There are plenty of rumors out there that the Nationals are on the brink of acquiring OF Elijah Dukes from the Tampa Rays.
Svrluga is reporting it as a PTBNL. It sounds like it’s going to be a minor leaguer, perhaps someone not on the 40-man roster. It might not be known who the player is until after Friday’s Rule 5 draft.
UPDATE: After some more thinking, it seems likely that this will be a player on the 40-man roster but a minor leaguer (or likely to be a minor leaguer given the current roster composition). Given those parameters, the choices seem likely to be:
- Jon Albaladejo
- Enrique Gonzalez
- Justin Jones
- Garrett Mock (doubtful to me)
- Mike O’Connor
- Chris Schroder
- Billy Traber
- Ryan Wagner
- Josh Whitesell
- Roger Bernadina
- Ryan Langerhans
- Nook Logan
UPDATE 2: Or it could be a player the Nationals select in the Rule 5 draft for the Rays from another team, though that seems unlikely since the Rays open up a spot in the Rule 5 with trade of Dukes to Washington
UPDATE 3: The final scenario is that it is a minor leaguer not on the 40-man who has not yet been notified and we will find it out at 5:00PM. Someone like Larry Broadway or Clint Everts who might have value to the Rays.
Ryan Sullivan | 03-Dec-07 at 4:53 pm | Permalink
Brian-
Pardon my ignorance, but what type of player/prospect would you expect we would be sending as the PTBNL? Someone like Marrero/Detwiler quality, or someone a bit less valuable, like a Van Allen or M. Estrada type…
Have you heard any rumors about who the player might be?
Louis J. | 03-Dec-07 at 5:04 pm | Permalink
WHY? What do they do with another RHH/OF? I’m sure Bowden feels it’s a good risk/reward deal since they won’t be paying much for him (PTBNL) and he’s got this “thing” about acquiring him since he’s invested so much time in the deal BUT where do they play him. He could be a great hitter and has speed BUT they can only play 3 outfielder per game and all 4 would be RHH. Do they create a platoon sytem with Pena, Milledge & Dukes. Good luck, Manny! ??????????????
Brian Oliver | 03-Dec-07 at 5:10 pm | Permalink
Ryan - I haven’t heard any updates. If it’s a minor leaguer not on the 40-man, odds are we should hear about it at 5:00PM because unless the Rays are gambling that player won’t be grabbed in the Rule 5 and can then come over to the Rays unencumberred. If it’s still a PTBNL, I’d believe they are targeting a guy I mentioned above as someone to roster with the Nats during the R5 draft who they can then acquire after the R5.
Louis - Could Bowden be acquiring OFs in order to allow him to move one of the four in some combination for a SP?
Ryan Sullivan | 03-Dec-07 at 5:13 pm | Permalink
Brian-
Good theory about the Rule 5, but don’t the Rays pick before us? If that is the case, then why would they need us, wouldn’t they just take whomever they want at their pick? Sorry if I am sounding “dumb”, but I am missing what you are saying…
Will you be doing a bigger Rule 5 preview on Thursday, or before? I really enjoyed the work you did last year, and was curious if you would again this time. Thanks again for all your hard work, we appreciate it.
Brian Oliver | 03-Dec-07 at 5:15 pm | Permalink
Ryan - I am hoping to do a preview on Thursday.
Louis J. | 03-Dec-07 at 5:28 pm | Permalink
Brian
Trade an outfielder. Good thought, but who? No one wanted Dukes. They can trade Kearns for a good starter but would lose their only veteran OF in the group and be left w/ Pena, Milledge & Dukes. Bowden acquired Milledge for Church & Schneider which established Milledge’s value- so what caliber of starter could Church & Schneider have brought to the Nats? Plus, since Bowden worked 4+ months on the Milledge (”and I’ve followed him since he was in high school”), I don’t think he’s interested in trading him. ???????????????????
EdDC | 03-Dec-07 at 5:34 pm | Permalink
I am glad Nats are collecting talent, even if they have an all RH OF at this point. Not all of them will work out, and the Nats can go through the sorting out process and keep the ones who show they belong.
Brian, what can you tell us about Dukes the player? His stats are interesting and not fabulous so far, so what gets people excited about his talent? Do you have a Baseball America scouting report or something like that?
Dick | 03-Dec-07 at 5:38 pm | Permalink
According to “Viewfromthebleachers.com”:
Elijah Duke’s father is currently in jail for, according to Tampa police, killing a crack dealer who sold his wife $100 worth of fake crack.
EdDC | 03-Dec-07 at 6:26 pm | Permalink
This just in. How does this trade look to you?
NASHVILLE — The Nationals acquired outfielder Elijah Dukes from the Tampa Bay Rays for Minor League left-hander Glenn Gibson on Monday afternoon.
Louis J. | 04-Dec-07 at 10:28 am | Permalink
If Bowden, Manny & Young can straight out Dukes, I know a few kids I’d like to spent to them for thier “magic touch”….