Why The Mike Morse Trade Works For The Nationals

I understand the fact that Mike Morse was a fan favorite in Washington with the “Take on Me”, and everything. The fact that so many fans were upset at the move is actually a good thing for the team and for the fans. The fact that you are trading a player who contributed so much means that you’re getting better as a team. The fact that the community cares so much means that they are engaged. There is no downside.

Oct 7, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Michael Morse (38) runs to third during the eighth inning of the 2012 NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Nationals won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

This is the second time that I followed a team through a trade of Morse. I was a Seattle Mariners fan when they traded him for Ryan Langerhans, and I liked the trade then. Morse had a huge Spring Training but everyone has a huge Spring Training and a lot of the time nothing comes of it. Morse, obviously proved to be the exception. Morse had one great year before injuries affected him last year, and while he could have spelled in the corners and at first base, the Nationals are definitely a better organization for letting him go and collecting from prospects back.

Think about this for a second:

To Oakland: Derek Norris, Brad Peacock, Tommy Milone, Mike Morse

To Washington: Gio Gonzalez, Blake Treinen, Player to be Named Later

A.J. Cole is the player missing from that list, as I didn’t think it was fair to include him when technically in that example, he wouldn’t have been traded. Cole struggled last year and is still a couple of years away from the Major Leagues which is OK for the Nationals because they have so few pitching prospects, especially with the potential that Cole has.

Treinen is an intriguing prospect. He has a mid-high 90s fastball and has shown as much as last year an improving change up and started 15 games at high-A last year. He didn’t embarrass himself, and although he’s older at 24, he should be progressing fast enough through the organization, especially with the lack of depth in the organization.

It is a good haul for Morse who had one year left and had limited value for this Nationals team. I don’t dislike Morse, but when the team signed Adam LaRoche, the writing was on the wall that Morse would be moved – the team’s decision on Morse was finalized as soon as LaRoche signed.