Well, the trade for a centerfielder discussed in my last column has finally occurred. Not whom we suspected it would be, however – Endy Chavez to the Phils for Marlon Byrd. Though I was surprised, I like this trade for several reasons:
We keep the speed Chavez had.
We get a potentially better bat – someone with the ability to muscle a few if needed.
An experienced, true centerfielder.
This gives the Nats the ability to play Wilkerson in left, his true position, and have a speedy CF to track down balls alongside him. With the loss of Termel Sledge to a hammy injury, this will allow Ryan Church to back up at any side of the field and let Perennial Prospect Jeffrey Hammonds go elsewhere. Also, if Byrd can get used to waiting in pitches and working the count (something Chavez seemed allergic too) he could lead off, allowing Wilkerson to move back and be the RBI machine he can be deeper in a lineup.
Below follows a scouting report from our friends at ESPN.
“Although the Phillies projected Byrd as a potential power hitter, his bat seems to have slowed since his breakthrough season at Double-A in 2001. While fast enough to beat out slow rollers and strong enough to muscle the ball over the infield when jammed, he doesn't work pitchers well and doesn't make the kind of consistent, solid contact that is needed to play regularly. Byrd can track down flyballs over his head or into the gaps. But he has lost his aggressiveness on the bases, attempting only four steals last season despite good speed. He has an average arm.”
From Nationals Pride
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