See, this is why I don't own a jersey with a particular player's name or number on it, especially a National:
The Washington Nationals...[acquired] slugging second baseman Alfonso Soriano from the Texas Rangers for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, plus a minor leaguer...
It's too bad. Wilkie wasn't a bad guy to have on the team; he seemed to be good for morale. He started off the season with that strong game in Philly, hitting for the cycle, and hit the team's only grand slam this year. But he suffered through the second half of the season and was a marked man by the end.
The loss of Wilkerson takes away the player who, when the Expos franchise moved from Montreal after the 2004 season, figured to be the face of the new Washington franchise. He was the Nationals' most significant chip to trade, and there are scouts who feel he has enormous potential.
The Rangers, who need starting pitching more than anything else, may choose to spin Wilkerson off in a deal for a pitcher, and a league source said late Wednesday night they were involved in talks with the Toronto Blue Jays, who are known to covet Wilkerson.
No more Chevy Chase Bank ads! It will be weird to see him in Toronto.
That's OK, the Nats definitely needed a stronger hitter. Wilkie wasn't exactly doing the job, especially at the end. Sledge seemed to have some potential, but was injured for such a long time; who needs that? I just don't understand why the Nats had to give up three players, but hey, it can't get much worse. (Now that I've said that, Hernandez or Patterson will be traded or something.) I'm just sad that my favorite loudmouth, Joey Eischen, won't be returning next season. I'll still go to the games, of course, but it's going to be a sad year, the way they're cleaning house.
1 comment:
Soriano may be a heck of a hitter, but he can't possibly be so much better overall than Wilkerson that he's worth all the extra million$ and the loss of Wilk, Sledge and Gallaraga.
Is there something wrong with Wilkerson that the Nats aren't letting on about? If so, how come Texas, Toronto, and presumably other teams haven't caught on yet? What this deal seems to boil down to Bowden's urgent need to make a deal, any old deal, in the free agent market.
Well, Jimmy, you got your deal. It doesn't make sense financially, competitively, chemistry-wise or in any other way, but you are now A Playa. Just keep your resume updated, pal. Your tenure with whoever ends up owning the Nats will be (I fervently pray) a short one.
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