Nationals, Pirates To Announce Trade

by Ed PriceFiled under: Nationals, PiratesA four-player swap of pitchers and outfielders between Pittsburgh and Washington will be official this afternoon, according to a high-level source with one of the teams.The Pirates would get high-ceiling outfielder Lastings Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan for outfielder Nyjer Morgan and reliever Sean Burnett.FanHouse first reported the talks last Friday via Twitter. Pittsburgh had been seeking right-hander Craig Stammen.Morgan, who turns 29 on Thursday, is hitting .277 with 39 runs scored and 18 stolen bases (in 28 attempts). He gives the Nationals a better defensive alternative in center field.Milledge, a 24-year-old former Mets first-round pick acquired for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church, opened the season as Washington's center fielder but was demoted April 14 with a .167 average. He then suffered a broken finger May 11.Hanrahan, 27, began the year as the Nats' closer but blew three of his first five chances and eventually lo...