It’s funny how the only names being thrown around as potential suitors for A.J. Burnett are the Yanks, The Red Sox, (don’t snicker…) The Blue Jays, and The Orioles who are closer to wifey’s home in Maryland. Could we dare include The Washington Nationals in that pool of suitors? Washington’s acquisition of both Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham signals a move in the right direction by The Nationals.
The Nats are receiving Willingham (.364 OBP last season), who is a poor man’s Pat Burrell. Where as Burrell’s bat was a nice complement to Ryan Howard, his ability to draw walks was a big reason the bottom of the Phillies’ order was able to produce a lot of runs. Willingham could slot in nicely behind Ryan Zimmerman or Elijah Dukes. Scott Olsen’s velocity was certainly down for most of the season, but he showed maturity on the mound (and off of it); A.J. wouldn’t be much of a menace in a room that already features the likes of Lastings Milledge and the Gatorade chucking Dukes.
Everyone knows about the story of Burnett going to Baltimore for his wife. But the reality of that situation is, Baltimore is still years away from contending. Washington is closer to Maryland than Boston and New York, and if A.J. has learned anything from Roy Halladay’s lead-by-example tireless work ethic; The Nationals line-up would make an exciting foyer for him to display it.
I love Cal Ripken too, but the Orioles stink right now.
Elijah Dukes displayed that raw power and lethal speed that we had heard about, and kept his temper under control for the most part. I don’t blame him for his blow-up at Mike Pelfrey. Milledge can play right or center, same goes for Dukes. Olsen gives them a decent arm who will be 25 next season. Combined with the surprising John Lannan, the Nats feature a pair of lefties who could use a Burnett at the top of the rotation. With that nice new park, it’s time to open the pocket books and spend some dough on an ace. Let’s face it, Burnett finally delivered on the promise of his “stuff” this past season. Sure his WHIP (1.34) was gross and the ERA (4.07) inflated, but 18 wins and leading the American League in strikeouts (231) was no small feat. So he’s going to get the wheelbarrows of bucks regardless of where he ends up.
Assuming Willy Mo Pena takes a seat on the bench, and the Austin Kearns era comes to an end; the Nationals could display one of the most exciting young outfields in baseball. I like the idea of Burnett back in the National League East far away from the Blue Jays, and I still pretend that the Nationals are the Montreal Expos.
Posted by Scott Lewis
Posted by thestatsman 
