Why Isn't The Austin Kearns Experiment Ending?

In a crowded Washington Nationals outfield, Kearns doesn't fit in. The oft-injured 29-year-old was acquired by the Nats in 2006, and since then, Kearns has been hitting .240 with 36 home runs and 159 RBI. Not the numbers the Nationals expected. With an outfield filled up with Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan, Elijah Dukes and Willie Harris, there seems to be no room for Kearns. Compare Kearns' Nationals stats to his Cincinnati Reds ones: With the Reds, Kearns hit 71 home runs with RBI and an average of .266 and 213 RBI. A huge drop off since joining the Nationals. And now, MLB Trade Rumors has reported that Nationals had ample time to shed the outfielder's contract. This begs the question: What does Mike Rizzo see in Austin Kearns? Kearns hasn't been the middle-of-the-lineup force the Nationals expected him to be. If I was Rizzo, and that unknown team called me up saying "We're interested in Kearns", I would've packed his bags myself. Even if he ...