't make sense. We need to get a piece back that was helpful, that had a chance to help us in the big leagues someday. Those kind of deals made sense to us. But to give somebody away to a contending team and not get talent back? That didn't make sense."
ESPN.com's Buster Olney, in an article today entitled, "The trade market goes bear", wrote that the Nationals are still, "...said to be asking high prices for the likes of Nick Johnson," and if I might interpret Mr. Olney's opinion from what he says next, the price that Washington's asking might be too high, as he warns, (Is that the right word? You judge his tone):
"If interested teams turn elsewhere, the Nationals might face a day this summer when they won't be able to move Johnson at all."
(ed. note - "That "day this summer" Mr. Olney writes about would be the best day of the season for me!")
Nick Johnson Trade Talk Continues After The Jump...
So The Nationals Played The Marlins Today, Do You Have To Ask? The DC Faithful Assembled To Await The Inevitable In Wednesday's GameThread...
Marlins win, 5-3 final. Marlins now 9-0 vs DC in '09.
BACKPAGE:
• "One Of Us!! One Of Us!! Sean Burnett's Dramatic Debut With The Washington Nationals." (Under Construction)
DWDT 17.
Nationals now 22-54.
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GameThread: Washington Nationals At Florida Marlins- Game 76 or 77 of 162.
by Ed Chigliak
on Jul 1, 2009 12:04 PM EDT
422 comments
Next Game
Washington Nationals
@ Florida Marlins
Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009, 12:10 PM EDT
Dolphin Stadium
Jordan Zimmermann vs Josh Johnson
Partly cloudy,rain. Game time temperature around 90.
?'s For The DC Faithful...
• What Happens When Willie Harris Wants His #1 Back Next Year?
• Dunn, Morgan And Dukes?
• Who Gets Dropped From The Roster?
• Milledge And Hanrahan Are Gone, Who's Next?
• Will Austin Kearns Be On The Roster When Today's Game Starts?
LINKS:
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Elijah Dukes To Replace Lastings Milledge As Disgruntled Syracuse Outfielder.
by Ed Chigliak
on Jul 1, 2009 11:42 AM EDT
51 comments
According to Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's Nationals Journal post entitled, "Dukes Optioned To Class AAA", the roster move all of DC was waiting for was made this morning, and it's Elijah Dukes who's sent out to make room on the roster for the Nationals' new center fielder Nyjer Morgan, who is supposed to start in center field and hit at the top of the order when Washington adds him to the roster this morning. The Nationals take the field less than an hour from now in the finale of the three game series with the Florida Marlins.
?'s For The DC Faithful...
• Is This The Last We See Of Elijah Dukes In DC?
• Are You Surprised To See Elijah Go?
• Please Tell Me This Means Hammer In Right And Not Kearns? Please?
• Is Dukes The Next One To Go From DC To Syracuse To (Insert Destination)???
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Nationals News Quickies!
by jquinn
on Jul 1, 2009 9:40 AM EDT
5 comments
<---- You said it, Nick!
Props to cat daddy3000, who pointed out that Elijah Dukes was optioned downward to make room for the incoming Pittsburgh players.
Update: A number of Pirates players are pretty upset about the trades going on in Pittsburgh.
By far the most important Nationals statistic: Heading into Tuesday's game, Washington's relievers are a combined 7-25 with a 5.67 ERA, last in the Major Leagues.
It appears that many Pirates bloggers think the Bucs got the better end of the trade with the Nationals.
Thomas Boswell argues that this trade opens the door for further trades. Here's to hoping...
In the win last night, Hanley Ramirez broke the Marlins' franchise record for RBIs.
"It's not a secret, you don't need to be an expert on math to know that walks plus errors equals runs," Nationals manager Manny Acta said. "We lead the world in walks and we are right there too in errors." I only wonder when Manny is going to run out of things to say about losses.
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Washington Nationals Acquire Nyjer Morgan, Sean Burnett, Lose 8th Straight To Florida Marlins.
by Ed Chigliak
on Jul 1, 2009 2:58 AM EDT
3 comments
Manny Acta : (From Washington Nationals Blogger Day Press Conference on 6/20/09)
"We just don’t have the guys with that blazing speed…If you bring me Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez and Willy Taveras and, uh, Nyjer Morgan in Pittsburgh, I’ll run you out of the ballpark."
