UPDATE: (2/25) 11:51pm (EST) - As per Bill Ladson at MLB.com, Bret Boone was battling a drinking problem, which prompted him to walk away from baseball 2 years ago.

Feb 18, 11:01am (EST) - The Washington Nationals have signed 2nd baseman Bret Boone to a minor league contract, according to the Washington Post.

I’m not sure what GM Jim Bowden is thinking here. Boone was out of baseball the last two seasons and is a long way removed from his prime years of the early part of this decade when he put up numbers that earned him a spot on our speculative “All-Juiced Team.” Plus, the Nats have Ron Belliard, Felipe Lopez and Christian Guzman for the middle infield. But if Boone makes the team (a long shot), Bret will join his brother, Aaron, on the Nationals bench. Aaron Boone signed with the Nats earlier this offseason. 

Click here for our outlook of the 2008 Nats.

Filed under: Washington Nationals