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Former Blade Staffers Launch 'DC Agenda'
D.C. Unemployment Rate Reaches 11.9 Percent
D.C. Insurance Dept. Denies Birth Control Coverage Meddling
We mentioned the rumor in today's Nats Roundup, but now it's official: the Nationals just put the finishing touches on a trade, sending once-promising outfielder Lastings Milledge and out-of-sorts reliever Joel Hanrahan to Pittsburgh in exchange for utility outfielder Nyjer Morgan and middle reliever Sean Burnett. Milledge, who had been toiling in Triple-A Syracuse for most of the year, will likely be remembered by Nationals fans as potential lost -- after all, there was a contingency who believed that Milledge was the Nationals' centerfielder of the future no fewer than three months ago. The team did get good value with the trade, though: both Morgan (.277, 27 RBI, 18 SB) and Burnett (3.06 ERA, 23 Ks in 32.1 IP) are serviceable players who are upgrades over what the team gave up. The move begs the question though -- if the much-discussed prank to vote a demoted Milledge into the All-Star Game as Washington's representative had actually worked and he was traded, what would have happened? Now the world will never know.
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Morgan a utility outfielder? He's started all but 4 games for the Pirates this season. Almost all of them in left field. Willie Harris is a utility player - Nyjer Morgan is an everyday outfielder (and our new lead off man - most likely)
Kev, I think you're confusing my use of "utility" with "platoon" -- I meant that Morgan can play any outfield position, not necessarily that he doesn't play everyday. He certainly can be an everyday outfielder for the Nats, although I imagine that the team will wait and see if Willie Harris cools down before just handing Morgan the keys to center and the leadoff spot -- especially since Super Willie just got the job in both spots.
Yeah - I see where you're coming from Aaron.
I think Nick Johnson is on the way out and they're ready to gamble Dunn at first (after some half decent appearances there). Leaving left field open for Morgan everyday - or Willingham. Morgan is a better on the bases than Harris, so I think he'll get the lead-off spot.
I think you meant "The move raises the question." :-) See http://begthequestion.info/ for more details.
I'm no Nats fan, but this seems like a good trade to me. Not really sure what the Pirates are thinking. Then again, not really sure what the Pirates are ever thinking.
I agree, if we are nitpicking, that the word "versatile" would be more appropriate in this situation than "utility." I think baseball fans would agree that the term "utility" is best saved for a non-starter who is capable of fielding several positions.
Morgan is nearly 29 years old and in his 1st year in the majors after being drafted in the 32 round 2002. He's total wysiwyg. Absolutely no power and no upside. Despite his 18 steals, he gets caught stealing 1 in 3 attempts (that's really bad). He routinely over slides bases. His glove is good, but its mostly a product of good closing speed rather than good instincts. Burnett is a soft tosser who has struggled in his career with injuries and command. Both are high character guys with marginal room for improvement.
The Nats sold low and bought high. For all of his issues, Milledge is 24 and still has tremendous upside in both playing ability and maturity. He was the 12th overall pick in 2003. He's not even close to his peak years, which the Nats will view from a distance while Morgan carries his below mediocrity into his mid 30s. And for all of Hanrahan's struggles, he has good stuff and has posted solid K and K:BB numbers throughout his minor league career and even into his 2008 rookie year. He was highly regarded enough to be added to the US squad for the WBC 4 months ago.
Look at it this way -- if this deal was offered 4 months ago, Bowden would have hung up the phone on Huntington. Rizzo should have done the same this time. Has that much changed in 4 months?