Tony Batista DFA by Twins

The Twins finally dumped dead weight 3rd baseman Tony (real name Leocadio) Batista. They designated him for assignment (DFA) and have 10 days to trade him or send him to the minors. Batista was hitting .236 with 5 home runs and 21 RBI. They replaced him on the roster with highly thought of prospect Justin Bartlett.

It is funny that Baseball-reference.com lists Adrian Beltre as the most similar hitter. Beltre is struggling even more than Batista was but his huge contract (5-yr $64 freakin million signed in 2004) makes it impossible for the Mariners to trade or release Beltre.

I felt a twinge of guilt calling Batista "dead weight" but the realization that Batista has made roughly $18 million playing baseball got me over my guilt. I also must say that I don't think anyone would be surprised if it was later revealed that either Batista or Beltre was a juicer.

Batista is an ex-Expo and it is exactly that sort of washed-up player that appeals to ultra-maroon GM Jim Bowden. Would it shock anyone to see Batista win up with the Nationals (even though they already have Ryan Zimmerman at 3rd)?