Jose Vidro, the Nats oft-injured second baseman, has been traded to the Seattle Mariners, pending a physical exam delayed until this morning. Vidro’s a three-time All Star with fine career numbers, and he's a standup character. He's shown admirable loyalty to the club throughout the franchise’s tumultuous past and gruesome near-term prognosis. After the clearing of roster debris like Ramon Ortiz, Tony Armas, and Joey Eishen, one might think that Nationals Nation would mourn – at least a little bit – the departure of such a player.

One might think that, but one would be very, very wrong.

A sampling of blogger euphoria:

God Bless you, [Seattle GM] Bill Bavasi, you big beautiful brainless bastard. Vidro is gone… To get rid of him, have the other team pay 75% of his salary, and give you 2 decent prospects is unheard of. It’s like Chirstmas Come Early! Thank you Santa Bavasi, thank you! [Oleanders and Morning Glories]

Getting Snelling for Vidro, a guy who I would've thought could pass through waivers unclaimed, is a steal. [Capitol Punishment]

Holy Crap, he did it again!…Trader Jim fleeced another GM. [Nats Triple Play]

Vidro Traded! Jimbo’s a Genius! World Peace Declared! [Banks of the Anacostia]

And most of these guys actually like Vidro. Serious baseball fans recognize his many contributions to the Expos/Nats franchise. Chris at Capitol Punishment broke from his trade jubilation long enough to pen this admirable ode to our departing second baseman.

Vidro’s likeability aside, he and his contract were seen as a huge obstacle in the Nats rebuilding efforts. The $16 million owed him over the next two years put a huge bite on the anticipated $40-50M payroll for 2007, especially considering the Nats have a crowded middle infield with Felipe Lopez and Cristian Guzman also under contract. His knee problems limited his starts and limited his production when he did play. In short, his contract was seen as an immovable object, something the club was stuck with unless some GM with money to burn took a flier on a slap-hitting DH.

Seattle’s Bill Bavasi was in this exact market. After signing Jose Guillen and now trading for Vidro, Bavasi’s found his way onto a bunch of Washington-area Christmas card lists (leaving Seattle fans fuming in the process).

Aside from getting rid of $12M of the albatross of Vidro's contract, the Nats also recieved a couple of real, live prospects in the deal. Chris Snelling was listed as one of the Top 50 Prospects in baseball by Baseball Prospectus. His development has been hurt by multiple injury problems, but Bowden's hoping that between Snelling, Ryan Church, Alex Escobar, Kory Casto, and Nook Logan, the Nats can find two serviceable (and healthy) outfielders for 2007.

The Nats also received Emiliano Fruto, a hard-throwing right hander who saw a little bit of big league action last year. He could provide a little bullpen depth immediately.