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MLB.com's Bill Ladson Weighs In On The Kearns' Situation...

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In response to my post the other day entitled, "Will Austin Kearns Be In Right For DC In '09?" the estimable Doghouse wrote: "I voted no...(not to trade Kearns)…but only because I don’t think the Nats can get anything of value in an off-season trade, given AK’s poor season and high 09 contract. I say, roll the dice on recovery and see how he looks in spring." My response - "I agree...if they had traded Kearns last winter, they would have gotten a lot more in return, and I pretty much expect he’ll be in right next season with the Nationals’ brass saying that they couldn’t find a reasonable deal…" ...and today, MLB.com writer Bill Ladson fielded the same question in the most recent edition of his, "Mailbag: What is Kearns' future?", responding: "I think Kearns is going to stay with the Nationals, because I don't see another team taking on his $8 million contract. He also is coming off a tough year. "Whether Kearns plays every day will depend on who the Nationals acquire during the offseason." Can the Nationals trade for another outfielder with Kearns, Elijah Dukes, Lastings Milledge, Ryan Langerhans, Willie Harris (C'mon sign him!!) and Wily Mo Pena all in the running? Who could DC GM Jim Bowden get? No! Not Dunn...Please?