Report: Morgan Suspended Eight Games, Riggleman Two

Ben Goessling of MasnSports.com reports that Nyjer Morgan has been suspended eight games by Major League Baseball in light of his recent aggressive behavior:

"Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan was suspended eight games for "three separate incidents" in the last week, Major League Baseball announced moments ago. The news release mentioned Morgan's collision with Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson last Saturday, the taunts he directed at Marlins fans during the 10th inning of Tuesday's game and his role in Wednesday's brawl after Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad threw behind him in the sixth inning."

The aforementioned suspension is separate from the suspension which Morgan is currently appealing, one which he received after throwing a ball into the stands in Philadelphia on Aug. 21. In total, Goessling points out that Morgan could miss 15 of the Nationals final 28 games.

UPDATE: Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post is reporting that manager Jim Riggleman has also been suspended for his actions in the benches clearing brawl:

"MLB also suspended Manager Jim Riggleman two games "for his aggressive actions during the bench-clearing incident and for the intentional actions of his pitcher [Doug] Slaten after a warning had been issued earlier in the game," according to the announcement from MLB. Riggleman also was fined an undisclosed amount for his comments about the incident.."

Analysis:

We noted on The Nats Blog that we believe regardless of suspensions that the Nationals should let Nyjer Morgan go. Not only has he been completely ineffective at the plate and in the field this season, but now he has become a major distraction with his behavior. What does keeping a persona like Nyjer on the team say to his teammates and to the rest of the league, that anything goes in Washington?

Ridding the clubhouse of Morgan would not only go a long way in helping salvage respectability this season, but would also help them recruit free-agent talent in the winter. Morgan is quickly becoming the most hated man in baseball, what team will want to join a clubhouse that allows such disrespectful antics.

A recent commenter on our site put it best when he said:

"Nyjer Morgan needs to get over himself. He's an almost-30-year-old career minor leaguer who was unable to crack the PIRATES major league roster for seven years, of all teams. "