Thursday, July 14, 2005

MLB: Nationals trade with Rockies for Preston Wilson

In search of a big bat for the middle of their lineup, the Washington Nationals (sporting the least productive offense in the Majors) made a deal with the Rockies to get power hitting center fielder Preston Wilson. In return, the Nats sent pitcher Zach Day, outfielder J.J. Davis and a player to be named later or cash.

Wilson has 15 homers and 47 RBI for the Rockies, but is only batting .258. He was an All-Star in 2003 when he hit 36 homers and knocked in 141 runs. He has also been a strikeout machine, getting K'd at least 100 times in all of his full seasons, including 156 times in 1999 and 187 times in 2000.

Day, a 27-year-old who looked very promising at times, began the season as a starter but never found his groove and got sent to the bullpen. He hasn't played since breaking his wrist in late May, and now the Nationals have shipped him to the thin air and tiny field of Colorado, where his 6.75 ERA doesn't seem so bad.

Davis started the season with the Nationals but couldn't get his bat going (hitting .231) and got sent to the minors. The Rockies have optioned him to their Triple-A team in Colorado Springs.

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