Nationals, Pirates Make Deal Official

A four-player swap of pitchers and outfielders between Pittsburgh and Washington became official Tuesday afternoon.

The Pirates received 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, and a high-level source with one of the teams confirmed the ongoing discussions Tuesday afternoon. Pittsburgh had been seeking right-hander Craig Stammen along with Milledge, so this represents a compromise.

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 lost the job. He has five saves, five blown saves, a 0-3 record and a 7.71 ERA. But last year he was 6-3 with nine saves in 13 opportunities and a 3.95 ERA.

Burnett, a 26-year-old lefty, is 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA in 38 appearances for the Pirates.