Nyjer Morgan was enjoying a breakout season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’ll have to now complete that season with the Washington Nationals. Morgan was traded along with Sean Burnett from the Pirates to the Nationals for Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan.

On the season, Morgan is hitting .277 with two homers, 27 RBIs, 39 runs and 18 stolen bases. The 28-year-old is an everyday starter for the first time in his big league career.

Burnett is a 26-year-old relief pitcher. Prior to the trade, he had a 3.06 ERA in 38 appearances with the Pirates. He began his career as a starter but is now a full-time reliever.

The Pirates get a player in Milledge who has a ton of potential. He was expected to breakout this year with the Nationals but has instead found himself in the minor leagues. If the center fielder can get back on track, he could turn out to be the best player in the trade.

Hanrahan has struggled this year. After pitching well in 2008, he has a 7.71 ERA in 34 appearances so far in 2009.

Nyjer Morgan - Washington Nationals (Image: Zuma Press)

Ryan Zimmerman, the emerging superstar third baseman for the Washington Nationals, had a 30-game hitting streak heading into Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. Although Zimmerman walked twice, he didn’t get a hit and saw his hitting streak end.

Despite the end of his hitting streak, Zimmerman is still having a very good season. He’s hitting .357 with eight homers, 26 RBI and 28 runs. The 24-year-old from North Carolina is the best thing going for the last place Nationals.

On this day, the Nationals didn’t need production from Zimmerman to take home a rare win. Scoring three runs in the top of the seventh and two more in the top of the ninth, Washington was able to beat the Giants by a final count of 6-3. The Nationals are now 11-21, while the Giants are 18-15.

Zimmerman’s 30-game hitting streak was the second longest in franchise history. The longest was 31 games by Vladimir Guerrero in 1999.

Ryan Zimmerman (Image: Zuma Press)

Although all fans around the baseball world are having World Series visions, the reality is that there are going to be a handful of horrible teams during the 2009 Major League Baseball season. Who are the top five worst teams in baseball?

5. Seattle Mariners
The Mariners will likely be improved from last season. They have a relatively high-priced roster so Seattle can expect less bad luck this year. That said, they will likely remain a top five worst team.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates simply don’t have enough talent. They’ve played hard the last few years but without the necessary talent, it’s difficult to put victories on the board.

3. Baltimore Orioles
Although the Orioles made a few runs at big name players, they once again had a disappointing offseason. They do have a few young players would could breakout but the team will still lose — a lot.

2. San Diego Padres
After a bad season, the Padres spent most of the offseason shedding salary. That is never a good combination. San Diego is in for another long baseball season.

1. Washington Nationals
The Nationals will likely once again be the worst of the worst. They don’t have much star potential in their lineup or at the mound. Overall, Washington just remains a mess.

Washington Nationals Losers Again? (Image: Newscom)

“There’s only one October.” This is a true statement and a tag line that Major League Baseball is sticking with for their postseason marketing campaign. I’m all for it, as long as they don’t have those awful Dane Cook commercials popping up to bug me while I watch reruns of The Office on TBS. MLB is looking to appeal to baseball fans this year, by relating to the explosion of blogging.

MLB has already started running their ad campaigns with various commercials, like the one below, that features someone sitting at a computer as you hear their thoughts out loud and see various words typed across the screen as if they were typing a blog post. MLB will call on some of its own players to star in these commercials, including Torii Hunter, Carlos Pena and Kosuke Fukudome, among others. I’m looking forward to seeing more of these commercials, and maybe it will keep me from turning the channel when Cook’s likeness was shown on TV last season.

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Washington Nationals infielder Cristian Guzman looked really good Thursday night. In fact, he went 4-for-4 at the plate and recorded a cycle. It was the first cycle by a Nationals player since Brad Wilkerson accomplished the feat in 2005.

Just 26,338 fans saw Guzman hit for the second cycle in Nationals history. Guzman hit a home run in the first inning and picked up a single in the second, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Guzman’s double came in the fifth inning and finished off the feat with a triple in the eighth inning to center.

Here is the video of Guzman’s cycle against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

I’m sure everyone noticed that C.C. Sabathia won his first game with the Milwaukee Brewers this week, yet his former team - the Cleveland Indians - have dropped 10 consecutive contests. General Manager Mark Shapiro better hope that Matt LaPorta is on track to make the majors this season, otherwise his team could be falling well past the Seattle Mariners and the Washington Nationals with the worst record in the entire league.

You already know my feelings on the Sabathia trade. The Indians didn’t get enough in return for the former Cy Young Award winner. Shapiro jumped the gun and sold off Sabathia out of panic.

Believe it or not, there are a few diehard Indians’ fans left (no - this is isn’t a Major League movie). Check out this video of one fan’s attempt at a tribute to his favorite team.

