Nats release Elijah Dukes
Strange. I was expecting big things from him this year. I'm wondering, do we have a spot for this kid?
almost 2 years ago
alligatorimpersonator
26 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Go get him, FW…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 17, 2010 12:09 PM EDT reply actions
Wow...
there’s got to be something going on behind the scenes.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Nope
Rizzo said it was “strictly a baseball decision”. Why hide it if it was an off-field incident?
If this was a "baseball decision," Rizzo should be fired.
They had options left on him and could’ve sent him to the minors without putting him through waivers. If they really thought he just wasn’t the best option, why not do that?
And besides, who’s better than him? Maxwell has some promise, but is not nearly as talented. Harris is better suited to a utility role. And Taveras, well don’t get me started on him. If they end up starting Taveras every day, that’d be hilarious and sad.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 17, 2010 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
He'd look good in a Bravos uniform...
…but we sure don’t need the off-field issues.
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!!
It's worth a try.
That kind of playing potential for peanuts? We ought to see if we can make it happen.
I was only 12 when Kent Hrbek stole the World Series.
We don’t have anywhere for him on the big league roster, unless we were to carry him as a bench player rather than Conrad/Thurston (or carry one fewer pitcher) or were to start Heyward at AAA.
I’m sure that somebody will give him a better chance at playing time.
I agree..
We don’t need him. If we had an injury or something, though, it’d be a good gamble.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 17, 2010 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Does he still have minor league options? Or how does that exactly work with free agents. I’ve never totally figured that out.
I don't need the Cat Lady to throw cats at me to let me know she's crazy!
by McCann and McWill on Mar 17, 2010 4:32 PM EDT reply actions
One option left
But supposedly the Nats made the move today, to avoid having to pay him a larger portion of pro-rated salary. DC media is also trying to spin the angle that they’re doing him a favor by cutting him now, and with an option intact, to make other teams more willing to take the chance with Dukes, and still being able to MiLB him if he needs work without monetary consequence.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
Yeah,
but they only saved like 60 grand. Hardly seems worth it, really. The only way this makes sense is if Dukes asked for his release or did something that necessitated a change.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Mar 17, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Supposedly
The Nats suggested exercising the option to send him to AAA since he was doing so poorly in ST, and he had a hissy fit to the point where Rizzo, who has been seen as a chemistry seeker, saw something he didn’t like, and made the decision. Which is why there was so many bytes about chemistry in his justifications.
No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.
NO! Don’t want. This guy has threatened to kill his wife and even texted her pics of guns. He left her voicemails saying “you’re dead dawg!”. He has 7 kids with 6 different women including a 17 year old., which he threw a gatorade bottle at when she confronted him about the kid. He has had altercations with teammates and coaches. Why would any team want this guy on their team? And if you believe there wasn’t a recent incident, then I have some valuable swamp land to sell you too.
Don’t all 17 – 20-ish year olds make mistakes. What kind of society would we have if we dwelled on people’s pasts when they have obviously grown up and learned from their mistakes.
Bobby hit his wife. Chipper cheated on his. Should we get rid of them too?
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 18, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
1. Where does he fit in our already set outfield? In addition, we have another guy who will be recovering from wrist surgery who will hopefully join the team later in the year.
2. He struggled last year and he was struggling this year in spring.
3. I would not want to see what happens in a clubhouse with outspoken veterans like Wagner and Chipper when Dukes does decide to blow up. He’s a ticking time bomb.
4. The Nationals babied him by hiring an ex-cop to follow him around everywhere during the season just to keep him out of trouble. Will the Braves provide that and what has he done to even deserve it?
5. He really needs to play for a team like the Nats who aren’t in contention if he’s going to get a 2nd, 3rd and 4th shot at being an MLB ballplayer. However, they were fed up with him as well. I don’t know who gives him a shot, but you can rest assured it won’t be the Braves. Wren wouldn’t even trade Lowe for Bradley and I don’t consider Bradley as much of a problem as this guy.
I live in the Tampa Bay area and there was an article just about every other week about Dukes and the trouble he was getting into.
You would think he would try extra hard when given the chance at making it in the Majors considering his father was a convicted murderer and his mother was a crack smoker/dealer. His father killed a guy for selling $100 worth of fake crack to his wife(Dukes’ mother).
Bottomline: You won’t see him in a Braves uniform in 2010.
Its pretty obvious we won't sign him....
…..doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. He’s had one incident in DC and recently had his “bodyguard” taken away from him because he didn’t need him anymore. And who’s to say our veterans won’t help him out and calm him down? Its not like he’s been with teams that have great veteran leadership. Hell, he could look to Heyward and see what he could be; a mature young player who can become a role model.
A little statistical evaluation will show you that he had some anomalies in his numbers last year that he likely won’t repeat and is at least a .800 OPS bat with 20HR power going forward with a much higher upside. With Melky most likely being our primary LF this year, this is a definite upgrade. We won’t sign him, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take the chance.
1. On the bench
2. He is a great talent and can mash
3. I think outspoken vets are exactly what he may have needed/still needs
4. Pretty sure that goes back to his past mistakes, which he is obviously matured from
5. Bradley is 10xs the problem the Elijah Dukes is.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 18, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
None of your arguments hold any water. Go back to educating yourself. It’s called reading. It helps. Good luck!
Pretty sure I didn’t pose any arguments, but rather, just answered your question. If you are going to carry yourself like a hostile 6-year old who thinks his big-wheel is better than everyone else’s in the neighborhood, then I will just ignore you.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 19, 2010 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Haaa. Well I apologize then. Seriously, we don’t have room for him on the 25 man roster. We already have 4 outfielders and Hinske who can play the corners. I don’t believe Dukes is an upgrade to any of them. Why would you think Bradley is 10x the problem Dukes is? Bradley just runs his mouth alot, correct me if I’m wrong,but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t made serious threats to kill someone and hasn’t assaulted any baby mamas. Dukes has a propensity for violent behavior. He should go to the NFL where he will be accepted with open arms.
Rebuttal...
1—Would he be willing to take a bench role? And what bench? We have Heyward, Diaz, McLouth, Cabrera with Hinske and Infante on the big club. So that sends him to Gwinnett, where the OF already has Mitch Jones, Greg White, Jordan Schafer, Brett Clevlan, if not Matt Young taking turns. So what bench, and who do we let go to make room for this potential problem causer?
2—Maybe. His two years ago showed a lot of promise, last year and before in Tampa weren’t much.
3—Maybe, but could they make a dent with a grown man now 25.
4—None of us know if anything got glossed over, so he may have problems still.
5—Speculation. You don’t know Dukes, or Bradley, and likely haven’t conversed with anyone who does. Pure speculation, in both who is worse and definitely the “10xs”.
Personally, let the Mets sign him, and have The Gift keep on giving.
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/3/17/1378307/elijah-dukes-for-centerfield
official application for Minaya to henceforth be referred to as The Gift
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
