Byrd Watching

Let's give Trader Jim some credit here. The trade shipping off Endy Chavez. whose trade value has plummeted to near-nil since spring training, has netted the Nats Marlon Byrd.

Byrd could be considered the anti-Endy. He hit 303/366/418 at age 25 with the Phillies, as their starting center fielder. He slumped the next season in a little over 300 at-bats, but his minor league numbers give a strong indication that his 2004 was the fluky season.

At age 23 in AA, he hit 316/383/555, with 32 steals and 28 home runs. At age 24 in AAA, he hit 292/367/476 with 15 steals and 15 homers. When he got exiled back to AAA last season, he struggled a bit -- but only in 152 at-bats.

Endy had some decent minor-league seasons, but most of his ability was concentrated in his high batting average. Once pitchers learned to pitch him, he struggled -- and clealy hasn't shown much potential for improvement. Byrd, meanwhile, showed considerable secondary skills -- walks and power -- in the minors, and even has toolsy skills, like speed and defense. Byrd even outhit Terrmel Sledge at age 24 in AA; Sledge's breakout season came at age 25 in Harrisburg.

So, anyway you look at it, the trade is a steal for the Nats. With Church or Byrd, the Nats will have a legitimate pinch-hitter off the bench. And now they have a legitimate center-fielder to man the spacious RFK outfield.

Congrats, Trader Jim.