FanHouse Trades

It's going to be a long year for the Washington Nationals. They're off to an 0-2 start already, and really, who knows if they'll get a win this month. They're just that bad.

How bad are they?

Well during the offseason the Detroit Tigers sent Nook Logan (pictured to the right warding off evil spirits) to the Nationals for the infamous "players to be named." The way these deals work is that the Tigers would receive a list of players of several minor leaguers in the Nationals system. They then get to go through the names and pick anyone that they want.

Well, the Tigers went through that list, and after looking long and hard they made their decision. They decided just to take $75,000 in cash from the Nationals rather than subject themselves to a Nats minor leaguer. When asked about the Nationals and their list of players, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski laughed so hard he cried.

"Oh my God! They suck so freaking bad! I think I saw Harmon Killebrew's name on there."**

Logan is the Nationals starting center fielder, and so far this season he's 1-for-1 and has already earned himself a trip to the disabled list. Go, Nats!

**Not an actual statement, though I'm sure he thought it.

Previously at the Fanhouse:

Can The Washington Nationals Be Historically Bad?

Is this what Aaron Rowand gets for slamming his face into a fence and breaking his nose? Trade rumors have been following Rowand around lately, from the one about the White Sox for relief pitching, to the one about the Blue Jays with Jon Lieber for Alex Rios. How is Aaron handling it?

"I've only been traded once in my career," said Rowand, who was a supplemental pick for Chicago in 1998 and came to Philadelphia in 2005 in the trade that sent Jim Thome to the Windy City. "I've been in three or four rumors each winter. There's nothing you can do about that. It's kind of flattering that another team wants you and that (the Phillies) want me and will only trade me for the right deal."

It had better be the right deal for the Phillies' sake, and not one of those Bobby Abreu for a ham sandwich type deals like the one Pat Gillick made last season. Alex Rios might turn out to be a special talent ... or he might not. And the Phillies could sure use the middle relief that the White Sox would offer. But Aaron Rowand planted his face in a fence, and subsequently had the best selling merchandise in Philadelphia for a while. Guys like that don't grow on trees (they are, however, manufactured in a remote steel mill in Pennsylvania). The Mets were never the same after trading Lenny Dykstra to Philadelphia many moons ago, so the Phillies of all teams should realize the value a guy like this has.

Well, it looks like all that the two sides were waiting for was their week 2 match-up to pass. ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that the San Diego Chargers have sent an undisclosed draft pick to the Titans in exchange for QB Billy Volek. The move makes sense considering that the Chargers have only two Quarterbacks on the roster, and neither has started more than two games. If it was anything higher than a 5th round pick, I would be a bit frustrated, but it seems it will only cost the Chargers a 5th or 6th rounder. Well spent, because none of the Chargers late round picks from the 2006 draft are even on the roster.

The question remains as to who will assume the #2 role behind Philip Rivers - will it be Charlie Whitehurst or Billy Volek. Volek has the experience but Charlie has shown throughout the offseason and even during the regular season (he scored a touchdown last week against the Titans) that he has a firm grasp of the offense and has the mental makeup and physical tools that the coaches have raved about. Personally, I believe that unless Whitehurst losses outright in competition, he should remain the #2 starter - regardless of his lack of experience at the NFL level.