Nate Who?

Okay, not really. But I am incredibly impressed with Andrew McCutchen's major league debut today. Granted, it's just one game, but the Holy One was fantastic today. McCutchen singled and scored in his first plate appearance, walked and scored in his second, flied out in his third, grounded out in his fourth, and singled home a run, stole a base and scored again in his fifth. And the Pirates won 11-6, sweeping the Mets in this truncated three game series, much to the chagrin of Carlos Beltran.

As for Nate McLouth, my initial reaction to the trade was shock, followed by disappointment. Looking at the trade as impartially as I can, I do think the Pirates did okay. Of course, there's no guarantee that any of the three players acquired will ever have meaningful major league careers, but based on potential, and McLouth's value, it could turn out to be a very good deal. And just because McLouth was the best Pirate does not mean that he's a great player in the grand scheme of things. He was "Pirate great", not "Good Team great." He's a good ball player and I hope he thrives in Atlanta. It still stings a little though.

One reason there's a special place in my heart for McLouth, and Freddy Sanchez for that matter, is that he represents a bit of an Eff You to Jim Tracy and his horrid managerial tenure in Pittsburgh. McLouth and Sanchez were both deemed, at least initially in Freddy's case, as bench players by Tracy. And they both went on to prove him wrong, which makes me happy.

As for McCutchen, he can be as good or better than McLouth in almost every way, though that might not end up completely showing this season. But comparing the 2009 club before and after the trade, the Pirates are not necessarily worse off. Of course, and outfield comprised of McCutchen and McLouth (and Moss) would look quite a bit better than one with McCutchen and Morgan (and Moss). Though what would Nyjer Morgan have brought in a trade? A hell of a lot less than McLouth, for sure.