If you were not aware there was a move made today in MLB that is worth bringing up. The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded away all-star Nate McLouth in return for a handful of prospects, OF Gorkys Hernandez, and Pitchers Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke. The Pirates have now traded away Jason Bay, Xaiver Nady, and Nate McLouth which you can argue could be one of the best outfields in the game. I have never been a huge fan of teams trading away confirmed studs for prospects.
The move allows the Bravo's to find a replacement for Jordan Schafer who was relegated back to triple A ball after not being quite ready for the big show. The move works for the Braves team who are only 5 games back in the NL East, but do they really have the power and arms to contend? They just released Glavine, which seemed like a pretty raw deal. Glavine apparently worked his tail off to rehab and get back into playing shape and right when he was ready to get back on the mound the Braves ripped the cord. They brought up stud prospect Tommy Hanson and claimed the move was pure "performance based." Its a tough situation for both parties as Glavine has obviously meant so much to this organization, you can't help to think that his $1M dollar bonus for being added to the roster as well as million dollar bonuses at the 30 and 90 day mark had a bit to play in the decision. Three Cheers to you Glavine, and all-time great. It is sad to see Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltzy all officially gone from the braves organization. We will now see if Hanson is the future...
Back to the Pirates, its hard to see a team with such a rich tradition, and such a great sports town, working on their 17th consecutive losing season. How many good players can you trade away for prospects...and what exactly does this team need to do to turn the corner. PNC park is unbelievable, one of the finer ballparks in America overlooking the river. Will there ever be fans in the seats to take it all in?
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While strange timing for the Braves to release Glavine coming off a shutout performance in a rehab stint, I think you hit on why they did so - and honestly it is the best move for the team. There is absolutely no reason Tommy Hanson should be pitching at AAA at this point, he has nothing left to prove. In 11 starts he maintained a 1.49 ERA striking out 90 batters in 66.1 IP. 40 hits / 17 walks 5 hrs. He came into this year ranked as the 4th best prospect according to Baseball America. Hopefully reader Dave Jr., a Braves season ticket holder can give us some thoughts after he sees him live.
ReplyDeleteAs for Pittsburgh, obviously given their payroll you can't keep any player, but a lot of people are questioning this deal based on the best prospect they get being a CF'er despite recent call-up and top Pirate prospect Andrew McCutcheon likely being the future there for them. Hard to argue that the Pirates need pitching and the Braves system isn't a bad one to get a couple prospects...but this is simply a slam-dunk for the Braves. Replace Schafer with McLouth and you're getting a guy who will slug the ball more and get on base a ton more...should really shape up a lineup that has been stagnant at times this year.
The Pirates have shown an ability to develop some strong positional players, but until they show the same prowess with young pitchers they are unlikely to break out of the prolonged rut and get the sports crazed city interested in baseball again.
Just a confirmation of the Millman being pewch. That being said, big win by the Braves whose starting pitching staff is simply loaded. Atleast in a division where the Mets and Phillies have pathetic, if not down right pewch starting pitching.(minus hamels & santana) And obviously the braves need hitting and someone on base badly.
ReplyDeleteI'm not completely sold this is a terrible trade by Pittsburgh, whose pitching staff this year has drastically improved from years past. Zach Duke and Paul Malholm are pitching there asses off. (Duke outdueled Santana on Monday/Tuesday?) Carstons and Ohlendorf need more time in the minors which is exactly what they were getting when they were with NY last year.(Terrible trade by the yanks, Marte(blows) and Nady(Loves the DL), and no playoffs, pewch Cashman, pewch) But they got more farm hands added to their pitching staff. Which we've seen now a days can lead to World Series appearances. Pittsburgh is a revolving door for prospects with the hopes one day to catch lightning in a bottle, similar to Tampa Gay Rays. Now if only someone could teach the boys in Pittsburgh how to hit the ball.
On the bright side, they have a beautiful stadium in Pittsburgh. Millman any chance you see Randy the freak Johnson go for number 300 today?
Bringing Hanson up is absolutley the right move. Morton was still 3rd in line to come up in an already loaded rotation. To me giving him away is not a big loss. I saw Hanson in the spring and he is good. Nasty slider to go with a plus fastball. He will be good. The 1 million is insignificant when you look at the potential of Hanson and the years they will have him (they avoided him becoming a Super 2 player in arbitration by waiting till June). I loved Glavine for all those years, but at some point a team has to move on, just like he chose to move out on us to the Mets a few years back. As a Braves season ticket holder I am happy with all the moves. I dont see any minuses other than the bad publicity from the old farts in the media who dont realize we want to win and not just stroll a pitcher out there to "see if he still has it". Thats what the scouts are for.
ReplyDeletenext topic how pewch the mets are...
ReplyDeleteMcCutcheon and Nyger Morgan will be a strong outfield in the future.
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