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Raudy Read the Latest Nats Farmhand Suspended for PEDs

In 11 of 14 seasons, the Nats have had a minor-leaguer suspended for a banned substance

The news came across yesterday afternoon that Raudy Read had been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a PED (Boldenone), and he was the first on the Nationals 40-man player to do so.

Why the italics? Well, as longtime readers know, Read is hardly the first Nationals minor-leaguer to be suspended for a banned substance. In 11 of 14 seasons since the franchise moved from Montreal, at least one player has been punished, including current minor-leaguers Read and Jefry Rodriguez, and former (but still active) players Steven Souza and Adrian Nieto.

While it’s been better of late—no suspensions in 2013 and 2014—there was a period from 2008 to 2012 where multiple players were dinged: two in 2008, five in 2009, six in 2010, two in 2011, and three in 2012. Read is also not the first to test positive for Boldenone (Weesly Hernandez, 2008; Jorge Hernandez, 2010).

The implication this is an isolated incident (italics above) is specious, if not outright laughable. Washington is no paragon of virtue and neither are the Sox (White and Red), Cubs, and A’s. It was bound to happen, sooner or later.

Why? Because the pressure to succeed hasn’t diminished since PED testing began in 2005. Wages haven’t kept pace with inflation while demand for younger (cheaper) players has increased. Players, many of whom forego an education (including the ones who go to college), bet their teens and 20’s to make it to The Show. The younger they get there, the sooner the financial reward. But those who take longer (or are stuck in a given system) can’t always afford to wait.

You can call it cheating, so long as you’re willing to concede that the amphetamine use (read: “greenies”) of generations past isn’t all that different. Ignoring the very real incentive to take these measures to succeed and casting moral judgment isn’t going change anything or make anyone feel better besides yourself.

20 Commments

  1. This opens the door to make a comment about Tres Barrerra. Tres or Trea? Could this Longhorn alum
    Make Harrisburg this season having a surprise campaign like DJ put together last ? Win the Bob Boone award, too??

    1. I had forgotten about the Boone award. Boy that looks bad now!

      I would think that Gushue will start the season as the primary catcher at Harrisburg. It’s an opportunity for playing time that he might not have had otherwise. I’d be surprised if Barrera jumped to AA. Reetz only has 26 games at A+, though, and may not be ready, either. I suspect they’ll find a Nick Rickles type to back up Gushue.

      1. Kw I meant over the course of the season since he can play 1b/ 3b in a pinch. Everything is stages of a season.
        Agree on Nick- no Don- Rickles.
        I’m telling you this ! RIP, Don

        1. Rickles type.
          The next batch of signings for farm will probably come in march as teams waive players to allow them to hook into other orgs

          1. I am sure brass has a cyber Rolodex for available catchers @ Double A. Here is a name from High A Pirates from Danville Va. R/R. John Bohrmann.

          2. Luke KW. Yup the Nats hold signings so close to the vest ..tighter than a Barbara Eden outfit on My Dream of Jennie

            Lend me a few more lefties !!

  2. Luke or anyone : how does Read get designated onto suspended list for 80 games ? Can someone replace him on 40 – man??

    1. He’s now on the Restricted List, which doesn’t count against the 40-man roster, so yes, he can be replaced. In the short term, this may actually benefit the parent club and don’t be surprised if he’s put on the 60-day D.L. and then immediately put on a rehab assignment to give the team options around the trading deadline.

        1. Last post. Did anybody catch the ole miss alumni in Syracuse bullpen. ? Barrett, Satterwhite and Goforth. ? Lance Lynn also pitched in Ole Miss. hmmmm

        1. Matt Reynolds is a sign Nats going to Vegas. Lol!!

          Almanzacar , Reynolds, Falu , Breidnec, Martinson, Marmelos ,
          F- mayor. Knorr infield
          Norfork too??

      1. What will be more interesting in camp is seeing which bench guys jockey into position on which affiliate level .
        Do J Wilson and K Norfolk join Knorr Cuse core?
        Do Kelvin G, Masters and Sagdal
        Join Lecroy Legion plus Stephen Perez?
        POTNATS make do with Meijia , PP, Boggetto??
        Anderson another year of bringing along some new infielders : Meregildo , Caufeld, Ramirez and Martinez from 17Auburb or some
        “Pushed” kids from GCL17??
        Surely the scouts will find some farm depth pieces from the late camp cuts around MLB
        Luke my dog is sleeping many hours amidst this pea soup weather . He too is ready for camp to open

      1. Only two Nats’ draftees among the NRIs–S. Kieboom, who has already survived one DFA, and Bryan Harper. Only one Latin signee–Abreu, who took a step backward last year. The obvious snub is Drew Ward, and maybe Phillips Valdez, who had a much better year than Cordero. Beyond them, it’s hard to come up with too many others. It might have been a good attaboy for John Simms to get a look, but they’ve already got a lot of arms in camp. But really, the AA and AAA levels were pretty devoid of homegrown talent, other than the guys who got added to the 40-man.

        If Bryan Harper is there, why not Nick Lee? The Nats have seemingly been higher on Lee than Harper all along, although Harper had the better actual results in 2015 and 2016 before both got hurt.

  4. Ty for Springfield fan updating big board. !
    What became of former Twin farmhand , Logan Darnell??
    Jacob Wilson sure will be tired playing for two affiliates at once .
    I am sure he and Hunter Jones may drop down to city Isle once Stevenson , Robles , Sierra and Bautista drop to Cuse
    Camp should be interesting just in how the rehabbing arms place in chain .

  5. Nats spring training invites on the MLB transactions page:

    C Gushue
    RHP Cordero
    RHP Dragmire
    LHP Harper
    SS Abreu
    C S. Kieboom
    C Solano

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