Elijah Dukes Contemplates Baseball Future

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Note: I placed this thread in Transactions because I have no idea where it fits. This could lead to an off season trade of Elijah Dukes so I guess it kind of a transaction thread.

 

 

Anyways here is an article from Baseball America in regards to Dukes......

 

As the Devil Rays' world turned this week, it looked like the news would be good for the talented prospects at Triple-A Durham, with B.J. Upton getting his long-awaited promotion to the big leagues.

 

It didn't take long for things to turn sour again, however, with the club announcing on Tuesday that it was suspending outfielder Elijah Dukes indefinitely, and Dukes responding that he might be through with baseball.

 

The Devil Rays said in a release that they were suspending Dukes indefinitely "pending a review of the incident which led to his suspension by the International League." The 22-year-old outfielder was suspended for five games by the IL after arguing balls and strikes on July 25, a matter that wouldn't seem to require a lot of further review. He had been scheduled to return to the lineup at Triple-A Durham Tuesday night.

[NCCubFan]

In other news about Devil Rays' minor leaguers, it was mentioned on my local news last night that Josh Hamilton's latest comeback has been derailed. He'd been playing in the minors but is now out with a knee injury (no mention of how serious). Talk about a snakebit organization.

[Wheelimus]

Wow, I can't see Dukes giving up on baseball because of this. Anyone else think it's a ploy to get released so he can sign someplace less stupid?

 

I realize he's a basket case, but I'd take him on our team any day of the week at this point.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

In other news about Devil Rays' minor leaguers, it was mentioned on my local news last night that Josh Hamilton's latest comeback has been derailed. He'd been playing in the minors but is now out with a knee injury (no mention of how serious). Talk about a snakebit organization.

 

• Devil Rays outfielder Josh Hamilton has been sidelined since July 29 with a knee injury. He is expected to have the knee examined this week, according to the Associated Press. Hamilton was hitting .260/.327/.360 in 50 at-bats for short-season Hudson Valley in his return after missing four years because of injuries and drug suspensions.

[texascub]

Dukes was suspended for 5 games for arguing balls and strikes? He must have said every single magic word in the dictionary plus some to get that.

[NCCubFan]

Dukes was suspended for 5 games for arguing balls and strikes? He must have said every single magic word in the dictionary plus some to get that.

What he was actually suspended for was refusing to leave the field after being ejected.

[soccer10k]

Dukes was suspended for 5 games for arguing balls and strikes? He must have said every single magic word in the dictionary plus some to get that.

What he was actually suspended for was refusing to leave the field after being ejected.

 

Dukes was obviously having a tough time convincing the umpire to go out to dinner with him after the game.

[DiamondMind]

The hell with both of them. Seriously. To have such a god-given talent and piss it away over semantics is inexcuseable. People would kill to be paid thousands of dollars to play a child's game. Disgusting.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

[DiamondMind]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

 

The Cubs drafted Ben Christiansen and considered bringing in Milton Bradley so I'm not sure they're all that "family" oriented.

[DiamondMind]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

 

The Cubs drafted Ben Christiansen and considered bringing in Milton Bradley so I'm not sure they're all that "family" oriented.

 

Not to argue, but I'm fairly sure the #1 reason why we ended up not signing Bradley was due to the off-the-field problems. Sad truth is the Cubs care about ticket sales over anything else.

[CP_414]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

 

The Cubs drafted Ben Christiansen and considered bringing in Milton Bradley so I'm not sure they're all that "family" oriented.

 

Not to argue, but I'm fairly sure the #1 reason why we ended up not signing Bradley was due to the off-the-field problems. Sad truth is the Cubs care about ticket sales over anything else.

 

I'm sure the #1 reason is we didn't offer Andre Either in a trade like Oakland did.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

 

The Cubs drafted Ben Christiansen and considered bringing in Milton Bradley so I'm not sure they're all that "family" oriented.

 

Not to argue, but I'm fairly sure the #1 reason why we ended up not signing Bradley was due to the off-the-field problems. Sad truth is the Cubs care about ticket sales over anything else.

 

It would have been a trade. The Dodgers made the correct move anyhow considering they got Andre Eithier for him.

[DiamondMind]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

 

The Cubs drafted Ben Christiansen and considered bringing in Milton Bradley so I'm not sure they're all that "family" oriented.

 

Not to argue, but I'm fairly sure the #1 reason why we ended up not signing Bradley was due to the off-the-field problems. Sad truth is the Cubs care about ticket sales over anything else.

 

It would have been a trade. The Dodgers made the correct move anyhow considering they got Andre Eithier for him.

