To catch a catcher

Submitted by Jeff on Wed, 12/05/2007 - 7:41am.

With no big trades or signings announced yesterday—the Clippard-Albaladejo deal will be announced today because of delays in getting player physicals—it's a chance to reflect on how the Nats have been reshaped in the last several days, and the deals yet to come. The acquisition of Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes have boosted the team's offense, team officials believe (regardless of how offensive you find Dukes to be off the field). While Ryan Zimmerman was the only Nat to hit more than 16 home runs in '07, "It's not a stretch to suggest that five other players could surpass that total in 2008": Nick Johnson (remember him?), Austin Kearns, and Wily Mo Peña, as well as Dukes and Milledge.
"I think we have made big-time strides,", manager Manny Acta said. "Our outfield situation has improved and the bench has improved. We have gotten younger with energy." Acta added he hasn't addressed the issue of what will happen with Dmitri Young when (?) Nick Johnson is ready to return to first base. "You know, that's too far down the line."
There's still work for the team to do now, starting with finding a catcher to replace the traded Brian Schneider. One option is Johnny Estrada, who was also traded to the Mets but will likely be non-tendered. Estrada thinks he would be a "perfect fit" for the Nats for one year, but a "source close to Estrada" said that the catcher has had some problems working with pitching coaches while with Arizona and Milwaukee.
Two other catching options are Miguel Montero and Damian Miller. Montero is a young backup catcher in Arizona while Miller is a veteran considered to be "the most likely target" for the Nats, two "club officials" told the Post. As for Estrada, his poor defense would not make him a good fit, according to "several of the club's baseball operations people".
The Nats are also interested in two Japanese pitchers, Kazuo Fukumori and Katsuhiko Maekawa. Fukumori is a right-handed reliever that 8-10 teams are interested in, while Maekawa is a left-hander who could start or relieve; he did not pitch in Japan in 2007 because of "legal problem resulting from a car accident", according to the Post.
As was the case last season, the Nats are dangling closer Chad Cordero in trade discussions, while Cordero states that he wants to stay with the Nats. MLB.com cites one report where the Brewers turned down a Rickie Weeks-for-Cordero deal; the Astros also rejected a Cordero trade that would have cost them Luke Scott or Chad Qualls.
Several injured Nats are recovering at varying rates, team officials said. Shawn Hill and John Patterson are both throwing without pain, although the team has scrapped any plans to have Patterson pitch in the Dominican Winter League. Cristian Guzman, meanwhile, also has not played in the DR this winter as his left thumb recovers, although he hopes to be able to play before the end of the season.
Tom Boswell sounds off on the Dukes deal, and he's not impressed, given both Dukes' personal problems and his on-field potential, or lack thereof. "Dukes is a decent power-hitting prospect. That's all. If he had a perfect attitude, you might like his chances. But if this guy so much as jaywalks the Nats must release him immediately." He adds that Dukes' "proven baseball talent is not close to the level that could, even in theory, justify squandering the franchise's reputation in Washington."
The Nationals are making progress on establishing a youth baseball academy in the District, talking with local and federal officials about acquiring land in Ft. DuPont Park for the academy, a provision of the Nats' stadium lease. However, some people would like to see the team to do more to upgrade the condition of baseball and softball fields in the city, another condition of its lease.

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