Buyer Beware, when dealing with Bowden

Maybe there's more to Luis Ayala's ERA increasing from 3.19 to 5.77 in one year. If this was his first season since TJ surgery I would say he's still recovering but he posted a 3.19 last year. Ayala is apparently going through some personal issues and based on his comments became disenchanted in Washington, hopefully with Schneider behind the plate and pitching for a contender, will be the change of scenery that he needs to return to the form that made him a very good set-up man.

"Ayala requested the trade weeks ago because he wanted a change of scenery, due to personal problems." source Federal Baseball

"I'm surprised. It's a little bit late for a trade," Ayala said in Washington. "But for me, I passed my best times in this organization." source Washington Post

It might be that Ayala needs a change of scenery but with Bowden involved you have to be concerned about underhanded dealings. Remember Bowden was the GM that was accused of sending two injured relievers to the Reds in the 2006 Austin Kearns deal.

The Reds have formally filed a grievance against the Nationals in a nearly year-long dispute that alleges damaged goods were received when they acquired reliever Gary Majewski. source MLB.com

Bowden has had a checked past, a jilted manger (Oester) called him “one of the worst people in the world.” and a former player, Jeff Shaw said “We had a handshake deal that he wasn't going to trade me,” Shaw said. “Three months later, he traded me. ... If I had been in the room with him, I would have killed him.” source Wikipedia. Even this season MLBTR reported that Bowden is under investigation for a scandal. But in case you forgot his 9/11 comments top them all:

"If players want to strike, they ought to just pick Sept. 11, because that's what it's going to do to the game,'' Bowden said. "I don't think there's going to be a work stoppage. I don't think anybody's that dumb.

"If they do walk out, make sure it's Sept. 11. Be symbolic. Let Donald Fehr drive the plane right into the building, if that's what they want to do.'' source ESPN

Back to Ayala, with his ERA skyrocketing as it has and knowing Bowden's history, it makes me wonder if there isn't more to this then just a change of scenery. Ayala was involved in a hunting accident just prior to the season in which his non-throwing shoulder was injured and Bowden has been just to quick to proclaim his health for my comfort. They didn't give up anyone of significance in making the trade but it will make things interesting to see how they turn out........

Longo said Ayala and some friends were hunting Dec. 26 in the right-hander's home town of Los Mochis, Mexico. The accident, according to Longo, occurred when the gun of one of Ayala's companions went off as the group was taking a break.

Ayala, who turns 30 next week, notified the Nationals and then traveled to Los Angeles to see noted orthopedist Lewis Yocum, who performed ligament replacement surgery on Ayala in 2006. Yocum and Steven Shin, an upper extremity specialist, elected to leave the pellet in Ayala's arm. source Washington Post