Nats begin overhaul with deal to acquire Olsen, Willingham

Willingham surpassed 20 home runs in 2006 and 2007 and is a career .266 hitter with 63 homers and 219 RBIs in 416 games.

A left fielder, he joins a crowded outfield in Washington that includes Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes and Austin Kearns. There had been speculation Willingham might be asked to shift to first base, but Bowden was clear: "We acquired him as a corner outfielder, not a first baseman."

Bowden and president Stan Kasten said the Nationals have had talks with other teams about other deals as they try to turn the franchise around.

"We're all embarrassed by the season we had last year," Bowden said.

Bonifacio has hit .240 with no homers and 16 RBIs in 60 big league games. Washington acquired him in July in a trade that sent reliever Jon Rauch to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bonifacio could become an option at second base if Florida moves arbitration-eligible All-Star Dan Uggla, who reportedly could be available. But Beinfest said the Marlins will look at Bonifacio elsewhere in the infield, including third base.

The Marlins already have shipped first baseman Mike Jacobs to Kansas City this offseason and still have plenty of decisions to make about other players who were part of Florida's surprising 84-77 run this season.

Beinfest has said all offseason that the Marlins are trying to get back to their roots -- pitching and speed -- and Bonifacio helps.

"He will provide immediately some speed into our lineup," Beinfest said. "We're getting to where we want to be in terms of speed. ... If that means we have to trade off some power to head in the other direction, then that's what we're going to do."

Beinfest said the deal for Olsen has been brewing for more than a month and that Willingham became part of it last week. Bowden said the trade was essentially completed last Wednesday at the general managers' meetings in Dana Point, Calif.