WASHINGTON — The agent for starting pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham said Monday they are being traded from the Florida Marlins to the Washington Nationals. Agent Matt Sosnick said a news conference in the Washington area was being planned for today.
ESPN.com reported, citing sources, that the Marlins would receive second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers in the deal.
The left-handed Olsen went 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA in 2008, his third consecutive season with at least 31 starts. He is 31-37 with a 4.63 ERA in the major leagues.
Bonifacio has hit .240 with zero homers and 16 RBI in 60 big league games. Washington acquired him in July in a trade that sent reliever Jon Rauch to Arizona.
How the deal with Washington will affect the Marlins’ plans wasn’t immediately clear.
Bonifacio could become an option at second base if Florida moves arbitration-eligible All-Star Dan Uggla, who reportedly could be available. The Marlins have already shipped first baseman Mike Jacobs to Kansas City this offseason, and still have plenty of decisions to make about other players who were part of Florida’s surprising 84-77 run this season.
Most around the team have long figured that either Willingham or right fielder Jeremy Hermida wouldn’t be back with cost-conscious Florida in 2009, even though the team is planning to increase its spending a bit in the coming season.
“I think Olsen knew he would probably get traded, and Willingham knew there was a chance, given the constraints the Marlins have,” Sosnick said.
———
AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this report.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
