Nationals Trade Pedro Avila for Derek Norris
As semi-predicted in the penultimate post, the Nats have begun the plug holes via the trade route with the acquisition of former farmhand C Derek Norris from San Diego for RHP Pedro Avila.
Norris, who was traded away nearly five years ago to Oakland, will most likely split time with Jose Lobaton while Pedro Severino becomes trade bait or insurance, given his age and option status.
Avila, 19, rose quickly through the Nationals farm system making the jump from the DSL in 2015 to Low-A in 2016. He went 5-5 with 2.91 ERA in the first half, but 2-2, 4.18 in the second half, which is not uncommon for young pitchers in their first full season. The Venezueln teenager had been rated as the #23 prospect in the most recent listing by the MLB.com.
I’m excited for the trading-with-the Padres magic to kick in this season. Look for Derek Norris to be Comeback Player of the Year.
Sad to see Avila go. Though it’s nice to finally reap some benefits from having a presence in Latin America.
Assuming Norris bounces back offensively, this was a very good trade given that Avila was a long way from being an MLB contributor. Indeed, this is why organizational depth is so important.
Avila exit padded by the presence of Dunning and Simonds from below.
At least Drew Ward still around to start April in Burg… (??)..
Thankfully, the guy they traded is a righthander!
Norris was in 2014 a legit All-Star, something the home club did not have until this year.
This is the type of trade that shows Rizzo at his best, giving up a good prospect for some talent certainty.
Am nervous about the next 2 weeks as the pitching rich/position poor system cannot afford to have names like Robles thrown around.
Robles for one year of Mccutcheon
Is a smaller version of Randy Johndon for Mark Langston
Or even better. Colon to expos .
Agree it would equally dumb.
Robles sacrifices for win now
If difo dealt ? Resign drew?
So much for the ten year
Competitive window with kid depth
No Robles ? How does brass stock
AA , GIl ?
While I oppose dealing Robles for McCutchen, McCutchen would be under the Nats’ control for two years, not one as his contract has a team option for 2018 ($14.75M).
Realize prospects can washout, but there seems to be universal agreement that Robles will be at worst a solid MLB CF, and could be a superstar. He would be under team control until at least 2023. Don’t see how the risk/reward of such deal tilts in the Nats’ favor.
Looks like the Nationals will be up next on Sickels’ top prospects listing. Organisational discussion thread up now, expect the top prospects list towards the end of the week, if usual timings are anything to go by…
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/12/2/13823438/washington-nationals-organization-discussion