Nats Working on Redding-Taveras Trade
The Nationals are working on a trade tonight that would send right-handed starting pitcher Tim Redding to the Colorado Rockies for center fielder Willy Taveras, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the talks.
Taveras, who turns 27 on Christmas Day, is a speedster who stole 68 bases this season, but his OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .604 was the second-worst of any player in baseball who had enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title.
The Nationals had been seeking a defensive upgrade in center field over Lastings Milledge, who played there in 2008. If Taveras were added, Milledge would join a glut of corner outfielders on the Nationals' roster, which could spark an additional trade or two.
Both Taveras and Redding were candidates to be non-tendered later this winter, and both are under team control for two more seasons.
By
Dave Sheinin
|
December 9, 2008; 9:46 PM ET
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Posted by: dcsportsfan13 | December 9, 2008 10:03 PM | Report abuse
And how does this improve our team?
Posted by: driley | December 9, 2008 10:04 PM | Report abuse
Players like him don't win championships but would help with defense in the alley's
He had an off year in 2008 but hit .320 in '07 and has had acceptable on base percentages -- not great ... but acceptable.
That would leave the Nats with, what, six starting corner outfielders for two spots?
Stay near your computer ... more moves would be coming.
Posted by: rushfari | December 9, 2008 10:09 PM | Report abuse
uhhhhhhh i just threw up in my mouth
Posted by: theredskin | December 9, 2008 10:12 PM | Report abuse
What happened to Chico Harlan?
Posted by: registration | December 9, 2008 10:15 PM | Report abuse
This makes absolutely no sense. We're short on starting pitching and have a glut of OFs.
Posted by: NatsMan21 | December 9, 2008 10:26 PM | Report abuse
So, presumably after they refused to send us Carlos Gonzalez we must have asked what else they had lying around.
Posted by: soundbloke | December 9, 2008 10:28 PM | Report abuse
The Rays were rumored to be offering up Sonanstine and/or Edwin Jackson, and are also looking for OF help...
Posted by: jctichen | December 9, 2008 10:36 PM | Report abuse
Ugh. We already have Willy Taveras; his name is Roger Bernadina. At least with Bernadina there is the possibility he will improve (.351/.404/.513 in Columbus last year) and won't cost us a useful starting pitcher.
Bowden is a loser.
Posted by: Tank2 | December 9, 2008 10:42 PM | Report abuse
This makes me sick. Is there any rational explanation for this move?
Posted by: mdb280 | December 9, 2008 10:45 PM | Report abuse
I wonder what Nook Logan is up to these days?
Posted by: soundbloke | December 9, 2008 10:50 PM | Report abuse
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Bleh. Here's hoping this trade doesn't go through. Bowden seems not to care at all about the important stats like OBP and OPS- he consistently goes after only speed and defense. Dave, would you give JimBo a lesson on what is important in baseball so this organization can get somewhere in the next few years?