Lastings Milledge to Pirates

Yesterday, the Pirates made a move that was surprisingly a good trade.  We're so used to trades being a disaster as soon as Neal Huntington hangs up the phone, we're not really sure how to react.  The Buccos acquired outfield prospect (a good prospect) Lastings Milledge and pitcher Joel Hanrahan from Washington for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett. 

Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan to Pirates:
Milledge was the 12th overall pick in the 2003 MLB draft and a lot is expected from this potential 5 tool all star.  He is a free swinger with some power and lots of speed.  The Mets never really had a place for him in their outfield and was dealt to the Nationals.  Last year, he had what I would consider an okay season, typical of a 23 year old.  The Pirates are now getting him just as he should be entering into his All Star years.  I've been looking for a reason for a long time to get excited about the Pirates.  A LONG TIME and I think this is someone to get excited over.  With Milledge, McCutchen, Tabata and Alvarez either on the team or within a couple seasons of entering the big leagues, the Pirates actually look as though they may actually contend within the next 5 years.  Maybe its wishful thinking on my part, but this team has been bad for so long, I'll take any spark I can get.  Milledge has somewhat of an attitude problem that turns off a lot of teams, but the Pirates are desperate.  He may start out in the minors while he's rehabbing a broken ring finger, killing his fantasy value for the time being.  Hanrahan is a hard thrower, but has control problems.  If he can get better command of his pitches, he could fill the closer role someday, but for now, his fantasy value is next to nothing, even in NL only leagues.

Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to Nationals:
Morgan is currently everything they wished they had with Milledge.  He should be the Nats everyday centerfielder and sit in the lead off spot.  He doesn't have the power Milledge did, but he's been a pretty good on base guy and good basestealer.  Playing in Washington's hitter friendly park with guys like Dunn and Zimmerman batting behind him, his value gets bumped up a bit, but unless you're hurting for steals, he's not worth owning.  As for Burnett, he's a former Pirates first round pick, but he's never lived up to his potential.  He was a rookie in 2004, but then spent the next three years in the minors.  He came back last year as a middle reliever and looked like a homerun derby pitcher.  This year, he's put together a nice season with a 3.06 ERA, but he's giving up way too many free passes for my liking.  Moving to Washington will hurt the little bit of value he had.