Trade winds are blowing in Washington and Pittsburgh

Today the Nats and Pirates made a small deal to kick off their rebuilding. The Nats acquired Sean Burnett aand Nyjer Morgan in exchange for Lastings Millidge and Joel Hanrahan.

This was a great trade for the Pirates getting a talent like Milledge on the cheap.

Also today the Pirates dealt Eric Hinske to the Yankees for some low level prospects, nothing exciting about this deal except for the fact that Steven pierce looks to finally get extended playing time in Pittsburgh now.

Milledge was moved to the leadoff spot early in the season for the Nats and struggled with the adjustment and instead of just moving him down and letting him break out of it the optioned him to AAA, Where he went on to injure his leg and has not played since May.

Millidge is only 24 and still has 20-20 elite talent if he can get his act together, for pittsburgh it is worth the risk. A top of the order that will have Mccutchen and Milledge would be very exciting for years to come.

Hanrahan has all the Skills to be a closer he just fell apart this year maybe the change in scenery will help either way he is younger and has better skills then Burnett.

As for the Nats they get Nyjer Morgan who is having his career year right now at age 29 and is a solid leadoff man and should help the Nats defensively at least. I would rather want the younger Millidge.

and Sean Burnett is a solid but not overwhelming 26 yr old middle reliever.

The Bay State Scout

Not Lastings Very Long

In what seems to me like a drastic overreaction, Lastings Milledge was sent down to AAA Syracuse. In my last article I wrote about the logjam in the Nationals outfield, but I never would have guessed that this was the solution. Milledge was not exactly off to a hot start, and will not need a big suitcase to take his .167 / 0 HR / 1 R / 1 RBI / 1 SB stat line with him to Syracuse. It was not only his hitting that punched his ticket to the minors. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was not pleased with the way his centerfielder was patrolling the outfield. It is hard to believe that Milledge will spend a long time down on the farm. The Nationals are 0-7 and have been out of contention since the strike shortened season of 1994. There is really no reason to keep him down there to work on things that he could work on in the big leagues. He has always been considered to have a ton of physical talent, but has yet to put together a long stretch at the big league level. He has also had some off the field issues recently, including being late to Opening Day and missing a team meeting. A pre-season darling, Milledge was a 10th round fantasy pick with visions of a 20 HR / 30 SB season dancing in owners heads. It is hard to cut bait on such a high pick one week into the season, but unless you are in a deep league and have the roster space, it is even harder to a guy who is not with the big club. I have always gone by the rule that you give a guy the reverse number of weeks as to where you drafted him before you cut him. (In a 20 round draft, my 20th pick gets one week to prove himself; my 19th pick gets two weeks to prove himself and so on). If we go by that formula, Milledge has another 10 weeks or so to right his ship before I would cut bait. If you have the room, stash this guy. Check your league to see if an impatient owner has already cut him, or offer a lowball trade to see if you can get this guy on the cheap. The player who stands to benefit the most is the equally hyped and talented Elijah Dukes. He will be taking over the starting centerfielder job and will be slotted into the 5th spot behind on-base machine Adam Dunn. The new leadoff hitter has not been named. Cristian Guzman would be the logical choice, but he has a bum hamstring and may spend some time on the DL. It looks like the recently activated Anderson Hernandez is the leading candidate. I would not consider Hernandez roster worthy unless you are in a deep NL Only league. Long and short of it: Go get Dukes; Hold Milledge if you have the room; don’t touch Hernandez.

Hold or Fold

First off I would like to send out my thoughts and prayers to all members of the Adenhart family. It was a sad day for all baseball fans to see a kid just about to come into his own tragically lose his life to a drunk driver. These things happen everyday and it is a terrible thing to drink and drive.

In memory of:

Now as for fantasy baseball the first week is almost in the books and now it is time to hold or fold some of those draft picks you have.

Hold:

Justin Upton--He is 20 years old and is batting 8Th on a part time basis, why shouldn't I drop this kid? Well first he is 20 years old and has all the talent to be a superstar for years. He is going to have growing pains but because of his High OBP last year I think over the course of 162 he is going to be a solid 3rd OF. Bench him till you see signs of life but don't give up on the kid yet.

Lastings Milledge--This is a personal favorite of mine, I know he is off to a horrible start but I still see him as a 20-30 guy by seasons end. The issue right now is that he needs to be moved down in the order he is pressing to much batting leadoff. If they move him to second or fifth he would produce more. Lets not forget he led the Nationals in RBI and SB's last year.

Ching Meng Wang--He was torched for 7 runs in 3 2\3 innings in his first start since last June. He is a solid ground ball pitcher who should not be your current staff ace. He will get you wins and decent era and whip ratios but he will not help in K's. try to get him if you can afford the hit in K's and if you have him hang onto him he will be fine.

Fold:

Cliff Lee--OK I know he won the CY Young last year and the Indians have a better bullpen this year and, the offense is improved. Well I am not buying Lee at all, I just think you should try to trade him well he has value. Cliff Lee is not an ace he never projected to be an ace and is being overvalued due to he awsome season that he had last year. He will come back to earth the season and be a solid number 2 or 3 starter and that isn't bad but you might be able to trade him at last years value if you act now. Move him quickly if you can get something good.

Brian Fuentes--I know I have put in the past that I love Fuentes, However, something is wrong. Fuentes is topping out in the mid to high 80's (which is not a good sign for a low 90's pitcher)and he has been very hittable. I think there is a undisclosed injury and he will end up on the DL sooner then later.

Chris Davis-- I know what is wrong with me, I am telling you to get rid of the next Ryan Braun, well YES! Chris Davis is over matched right now and we have seen this before in Texas with Nelson Cruz Circa 2007. Davis better start hitting soon or he will be in AAA, because the Rangers have enough offense that they feel they can contend and they will grow impatient. I can see the Rangers sending Davis down and Starting Jones at DH, Blalock at 3rd, Salty at 1st and Teagarden at catcher. Davis doesn't Provide enough in his other stats, he will hurt you in AVG, Runs, OBP, and steals. Just my opinion and I am sticking too it, been proved wrong before and for Davis's owners sake I hope I am again.

The Bay State Scout