Trade Reaction

When Sohna called me this afternoon at work to let me know Our Washington Nationals had made a trade, anxiously I waited to hear the details. After she told me Washington traded Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan to The Pittsburgh Pirates for Centerfielder Nyjer Morgan and southpaw reliever Sean Burnett--I had virtually no reaction.

Nonewhatsover.

Either way, this four player swap didn't excite me. The reasons behind the transaction are clear. Interim GM Mike Rizzo is sending out all those players he feels don't fit in the near or long term future in The Nation's Capital. And when it comes to the present day, the current product displayed on the field needs to be addressed right now--not next year--or with players declared as having so-called potential. Even the very fact that both Milledge and Hanrahan were touted as fixtures in the future of DC Baseball didn't matter anymore.

For 2009, both Milledge and Hanrahan were not helping Our Washington Nationals. And whether Lastings would ever become a quality everyday Major League Player in DC--we will never know now. But of all the players involved in this deal today--I actually found myself feeling sorry for Milledge. I don't why. He's far from our favorite player. Maybe it's because he does have talent. Skill neglected by his, at times, wavering attitude and a seeming unwillingness to improve himself. His I do it my way comment a few months back--was really bothering.

We've wanted to give Lastings Milledge every chance to succeed. But he wasn't a leadoff hitter. He also wasn't a good centerfielder. And Our Former Number 44 & 85 never grasped any given opportunity here. Only wanting to do it his way, Milledge now finds himself hitting the highway. Frustrating to watch, Lastings failed here, when he really shouldn't have. And no matter what happens in Milledge's future over this swap, I don't want to read any quote from him over the next couple of days that Our Washington Nationals didn't give Lastings a fair chance. If Milledge does state just that, those comments would be more disappointing then his 18 months in a Nats Uniform came to be known.

As for Nyjer Morgan, the soon to be 29-Year Old will be inserted into the leadoff spot in the batting order while manning centerfield. Morgan providing speed and agility to track down deep flies. Defensive capability that can only help our young starters on the mound.

Burnett, a one time top draft pick for The Bucs--will compose another part in an ever revamping bullpen. When you consider that Mike Rizzo was probably pretty close to designating Joel Hanrahan for assignment--getting a decent lefthanded arm to help at this very moment--was pretty shrewd.

But overall--I really don't have much of a reaction to this four-player trade. It's one of those trades where you really have to wait to see the outcome down the line. Each player has their upside, as well as their downsides. Washington is probably a faster team offensively today. A new element at the top of the order has been added. And a better team defensively with Morgan in centerfield. In the bullpen, a more reliable arm for Manny to choose.

But more questions now arise.

Who is next on the trading block? Nick Johnson? Cristian Guzman? Or, Adam Dunn? Or, all three?

Who get's DFA'd when the one roster moves takes place before Wednesday's Game against The Florida Marlins? Ronnie Belliard? Jesus Colome?

There are a tremendous amount of personnel decisions to be made over the next month before the July 31st Trading Deadline. Why do I have a feeling this is just the beginning of many moves to come? As stated before, Interim GM doesn't look back--only forward. Today proves just that fact.

PS--Sohna's response. "So you are telling me we traded Brian Schneider, Ryan Church, Lastings Milledge & Joel Hanrahan for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett?" Yeah, in a roundabout way.