Trader Jim Knows No Holiday

It wasn't quite the gravy-induced stupor that I feared, but Bowden made another trade, sending Antonio Sucre to the Pirates for JJ Davis.

Sucre, who I assume is not the 19th Century South American General/Simon Bolivar confidante, is a 21-year old who has not yet escaped A-ball. Last year, he hit .240/ .327/ .353 in his first full season at that level. He's described as raw and toolsy, but full of potential. At this point, there's probably more coal than there is diamond.

This is what Baseball America has to say about Davis:

Davis, 26, was the eighth overall pick in 1997 out of a California high school but never could crack the Pittsburgh lineup. He totaled 80 big league at-bats over the last three seasons, hitting .162/.236/.212 with one homer and seven RBIs...
[H]e has posted career totals of .262/.329/.483 with 112 homers and 391 RBIs in 668 games [in the minor leagues]. Davis has obvious tools, starting with plus power, speed and arm strength. But he's an undisciplined hacker who struggles against breaking balls, and he can look awkward in right field. Davis is having a strong winter in the Mexican Pacific League—he's hitting .270/.343/.629 with nine homers and 16 RBIs in 23 games—and will compete for a reserve role in Washington next year.

Overall it's a pretty neutral move. If he stays on the Major League roster, he'll be a decent 5th outfielder. If they're relying on him for anything more than that, the team might be in trouble. Being only 26, he still has a little room for growth--and if all the roses bloom right--no, I'm not holding my breath--he could be Guillen insurance.

Davis obviously has much more short-term potential than Sucre does. And given the pretty crappy start to Sucre's career, the few Major League ABs Davis gets this year and next, might make it a better long-term deal as well.