Let's Make a Deal
It's not going to shake the foundations of the National League East, but I like the deal Mike Rizzo made with the Pirates today.
Nyjer Morgan is a speedy outfielder - with some centerfield experience - who apparently can actually catch the ball with some regularity, a skill that has been sadly lacking at times this season. He's got 18 steals close to the season's mid-point, though he has been caught 10 times. Perhaps a few sessions with Marquis Grissom and Pat Listach will improve that percentage, He's also a former junior hockey player in Western Canada.
Sean Burnett was the Pirates' first round pick in 2000, and was leading their staff in appearances at the time of the trade. He spent 4 years rehabbing from Tommy John and shoulder surgeries, and as a situational lefty, had allowed only 4 of 28 baserunners to score this year.
It's a humbling thing to be traded as a young prospect; it's even more humbling to be swapped twice in a little over a year. Lastings Milledge has some talent, make no mistake about it. But he reported to camp this year with the "Hey-I'm-a-veteran-now" attitude, and seemed to take for granted that he'd play whatever the circumstances. He's coming off of hand surgery and I'm sure the Pirates will take their time with him, though the onus is on him to start realizing that potential the scouts saw years ago.
I like Joel Hanrahan, but he seemed a little lost out there this season. This past Sunday he chatted with Orioles' Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, who's always willing to help out, regardless of what team anyone's on. Palmer asked Joel what his best pitch was, and Hanrahan didn't have an immediate answer, which may be part of the problem. When you don't trust your own ability enough to even know the answer to that one, it's time for a change. I wish him well.
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Categories (click for archive)Phil Wood |
Do you see this trade as a begining?
Do you think were gonna make more trades getting closer to the trade deadline?
======= I still think Nick johnson's available, Sean, but they won't give him away. Inasmuch as there's not a minor league first baseman ready to take over, they might conceivably consider a short term contract extension for #24. Beyond Nick I don't they have many more marketable expendables.
Why not trade Nick Johnson to the Reds or Braves if we trade him to the braves we can probably get yunel escobar or jeff francour, if we trade him to the reds we can probably get joey votto, Nick johnson can start in cincinati until Yonder Alonso is up in the majors what do you think as and idea?
Hi Phil. I'm working on an article for the Salisbury Daily Times about how new media influences professional sports and was wondering if you could spare a few minutes for some Nats-related questions.
Thanks for your time.
-josh =============== Look for my e-mail.
Phil,
As a life long baseball guy what is your take on the trade with the Pirates? Several baseball sources say the Pirates made out on this deal, how do you see it... Was Hanrahan given up on too soon, and for that matter Milledge???
There are alot of rumors about Nick Johnson or Aubry Huff being persued by the Mets who if either player is more likely to be traded... and which do you think would have a bigger impact after being traded? ============ I like the trade inasmuch as I don't think Milledge was on the Nats' radar screen for next year. Joel has a future in the game if he learns to relax a little bit, but the Nationals didn't see it happening this year and he's out of options. With Lowell on the DL for Boston, Nick becomes a trade target for them, as well as a couple of other clubs. Huff makes perfect sense for the Mets, who need another bat ASAP. And I could see both players signing with their former teams when the season is over.
Sean said:
Why not trade Nick Johnson to the Reds or Braves if we trade him to the braves we can probably get yunel escobar or jeff francour, if we trade him to the reds we can probably get joey votto, Nick johnson can start in cincinati until Yonder Alonso is up in the majors what do you think as and idea?
Are you serious? Do you really think you can get Votto (hitting .351 with an OPS over 1.000) for Nick Johnson? You think you could get Escobar (leading the Braves in average and RBIs) for him? I think that the Braves like Kotchman at 1B, although they wish he'd hit for more power. If you like Votto more than Johnson, don't you think that the Reds do also?
Wow... and I though that it was just the O's fans who were delusional.
Phil, do you subscribe to the "change of scenery" theory with professional athletes? With Hanrahan and Milledge, you have two different variations on this theme. Milledge has basically worn out his welcome with his unprofessional attitude on two different teams. Hanrahan, on the other hand, has become increasingly fragile and can't seem to handle adversity despite his great stuff. Can Milledge learn humility? Can Hanrahan learn fortitude? ============== A lot of old timers - pre-1980's - players have told me over the years that fortitide - or guts, whatever you wish to call it - is either there or it's not. It's not something that suddenly shows up. If Joel's issues are purely mechanical, and they might very well be, then he may go on to have a successful career. But if he continues to not "trust his stuff," he'll be out of the game pretty quickly. Milledge is one of those guys who have great athletic skills and no baseball instincts. Just my opinion. And you're right - you'll never get Votto for Nick unless you throw in a Zimmerman(n).
Escobar is on the trading block, but the Braves really want a right-handed hitter, preferably a corner outfielder. A guy like Willingham or Wigginton (for the O's) would be a good starting point - obviously you'd need to give up more, and probably eat some contract too. Nick Johnson is certainly more valuable than either of those guys, but he's fragile, expensive, and his position is already taken like you said.