LIVO---TRADED!! Shocking to ME!!

Nats320
I really believed, all along that Livan Hernandez could help the Washington Nationals, be a stalwart on a very young pitching staff for a few years to come. He's a gamer, hangs in there during the toughest times.

Jimbo traded him this morning to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2 flamethrowing pitching prospects.

According to the Nationals Press Release, the two 23 year olds are ranked 1st and 2nd in Strikeouts in the Diamondbacks minor league system.

Righthander Garrett Mock is the 7th ranked Arizona prospect, according to Baseball America. Mock tore up single A ball last year, but was only 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA at Double-A Tennessee in the Southern League.

Lefthander Matt Chico was 7-2 and 2.22 ERA at Tennessee, after posting a 6-0 1.87 ERA earlier this season at Single A Lancaster. After the 2004 season, Chico was ranked the NUMBER 1 PROSPECT in the Arizona System.

Both were 3rd round selections by Current Nationals Asst. General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations, MIKE RIZZO, who just moved over from Arizona. Rizzo was the Director of Scouting for the Diamondbacks.

Mock and Chico will both report to AA Harrisburg.

Its an interesting trade. What's shocking about it is that Chico is a DECENT YOUNG PITCHER. Matt has been good on Every Level and he's a lefty. On the surface, its not a bad trade at all, but for the next 2 months, the Nats pitching is going to be TERRIBLE. And, I will miss Livan. He was very entertaining.