about that trade for a while, there are reasonable arguments for both sides (though I believe we will see soon the Bucs got the better players). But how one could think the Nats’ organization is clearly in better shape than the Pirates right now is beyond me. And what is the “Allegheny Tunnel?”

It will be interesting to see if Nyjer is able to keep his BABIP up near .400 or if he will start to take more walks to keep up his OBP. I like him so I do hope he does well.

How different people look at the same thing so differently. Did you look at the Nat’s bloggers comments below the interview?

I believe in Nyjer’s defense, what I don’t believe in is Burnett posting another year with a .201 BABIP. Seems completely unsustainable to me and his other peripherals aren’t very impressive at all.

but we have more depth in the farm and a better group of young hitters. I think we match up really well to combine with them like you did a few years ago with us and the Royals. Imagine a future team like this:

C- Tony Sanchez
1B- Pedro Alvarez
2B- Chase D’arnaud
SS- Danny Espinosa
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
LF- Jose Tabata
CF- Andrew McCutchen
RF- Derek Norris

1. Steve Strasburg
2. Jordan Zimmerman
3. Ross Detwiler
4. Brad Lincoln
5. Tim Alderson

I would have to say I disagree that they’re in a better position going forward. I know speed guys almost always have a higher BABIP because they can beat out groundballs alot of other players can’t, but I feel like .400 is really too high for Nyjer. That means, IMO, he would have to be hitting it with authority as well, and I just don’t see him maintaining the kind of strength you need for that. As for Burnett having a .201 BABIP, that is ridiculous. His BB/9 and K/9 were pretty much in line with his career numbers, but his BABIP dropped almost 100 points, his HR rate was up and his LD% was up as well. I just can’t see him keeping up these numbers. The Bill James predictions for next year seem pretty likely if you ask me.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1886&position=P

They say that defense wins ballgames, well defense will win the Morgan-Milledge trade. If Lastings’ improvements in the field towards the end of the season carry over to next year, then I think he’ll be the most valuable player in the swap.

The Nats might be in better shape with pitching, given Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman, who projects as a good #2 starter if he comes back fine from TJ surgery in 2011. R. Zimmerman is a future MVP candidate in a world without Pujols. Plus they are in line for Harper (although I think we can get an impact piece as well if we take a pitcher) Other than those four, their young talent is very questionable and shallow. The Pirates young talent is a lot deeper.

First of all, have to say you guys have an amazing ballpark. I think Nats Park is very cool and underrated, but I consider PNC the best in MLB. (And I grew up going to Wrigley.)

No question Milledge & Hanarhan have the higher upsides. But it was a classic case of needing a change of scenery before those guys — mainly Milledge — would ever perform. Milledge had more than worn out his welcome with his ridiculous antics & attitude, such that he was never going to succeed in DC if the Nats had hung onto him. So a lot of Nats fans view it as though we didn’t really give up anything, even if he works out and Pittsburgh gains a good player.

On Morgan, I think most don’t expect he’ll keep up the torrid pace he set when he got to DC. But you have to understand here was a guy who hustled his tail off (unlike Milledge) and played great defense (unlike Dukes, Dunn & Willingham), and was a terrific character in the locker room and with the media on a team that has been so bland for so long as to not have an identity yet. So I think the attachment to Nyjer is as much emotional as it is rational, although we do have realistic hopes that he will be a long term solid if not spectacular centerfielder for a number of years as we rebuild.