Athletics Trade Kurt Suzuki to the Nationals

[gladdyontherise]

Nationals Acquire Kurt Suzuki: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

The Athletics traded catcher Kurt Suzuki and cash considerations to the Nationals for catcher David Freitas, the teams announced. It sounds like the A's are picking up most of Suzuki's 2012 salary and a bit of next year's salary, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (on Twitter).

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Not surprised. The Nationals have had a few injuries at catcher this season.

[ucffans]

Great move for the Nats. I'm very impressed with how the Nationals orginazation has progressed in the past few years.

[leiber88]

Depends on amount of cash they got with him. He has a big salary next year and if Ramos is healthy, he's just as good for way less of a cost.

[jwgreen68]

I'll bet SanJoseFuji is very disappointed.

[bakemeister52]

nice move for the Nats

[sanjosefuji]

No doubt... I still haven't written my sayonara salute post, because I'm still in mourning.

I'll bet SanJoseFuji is very disappointed.

[sanjosefuji]

Sayonara Salute #21: Kurt Suzuki

I saw it coming from a mile away. He's been struggling at the plate for the past three seasons and things weren't getting any better. And then it happened last Friday:

However... just because I wasn't surprised, doesn't mean I'm okay with it. The fact is... Kurt Suzuki has been my favorite baseball player for years and anytime your favorite team trades your favorite player... it hurts.

But it's part of being a fan. I've been in this same situation before:

December 5th, 1984 - The Oakland A's trade Rickey Henderson to the New York Yankees.
March 10th, 1999 - The Los Angeles Lakers trade Eddie Jones to the Charlotte Hornets.
August 7th, 2008 - The Green Bay Packers trade Brett Favre to the New York Jets.
June 24th, 2011 - The San Jose Sharks trade Devin Setoguchi to the Minnesota Wild.

And I'm sure it's going to happen again. So as I begin the healing process, I just wanted to salute Mr. Suzuki and thank him for the contributions he has made to the Oakland Athletics franchise.

There's no doubt in my mind that his leadership and defensive skills behind the plate will be missed. On the bright side... at least he'll have more opportunities to play with the Washington Nationals.

And for those of you who are wondering...

Yes... he's still my favorite player. And, yes... I'm still going to collect his cardboard... well at least the ones where he's pictured as an Athletic.

Sayonara Kurt! Best of luck in Washington. Hopefully you'll be able to turn things around offensively on the East Coast... but always know you'll be missed on the other side of the country.

What about you?

Have you ever been in my position, where you favorite player on your favorite team was traded? Did it affect the way you collect him/her?

Happy Friday everyone!



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