In a surprise move, that Diamondbacks, Pirates and Phillies have completed a mega 3 team trade. The Diamondbacks acquire first baseman, former MVP Ryan Howard, centerfielder Nate McLouth and reserve outfielder Nyjer Morgan. For the Diamondbacks, it appears that the time is now for contention.
The Diamondbacks gave up Chad Tracy, Eric Byrnes, Connor Jackson, along with minor leaguers Daniel Schlereth, Jarrod Parker, Mark Hallberg and Wade Miley.
The Diamondbacks had always been interested in McLouth since he became available a few weeks back however didnt think they had the right pieces to get this deal done until Philadelphia entered the picture late in the evening. The Diamondbacks GM Jeremy Bergey had felt they had too many right handed bats and didnt have the proper balance of left handed hitters. It looks like that problem was solved.
Philadelphia, although trading Howard and propsects, did acquire starting pitchers Paul Maholm, Ian Snell and relief pitcher Matt Capps from Pittsburgh along with Chad Tracy, Eric Byrnes and prospects from Arizona. Daniel Schlereth, formerly of the Diamondbacks and currently in AAA, projects to be the Phillies future closer.
For the Phillies, they bolster a pitching staff by adding a very good starting pitcher, and an elite power arm for their bullpen. As well as gain a young, rising player in Chad Tracy.
Pittsburgh had a goal of cutting salary and bringing in some prospects with long term potential in the trade. The only major leaguer they acquired is outfielder Connor Jackson, who will be their everyday left fielder.
Of the prospects acquired from the Diamondbacks, Jarrod Parker is considered one of the top minor league pitchers in all of baseball. Pirates brass hopes he will become the elite front of the rotation starter they have lacked for almost a quarter century. Mark Hallberg projects to be a starting middle infielder for the Pirates in 2010.
From the Phillies, the Pirates acquired Kyle Drabek, a hot young pitching phenom. In 1992, The last time the Pirates were in contention, it just so happens that their #1 starter was Doug Drabek, Kyle’s father. While the fans were up in arms about trading away much of the Bucco big league talent, there is hope that “lightning will strike twice, and once again a Drabek will lead us to the playoffs .”
The Pirates also acquired catcher Travis D’Arnaud, and third basemen Anthony Hewitt, two prospects who project to bolster the Pirates major league lineup in the near future.