Morgan Doesn't Last(ings); Recent Pirate Trades

Upside can't come fast enough for the Pirates, who have traded 3 Major League Roster players for 4 futuristic phenoms (ok, that's a stretch, prospects)

Let's look at the trades

The Bucs traded Eric Hinske to the Yankees for: Pitcher Casey Erickson( Playing A Ball currently) and Catcher Eric Fryer (also playing A Ball)
these guys do have to potential to be contributors in the future, and honestly, I hated Eric Hinske.

This is a guy that supposedly had power and was our token lefty bench hitter, but he rarely looked enthused to be on this Pirates team. Along with that, he was incredibly slow, and I have no respect for athletes that get payed in the millions who can't seem to lose some weight, or at least gain some muscle. The Pirates called up Garret Jones, also a lefty, to replace Hinske. Jones has been hitting very well in Indy, and will hopefully become a Josh Phelps type guy; Clutch hits when we need them. (that's a big hope)

The second trade is the headliner, sending Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to the Nationals for Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan.
First impression: i love the names
Double Take: I loved Morgan-he had great enthusiasm and he really took McCutchen under his wing. Also, he had some great speed and he seemed to be a light personality in the clubhouse.

Triple Take: Morgan didn't get on base enough. He was hitting .277, and didn't have a great eye for strikes. Furthermore, he was caught stealing 10 times in the few times he got on base. Looking at all this, is this a guy we really wanted to take McCutchen under their wing? We will never know.

Last(ings) take: Millidge is said to be a lousy character with intentionally poor hearing, but he has the potential to explode as a hitter. Drafted 11th in the draft, he was supposed to be a boom for the Mets-and traded to the Nationals, he was supposed to be a revived young man, ready to take the Nats to glory.
He might not explode, and he might not shape up, but this has GOT to be his wake up call. If he doesn't perform after all this, the Pirates can honestly say they gave up an average hitter for a flop, taking some risk for a possible big return. But if Milledge turns into half of what he was touted as, the Pirates have made quite the steal. One thing is, indeed, on the Pirates side-karma. After years of horrible drafts and flopped picks, Milledge might be the guy that turns out to be the reward for all the bad luck we pirates fans have endured. Many say that he isn't the bad guy that he's made out to be, and he might be able to perform much better without the expectations, as well as playing aside the spotlight of the Pirates' future in Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez. I've got a good feeling that he could really be a boom.

As for Sean Burnett, he is replaceable at most, and a pitcher that John Grabow seems to think is has some great stuff in Joel Hanrahan, the risk is surely worth it.

Jack Wilson, on the other hand, needed to shut his mouth, and has rightfully apologized for it today. He said some angry, Adam LaRoche-esque stuff yesterday, and although he backs it up with his play much more than Adam, he is disrespecting his owner and his teammates. He's playing with the rising Brandon Moss and a great pitcher in Charlie Morton; both from recent trades. I know he's suffered, and I love him for being consistent, but he needs to know what's best for his ballclub. Plus, crying over Morgan? uh-uh.

I can't wait to see how Milledge turns out-he's set to play in Indianapolis within the week.

Meanwhile, Ross Ohlendorf pitched a beauty against the Cubs to shut them out with 7 innings, 8 Ks, and 4 hits. Also, McCutchen has hit a wall-don't fret, let's see how he handles it, and go from there.

Here's to the future. Here's to still being on-board the Pirate Ship in July.