Nationals Release Elijah Dukes - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

savafan · 03-17-2010, 10:19 AM

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/0...jah-dukes.html

The Nationals released outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a team press release. According to a tweet from MASN's Ben Goessling, the move had nothing to do with off-the-field issues...

Benihana · 03-17-2010, 10:24 AM

I'd happily take a flyer

TRF · 03-17-2010, 10:25 AM

wow. just, wow. Must have been some kind of clubhouse issue. He has way to much talent.

membengal · 03-17-2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benihana

I'd happily take a flyer

Not me.

Far East · 03-17-2010, 10:33 AM

Stats "projected" over a 162 game season:

BA .242

OBP .349

SLG .421

OPS .770

westofyou · 03-17-2010, 10:35 AM

Jocketty isn't known for picking up guys that are not "group think" baseball players, nor is Baker really either.

membengal · 03-17-2010, 10:39 AM

To expand on the "not me" stuff...if this were 2006, sure, take a flier. But not now. I like the direction this team is headed, I like the OF options available to it, I like the possiblity that it can deal from general depth to acquire an OF if it desires to, and don't want to inject someone who clearly has emotional challenges.

JaxRed · 03-17-2010, 10:56 AM

I'd take a Minor League Flyer.....

OnBaseMachine · 03-17-2010, 10:58 AM

Wow, I'm very surprised by this move. He's got a ton of talent and is still only 25. Count me in favor of the Reds picking him up.

TRF · 03-17-2010, 11:01 AM

I'm betting the Pirates or Royals, Maybe the Giants. And I wouldn't discount Detroit.

edabbs44 · 03-17-2010, 11:29 AM

I'm not sure he would be worth the risk. The team has some good young talent (especially in the OF) and he wouldn't necessarily upgrade anywhere while having the potential to be quite the distraction.

He has potential, but will he ever reach it and is it worth the downside?

Roy Tucker · 03-17-2010, 11:33 AM

Its the scout in me. You watch Dukes on the field and at-bat and the guy has major talent.

But there has to be some serious being-a-team-guy issues for Washington to dump him. Its not like they are overflowing with OF talent.

Reluctantly, I'd say pass. The Reds are too young to let someone like him pollute the well.

RedsManRick · 03-17-2010, 11:36 AM

He won't be unemployed long. Most of the projection systems put him around an .800 OPS.

TRF · 03-17-2010, 11:39 AM

This is Dukes wakeup call. Not being traded by TB. This. And while the teams i mentioned might have a need or place for him, the smart thing is for them to wait, possibly until the 1st or 2nd week of the season. Then sign him to a minor league contract. Dukes clearly needs to be humbled. Actually, humbled isn't the exact right word. Cold water. slap in the face. shock. Something to make him realize the game is bigger than his attitude towards it and his teammates. He's 25 and filled with talent.

Is he Willie Green, with no love for the game? Or can he be Jim Edmonds, still in love with it at age 39 and determined to win a starting job?

Benihana · 03-17-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edabbs44

I'm not sure he would be worth the risk. The team has some good young talent (especially in the OF) and he wouldn't necessarily upgrade anywhere while having the potential to be quite the distraction.

He has potential, but will he ever reach it and is it worth the downside?

Dukes could easily be the long-term answer in LF. Between Dukes, Balentien, and Francisco, there is ultra upside. At least one of them should realize their potential, and if/when they do, they would reward the Reds for years to come.

That upside should be at least an .820 OPS with above average defense for LF? Count me in.

As far as the downside goes, if he acts up off the field, he's gone. What's the downside?

03-17-2010, 10:19 AM	#1
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,486	Nationals Release Elijah Dukes http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/0...jah-dukes.html The Nationals released outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a team press release. According to a tweet from MASN's Ben Goessling, the move had nothing to do with off-the-field issues... __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

03-17-2010, 10:24 AM	#2
Benihana Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 8,665	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes I'd happily take a flyer __________________ Go BLUE!!!

03-17-2010, 10:25 AM	#3
TRF Vavasor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 12,730	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes wow. just, wow. Must have been some kind of clubhouse issue. He has way to much talent. __________________ "don't end up with a grandson with a dog collar."

03-17-2010, 10:33 AM	#5
Far East Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,375	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes Stats "projected" over a 162 game season: BA .242 OBP .349 SLG .421 OPS .770

03-17-2010, 10:35 AM	#6
westofyou breath Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: PDX Posts: 39,663	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes Jocketty isn't known for picking up guys that are not "group think" baseball players, nor is Baker really either.

03-17-2010, 10:39 AM	#7
membengal Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Baltimore Posts: 8,403	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes To expand on the "not me" stuff...if this were 2006, sure, take a flier. But not now. I like the direction this team is headed, I like the OF options available to it, I like the possiblity that it can deal from general depth to acquire an OF if it desires to, and don't want to inject someone who clearly has emotional challenges.

03-17-2010, 10:56 AM	#8
JaxRed Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 9,268	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes I'd take a Minor League Flyer.....

03-17-2010, 10:58 AM	#9
OnBaseMachine Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34,692	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes Wow, I'm very surprised by this move. He's got a ton of talent and is still only 25. Count me in favor of the Reds picking him up.

03-17-2010, 11:01 AM	#10
TRF Vavasor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 12,730	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes I'm betting the Pirates or Royals, Maybe the Giants. And I wouldn't discount Detroit. __________________ "don't end up with a grandson with a dog collar."

03-17-2010, 11:29 AM	#11
edabbs44 Box of Frogs Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 15,948	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes I'm not sure he would be worth the risk. The team has some good young talent (especially in the OF) and he wouldn't necessarily upgrade anywhere while having the potential to be quite the distraction. He has potential, but will he ever reach it and is it worth the downside?

03-17-2010, 11:33 AM	#12
Roy Tucker Be the ball Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mason, OH Posts: 11,191	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes Its the scout in me. You watch Dukes on the field and at-bat and the guy has major talent. But there has to be some serious being-a-team-guy issues for Washington to dump him. Its not like they are overflowing with OF talent. Reluctantly, I'd say pass. The Reds are too young to let someone like him pollute the well. __________________ The motel of lost companions Waits with heated pool and bar

03-17-2010, 11:36 AM	#13
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,988	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes He won't be unemployed long. Most of the projection systems put him around an .800 OPS. __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

03-17-2010, 11:39 AM	#14
TRF Vavasor Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 12,730	Re: Nationals Release Elijah Dukes This is Dukes wakeup call. Not being traded by TB. This. And while the teams i mentioned might have a need or place for him, the smart thing is for them to wait, possibly until the 1st or 2nd week of the season. Then sign him to a minor league contract. Dukes clearly needs to be humbled. Actually, humbled isn't the exact right word. Cold water. slap in the face. shock. Something to make him realize the game is bigger than his attitude towards it and his teammates. He's 25 and filled with talent. Is he Willie Green, with no love for the game? Or can he be Jim Edmonds, still in love with it at age 39 and determined to win a starting job? __________________ "don't end up with a grandson with a dog collar."

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