Jose Tabata Outstanding So Far This Year For Pirates

Dejan Kovacevic argues that the Jose Tabata / Xavier Nady deal the Bucs made with the Yankees in 2008 was a steal. That's hardly news, of course, but it's becoming increasingly clear that while Jason Bay was the player Pirates GM Neal Huntington inherited who should have had the most trade value, Nady is the one who really brought home the bacon.

Tabata alone for Nady is a steal. And regardless of what comes of Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens or Daniel McCutchen, the fact is that all four acquisitions from that trade are on the Pirates' current roster, and the Yankees got comparatively little out of Nady and Damaso Marte.

Tabata went 1-for-3 with a walk against the Rockies today, increasing his hitting streak to start the year to 10 games. He also has seven walks already, and the ball is really jumping off his bat. It's unclear if this season will be a breakout for Tabata, but if it is, the Pirates could have something really special on their hands - he's still only 22.