If you haven’t found the perfect present for Father’s Day (this Sunday if you weren’t sure), then you’ve come to the right place. Below is a list of great gifts to get your father at the last minute.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hammer - There’s nothing like driving in that nail with your favorite team’s logo all over the hammer.

New York Yankees cheese board set - I can’t say I’ve ever seen this item before, with or without a logo. But, it looks like a great gift for dad, especially if he likes cheese.

California Angels hat - Not L.A. Angels of Anaheim, but the California Angels. If your father is a fan of the Angels, this is must have. Nothing like remembering that movie “Angels in the Outfield” while wearing an old school hat.

Peanuts baseball necktie - If you have to do the same old gift for Father’s Day, I recommend at least getting a good one. That’s why you should buy this colorful necktie.

Philadelphia Phillies medium crystal - It is as it sounds. A medium block of crystal with the Phillies logo. Dad will love this.

Tickets to the Seattle Mariners-Washington Nationals game on Father’s Day - The worst team in the National League visiting the worst team in the American League. What could be better?

There’s no doubt that 2008 has been a crazy and unpredictable season so far. Some teams are rising to the occasion, while others are completely bombing. So today on the ‘Thursday 10′ I bring to you the Top 10 Worst Major League Baseball Teams of 2008. This list probably won’t be very controversial. It’s almost impossible to argue about any of the teams making this list. Also - as a follow-up to this list - next week I’ll be bringing you the Top 10 Worst Players of 2008. So - you won’t want to miss that!

Here it is:

Top 10 Worst Major League Baseball Teams of 2008

10. Houston Astros - Sure, many experts didn’t expect the Astros to compete in the National League Central this season. Mainly because of the Astros’ suspect starting pitching rotation. After you get past Roy Oswalt - it was expected that Houston was in trouble. Well - unfortunately, even with Oswalt on the mound this season, Houston is having problems. If it weren’t for Lance Berkman, the ‘Stros could already be in the NL Central cellar. However, Berkman’s offensive numbers have helped keep Houston in the middle of the division so far. Yet, the Astros are falling fast and could drop far enough out of contention before the All-Star break even makes it here.

9. Cincinnati Reds - The Reds are the worst team in the NL Central. Even super rookie Jay Bruce hasn’t been able to right the ship. However, the Reds will not finish in the cellar this season, but don’t expect a playoff run either. The problem with the Reds is plain-and-simple. No pitching. Sure, Edinson Volquez is having a great season, but what about the rest of the staff? How about looking at earned run averages that are all above 4.30. Three of the other four starters have ERA’s above five, including Matt Belisle, who boasts a 7.28 ERA. Combined, the entire Cincinnati staff has a 4.54 ERA.

8. San Diego Padres - If it were not for the great pitching by the Padres, San Diego would be the worst team in baseball. San Diego’s offense is struggling. Coming into Thursday, the Padres had score less runs that everyone in the National League, except the Washington Nationals. At 3.6 runs per game - you are expecting a lot out of your pitching staff. The Padres pitching staff has done a good job this season, keeping this team out of the NL West cellar, however, the entire offense boasts only one hitter with a .300 batting average. As a team, San Diego is batting .243 overall and has struck out 528 times (7.9 per game) this season. If only Jake Peavy could hit like Micah Owings (or any of the offensive player could hit like Ownings for that matter).

7. New York Mets - Surprised? I am. This team should not be on this list. Not with the players they have on their current roster. Sure, if the Mets don’t get into contention anytime soon with the hot Florida Marlins, you can bet Willie Randolph’s days will be numbered. Before we go on and blame this underachieving season on injuries - I will say that the Mets have been playing a little better lately. However, it’s still not good enough to be the team everyone expected them to be before the 2008 season began. Only one .300 hitter (with over 100 at bats) is on the roster (Ryan Church). This team seemed to be lifted by the return of none other than Fernando Tatis, but even he can’t help out that much. The problem is too many players on the offensive end that are just trying to get through another season. Carlos Delgado is getting old. Carlos Beltran is not the big-money player everyone thought he was in the 2005 playoffs. Even David Wright is not putting up the best numbers right now. With the best pitcher in baseball (Johan Santana) and a couple of the best young stars (Wright and Jose Reyes), this team needs to get things together, and quick.

6. Washington Nationals - Do you remember opening night (well, opening night in the United States) this season on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball? The Nationals started Odalis Perez and won the game on a walk-off home run by Ryan Zimmerman. Nats fans were celebrating the opening of their new ballpark with a bang. Well - that’s ages ago (at least it seems like). Now, the Nationals are the worst team in the NL East. The team batting average is .234 and the pitching staff has combined for a 4.56 ERA. Skipper Manny Acta is in for a long season. The Nationals just don’t have the star power to really put up much of a fight this year and most likely will end up with the worst record in the National League.

