Report: Nationals Will Look To Trade Nyjer Morgan This Winter

Nyjer Morgan's actions last week were largely defended by his teammates and the Nationals' front office, making it seem like the team is behind him for the long-term. However, ESPN's Jayson Stark says not so fast.

Stark talked to two scouts who deal with the Nationals regularly, and they both say Morgan is as good as gone.

Two scouts whose coverage assignments include the Nationals say they've come away with the impression the team is determined to trade Morgan this winter after a series of aggravating decisions and actions, on-field and off, this season.

Asked what the chances were that the Nationals will keep Morgan, one scout summed it up in one word: "Nonexistent."

I'd take this report with a grain of salt, because it's unclear just how close these scouts are to the Nationals' organization, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were right considering everything Morgan has done recently. 

Nyjer Morgan's Suspension Hearing Will Be On Friday

It's been about a week since Nyjer Morgan went off on the Marlins, but we still don't know the the punishment for his actions will be. He has appeled the leagues eight game suspension, and has been awaiting a hearing to plead to his case.

Bill Ladson is reporting that hearing will come on Friday.

#Nats CF Nyjer Morgan said he will have his hearing with the league office on Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET

We'll know then how many games the League will excuse Morgan from. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post is already reporting that Danny Espinosa will replace him when he is unavailable.

Jim Riggleman says Danny Espinosa may see time at leadoff during Nyjer Morgan's suspension, which should take effect Friday

I'm sure Nats fans won't be too opposed to the idea of more Danny Espinosa. His presence might be the perfect distraction to a situation that is not flattering for the organization.

Morgan's Appeal To Be Heard Sept. 7

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the date that the league will review Nyjer Morgan's suspension will be September 7. Morgan received a seven-game suspension for throwing a ball into the stands in Philadelphia last week (which every one of us has wanted to do at one point in our lives). Morgan is appealing the suspension, and has played in every game since.

Morgan will soon learn his fate from the league office. The suspension could be reduced or eliminated entirely.

Phillies Fan Is On Nyjer Morgan's Side

One of the fans who was in the stands when Nyjer Morgan threw that ball is coming to his defense, according Adam Kilgore.

Standing 30 or so feet away, Holman (the fan in question) wrote, Morgan lobbed the ball "rainbow-style" in the direction of the boy. The ball sailed over the boy and smacked a fan who was looking in a different direction in the shoulder.

"It wasn't even directed towards the heckler," Holman wrote. "It's unfortunate that the ball was overthrown, but it shouldn't be Morgan's fault that the one guy in the section who wasn't paying attention got hit, there were a number of us standing up trying to catch the ball."

Knowing what we know about Nyjer Morgan, this sounds much more reasonable than the version where he throws a ball directly at a fan in spite. This is the same guy who brought the silver wig! Hopefully video emerges of the incident, and it helps Nyjer get his suspension reduced, or eliminated entirely.

MLB Official: Morgan Threw Ball Into Stands After 'Ongoing Dialogue' With Fan

More details in the Nyjer Morgan situation are coming to the surface, the latest being that Morgan and a fan had an “ongoing dialogue” going before the outfielder threw the ball into the stands according to an MLB Official speaking to the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore.

The back-and-forth with Morgan and the fan escalated until Morgan threw a ball into the crowd, which hit a different fan in the head.

Kilgore also reports that the Morgan incident has some precedence dating back to last season.

Last season, MLB fined Tigers closer Fernando Rodney and suspended him for three games for firing a ball into the press box at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay. In that case no one was harmed and Rodney claimed he was trying to throw the ball to fans. After an appeal, Rodney’s suspension was lessened to three games.

Even if Morgan wins his appeal, then, we should probably still be able to expect that he will miss the three games Rodney did.

Video: Lead-Up To The Toss That Might Cost Nyjer Morgan Seven Games

Nyjer Morgan was surprisingly suspended seven games, which the Washington Nationals outfielder is currently appealing, for apparently striking a fan with a ball he threw into the stands after  the final out of Saturday night's game in Philadelphia.

Thanks to Jeff Sullivan at SB Nation, we now have video of the last out taking place.

Unfortunately, the video doesn't include Morgan actually throwing the ball into the stands so the only thing we can do is continue to speculate what he might have actually done to cause Major League Baseball to suspend him seven games.

Nyjer Morgan Suspended For Seven Games For Throwing Ball Into Stands

Nyjer Morgan's tumultuous second season with the Washington Nationals continues to be, well, tumultuous. Major League Baseball has just announced that Morgan will be suspended seven games for throwing a ball into the stands at the end of last Saturday's 8-1 win over the Phillies.

Why seven games? Apparently, Morgan struck a fan on his throw.

Morgan is appealing his suspension and is in the lineup tonight.