Digital Baller

On Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves stole Nate McLouth from the Pittsburgh Pirates. How do I mean? They acquired him for three nobodies, and he just signed a contract extension. McLouth is one of the best up and coming young hitters in all of baseball today. An All-Star and Gold Glove winner last year, McLouth is expected to have an immediate impact in Atlanta. It also helps that the Braves have Nate for the three and a half years remaining on his contract. This guy is going to help the organization so much over the next few years, almost ensuring Atlanta's return to the playoffs after their record-holding 15 year playoff appearance streak was broken in 2007.

Looking at this, it's a lot like the Pau Gasol steal of 2008. Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA traded some nobodies and got Pau Gasol, an outstanding PF/C All-Star, former Rookie of the Year, and Spanish Champion, from the Memphis Grizzlies. All for nothing. And the result of that deal? The Lakers have made it to the NBA Finals twice- every year since stealing Pau Gasol from Memphis.

So can McLouth be Atlanta's Gasol? Baseball is a lot different than basketball, that's for sure, but both these deals parallel in so many ways. I can definitely see Atlanta making some progress towards winning their division this season, especially with the fact that Tommy Hanson is getting called up for this Sunday's game against the Brewers. With a lineup like this and typical Atlanta pitching, this becomes a much-feared team in the NL East and a strong contender for years to come.