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Nationals Trade Nyjer Morgan For Cutter Dykstra

Nats pick up a prospect for benched OF from the Brewers

For the second straight day, the Nats have made a trade to pick up a minor-leaguer, with the Milwaukee Brewers dealing Cutter Dykstra for CF Nyjer Morgan.

Unlike yesterday, Dykstra is a younger and more promising player. As a 21-year-old, he posted a .312/.416/.411 line with 27 SBs in 35 attempts at Low-A Wisconsin in 2010. Here’s what the estimable John Sickels had to say about the Grade-C prospect:

After a poor 2009, Cutter Dykstra needed a good year in ’10 to prove that he wasn’t just a bloodline draft pick… [and] got that [by] posting a +15 percent OPS. He didn’t show much power, but he made contact, drew walks and annoyed people on the bases. I expect this to continue at higher levels, but at what position?

Sickels goes on to note that he’s likely to shift away from the infield to the outfield, citing his 20+ errors at his last two positions (2B in ’09, 3B in ’10) as well as his lack of power. Outfield, however, is where he played in 2008, making four errors in 33 games for a .933 fielding percentage and a range factor of just 1.7 (all three CFs in Vermont, for example, were 2+ in 2010, as were Eury Perez and Chris Curran).

At 5′ 11″ and 180 lbs, Dykstra is slightly bigger than his famous father, who played for the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies for 12 seasons from 1985 to 1996, but has been (to put it gently) controversial in his post-baseball career.

Given the talented outfielders expected to be placed on the Potomac roster, as well as the infielders Steve, the 2008 draft pick is probably more likely to begin the 2011 campaign at Hagerstown, perhaps to learn left field.

UPDATE
During his in-game interview during today’s Nationals radio broadcast, Rizzo mentioned that he felt like Dykstra may be moved back to second base. This, of course, would most likely mean that Jeff Kobernus would be staying put at Hagerstown if he indeed does start the season at Potomac. Reminder: GMs often talk in generalities regarding the minors and there are multiple possibilities that can be inferred from such a statement.

8 Commments

  1. Seems like Rizzo is doing what I was expecting. Trading for prospects. There still seems to be an over abundance of back of the rotation starting pitching/relievers in the high minors and majors. I wonder if some of those pitchers might be on the docket?

    More than anything, I believe, this trade was meant to open the way for Corey Brown (and later perhaps Harper) to get into the CF/OF picture from Syracuse if he can rake like he did at the end of last year.

    1. Rizzo probably didn’t want to give Morgan time at CF in Syracuse or watch him pout in AAA. Thank god Morgan picked up some at the end of spring training so we could get something of moderate value back for him. I credit Rizzo for this kind of maneuver that at least gets something back for him.

    1. Rizzo mentioned his “80” make up. I suspect there is more to this strategy than meets the eye. You put Dykstra and Harper (also 80+) on that team in Potomac with those three cocky (and purportedly lackadaisical?) youngsters Hood, Perez, and Ramirez? Throw in Beaver award winner Bloxom? ~chuckle~ That in itself would be interesting to see play out?

      I wonder if Kobernus would get moved to the outfield with the knee? He doesn’t seem to be completely past that?

      I guess the shortstop in Potomac would be Hague? But who catches?

      1. I would think Sandy Leon will catch in Potomac…he had a pretty ok year in Hagerstown. He’s much more of a defensive catcher than an offensive hitter.

        I am glad the Nats traded Morgan. I think he was going to be the bad seed that brought this up and coming team down.

  4. Morgan a very good talent but guys in my world a complete prima donna bad egg and would of spoiled the whole bunch, great job getting rid of this poison

  5. Kobernus 3b/ jack of all gloves?
    Lets say that Spin Williams pulls a Buck Rodgers with Oliver Perez leaving the LH docket deeper-
    maybe Houston would bge interested in another starting LHP to join Wandy and Rowland -Smith?
    RR should run more in Brew town now…

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