The Pittsburgh Pirates already shipped Eric Hinske to New York this morning for a couple of minor leaguers and cash, but that has not stopped them from making what appears to be an absolutely coup this afternoon.

Pittsburgh and Washington have reportedly agreed in principle to a deal that would have the Pirates send Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to the Nationals for Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan.  

There is a reason the Nationals are the worst team in baseball.  Check that...the worst organization in baseball.  They are trading Milledge, who admittedly has had a rough season and has struggled through character issues, for Nyjer Morgan.  Morgan has more speed and defense, but Milledge has more offensive ability.  Morgan is nothing more than Juan Pierre without the baserunning ability (18 for 28 in stolen bases), while Milledge showed the potential last season to be a five-tool player.

Then, we move to Sean Burnett, who has a sparkly 3.06 ERA.  Once one moves past that, however, one can easily determine that Burnett will not be that successful throughout the 2009 season.  His BABIP is an obnoxiously low .218, and his walk rate is 4.18 BB/9.  FanGraphs places his FIP at 4.50, which is below-average out of the pen.

The Nationals pick up Burnett and give up Joel Hanrahan.  Sure, his 7.71 ERA is horrendous, but his FIP is 3.56.  That is due to his 9.64 K/9 and 3.68 BB/9 rates.  Not to mention the fact that his BABIP is an overwhelming .451.  Talk about being unlucky for an extended period of time.  The Nationals give up on a reliever with a higher strikeout rate, a lower walk rate, and better stuff for Sean Burnett -- who has a 4.54 lifetime ERA.

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to make moves that bolster their organization.  Perhaps Neil Huntington is not as inept as most Brewers fans have thought over the last couple of seasons.  I already retract my criticism of their drafting Tony Sanchez after seeing how aggressive they were in the later rounds.  Pittsburgh may be a team to reckon with in four or five years.