Washington Nationals Release Elijah Dukes.
by Patrick Reddington on Mar 17, 2010 11:16 AM EDT
65 comments
42 minutes ago, Nats Insider's Mark Zuckerman (@markzuckerman) sent the following message out to his followers via Twitter:
"The #Nats just announced they've unconditionally released Elijah Dukes."
There have been questions all winter about whether or not Elijah Dukes could finally live up to the expectations which have accompanied him onto the field since he was drafted out of high school by the Tampa Bay then-Devil Rays in the 3rd Round of the '02 Draft, and have the sort of breakout year that would establish him as an everyday presence in right field in Washington, D.C., potentially earning himself a significant raise in the process...but not once did the possibility that he wouldn't make the Opening Day roster get raised?
At the moment, the Nationals are saying it's a "baseball decision" with MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling twittering that the Nationals, "...feel they can get better production from combo of others."
More news when it's available...(More news after the JUMP)
While the Nationals aren't saying anything about the release of Elijah Dukes, the former DC GM Jim Bowden (@jimbowdenXMFOX) saw fit to weigh in on the situation, posting the following messages to his own Twitter account:
"E.Dukes was given opportunities most people dream about. He was given support and understanding at high levels."
"After latest incident, credit Nats for making the right decision. They told him zero tolerances and followed their word."
Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) responded to the Former DC GM:
"Disregard Jim Bowden's tweet. There was no latest incident. The #Nats believe they can get better production from the mix of others."
I don't know what to make of this all? How about you? (ed. note - "And please save all the usual stupid Dukes quotes for some other Nationals-related site. Or I'll erase them for you.")
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WOW.
I just updated my post to mention Logan Kensing, and saw this one about Elijah. This is COMPLETELY unexpected. I don’t know how to feel about this, but I think I just have to trust in the Rizzo and believe that this is the right move.
I also need to get on Twitter, just so I can stay on top of all this breaking news stuff…
Only if you have unlimited texting...I'm on twitter message 200 and counting on Dukes...
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll put any updates in here...
Strasburg chat @ 12:30 pm…
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:22 AM EDT reply actions
i just asked him what he thought the most important stat for a pitcher was
he said wins and losses.
Now I know, I know. You dont have to be a stat guy to be a great baseball player, so im not worried.
But i’d feel a little better if he said K/bb ratio or something.
just sayin
Shocker. It's not April 1, is it?
Who in the organization is going to give them better production? Maxwell?? Bernadina?? That seems highly unlikely.
Rob
"'CLIMATOLOGY' is just 'ACT GLOOMILY' spelled sideways..."
Stan Kasten:
NatsTownNews: Stan Kasten: “I know of no ‘incident’ as it pertains to Elijah Dukes and his uncontitiyonal release today.” #Nats
NatsTownNews: Stan Kasten continued: “People who are saying this don’t know what they’re talking about.” #Nats
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
this is BS
this can’t be a “baseball decision”. none of the in-house options are anywhere near the player that Dukes is now, let alone what he may be. he’s only 26 and under team control. no team can give away assets, let alone a bad team like this. unbelievable.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 17, 2010 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
Sure make Maxwell say it:
masnBen: Justin Maxwell alluded to “distractions” in the past with Dukes, but would not say what those were.
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
the quotes coming out from the brass are tough to take right now.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 17, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Did he miss one too many curves, seriously?
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:47 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
More excusplanations:
washingnats: Rizzo said the league adjusted E. Dukes, but Dukes did not adjust to the league. He had serious problems hitting breaking balls. #nats
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
no one has the guts to say it
“we just didn’t want the guy around anymore”. the “baseball decision” excuse is pure BS.
Your voice of doom and gloom. Read more at natsnewsnetwork.blogspot.com
by Dave at Nats News Network on Mar 17, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
i cant decide what makes this organization look more incompitent
a baseball decision or a personel decision. If it’s a baseball decision, we are in trouble, becayse it proves that this FO has no idea what budding tallent looks like.
If it’s a Personel decision, we are in trouble, because that means this FO would rather build a team with guys who are friendly, as opposed to guys that can help them win.
I’m just lucky I have the yankees too. If this was my only franchise, baseball would be a lot less fun for me. I don’t know how you guys do it sometimes.
"I don’t know how you guys do it sometimes."
Today’s one of the days I wonder too…
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I hate feeling I'm being lied to..
Brings back bad memories….
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
damn!
I hope this was a baseball decision and if it was that it was a good one because I was rooting for Dukes to turn things around.
If it was a baseball decision that means they think they are better without him.
I don’t see it, myself.
2009
Nats fan to usher: "Hey isn’t it a bit early for the Nationals to erect a statue of Manny Acta?"
Usher: "Uh sir, that’s not a statue, that actually is Manny Acta."
That makes two of us...
Who don’t see how this makes Washington better….
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
watch the mariners
make another great move and get this guy for nothing
they should
On another note
The Nats released Logan Kensing. That will make them better.
