Nationals Acquire Olsen, Willingham

so how is this trade great for BOTH sides? A potential ace for a utility infielder?

obviously the nationals win initially, but the marlins acquire three solid prospects with potential. not only that, but the marlins clear payroll (or potential payroll)

thanks for the comment though, i really appreciate it.

Actually, Eli, it is a salary dump. The prospects they acquired are really unimpressive. Here's what Keith Law said: "Emilio Bonifacio projects as a utility player because he can move around the infield, playing plus defense at second, and perhaps fill in as a center fielder due to his plus speed. However, he doesn't project to hit for much power and his instincts at the plate aren't good. Florida hasn't had much luck improving the plate discipline of its players, which also doesn't bode well for an overaggressive hitter like Bonifacio.

Jake Smolinski has a good swing, geared for contact, but he lacks a clear everyday position. He can play left but lacks the power to be more than a fringy regular there, and he didn't adapt well to second base this year. He also had major knee surgery this month, repairing tears to his MCL and ACL, and will be out into 2009.

P.J. Dean is an aggressive strike-thrower with a solid-average fastball and a below-average curve that you could see improving to average, but he's also an undersized right-hander without much velocity projection and is probably four years away from having big-league value. It's not much of a prospect return for the Marlins."

I think that's enough to say the Marlins dropped the ball, unless Olsen and Willinghams' values were far lower than imagined.