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The Nationals designated Justin Maxwell for assignment last week, taking the outfielder off their 40-man roster and making it unlikely he would ever fulfill his promise as the team's center fielder of the future. Today, they officially ended their association with Maxwell.
The Nationals traded Maxwell, an Olney, Md., native they took in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, to the New York Yankees today. Creative Arts Agency, which represents Maxwell, broke the news of the trade.
In return for Maxwell, the Nationals reportedly received right-hander Adam Olbrychowski, the Yankees' fifth-rounder from 2007. The 24-year-old was 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA and a save in 32 games - all but one of them in relief - for Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton last season. In 100 career minor league games, including 35 starts, Olbrychowski is 16-17 with a 4.17 ERA and two saves.
Olbrychowski throws in the low 90s, and could turn into a decent reliever for the Nationals if he can develop a secondary pitch or two. He was the Yankees' fifth-round pick in 2007.
Maxwell, as we discussed last week, was never able to capitalize on a handful of opportunities in the majors with the Nationals. The Yankees are thin on outfielders in the majors, though, and Maxwell will get a change of scenery and a chance to stick with a new team.
The Nationals also announced that right-hander Shairon Martis, who was designated for assignment last week, has been outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse. Martis will receive a non-roster invitation to major league spring training.