Why not us? Why not now?
Very little mystery about Kensing's release...heh...
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 Mar 17, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I forget the guys name who used to make all the trashing posts
but I have to take up his mantle for a second. This is, without a doubt, the worst FO in baseball at this time. Seriously. Elijah Dukes couldn’t adjust to the league? Maybe if you ever gave him 500 PA in a season he may have an oppurtunity to do so. This is a guy whose career isolated discipline was 107 in 970 Plate appearences. If they ever gave him any playing time, he would be a solid on base guy with 20 hr potential, garaunteed.
Terrible FA signings, never giving promising young guys a chance… Hell, Willingham only played about half a season last year… he was splitting time with austin Kearns for heavens sakes… incredible
The Nationals seem to think they saw enough...
Paraphrasing what Rizzo said via Twitter:
The leagues adjusted to Dukes, Dukes did not adjust to the league…
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
well, they just released a 25 year old guy
with better than a 13% career walk rate.
Seen enough? This is embarrasing.
It's not just me being a big Dukes fan, right?
This makes little or no sense…
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nah, this is crazy
if they realllllly didnt want him around, ok. But to not even recognize that this guy had trade value?
it’s unreal
maybe make room for RF Desmond?
(hopefully) just tongue in cheek here.
I think you have to lay this play out before trashing the front office like that
I was talking to a friend (who is a fan but doesn’t follow the team closely) just this morning about the state of the Nats and Dukes in particular.
Off field stuff aside, he is not a fan of Dukes. He thinks he’s dumb (in a baseball sense) and would never get it.
He saw the glass as half empty, I saw it as half full. I thought his boneheaded (base running, throwing to the wrong bag, etc.) plays were something that would diminish over time with a combination of maturity and good coaching. (The curve ball thing, I wasn’t as sure of …)
The thing that made me nervous about him was that he didn’t seem to have any friends on the team.
If that’s true, that’s not good. Even with good coaching and all the skill in the world it’s pretty hard to turn that around… and it’s been two years. Just like with Manny Acta, silence can speak volumes.
2009
Nats fan to usher: "Hey isn’t it a bit early for the Nationals to erect a statue of Manny Acta?"
Usher: "Uh sir, that’s not a statue, that actually is Manny Acta."
yea two years
and they never gave him more than 416 PA in a season, even after showing great promise just two years ago. Why on earth is that? You really just want to realease a decent power threat with a penchant for getting on base?
The guy had a 127 OPS+ in 2008, for crying out loud. Limited time, of course, but thats all he ever got with this bunch of know- nothings.
How anyone can look at what he did...
In Syracuse and DC late last season and decide there’s not still promise there sees something I just don’t.
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
in his two years with the nats
he was 256/359/430
are these great numbers? no But he walked a lot, his slugging pct (with some minor improvement) is very liveable. Oh and um…. he’s 25 and has less than 1000 MLB PA.
his BABIP was 290 last year
it was 320 in 08
I dont know which of those numbers would prove to be the real guy (since they never let him play) But lest be as fair as we possibly can and take the mean of those two numbers. 305
If his BABIP was 305 that means his average goes up, which means his OBP goes way up (having a 107 career isod)
His LD% was a bit down last year, but thats not really a cause for concern because… ya know what this is silly… bottom line:
HE NEEDED MORE PLAYING TIME
The more I think about this, the more I'm convinced there is something they aren't telling us...
My guess is that something will come out in a week that will make all of this clear.
A former Nat/Expo going to the Mariners?
Who would’ve thunk it…
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 Mar 17, 2010 12:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jermaine Dye anyone?
Anyone else out there think it would be nice to buy low on Jermaine Dye, put him in RF and slot him in at #5 in the batting order?
A few people apparently...
One of the Nats beat reporters just tweeted the same…
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 Mar 17, 2010 2:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I've always liked Jermaine Dye...starting with his days in Oakland.
And I cheered big time when he fully recovered from that awful injury, got picked up by the White Sox and won a World Series ring with them.
But his is more than a few steps slow these days. Even though he’s still got alluring pop in his bat, I see him as a DH at this point.
Willie Harris/Justin Maxwell in right, Bernadina backs up in left...my guess...
No Mench, please
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 Mar 17, 2010 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I'M CRUSHED!!!
I hate, HATE, hate this move.
I was so hopeful that Dukes could really turn it around with a full year under Mr. Riggles’ tutelage This is one player I hope gets picked up by another team in a hurry and comes back to just crush the Nats every AB.
Seriously.
Still, defiantly a F.O.D.!
F.O.D. #2 or 3 is not taking this well...
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 Mar 17, 2010 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The first thing I thought when i saw this was
I bet MissB is peeved!
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Unbelivable
I am really upset with this move. Does anyone no how much we were paying him this year?? He would still be better bench option than Duncan or Bernadina maybe even Morse who i think will get the start unless we sign a FA
According to Cot's
$411,500. Basically, league minimum.
