WASHINGTON -- Starting pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham were traded by the Florida Marlins to the Nationals on Tuesday in a five-player deal that signals the start of Washington's efforts to revamp its roster after a major league-worst 59-102 season.
"They talk about the plan they have with this team," Willingham said, "and I believe in it."
The Marlins received second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers: second baseman Jake Smolinski and right-hander P.J. Dean.
Each player the Nationals got is entering his first year of salary arbitration.
"Money does matter, certainly in these transactions, but you want to get something back, too," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said. "We'll talk in a few years and see how this trade went."
Olsen went 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA in 2008, his third consecutive season with at least 31 starts -- he has never been on the disabled list. The left-hander is 31-37 with a 4.63 ERA in the majors.
"You want to be the ace, no matter where you're at," Olsen said.
He showed plenty of potential as a rookie in 2006, when he went 12-10 with a 4.04 ERA.
But his 2007 season was a wreck. Olsen was arrested on a drunken-driving charge, drew a fine for making an obscene gesture toward fans in Milwaukee and served a two-game suspension following a confrontation with a teammate. His pitching suffered, and he finished 10-15 with an ERA of 5.81, highest in the NL among starters with at least 162 innings.
The 24-year-old revived his career this season and was a model citizen, winning praise from teammates for his demeanor and work ethic.
"We did a lot of homework on his makeup," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said.
Willingham, who will be 30 on opening day, hit .254 with 15 homers and 51 RBI this year, when he missed 50 games with a herniated disk in his back.
"The back is good," he said. "It's really good."
