While the team takes one, I’m planning on taking a few more.  Perhaps Steph will be here to keep things up to date, perhaps not.  But I need some time for myself.  This season has taken a toll on all of us.  I sat through every single one of those six losses this homestand.  Combine that with the draft debacle and the trade of Luis Ayala, and I just really need some time before I can care about this team again.

Luis Ayala struggled this year, no doubt, but he’s been strong in seasons past.  We try here to be unemotional and unbiased - to see the big picture.  From a baseball perspective, I’m sure it makes sense.  Check all the wonderful Nats blogs out there for reasons why.  But I’m still a fan and as a fan, I still have favorites.  For me, it’s really hard to see him go.  He was the longest tenured player with the organization, and though he requested the trade and will probably prosper in a fresh environment, his exit interview was emotional.  He’s a good guy - always laughing, smiling and teasing his teammates in the bullpen.  We’re going to miss him, but we wish him the best in New York.

Rumors were flying all afternoon about Ayala, Lannan and Hanrahan.  Zuckerman shot down the Lannan and Hanrahan rumors, but Minaya’s interest in Ayala was still out there as of the 4 pm deadline. 

The one trade that was announced was with the Yankees for Short Stop Alberto Gonzalez, in exchange for Jhonny Nunez.  From the Nats:

Gonzalez, 25, is a plus defensive shortstop who last season was rated as the top defensive infielder in the Yankees’ minor-league system. Gonzalez, who played in 28 games during a pair of stints with the Yankees this season, batted .250 (47-for-188) with eight doubles, four home runs and 23 RBI in 47 games with Scranton/W-B of the Triple-A International League in 2008.
 
Gonzalez was acquired by the Yankees as part of the January 2007 five-player trade that brought Randy Johnson to New York. In 2005, he was rated by Baseball America as the top defensive infielder in Arizona’s minor-league system. At the minor-league level, Gonzalez tallied at least 20 doubles each of the last three seasons and has fanned just once every 8.6 at-bats in five-plus seasons.

The Nationals traded Jon Rauch to Arizona today for prospect Emilio Bonifacio.

From the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals today acquired second baseman Emilio Bonifacio from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch. Bonifacio was optioned to Triple-A Columbus of the International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.

The switch-hitting Bonifacio entered the 2008 season rated as Arizona’s No. 6 prospect according to Baseball America. The same publication also cited Bonifacio as its 2008 Winter Player of the Year—an award encompassing the three Caribbean winter leagues (Dominican, Venezuelan and Mexican)—after he batted .300 and posted a .359 on-base percentage with Licey of the Dominican Winter League.

“This trade brings us a quality, young player, who has the potential to develop into a solid leadoff hitter and outstanding defensive second baseman,” Bowden said. “He is a high-energy player with a lot of potential, and we anticipate he’ll fit nicely into our long-term plan of drafting, acquiring and developing a solid nucleus that will lead our club in the near future.”

In Washington, Bonifacio joins third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, outfielder Elijah Dukes, outfielder Lastings Milledge, and catcher Jesus Flores as building-block position players who began this season 23 years-old or younger. Bonifacio, Dukes and Milledge were all aquired via trades within the last year.

Widely recognized as one of the fastest runners in professional baseball, Bonifacio is viewed as having all of the tools necessary to hit leadoff in the big leagues. Last season, playing for Double-A Mobile, Bonifacio led the Southern League in stolen bases (41) and hits (157), while ranking second in runs scored (84). For his career, Bonifacio owns a stout stolen base percentage of 78.1 percent (280 of 357).

Bonifacio batted .302 (111-for-367) with 18 doubles, five triples, one home run, 29 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 85 games with Tucson of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League before being recalled by the Diamondbacks in early July. He was a Pacific Coast League All-Star selction, marking his fourth consecutive All-Star season.

Originally signed by Arizona as a non-drafted free agent on December 21, 2001, Bonifacio is a career .284 (788-for-2770) hitter with 107 doubles, 36 triples, 13 home runs, 231 RBI and 280 stolen bases in seven minor-league seasons in the Diamondbacks’ system.

