Elijah Dukes (1 Viewer)

[DCThunder]

A local DC sports talk guy (Steve Czaban by name) has come out strongly against the Nationals trade which brough them Elijah Dukes from the Rays saying that he wouldn't want him on his team, representing his franchise. This is regardless of what he hits or anything else, just saying let some other team run the risk of him blowing up again.

How do the baseball aficianados of this board feel about this position?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

You not accepted by the local media, dawg

 

[Darth Cheney]

Milledge and Dukes... that's going to be fun.

 

[Balco]

Milledge and Dukes... that's going to be fun.

Milledge might have some maturity issues, but it is very unfair to compare him to Dukes who is certifiably insane. The guy has multiple arrests on his record, threatened to kill the mother of his child, and then goes and tries to beat up an umpire. He is crazy.

 

[Eephus]

He's a grade B prospect, a nutjob and a clubhouse cancer.

On the plus side, Bowden didn't give up that much for him. The Nationals can always sever ties the next time Dukes screws up.

 

[JZilla]

On the plus side, Bowden didn't give up that much for him. The Nationals can always sever ties the next time Dukes screws up.

This is the key. Not much to lose, the guy's got talent, maybe they can get him to grow up. If not, what's the worst that can happen? They miss the playoffs?

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

If not, what's the worst that can happen?

He kills Ryan Zimmerman.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

If not, what's the worst that can happen?

He kills Ryan Zimmerman.

Can you imagine figuring out spring training roommates?

 

[Giant Wooden Badger]

If not, what's the worst that can happen?

He kills Ryan Zimmerman.

Can you imagine figuring out spring training roommates?

Something tells me he and Milledge are a match made in heaven.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

If not, what's the worst that can happen?

He kills Ryan Zimmerman.

Can you imagine figuring out spring training roommates?

Something tells me he and Milledge are a match made in heaven.

You my roommate, dawg...

 

[RC94]

Refresh my memory - who is this guy and how is he a nut/clubhouse cancer?

 

[Knightro]

Dukes was so bad in AAA the team owner told the Rays Dukes was not welcome back, ever.

He blew up at the press a few times last year when they tried to talk to him about the crap he was putting his fiancee and kids through.

A few assault and pot issues through high school and early playing career.

6 kids with 5 different women - after child support comes out of his check, he makes slightly more than a McDonalds fry cook

 

[Darth Cheney]

Dukes was so bad in AAA the team owner told the Rays Dukes was not welcome back, ever.He blew up at the press a few times last year when they tried to talk to him about the crap he was putting his fiancee and kids through.A few assault and pot issues through high school and early playing career.6 kids with 5 different women - after child support comes out of his check, he makes slightly more than a McDonalds fry cook

He's immature... he's a kid. The 6 kid thing is problematic and a concern as are any of the issues he's had in regards to assault against his baby momma. I would have to hear the context in which the AAA owner said that quote. Also, getting mad at the press and fight and pot issues in HS aren't cause to string him up. It's not like these guys are "gentlemen ballplayers"; they're real people who have physical talent. That being said, I wouldn't want to make him a key component in the future of my organization but I would take a cheap flyer on him and see how things pan out. Josh Hamilton was immature and a troublemaker... he seems to have grown out of it. I'm still amazed at the D-Rays offseason as there were an article in SI last year about how Dukes and Young would be the cornerstones of future pennant teams.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Just a thought - its a little crazy, so don't get mad, but just for kicks and giggles, it might be better if the poll question was the same as the Topic question, or at lease not polar opposites.

Have a wonderful day

 

[Capella]

Dukes was so bad in AAA the team owner told the Rays Dukes was not welcome back, ever.He blew up at the press a few times last year when they tried to talk to him about the crap he was putting his fiancee and kids through.A few assault and pot issues through high school and early playing career.6 kids with 5 different women - after child support comes out of his check, he makes slightly more than a McDonalds fry cook

He's immature... he's a kid. The 6 kid thing is problematic and a concern as are any of the issues he's had in regards to assault against his baby momma. I would have to hear the context in which the AAA owner said that quote. Also, getting mad at the press and fight and pot issues in HS aren't cause to string him up. It's not like these guys are "gentlemen ballplayers"; they're real people who have physical talent. That being said, I wouldn't want to make him a key component in the future of my organization but I would take a cheap flyer on him and see how things pan out. Josh Hamilton was immature and a troublemaker... he seems to have grown out of it. I'm still amazed at the D-Rays offseason as there were an article in SI last year about how Dukes and Young would be the cornerstones of future pennant teams.

There was no context to the Durham owner quote. He told the Rays that Dukes was not welcome back and they wouldn't accept him on their roster if the Rays sent him there.The guy sent a text message to his ex-wife saying she's going to be dead (with a picture of a gun). He's insane. Hamilton had nothing on him.

