Joel Sherman, of the NY Post, thinks the Pirates got the better end of the bargain. I think only time will tell; I’m glad Hanrahan is gone but I think we’ll miss Milledge… eventually.

I’ve never been high on Morgan, and if Milledge pans out, we could be hating this deal in the future. Still, I think being able to get rid of Hanny (even though I’m not real big on Burnett either) makes it more stomachable. Both Hanrahan and all of the fans trying to root for him (against our better judgment) needed a change of scenery for him.

Morgan has no upside, but he’ll at least bring a solid glove to the table. We can only hope that this deal is the precursor to a handful of other ones before the deadline.

Had to go to MLB for the lineups…….

Harris out (LHP…), and Dukes back in CF batting 6th…..then the General and Nieves…..

I mean, I’m not surprised this happened, but …man, whatever.

Cant say im overly surprised. Lastro was traded probably for more than just baseball reasons. He has dropped off in the skills department despite being young and his attitude must have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In many ways I agree with what ladson said a little while ago about him being put in a bad situation (being a leadoff CF when he just isnt), so I hope it works out for him elsewhere.

Hanrahan is just plain awful. Maybe he’ll come good again, but im not sure he will.

Overall, I think its a trade that will probably make little difference to both clubs. Maybe Morgan might help us in the next couple of seasons until we get a long term CF (and maybe that is part of this plan.

Ladson dishing it like a kitchen hand

Rizzo is far from done in terms of making deals. He is looking for a starting shortstop. The Nationals feel that Cristian Guzman, who is on the trading block, has lost a few steps with his glove.

The Nationals are alarmed that Guzman is having a difficult time getting ground balls to his left.

Washington wants young starting pitching in return for Guzman, who has one year left on his contract.

The team doesn’t have to acquire a shortstop — at least for the rest of the season. It can go with Alberto Gonzalez, who was hitting .326 with a home run and 12 RBIs entering Tuesday.

The team is also looking to trade Dukes, and that may be hard to do because he comes with a lot of off-the-field baggage. Whom the club wants for Dukes is not known

sadly, i don’t think there’s much market for either player.

every team has stat crunchers now that can do the math. everyone can plainly see that Guzman has the worst range of any SS not named Derek Jeter. someone competitive would have to have a catastropic injury to deal for Guz, and even then the Nats would get pennies on the dollar — AND have to eat a lot of the contract.

as for Dukes, his lack of production thus far this season will justify everyone’s decision to leave him alone for the “moral” issues, even though there hasn’t even been a hint of that in two years. there’s no doubt though that his surly attitude is less than welcome in the clubhouse.