 

Sorry, trade. I don't know if anyone knew Ethier would be the player he has been this year though. I know he was a good prospect, but who knows what the Cubs offered?

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

You might take the gamble as would I considering the Cubs current predicament, but the question is did Hendry turn the other way on the possibility of acquiring Dukes or even possibly turn it down.

 

In Baseball Prospectus, Kevin Goldstein wrote a piece rating the best minor league corner outfielders. Anyways, he rated Elijah Dukes sixth. That being said, I found the highlighted portion interesting.

 

Elijah Dukes, Devil Rays

 

Age: 22.1 Hitting: .293/.401/.488 in 80 G (AAA)

 

What to even do with Dukes was the subject of much self-imposed debate. Recently suspended indefinitely by the Devil Rays after a run-in with an umpire, Dukes' list of behavior-related incidents could fill a book, and some suggested leaving him completely out of the rankings, as he's not even playing right now. At the same time, his talent is obvious to anybody who's seen him play, and I've ranked him here purely on talent. Dukes' on-the-field abilities are undeniable. At 6-foot-2 and 225, Dukes is built like an NFL strong safety and has plus power and speed to go with an excellent feel for hitting. In 283 at-bats this year, he's has nearly as many walks (44) as strikeouts (47), and his approach is as controlled as his anger is not. Now let's talk about the real world for a moment, where Dukes' troubled background and behavior are also undeniable. Despite anger management classes and numerous attempts by the Devil Rays to harness Dukes' emotions, disturbing on- and off-the-field incidents continue at an alarming pace and any future in baseball at all is in doubt. According to multiple sources, the Devil Rays spent time during the trade deadline offering Dukes to multiple teams for very little in return with no real takers. His talent ranks just behind the elite five ahead of him, but his chances of reaching his potential seem to dwindle by the day. When it comes right down to it, it's just kind of sad.

[Wheelimus]

And if Hendry was offered him for not much in return, and turned it down, he should be tarred and feathered...

[cbbryan]

Considering the dearth of high-end position prospects in the Cubs system, I'd take a gamble on Dukes.

 

So would I. Knowing that....what would it take to get Elijah to the Cubs org?

 

Cubs are a family organization. Absolutely no way this happens. Ever.

 

The Cubs drafted Ben Christiansen and considered bringing in Milton Bradley so I'm not sure they're all that "family" oriented.

 

Not to argue, but I'm fairly sure the #1 reason why we ended up not signing Bradley was due to the off-the-field problems. Sad truth is the Cubs care about ticket sales over anything else.

 

It would have been a trade. The Dodgers made the correct move anyhow considering they got Andre Eithier for him.

 

Sorry, trade. I don't know if anyone knew Ethier would be the player he has been this year though. I know he was a good prospect, but who knows what the Cubs offered?

 

I think their was a VERY good possibility of Ethier being very good. He was considered a great hitter, he always put up great numbers in the minors.

 

He wasn't hyped like Delmon Young, or Upton, Hamel, etc. But the numbers were there.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

BA chimes in:

 

• The Devil Rays announced that the official suspension of outfielder Elijah Dukes will be for 30 games retroactive to August 1. Dukes, who was suspended five games by the International League before being suspended indefinitely by the organization (pending an investigation into the IL suspension and an altercation that involved Triple-A Durham manager John Tamargo), told BA last week that he was considering leaving the game altogether.

 

While the Devil Rays deny those reports--saying Dukes has no intention of retiring from baseball--a report published in the Tampa Tribune on Saturday seemed to back up his earlier claims.

 

"I'm spending more time going home than I am on the field," Dukes told the paper. "You can be good at something, but maybe you're just not meant to do that. It only goes so far. I just don't want it to be a soap opera any more. I'm tired of it. I have to worry about my life outside of baseball, about my family and my kids. I'm being perceived as a monster. I don't want my kids to go to school and other kids telling them that their daddy's a monster."

 

This latest suspension was Dukes' second of the season, and he was also placed on the temporarily inactive list in May after he was involved in an argument with Bulls hitting coach Richie Hebner.

 

The St. Petersburg Times reported that while Dukes will be eligible to return to Durham for the club's final five regular season games, although it doesn't sound like he'd be welcomed back with open arms.

 

"I think the thing that has frustrated everybody involved is that the punishments, whether they came from the Devil Rays or the league, there have been consequences for improper behavior, but things continued to go wrong," Bulls vice president George Habel told the paper. "It's like it wasn't sinking in."

[NCCubFan]

A 30 game suspension means that, for all practical purposes, his season is over. They may have a handful of games remaining when his suspension is over, but I doubt it would be more than five.