The running starts at 12:10 pm EST Wednesday afternoon.
"Acting" DC GM Mike Rizzo, after trading OF Lastings Milledge and former DC closer Joel Hanrahan to Pittsburgh for OF Nyjer Morgan and LHP Sean Burnett, told Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, as quoted in a Nationals Journal post today entitled, "Post-Trade Thoughts, Reaction, Analysis And Marginalia" that Nyjer Morgan was just what the Nationals' lineup needed:
"'He's a high-energy speed type of guy,' Rizzo said, 'Very plus-plus defensive capability. We see him as an everyday centerfielder for us hitting somewhere at the top of the lineup. It gives us the defensive centerfielder that we've been missing here. His attitude, make-up and high energy level are really party of his package as a player.'"
Joel Hanrahan was wound so tight at this point that it has to been seen as some sort of mercy that he was included in this deal and given a fresh start with the Pirates. The acquisition of Sean Burnett, the Pirates' 1st Round pick (19th overall in the 2000 Draft), who underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2005 and has made just 109 appearances overall with Pittsburgh in which he's gone (7-8) with a 4.54 ERA and 95 K's in 106.2 IP, is viewed by some, including Washington Post writer Thomas Boswell as a precursor to further movement which may include left-handed reliever Joe Beimel or LHP Ron Villone (or both) eventually being dealt.
So it really comes down to Nyjer Morgan vs Lastings Milledge...(cont. After The Jump)...
BTW: The Washington Nationals dropped their 8th straight game to the Florida Marlins tonight when the rain came just moments after the Marlins had rallied back from a 5-1 deficit to take a 7-5 lead.
Miss The Game?...It Hurt, But The DC Faithful Were Watching...
BACKPAGE:
• Lastings Milledge vs Nyjer Morgan.
• Nationals vs Marlins 2009.
For The Completists, Full Game Report After The Jump...
DWDT: 16.
Washington Nationals now 22-53.
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GameThread: Washington Nationals At Florida Marlins - Game 75 Or 76 Of 162.
by Ed Chigliak
on Jun 30, 2009 6:33 PM EDT
401 comments
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Washington Nationals Trade Potential for Production: Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan to Pittsburgh Pirates for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett
by Dave at Nats News Network
on Jun 30, 2009 4:19 PM EDT
29 comments
The Washington Nationals announced that they have traded OF Lastings Milledge and RHRP Joel Hanrahan to the Pittsburgh Pirates for OF Nyjer Morgan and LHRP Sean Burnett.
This is a deal that sacrifices what was once considered key pieces of the Nationals' future in order to improve the product on the field today.
Morgan, who turns 29 on Thursday, broke into the big leagues in 2007 at the age of 26. Since then, in 614 plate appearances, he has compiled a lifetime .286/.351/.376 line with 3 home runs and 41 RBI. It's possible he's a late bloomer, and it's also possible that the Nats are trading for him in the middle of his peak season.
Morgan is a plus defender, and will likely take over in center field -- though he has primarily played left field for the Bucs this season. He has very good speed, as his 18 stolen bases and defensive metrics will attest to, but he also leads the NL in caught stealing with 10.
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Washington Nationals Acquire Nyjer Morgan, Sean Burnett From Pirates For Lastings Milledge, Joel Hanrahan.
According to several published reports, the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed on a deal that will send OF Lastings Milledge and RHP Joel Hanrahan to Steel Town in return for OF Nyjer Morgan and LHP Sean Burnett.
More info when it's available...
LINKS:
Washington Post's Chico Harlan
Washington Times' Mark Zuckerman - Is Kearns On The Way Out?
2 days ago
Ed Chigliak
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Washington Nationals
Friday, Jul 3, 2009, 6:35 PM EDT
Nationals Park
Kenshin Kawakami vs Ross Detwiler
Mostly sunny. Game time temperature around 80.
NL East Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Philadelphia
|
39 | 36 | .520 | -0.5 | Lost 2 |
|
Florida
|
41 | 39 | .512 | 0 | Won 3 |
|
New York
|
38 | 39 | .493 | 1.5 | Won 1 |
|
Atlanta
|
37 | 40 | .480 | 2.5 | Won 3 |
|
Washington
|
22 | 54 | .289 | 17 | Lost 3 |
(updated 7.2.2009 at 2:27 PM EDT)
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