The Pittsburgh Pirates cleared the way for their top outfield prospect to play every day. The problem is the organizationt raded its best player to do so. OF Nate McLouth was dealt to the Atlanta Braves for three minor leaguers - AAA LHP Jeff Locke and RHP Charlie Morton and AA CF Gorkys Hernandez.
The obvious winner of the deal is the Atlanta Braves whose outfield production was nothing short of putrid. McLouth brings the power and plate discipline missing from its current iteration of Garrett Anderson, Gregor Blanco and Jeff Francouer.
The other winner of the deal if rookie Andrew McCutchen who now has nearly four months to adapt to major league pitching without a threat to his ABs. The risk for the Pirates is McCutchen struggles as badly as a similarly skilled rookie did with the Braves - Jordan Schafer. I can't help thinking the Braves dealt Gorkys after seeing a more talented Schafer struggle so badly.
The losers are the Pittsburgh Pirates who added pitching arms that do not seem to be any better then Jeff Karsten-type and an all-speed CF who plays the same position as McCutchen and hasn't shown the power to play a corner outfield spot. This for a 27-year-old signed through 2011 at less than $6 million per season and has a club option at $10.25 MM for 2012?