Washington Nationals Get Guillen from Angels
Angels trade Guillen to D.C.-bound Expos (MSNBC – AP)
The Anaheim Angels traded troubled outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington-bound Expos for outfielder Juan Rivera and prospect Maicer Izturis. “It was the best thing that could happen, taking into consideration the way things ended last season between us,†Guillen told the AP from his home in Miami. “I’m excited to be a part of the Expos and part of history, now that we’ll play in the U.S. capital.â€
Guillen was suspended for the last eight games of the regular season and dropped from Anaheim’s playoff roster after he threw a tantrum in the dugout and clubhouse when he was removed for a pinch-runner on Sept. 25. In a grievance settlement, he agreed to allow the Angels to withhold two days’ pay. Guillen hit .294 with 27 homers and a career-high 104 RBIs in 2004. He is owed $3.5 million next season. Angels general manager Bill Stoneman told Guillen of the trade. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward Anaheim,†Guillen said.
Rivera, acquired by Montreal from the New York Yankees in the Nick Johnson trade last December, hit .307 for the Expos with 12 homers and 49 RBIs in his first full major league season. Izturis, the younger brother of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis, hit .338 with 65 runs scored, 19 doubles, three homers and 36 RBIs for Triple-A Edmonton. He made his major league debut Aug. 27 and batted .206 with five doubles, two triples and four RBIs in 107 at-bats with Montreal.
New Expos general manager Jim Bowden has been busy this week. He earlier agreed to a $16.8 million, four-year contract with shortstop Cristian Guzman, and a $6.2 million, two-year deal with third baseman Vinny Castilla.
This is a major reshaping of the team, expected to be called the Washington Nationals, before new ownership is found or a stadium deal is in place. Very intriguing, nonetheless.
Update: See also –
The Washington Nationals (Nov. 6)
Washington Nationals Logo (Nov. 22)
Intriguing? ITYM “Craptacular.” Jim Bowden is an idiot, and Stoneman got a heck of a steal. He dumped a clubhouse cancer for an equal player with a much lower salary — and a toolsy infielder thrown in as well.
If the Expos/Nationals/Grays/Senators win more than 70 games this year, it’ll either be dumb luck, or the Mets will really, really suck.
I can understand using a relatively bland name like the Nationals until a new ownership group is named, but I’m a big fan of the Grays. I think it’s a great way to recognize the Negro leagues, and it’s perfect that DC would be the city to do so — since it is the most predominantly African American City. Also, I’m not too worried about the name being dull, since trying to find “exiting” names leads to teams called the Wizards or Raptors.