Nationals trade Justin Maxwell to the Yankees

It likes like the Maxwell era has come to an end for the Washington Nationals as it is being announced by multiple sources that he has been traded to the New York Yankees for right handed pitcher Adam Olbrychowski.

Olbrychowski 24, spent last season pitching with the Tampa Yankees (30 games) and the Trenton Thunder (2 games) combining for a 3.90 era in 67 innings while striking out 56 batters.

Olybrchowski pitched in relief for 30 of his 31 games and appears to be part of yet another move to add depth to the bullpen (an area that should be one the Nats worry the least about).

While I do not really see this as an addition that will help or hurt the Nationals much either way the move was an expected one. Maxwell as much as I like and as highly praised as he was by the organization could not find a regular spot in the Nationals batting order. He was constantly being shuttled back and forth between the Nationals and the minor leagues

2007- 15 games in the majors and 114 in the minors
2009- 40 games in the majors and 111 in the minors
2010- 67 games in the majors and 66 in the minors

His 2006 and 2008 seasons were spent entirely in the minor leagues.

I don’t know if it is because he was constantly bounced back and forth or maybe it is just not meant to be for him but he has struggled at the plate in the majors.

In 260 plate appearances with the Nationals he posted a .201 batting average and .319 on base percentage

So it was time for a change of scenery for Maxwell and I hope he does well in New York where there is a good chance he could start the season in the majors as a bench player for the Yanks.