Young's diabetes has really taken a toll on him and seems unlikely to ever make it back as an everyday player. The Nationals need a good backup option with Nick Johnson constantly being injured and no Young on the roster. Bowden has been rumored to be interested in his old friend Adam Dunn. The Nats need a lot of work and Dunn could help play first and OF while putting some fans in the seats.Nationals sent first baseman Dmitri Young outright to Triple-A Syracuse.
This kind of thing should happen more often, but it seems like teams are afraid of embarrassing their veteran players. There was absolutely no chance of Young and his $5 million salary being claimed off waivers, and the move frees up a 40-man roster spot for the winter. Young will still go to camp as a non-roster player, and the Nationals figure to carry him on Opening Day if he works hard and gets himself into shape.