Nats acquire Morgan, Burnett for Milledge, Hanrahan
The Nationals acquired outfielder Nyjer Morgan and left-handed pitcher Sean Burnett from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for outfielder Lastings Milledge and right-handed pitcher Joel Hanrahan.
Morgan has played mostly in left field for the Pirates, but has played in center. The speedy 28-year old, he turns 29 tomorrow, is batting .277 with six doubles, five triples, two home runs and 27 RBI and 39 runs in 71 games with Pittsburgh.
Burnett, a former first-round pick, is 1-2 with a save and six holds and a 3.06 ERA in 38 appearances this season for the Bucco's.
A two-time Pirates Minor League Pitcher of the Year, 2001 and '02, Burnett is 7-8 with 14 holds, one save and a 4.54 ERA in 109 games, 13 starts, over three big league seasons with Pittsburgh.
Milledge was batting just .167 with one RBI and one walk in seven games with Washington this season before being demoted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Hanrahan finished 0-3 with five saves in 10 opportunities and a 7.71 ERA in 34 appearances with the Nationals this season.
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Pete,
This is a good start to a nice turn around. Niger Morgan has good wheels and is a pesky leadoff hitter. I am not sure how well he plays Cf but its worth a try. Burnett aint Cy Young but he's decent and will fit into the bull pen nicely. His ERA alone is 4 runs better than half of what we have out there in the BP right now.
I say good luck to the Pirate Organization with Milledge, he's a good athlete but he is not a baseball player. Hanrahan has the stuff so a different location/place may be the answer for him, it certainly wasnt here.
We are 30 games under .500 what have we got to lose? Thanks!
I'm on the fence about this one... I guess it all depends on the move they make on the roster to add both Morgan and Burnett.
Milledge was wasted space on the 40 man IMO, but I get this erie vibe that Hanrahan is going to pick it up now that he's out of DC. If you look at his stats... his FIP is actually better than last year.
I assume one of the lefties in the pen isn't long for DC... I mean we really don't need three lefties in the pen, do we?
Morgan will be a solid defense first CF, but he can hit... and he does have speed... the question is how well he puts it to use... 18/28 stealing is not that great... but if he can hold down the #1 or #8 spot in the line up I'll be happy with his addition.
Now I'm wondering who's the odd man out for the Nationals?
My thinking is probably Ronnie... as Willie will take back his utility role... but I could also just as easily see Dukes traded or Kearns and his $8 million dollar contract DFA'd.
Who are you thinking loses their spot for the two new additions?
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I wouldn't be surprised to see Kearns gone. He's been a bust since he arrived in DC. They can't trade him, I don't think. Belliard perhaps, but Gonzalez may go back down so he can play every day. Pete
I think it's kind of a bad trade for the Nats... They get Morgan who basically is a what-you-see-what-you-get player who's five years older than Milledge. And, although Burnett might help out the 'pen, Hanrahan really wasn't pitching as bad as his numbers dictate.
The Pirates, on the other hand, get two guys with upside who can help them in the future... And, isn't that what each of these teams should be trying to do? God knows neither is going to win now.
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I'm not sure either tam made out on the deal. Only time will tell. Once Milledge was demoted, I don't think he had a shot at returning to the Nats. Morgan is more of a true CF with tons of speed. Pete