Marlins send Olsen, Willingham to Nationals

In the second signficant trade of the 2008 off-season, the Florida Marlins have sent Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, pitching prospect P.J. Dean, and minor-league shortstop Jake Smolinski.

Unless the Marlins are going to flip Bonifacio, a 23-year old second baseman, to another team in a separate deal, this doesn't make much sense for them, in my opinion. They have already said that they are not moving Dan Uggla, and they have Chris Coghlan, one of the best second-base prospects in baseball, waiting in the wings. Maybe this trade is part of something bigger for Florida? Could they be pulling off a blockbuster trade for a big-time player, maybe like Magglio Ordonez? Or, maybe they are planning on changing Uggla's position? There was talk about him moving to third base before the 2008 campaign began (and with the trade of Mike Jacobs, Jorge Cantu would then move over to first base). Only time will tell.

Still, you cannot doubt anything GM Larry Beinfest does. He is one of the best, if not the best, in the business at finding unexpected talent in unusual places.