UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 10:11pm: The Nationals paid a fairly hefty $5MM for Lo Duca. This is for a backstop who hit .272/.311/.378 while throwing out a below-average 23.4% of basestealers in 2007. He’d better call a good game.
FROM 12-10-07 at 1:59pm:
According to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, the Nationals have signed Paul Lo Duca to a one-year deal. He apparently wanted $5MM; I imagine he got a bit less than that. Four days ago Joel Sherman said the Blue Jays were putting the "finishing touches" on a one-year, $3MM deal with Lo Duca.
My reaction: eh. I’m not sure what Lo Duca adds to the 2008 Nationals that they couldn’t get elsewhere for less money. I guess they could hope he has a big first half and then try to flip him for a prospect. Mets fans: is Lo Duca good at naturing young pitchers? That could be one decent reason to sign him.
