Dukes Talks Growing Serious

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Nov 21, 2007 11:37 PM EST Comment 22 comments

The Washington Nationals' website confirms that the team has a very serious interest in troubled Rays OF Elijah Dukes, and one quoted source puts the Nats' chances of acquiring him at between 6 to 7 on a 1-10 scale. The article goes on to report that because of the risks involved, Washington GM Jim Bowden will not be trading any player of significance to Tampa Bay. There is actually a bit of comic relief in the article, concentrated in the quoted portion below:

If they do acquire Dukes, the Nationals must have a plan in place to make sure that he's successful on the field and a solid citizen off of it, according to the source. It's believed that Nats manager Manny Acta and first baseman Dmitri Young most likely would be Dukes' mentors if the trade happens.

L
O
L

Let's see how well that works out for you. But wait, there's more:

Dmitri sees himself as someone who could teach a younger player the facts of life, both on and off the field.

Yup, I'm sure he could.

/miss
/miss
/miss
/miss
/miss
/foul tip
/miss
/miss

"It's all about a second chance. I was given a second chance. At the same token, Dukes deserves a second chance. From what my brother told me, he is a great kid. A change of scenery would do him good -- get him to the National League. He would get a second chance, a clean slate."

Glad to see that Young is getting his information from a party that clearly has the right perspective on the matter.

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Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 21, 2007 11:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

I think it will work, but lets not just give him up, Lets pick up a good prospect that is almost MLB ready,It sounds like they like Dukes alot, and is confident that he wont do stupid things off the field.
It sounds like the teammates want him aswell.

I also think he has a lot of upside, but not enough room for him here.

http://media.tbo.com/photos/sports/2007/oct/1003rayslogo.jpg

by Boricua on Nov 22, 2007 12:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nothing of significance?

I'll pass, then.

We need something in return, just due to his upside.

by Jacob Larsen on Nov 22, 2007 9:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

I want Jonathan Albaladejo the RP or Luis Ayala. If they cannot provide one or the other, no way...

by nittsallgood on Nov 22, 2007 10:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

I would be very unhappy not to get anything for him, but there may be no choice. The only way to increase his value is for him to play, and that may be impossible now in TB. Sending him to the minors might be both futile and risky and keeping him on the 25 man roster may be equally impractical. So it's possible his value to us is at its maximum right now with his Dominican League performance and is more likely to diminish than increase over time.

How sad! Strangely, the Rays may have been very smart to handle him as they did once the problems became unbearable. Rather than simply releasing him they kind of hid him away and may get something, however minor, rather than nothing at all.

by bobr on Nov 22, 2007 10:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

I trade idea I have been throwing out there is Dukes to the Giants for Sanchez. However, I don't see Sanchez as a starting pitcher, as much as I do a future set up man. In addition to having a plus sinking fastball in the low-mid 90's, he possesses the best changup in the Giants farm system. While he dominated lefthanded pitching last season in his rookies year (.197 BA), he struggled against right handed batters (.311 BA). However, with such a plus change up, he could eventually be very effective against right handed batters too. Its no mystery that the Rays could use a lefty in the pen, and in Sanchez they would have a very talented young arm with a lot of potential and would be under the Rays control for the next 5 season. In Dukes, the Giants would continue their rebuilding process at the major league level. He could immediately take over in the outfield and fill the void of Bonds in the line up.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 22, 2007 10:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

Good thought.

by bobr on Nov 22, 2007 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

Personally, I think that Dukes could dominate in the NL. Its well known that the NL is much more of a fastball league, while the AL is stronger in breaking pitches. Lets be honest, Dukes is a dead red fastball hitter. He could do some special things in the NL.

by BossmanJunior333 on Nov 22, 2007 10:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

He can dominate anywhere, Dukes is a .900+ OPS year waiting to happen.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 22, 2007 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

Dukes for Chico!

Let's Go Rays!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Nov 22, 2007 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

let me repeat this:
he could .900 OPS guy BUT IT WILL NEVER EVER EVERRRRRR HAPPEN...
No one is going to get the full potential of this kid, he is a cancer, get what you can and cut the cord, before he kills someone...

by nittsallgood on Nov 22, 2007 3:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We'll agree to disagree

He's a troubled guy, but saying he's a cancer and implying that he'll murder someone are baseless accusations, Shawn Riggans, James Shields, Delmon Young, they've all defended Elijah as a good guy and teammate. Perhaps that changes when they're not around, but he's not all bad.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 22, 2007 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: We'll agree to disagree

I agree, R.J. I think people conflate different issues as if one flaw must mean the same as every flaw. As I recall, although he did send a threatening message to his wife, since leaving high school he has not been involved in any violent episodes. I am not saying he might not be dangerous, but as a pro, while he has talked like a violent person, he has not acted like one.

by bobr on Nov 22, 2007 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

Since it is Andrew Friedman at the helm, it's a reasonable guess that this trade, since it is now all over the baseball world, will not happen anytime soon. I'd venture that Andrew is talking to a team like the Giants or any other team that may have made an inquiry on Eli and is attempting to make a deal, using the Nats interest as leverage.

by ttnorm on Nov 22, 2007 4:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

Ok, maybe saying he'd kill someone was drama, but I'm of people making excuses for this kid because he is talented, he could have the world by the perverbial balls, and continues to fail as a human being with good judgement. Neither you or I could get such help or excuses at work and neither should he. If someone wants this headache, by all means let them.
Now, I'm not saying just give him away, but we are never going to get full value, so take the best deal you can and let him go-

by nittsallgood on Nov 22, 2007 5:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dukes Talks Growing Serious

I do agree the Rays probably have to deal him, and most likely for $.10 on the dollar. The problem is there is no place for him in the TB organization. They can't send him to the minors-at best that would be risky and almost certainly counter-productive-and probably cannot keep him on the major league roster given all the baggage.

In a way, what they did once the problem became unsupportable was about as smart as possible. Rather than just dump him they held on by hiding him until he might regain, however slightly, some value, so they may yet get a body for him. Just possibly his performance in the Dominican League may make him appealing to someone.

by bobr on Nov 22, 2007 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Too much ado.

There's absolutely no reason why the Rays can't keep Dukes and have him start the season in the minors. The whole mgmt org there is gone. And if he can't keep it together, he's worthless to all. The Rays might lose were that to happen - but don't forget the cost to Dukes himself. He's responsible for his career - he has to step up for himself.

Dukes isn't going to bring a significant return now because of his "issues", but also because, let's not forget, the guy hit .190 in his stint in the majors. Personally I think he's overrated - a talented athlete, but not necessarily a very good baseball player. His athleticism and youth keep people interested for now. The above talk about his ability to hit the fastball, so the NL is where he should be because it's a fastball league is complete bull. The AL might actually have more power pitchers than the NL, and decent pitchers - and there are plenty in the NL - will exploit a hitters' weaknesses. Apparently Dukes has a few, and needs time and play to confirm he can improve.

Dules isn't going to bring Sanchez or Chico - Albaladejo is a much more realistic possibility. So the best strategy is to sit on him,hope he plays well in Durham and doesn't implode.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 25, 2007 8:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Too much ado.

He also had a .190 BABIP, .070 points lower than xBABIP, meaning he was unlucky.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 25, 2007 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Too much ado.

I don't know if you are aware but Dukes is personna non grata in Durham according to the Bulls management. Of course the Rays organization could try to force him down their throats but they would do so at the risk of losing their affiliation with Durham, something that the rightfully value as would many other teams in MLB.

by ttnorm on Nov 25, 2007 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs