It’s official – the Marlins traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinksi, and P.J. Dean. Let’s round up commentary on the surprising deal.
- Jim Bowden says he acquired Willingham as an outfielder, not a first baseman.
- MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro has Larry Beinfest saying the Marlins will move forward with both Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla.
- Mike Berardino and Juan C. Rodriguez also believe Uggla will stay put this winter.
- Olsen talked to Frisaro and the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Capozzi about the trade. He’s happy it’s over, but doesn’t sound bitter.
- Also at MLB.com, Jonathan Mayo evaluates the prospects the Marlins received.
- ESPN’s Keith Law calls it an "easy win for Washington." He notes that Olsen’s velocity rebounded in September.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post reminds us that the Marlins excel at evaluating young talent. He says Nick Johnson, if healthy, figures to be trade bait now that the Nats have Willingham.
- Dave Cameron weighs in. He says the neither Olsen nor Willingham are as good as their reputations, but the Nats didn’t give up much.