 

[Eephus]

Dukes has some serious anger issues. Maybe he'll outgrow them as he matures but I wouldn't bet on it. He's 23, not 14.

I'm still not convinced he's such a great prospect. He has the tools but is very raw and inconsistent. He doesn't take criticism well and doesn't seem like the kind of player who'll devote himself to improving his game. I hope he gets his act together but I wouldn't be surprised if he's out of baseball in three years.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Dukes was so bad in AAA the team owner told the Rays Dukes was not welcome back, ever.He blew up at the press a few times last year when they tried to talk to him about the crap he was putting his fiancee and kids through.A few assault and pot issues through high school and early playing career.6 kids with 5 different women - after child support comes out of his check, he makes slightly more than a McDonalds fry cook

He's immature... he's a kid. The 6 kid thing is problematic and a concern as are any of the issues he's had in regards to assault against his baby momma. I would have to hear the context in which the AAA owner said that quote. Also, getting mad at the press and fight and pot issues in HS aren't cause to string him up. It's not like these guys are "gentlemen ballplayers"; they're real people who have physical talent. That being said, I wouldn't want to make him a key component in the future of my organization but I would take a cheap flyer on him and see how things pan out. Josh Hamilton was immature and a troublemaker... he seems to have grown out of it. I'm still amazed at the D-Rays offseason as there were an article in SI last year about how Dukes and Young would be the cornerstones of future pennant teams.

There was no context to the Durham owner quote. He told the Rays that Dukes was not welcome back and they wouldn't accept him on their roster if the Rays sent him there.The guy sent a text message to his ex-wife saying she's going to be dead (with a picture of a gun). He's insane. Hamilton had nothing on him.

I don't want to get into an argument with your over this as you have you hand on the pulse of the Rays like noone else and know alot more than me about it.... but hell if they convicted everyone who's ever threatened a spouse,lover,ex-spouse or ex-lover with either death or guilt over suicide (such as if you leave me I'll kill myself), there'd probably be alot less people around.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Dukes has some serious anger issues. Maybe he'll outgrow them as he matures but I wouldn't bet on it. He's 23, not 14.I'm still not convinced he's such a great prospect. He has the tools but is very raw and inconsistent. He doesn't take criticism well and doesn't seem like the kind of player who'll devote himself to improving his game. I hope he gets his act together but I wouldn't be surprised if he's out of baseball in three years.

Just like 50 is the new 30 or 30 is the new 20, 23 is the new 14.; that's why we have alot of 23 year olds still living at home relying on their parents for emotional and financial support. I think that you analysis of his talent is more of an indicator to his future success than his temprament.

 

[Capella]

Dukes was so bad in AAA the team owner told the Rays Dukes was not welcome back, ever.He blew up at the press a few times last year when they tried to talk to him about the crap he was putting his fiancee and kids through.A few assault and pot issues through high school and early playing career.6 kids with 5 different women - after child support comes out of his check, he makes slightly more than a McDonalds fry cook

He's immature... he's a kid. The 6 kid thing is problematic and a concern as are any of the issues he's had in regards to assault against his baby momma. I would have to hear the context in which the AAA owner said that quote. Also, getting mad at the press and fight and pot issues in HS aren't cause to string him up. It's not like these guys are "gentlemen ballplayers"; they're real people who have physical talent. That being said, I wouldn't want to make him a key component in the future of my organization but I would take a cheap flyer on him and see how things pan out. Josh Hamilton was immature and a troublemaker... he seems to have grown out of it. I'm still amazed at the D-Rays offseason as there were an article in SI last year about how Dukes and Young would be the cornerstones of future pennant teams.

There was no context to the Durham owner quote. He told the Rays that Dukes was not welcome back and they wouldn't accept him on their roster if the Rays sent him there.The guy sent a text message to his ex-wife saying she's going to be dead (with a picture of a gun). He's insane. Hamilton had nothing on him.

I don't want to get into an argument with your over this as you have you hand on the pulse of the Rays like noone else and know alot more than me about it.... but hell if they convicted everyone who's ever threatened a spouse,lover,ex-spouse or ex-lover with either death or guilt over suicide (such as if you leave me I'll kill myself), there'd probably be alot less people around.

True enough, but that's just the tip of his problems. He's really screwed in the head.I hope he has a productive career and can turn things around, but I really doubt it. Either way, I'm glad he's no longer the Rays' problem.

 

[RC94]

Just a thought - its a little crazy, so don't get mad, but just for kicks and giggles, it might be better if the poll question was the same as the Topic question, or at lease not polar opposites.Have a wonderful day