The Washington Monopoly

EDIT: The Nationals also signed Corey Patterson to a minor league deal.
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Is it me, or are the Washington Nationals trying to corner the OF market and gain tons of trade leverage in 2009? They already had a glutton of OFs going into the offseason with Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Willie Harris and Wily Mo Pena.

Then they traded for Josh Willingham, giving them six players for four available positions. The Nationals weren't done yet. They also made a failed run Milton Bradley.

Now, with spring training on the horizon, the Nationals have inked Adam Dunn to a two-year deal. While I'm sure Dunn will probably play first instead of left, minimizing his defensive damage, you have to wonder if the Nationals are just trying to stockpile "bargain players" -- ie, Ray Durham for $500,000 -- at this point in the game to use as trade chips for prospects come midseason.

Then again, maybe this is all just part of the government's bailout plan for the unemployable.