Nationals, Lo Duca Agree to 1-Year Deal – The Post
C Paul Lo Duca has reportedly signed with the Nationals for around $5 million. He’ll cost slightly more than Brian Schneider did. Lo Duca isn’t as strong behind the plate as Schneider, but is a better hitter.

Thomas Boswell is very excited, even though Lo Duca “can’t throw worth a darn.”

The difference in defense between Schneider and Lo Duca may be easy to overestimate. In the last two seasons, both men threw out 49 runners, but opponents had 156 steals against Lo Duca to 111 against Schneider. So the Nats will probably allow about 22 more steals this year. If Lo Duca matches his normal career offensive numbers and Flores matures on schedule, the Nats may end up happy some day, because it’s rare to grab a division rival’s top offensive prospect like Milledge.

Tom Glavine says Lo Duca is underrated because of his arm and speaks highly of him as a teammate. Lo Duca has had his share of off the field issues (MSNBC, h/t Nats320) like gambling and “canoodling.”

Boswell also talks about Lastings Milledge, the outfielder the Nats acquired from Brian Schneider. Glavine says that Milledge’s problems have been overblown and were probably “youthful exuberance.”

Lo Duca’s arrival gives the Nationals the opportunity for Jesus Flores to develop, rather than being handed the responsibilities of #1 catcher.

Nationals, Lo Duca agree to a contract – The Wash. Times

Lo Duca reportedly bound for Nationals – The Free Lance-Star

Bill Ladson doesn’t like Schneider (nationals.com).

I need to look at the roster and see how many former Mets or Reds are in prominent roles within the organization.