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
- B/R Ticket Guide
Everyone knows about the story of Burnett going to Baltimore for his wife. But the reality of that situation is that 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' lineup 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.
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about 1 month ago
Interesting idea about the Nats. I too have a soft spot for this team as the old expos but i think they need alot more work than a career mediocre pitcher. I'm not a big Burnett fan who has a history of injuries and being a .500 game winner. Last year in a contract year, he decided to perform with his best record ever following years of 10-8, 10-8, 12-12, and 7-6. I realize with AJ he can flirt with the no hitter but i question his heart. Its always concerning when an average guy has his best year when he becomes a free agent and i question the passion. Going to a rebuilding team like washington could send him into a downward spiral. Great comparisons between willingham and burrell. I think that this aquisition could turn Zimmerman into one of the best hitters in the NL. That outfield definatley has the chance of being great and the building blocks for a nats team that needs to make some more moves to contend.
Great article! Its refreshing to read something about an unknown team rather than the normal Yankees, Redsox, Dodgers and so on. Keep up the great work!
from about 1 month ago
I too question his heart, and I think his performance last season is probably his ceiling. It seems like something is brewing in Washington though, and it would be nice to see the Nationals become contenders in the aging NL East.
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