For Experience, Nats Add A. Boone – The Post
Nepotism both figurative (former Red) and literally (son of front office employee) strikes again! Aaron Boone, who will always be remembered fondly here for his pennant winning walk-off home run while with the Yankees is now a National. He says he’ll be pinch hitting for the most part, but ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick said earlier that Boone might be insurance in case Ryan Zimmerman’s wrist hasn’t healed. The club denied that was the reason. Boone’s father Bob is VP of Player Development. Barry Larkin, who has some role like Special Advisor/drinking buddy to GM Jim Bowden, told the (barely living) Cincy Post that
“We’re the Cincinnati Reds East. We’ve got Austin (Kearns), Wily Mo (Pena) and Felipe (Lopez) in Washington,” Larkin said. “Myself and Rijo had a conversation today that we know where we should be.”
That’s in Cincinnati.
Keep your focus on Washington, Larkin.
By the way,
Nats320 talked to Zimmerman the other day at the holiday lightings.
In other news, LF Wily Mo Pena signed a two year extension. The second year, the club has a $5 million option on him, while Pena has a $2 million option on the club.
Also, the club picked up two Rule 5 draftees, Matt Whitney and Garrett Guzman, as well. Whitney is a corner infielder with big A and AA numbers, while Guzman is a fifth outfielder type. Two Guzmans on one team?! That’s almost as good as two Marlons, right?
Nats close busy meetings – The Wash. Times
No other team was as agressive at the winter meetings as the Nats:
Yep, the Nationals completed more deals, acquired more players and generated more actual news (not rumors) than the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox or any other franchise in attendance.
I’m on board with all but one decision which Paul Marchman of the NY Sun sums up well:
The newest National, outfielder Elijah Dukes, was available for good reason. He’s physically attacked managers, teammates, and umpires, and he’s notoriously threatened to kill his own wife and children this year. He’s legitimately vile and dangerous, and I wouldn’t have him in my house.
Still, the key to this deal is that the Nationals not only gave up next to nothing; they incurred no obligation. They won’t have to pay Dukes a dime over the league minimum for two years, and they can thus release him at will for the price of a pitching machine. If Dukes hits and doesn’t act like a sociopath, the Nationals could have a franchise player. If he doesn’t hit, or if he does something unspeakable, they’re out nothing. That’s a win.
More from The Free-Lance Star: It’s a busy season for Nationals