(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the Atlanta Braves have traded prospects Gorkys Hernandez, Jeff Locke, and Charlie Morton to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for all star outfielder Nate McLouth.

McLouth is just 27 years old and is signed through 2012. He should make an immediate impact for the Braves.

On the other hand, the Pirates made out big time here. They will bring up OF prospect Andrew McCutchen, who is their top prospect to replace McLouth. They also picked up three excellent prospects.

Charlie Morton has some big league experience and was sporting a 2.52 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett before the trade. He should be with the Pirates very soon.

Gorkys Hernandez, who was rated the Braves' No. 4 prospect by Baseball America, isn't major league ready just yet, but he is only 21 years old. Hernandez is a speedy runner who can hit for an average.

The third prospect acquired, Jeff Locke, is also a highly regarded pitching prospect. At the age of 21, Locke has a solid, low 90s fastball with a power curve and a changeup. Locke dazzled the Braves in 2007, but had a mediocre 2008 and has had a less than stellar start to 2009.

This trade is win-win because it allows the Pirates to continue to develop their young team, and the Braves have added a solid bat to the middle of their lineup. It should be fun to see what happens.

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