Washington Nationals: Elijah Dukes/DWL Update.

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 12:00 PM EST

• Elijah Dukes: Lost in Translation?

I spent a little while last night feeding the following paragraph --(taken from a Licey.com article by Dionisio Soldevila entitled, "Captain America" arrives Thursday", about the Dominican Winter League's Tigres del Licey's announcement that they would immediately add MLB outfielder Eric Byrnes to their roster)-- into online translators (since I don't read/speak Spanish) to try to figure out exactly what the Tigres were saying about their plans for Washington Nationals' OF Elijah Dukes, who played four games for Licey before leaving the team in mid-November to be with his father who had fallen ill and eventually passed away:

"De igual manera, los Tigres desistieron de traer de vuelta al jardinero norteamericano Elijah Dukes, quien partió hacia los Estados Unidos por la muerte de su padre, pero dejó plantado al Licey en varias oportunidades.

"Ya al Licey no le interesa tener de vuelta a Elijah Dukes", informó Busto."

The last line is what caused the translators fits...

(cont.)...

Here's how it translates:

"Similarly, the Tigers desisted to bring of return to the American outfielder Elijah Dukes, who left toward the United States by the death of its father, but left planted to the Licey in several opportunities.

"Already to the Licey does not interest to have of return to Elijah Dukes", reported Bust."

"Licey does not interest to have of return to Elijah Dukes"? Dukes isn't interested in returning? Dukes' return is interesting for the team? Somebody want to help us out here? Is something lost in translation or is Licey saying that they're not interested in having Dukes return?

• Washington Post writer Dave Sheinin, in a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Nationals notes: Dukes, L. Hernandez", reported that DC Skipper Jim Riggleman had traveled to Florida to visit with Dukes and his family after Dukes' father had passed away and Mr. Riggleman is quoted in the article stating:

"It hit him (Dukes) hard," Riggleman said, "because Elijah was really looking forward to his father seeing him play -- and then after a few weeks, he's gone."

Mr. Sheinin goes on to say that Dukes is, "...expected to return to his winter ball team this week," which is why the quote from the Licey.com article above is even more confusing...

I'll update in the comments section whenever further information is available...

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Comments

Cant help withe the Spanish but....

I dont tink think Dukes will mature into a steady big leaguer. He seems too volatile to me. Does any one disagree?

by FrankMontreal on Dec 10, 2009 1:55 PM EST reply actions

I do, actually...but I think it's a huge ? for Washington this year...

He’s got a ridiculous arm in the outfield, he flat-out crushes the ball, if he can learn to hit the offspeed/breaking stuff, (big IF), I think he can be the player he was thought to be when Tampa picked him…

Plus I think with all the scouting/evaluating talent in DC, if they don’t think he’s the guy he won’t be in right when the season starts…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 2:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I have lost my faith in DUKES. His baserunning last year took it away.

Never thought I would ever turn on player for his ability to run the bases. I used to root for Matt Lawton (he was bad on the bases). Anyways, I am hoping Jmax can hit well enough to win RF outright in the spring. He could be the best defensive RF in the game.

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Dec 11, 2009 1:19 AM EST up reply actions

Rough translation

Here’s a rough translation:

By the same manner, the Tigers refused to bring back the North American outfielder, Elijah Dukes, who left for the US because of the death of his father, but left Licey in the lurch at various times [literally: at various opportunities].

“Now Licey is not interested in having Elijah Dukes back,” said Busto.

by mb1898 on Dec 10, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions

Thanks. The last sentence, as I said...

Was causing my computer fits…now Ronnie Belliard’s the only good reason to watch the DWL…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 3:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ouch

If the DWL does not want you, then your not doing something right. They gladly play AAA and AA guys, so if your a MLB guy that is a blow. Dukes must really suck more than we think.

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Dec 11, 2009 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

Copied from previous post: (thanks, Berndaddy)

I thought Puerto rican spanish was bad. I’ve asked a friend to have a look…
Licey’s been waiting for him after his father died but Dukes doesn’t want to come back to play.
Translation per Juan at work to verify. My translation had them not wanting him but it’s the other way around…
Sounds like a good thing to me. this guys a mess right now and the Nats would only be asking for an international situation if that make him play. IMHO …
Berndaddy – December 10, 2009 reply

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 2:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions

oh ignore previous post above

"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James

by PhDBrian on Dec 11, 2009 1:21 AM EST up reply actions

Off topic, quick question

Are the Nationals on the hook for any of Mike MacDougal’s 2010 salary? Or do the Sox pay the full amount of the $3.75 million? Or since there was an option there, does that take the Sox off the hook? And if so, what is he expected to make?

by backtocali on Dec 10, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions

From a Chico Harlan post a few

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 3:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

...weeks back:

Rizzo says closer Mike MacDougal has “done a great job.” MacDougal represents another of the Nationals’ many arbitration cases; he could earn $3MM+ in 2010.

Sox released him, assumed rest of $3M he was owed, Nats signed 1-year Minor league deal, now he’s due a raise…

I think….

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 3:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Thanks

Looks like since hes under 6 years service time,hes due arbitration. Makes sense. Must have been since the last year was an otion year, it kept the Sox from owing him.

by backtocali on Dec 10, 2009 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Nats interested in Pineiro

According to Heyman – with Mets, Dodgers and Cubs in the race.

It’s official…we’ve been linked to every pitcher outside of Mordecai Brown.

"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.

by Mezza on Dec 10, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions

Calling him a "solid sinkerballer" like Heyman does...

…isn’t fair…Rizzo can’t resist sinkerballers…

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Dec 10, 2009 8:59 PM EST up reply actions