The answer is: Yes. It IS worth it to give the Elijah Dukes Experiment another year.

(AP Photo. Here at the offices of The Nationals Enquirer, we're still on board with the part of the Plan involving Elijah Dukes.) 

"Sometimes. Just sometimes."
(Elijah Dukes, via Washington Post, 9/21/2009)

Just Sometimes.

Off-days are good for feature stories on guys like Elijah Dukes. Fittingly, Chico Harlan of the Washington Post takes advantage of the off-day with a nice feature on Elijah Dukes. It's a good read, and maybe the most interesting part of the story is a revelation that maybe Mike Rizzo hasn't made up his mind on Dukes yet.

It's interesting because some idiot bloggers thought then-Acting GM Mike had made up his mind on Dukes back at the beginning of July when he demoted him to AAA Syracuse. Dukes was/is, after all, a perfect symbol of the Jim Bowden Way. But now, at least there's a sort-of endorsement for the Dominican-Winter-Ball-bound Dukes from his boss:

As a result, those who watch Dukes hesitate to hype his future. Is he a long-term fit as a starting right fielder?

"Probably," General Manager Mike Rizzo said.

"We're trying to get a read [on that]," interim manager Jim Riggleman said.

Meanwhile, does Jim Riggleman's "read" on anything matter beyond October fourth?

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