Rob
"'CLIMATOLOGY' is just 'ACT GLOOMILY' spelled sideways..."
Read the comments on Nats Insider
Sounds like he was supposed to play Winter Ball, his dad passed away, and there were some issues with getting enough ABs in Winter Ball as well as showing dedication and coming into camp early.
I’m sorry, Maxwell is not a major league outfielder at this stage. Bernadina looks weak as well. Morse in right field? Yuck defensively.
The problem with this is that we have miscalculated by holding on to a Jim Bowden acquisition past the point where we could tolerate or trade him. Not good, not good. At some point, we’re going to have to spend some money on outfield talent because we’ve shown zero ability to develop it.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
This has to be a personnel move
They must feel that the team is better off without him in the clubhouse. If it were a baseball decision then you send him down and work on the flaws, you don’t cut a 25 yr old with his potential. So it has to be friction with team mates or managers and coaches I assume.
The Nats better have a off the field reason for this
If they do, then I think it is the right move, because guys who cause distractions in the clubhouse aren’t going to help the team rebuild. However, between Lastings Milledge and him the Nats have gotten rid of 2 young outfielders with potential. I am fine with the Milledge move because they brought in morgan who plays hard everyday, doesn’t have an attitude and honestly is more productive. I hope the Nats have somebody in mind to replace him.
Does anyone know the latest incident Mr. Bowden was referring to?
Only 19 days til Nats baseball
21 until the Chiefs hit the field
"We're starting to get into Plush mode," Nyjer Morgan said
I think Kasten’s comments about ‘people not knowing what they are saying’ was directly aimed at Bowden’s comments. Its been made pretty clear from all sides that there wasnt an offfield incident.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
The only reason I think it's not so clear is because every statement is coupled with comments like:
“The things that happened in the clubhouse are clubhouse matters.” that is a direct quote by the way…it wasn’t “any one incident”, J-Max making mention of issues….
I think he was obviously not expected to produce enough to make it worth putting up with whatever distractions he was causing…
that’s just one angry man’s opinion…
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 Mar 17, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont deny his overall clubhouse attitude contributed and played a big part – but it wasnt one incident as indicated by Bowden.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Or was it...sorry, just being unnecessarily suspicious for humor's sake...
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 Mar 17, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
(whispers) I do like the fact that Kasten twitter-slapped Jimbo.
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 Mar 17, 2010 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
At the risk of ritualistic stoning / beating from MissB
I think this is fair enough. Talent or mythical ‘upside’ alone wasnt going to make him successful and clearly his teammates weren’t big fans. I remember Ted Williams (I think) once saying that either your team has talent or they have comradarie/team harmony, and I think in the absence of having enormous talent, Rizzo opted for a tight clubhouse. I can understand that…if it is a litle harsh. I just think that we all thought Dukes was better than he really is.
On a personal note I feel sorry for Dukes who I thought did a lot to stay out of trouble. I hope he catches on with the Indians like the rest of the ex-Nats players.
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
Yeah, but if I may make a bold prediction...
…you know just know that Dukes will end up on the Pirates team that beats us when we finally make it to the NLCS—along with Hanny and Lasto.
Personally, I don’t like it from a baseball perspective—who else has the upside Dukes does in the pipeline… anywhere? Yeah, yeah, high-character, blah, blah. Now I’m despairing of ever finishing my WAR spreadsheet for this season. TAWH or Desmond in RF?
"And everybody lived happily ever after. Except the Phillies and the Mets. The End." --Sasskuash
Friend of Dukes and Desmond #3
No DESMOND IN RIGHT!!! Sorry for yelling...
That’s my question too, which outfielder on the roster or market do they see producing more that what Dukes would have given the chance…
Team Chi successfully realigned, In Rizzo We Trust?
(ed. note – “See how I added a question mark there…”)
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 Mar 17, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I just dont see it happening… I just dont think he’s going to be an All Star in waiting.
I agree that there is a gap in RF to be filled – but I think we can do better than what Dukes produced. But maybe not as much from within.
(oh, and No to Desmond in RF).
"I love, love, love John Lackey." -- Graysnail.
What about Morse?
WAPO guy compared him to Jayson Werth…
by tengoalyrunr30 on Mar 18, 2010 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions
All I've seen so far of Morse is him ripping the ball...
Late last season, and this Spring…he’ll also be 28 by the time he plays his 140th game.
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 Mar 18, 2010 3:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Talent or mythical ‘upside’ alone wasnt going to make him successful
Talent wasnt going to make him successful? I sorta doubt that. His upside is far from mythical. In fact, it is quite tangible. Readin some posts in this thread for more info on that.
I’m not trying to take a run at you, I’m just so tired of “nobody liked him in the clubhouse, so he had to go”. People are more concerened with being friends than winning baseball games.
The Reggie, Billy Martin-Era Yanks' clubhouse was notoriously volatile...
Worked out ok for them.
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 Mar 17, 2010 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions
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