5. Kansas City Royals - Much like the Nationals, the Royals started out the year looking like a .500 ball club. However, things change fast. Kansas City has slipped to the bottom of the American League Central, even below the woeful Detroit Tigers. The Royals are just too young across the board to even compete. The offense is churning out only 3.7 runs per game, while the pitching staff is allowing 4.8 runs per game. Manager Trey Hillman is in a race, but it’s not for the divisional lead. He’s in a race to keep his job and he seems to be losing. The only question is whether Hillman or Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren gets the ax first.

4. New York Yankees - Yes, I know the Yankees are .500 now. Congratulations. It seems that the order of the universe is almost restored, Hank. Except, it’s not. New York is at the bottom of the AL East, tied with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles. They are chasing the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays. Never thought you would hear that one, right? The Yankees seem to be that team that just can’t catch a break this year. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada have all caught the injury bug at one time or another this year. And the pitching staff is in shambles. Joba Chamberlain was supposed to be inserted into the rotation to help stop the bleeding, but he hasn’t really taken off in that role. I doubt anyone in New York would have guessed that Mike Mussina would be the owner of the best ERA in the starting rotation (3.82). Now - if the Yanks want to catch the Red Sox or even the Rays, they need to start clicking right now. They can’t wait until after the All-Star break. They need to get momentum going into the All-Star break and begin putting together 4-5 game win streaks regularly.

3. Detroit Tigers - Like the Yankees, the Tigers had high expectations. Many thought they would see a Tigers-Yankees AL championship series. However, that idea is in danger. The Tigers acquired Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera prior to the season with hopes of having one of the best offensive lineups in the league. Yet, Cabrera hasn’t produced and Willis has been shipped down to the minors. The entire pitching staff is having problems this season. Justin Verlander hasn’t been dominating and his velocity has slipped. The Tigers’ best pitcher was brought up to take Willis’ spot in the rotation early on in the season (Armando Galarraga). Yes, Detroit has had many injuries. But, give me a good reason why they are just above the AL Central cellar. I don’t think anyone can really explain it.

2. Seattle Mariners - The Mariners recognize that they are not doing well this year. However, they are playing the blame game. The pitching staff is complaining that catcher Kenji Johjima’s pitch selection is leading to the sixth-worst ERA in the majors this season. Management decided to blame hitting coach Jeff Pentland for the fourth-worst batting average in the majors (.247) and fired him. How does the acquisition of Erik Bedard look now? Bedard is 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA. Not exactly ace-like numbers. On the offensive side of things, not one player (not even Ichiro) is hitting over the .300 mark. Skipper John McLaren better pack his bags and keep them packed. He’s the next to go.

Matt Holliday and the entire Colorado Rockies team are heading for the worst record in baseball if things don’t change quick. Photo: Newscom

1. Colorado Rockies - How do you go from winning the NL pennant a year ago to being the worst team in the NL the very next season? I’m not sure how it happened, but things are not looking up for the Rockies. Now - looking at the Rockies stats, they aren’t the worst in the league. However, they aren’t the best either. Colorado is near the bottom in ERA (4.74) and close to the middle in batting average (.256). It’s been the slow starts by many of the offensive players that have really hampered the Rockies. Matt Holliday is hitting .314 but only has eight home runs. Todd Helton is hitting .294 and Troy Tulowitzki has been really slow to get going this season with a .193 average. No one has expected the Rockies pitching staff to ever be the best in the league, especially pitching in the thin air. However, outside of Aaron Cook (9-2), no Rockies pitcher has over two wins. I think it’s safe to say that there will not be a repeat appearance in the World Series for the Rockies this season.

The Houston Astros had a pair of split-squad games on Sunday afternoon. Against the Atlanta Braves, the Astros lost by a final score of 6-4. Against the Washington Nationals, the Astros fell 8-3.

In the contest versus the Braves, Brandon Backe pitched two scoreless innings for Houston. New second baseman Kaz Matsui went 1-2 with a steal, a run and an RBI.

In the other game, starter Shawn Chacon gave up two earned runs in two innings of work. Lance Berkman got one hit in four at bats. That lone hit was a double that scored a run.

While our own Hunter Pence went 0-3 against the Braves, he did recently have a very nice story published about him on MLB.com.

Check it out: Pence draws inspiration from brother.

After going without a hit in the spring training opener, our own Hunter Pence has bounced back with two nice outings for the Houston Astros. He’s now 3-for-8 with a double and an RBI. On the field, he has spent all of his time in right field.

As the Astros prepare for the 2008 season, manager Cecil Cooper has labeled Pence as one of the franchise’s most important players. Pence told the Houston Chronicle that he doesn’t mind the added pressure.

“It’s good to hear; it’s not a burden,” said Pence. “What he says and what he expects, I probably expect a lot more out of myself than anybody.”

On Sunday, the Astros play split-squad games on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals. We will update you on Hunter’s performance after the games.