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.

We had grown quite fond of Outfielder Chris Snelling during his brief time with Washington.But, we’d like to extend a warm welcome to Ryan Langerhans! Nothing like having another Ryan on the team!