Nats decline Kearns' option
By: Brian McNally
Examiner Staff Writer
11/06/09 11:29 PM EST
The Nationals on Friday declined a $10 million option for outfielder Austin Kearns, who instead was granted a $1 million buyout and is now a free agent. That ends a dissapointing tenure for the 29-year-old in Washington. He was acquired with high hopes in a 2006 trade with the Cincinnati Reds along with second baseman Felipe Lopez, among others. Kearns was given a three-year, $17 million extension by then-general manager Jim Bowden the following winter.
A thumb injury proved costly in 2009 as Kearns hit .195 with three homers and 17 RBI. But 15 of those RBI came in the season's first five weeks. He has a long history of hand injuries and finally went on the disabled list for good in early August after just 80 games. Elbow and foot problems had already limited Kearns to 86 games in 2008. His best season as a Nat was 2007 when he played in 161 games and batted .266 with 35 doubles and 16 home runs. Relief pitcher Ron Villone and first baseman Dmitri Young have also filed for free agency. Catcher Josh Bard and starter Livan Hernandez made that move on Thursday. Young was the National League comeback player of the year in 2007 after making the NL All-Star team. He signed a two-year, $10 million extension that summer but played just 50 games in 2008 and none in 2009 as he struggled to control his weight and diabetes.
The Nats also announced on Friday that prized pitching prospect Stephen Strasburg will not pitch in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars All-Star game on Saturday night. The game will be televised on MLB Network. But a neck strain will force Strasburg off the mound. The injury is not believed to be serious. Reliever Drew Stroren, another top prospect, will participate in the contest.
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