Considered well-above average defensively, Bonifacio’s sure-handedness and range are reminiscent of Orlando Hudson, the Diamondbacks’ current second baseman. Baseball America named Bonifacio as the best defensive infielder in Arizona’s chain entering this season.

The 29 year-old Rauch was 4-2 with 17 saves (22 save opportunities) and a 2.98 ERA (16 ER/48.1 IP) in 48 appearances with Washington at the time of the trade.

We’re going to think about this some more.  We imagined we’d get a few more prospects for Rauch, since prospects are so unknown and Rauch has been a quality closer. 

Dave Sheinin says the Nats are shopping Felipe Lopez to the Cubs.  We haven’t chimed in lately on the Lopez stuff, but we’re more on this side than this one.  Ken Rosenthal says the Nats are looking at Angel Berroa, a non-roster invitee shortstop and former Rookie of the Year who has also dissapointed in recent seasons.  He’s with the Royals.  Rosenthal also mentions the Orioles, Giants, Twins, White Sox and Cardinals as possible 2008 teams for Lopez. 

Lopez recently said that he would not be happy on the Nationals’ bench.  It seems that Belliard and Guzman have locked up 2nd and Short and indeed that Lopez will be the man left out.  We’re still pulling for Felipe to turn this thing around and return to All Star form. 

Given this…

and this…

this is timely and a little fun.

We’re still reacting to this, but wanted to share the news.

Brian Schneider and Ryan Church have been traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Lastings Milledge.

The Nationals will make an announcement at 3 PM.
More to follow…

*new* ESPN report

It’s that time of the year…contending teams looking for that one piece — often the somewhat rare lefty specialist.

We’ll miss you, Ray King Kong! (recall Fick stealing what should have been King’s song earlier this season. He settled for Heart of a Champion instead).

Wow - So, this is unexpected news? Jim Bowden’s been busy.

Nats acquire Wily Mo Pena of the Red Sox in exchange for an unnamed player.

Thanks to Miss Chatter for first drawing my attention to the trade rumors about Elijah Dukes.

Apparently, Washington has made their interest in Dukes more public in recent days.

So why don’t we want him?

“Since 1998, he has been arrested 6 times on charges including possession of marijuana, assault, and resisting an officer. On May 23, 2007 it was reported that his wife filed a restraining order after he threatened to kill her.” — ESPN

“The St. Petersburg Times reported NiShea Gilbert filed for court protection after receiving a threatening message on her cell phone on May 2, as well as a text message that included a picture of a handgun.” “You dead, dawg. I ain’t even [expletive]. Your kids, too.”

I knew little about Dukes before now, but I remember reading Jeff Passan’s opinion article about why Tampa Bay should get rid of him just a few weeks ago.

These are the people that ruin baseball. Guys like Dukes are the antithesis of what baseball is all about in Washington.

Bringing Dukes to Washington would mean a couple things. My preference for Nook in Center aside, I am deeply concerned about what Dukes presence in our clubhouse would mean for a young team. If anything can be said about the 2007 Nationals (and it has been said, over and over again), the team has camaraderie. With Manny in charge, the guys have really come together and shaped their own environment. It sounds like a positive, energetic, optimistic place to play baseball. Why give this kid a chance to pull us all down?

I know, perhaps I’m not being fair. Dmitri is part of our team, part of that positive environment. Washington has been a good place for him to rebuild himself. And I’m glad we’ve been able to help him do that. Dmitri suffered from depression and pledged to get help. He made the choices that lead to his acceptance in Washington. He is the difference.

Dukes is only 22 and he’s already made a lot of personal mistakes. He’s not going to grow up anytime soon. He lacks the maturity of our young 22 year old. He does not fit here; this would be a giant mistake.

I have no idea who they might want in exchange, but we should not be trading any of our guys for troubled, dangerous Elijah Dukes.

…hopefully, maybe, please!The three of us are heading into the city soon to catch the Marlins game tonight and we, obviously, are hoping for a big win. Shawn Hill is pitching afterall and we can now be certain that while our players may be having less fun due to the new alcohol policy, they’ve gotta be focused on the game.While we try to avoid being negative toward anyone here…this makes us really happy.So does knowing that Ryan Wagner’s injury is minor and he’ll be pitching again soon.