Washington Off-Season Report

The Washington Booze Hounds went into the off-season looking to deal depth, prospects, and emering superstars for starting pitching, outfielders, and a closer. In a series of deals, the starting pitching is set while the team is still positioned to acquire OFs and closers.

Review of the Deals:

• In a pre-arranged dispersal draft deal with new team "Old Bridge", Javier Vazquez and Ted Lilly were acquired for emerging slugger Kendry Morales and the disappointing BJ Upton. While Vazquez and Lilly are older, they turned in possibly their best career years in 2009. Morales was stuck beyond Teixeira at 1B and Upon's potential just didn't fit into the Booze Hound's "Going for it in 2010" approach. Old Bridge gets 2 young players to build around.

• After one deal for Pablo Sandoval fell through (with the requisite finger-pointing by both owner/GMs), it took a little over a week to find another suitor for this emerging superstar. After a two-hour marathon AIM session a deal was struck with Oahu. In the 8-piece deal, Sandoval, Church, Iwamura, and John Maine get shipped to the much nicer climate of Oahu for Adam Wainright, Craig Breslow, and Oahu's 1st and 2nd round picks. Oahu gets a young superstar to add to its core, and a few underperforming players that could be useful in a rebuild situation. Washington gets an ace starter along with a solid LH reliever and two nice draft picks that can be used to acquire another OF or build a bullpen. Washington hates to see Sandoval go, but logjams at his positions in a non-DH league, plus the need for more starting pitching made the move seem necessary.

• Washington adds an outfielder and fills a weakness versus LH pitching by acquiring Josh Willingham for its 2nd rounder. Washington had been trying to acquire Willingham since mid-2009, and they finally hooked up with Colorado Springs to make it happen.