Would You Take A Chance On Elijah Dukes?

In a puzzling move, the Washington Nationals released troubled but talented outfielder Elijah Dukes today.  Of course, this begs the public to ask why, but they are claiming it's a baseball decision.

Manager Jim Riggleman said it was a strictly baseball decision and not related to any off-the-field problems. "We like some of our other options in right field, really," Riggleman said. "Elijah was great."

General manager Mike Rizzo called the release "a performance-based decision" but also implied Dukes's place in the clubhouse adversely affected the Nationals. Rizzo said the Nationals "will be a more cohesive, united group" without Dukes.

"The clubhouse will be more united," Rizzo said. "We'll have a better feel around the ballclub. We'll gain just by that alone."

The Nationals discussed the possibility of parting ways with Dukes this winter, Rizzo said. The Nationals "made several inquiries to many" teams, Rizzo said. "We found there was no interest in a trade for Elijah." The Nationals could have also optioned Dukes to the minor leagues, but they felt he had peaked in his development, Rizzo said.

Grady Irvin, Dukes's attorney, echoed the Nationals's firm assertion that Dukes had experienced no off-field problems. Team officials believed Dukes had grown this offseason, which included tragedy. Dukes's father died of cancer in November three weeks after he was released from prison. Elijah Dukes Sr. spent 14 years in jail after pleading guilty to shooting a man. Dukes was 12 when his father went to jail.

"He's matured so much as a person and a responsible father," Irvin said."He'll be fine. He'll be just fine. He's going to be an asset to some major league team.

"There are absolutely no off-the-field issues whatsoever. Absolutely none. You can look at anything you want to."

It's an odd decision to me because he was essentially making the minimum, and he still had minor league options.  Furthermore, going into 2009, Dukes looked like a potential 25-25 breakout candidate.  Things didn't quite work out that way, and he ended up struggling quite a bit, but he posted a .382 wOBA in 334 plate appearances in 2008, so there's huge upside there.  However much he struggled last year on the field, the plate discipline, power, and athleticism remain an attractive collection of tools.

Before you go on and on about how he's a bad clubhouse influence, it's not like Joe Torre hasn't been able to work miracles in short spurts before, and I think his presense allows the Dodgers to take chances on guys with negative reputations.  Granted, it would be a risk, but if he gets into trouble again, it's not like it would cost much to simply release him again.

Another hidden value is that having Dukes on the bench would pretty much ensure nobody would throw at Dodgers hitters ever again. :o

Now i'm fully aware that the chance of the Dodgers signing Dukes is remote, but it's food for thought.  The team needs a corner outfielder in 2011 when Manny Ramirez leaves, and Dukes has a better combination of major league readiness and potential than any outfield prospect in the system by a long shot.