Hometown Fan Favorite Goes to D.C.

Paul Lo Duca is now the former Mets catcher but is still staying in the National League East. He and the Washington Nationals agreed to a one-year contract. Lo Duca, 35, had been the Mets' starting catcher the past two seasons but the team disliked the distraction Lo Duca brought onto the team and also felt that he was out of his prime. So the team decided not to keep him for a third season. The Mets also dealt outfielder Lastings Milledge to Washington for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church in return. Lo Duca will have the role of tutor. As Washington plans to make Jesus Flores the starter, who is considered Washington's catcher of the future, Lo Duca will be the veteran back-up.

After a stellar 2006 season in which he hit .318 and helped the Mets reach the National League Championship Series, Lo Duca battled injuries in 2007 and slumped to .272. In Lo Duca's 11-year major league career, he is an overall .288 carrer hitter. He began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and also played for Florida for a year. The Italian catcher was a hometown favorite with the fan since he was raised in Brooklyn. He always played through injury and is a real gritty player. I still think he has some left in the tank and will have a few more productive season with Washington.