The Pittsburgh Pirates started their annual fire sale a little early this year as they sent All-Star centerfielder Nate McClouth to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for three marginal prospects - outfielder Gorkys Hernandez and pitchers Jeff Locke and Charlie Morton.

McLouth, 27, had a breakout 2008 in which he batted .276 with 26 home runs, 94 RBIs and 23 steals, all while becoming the Pirates' first Gold Glover since Andy Van Slyke in 1993. This season, his average was down to .256, but he still led the team with nine home runs and 34 RBIs.

The team said it wasn't about the money, but how couldn't it be?

McLouth's three-year extension guaranteed $15.75 million, including $3.5 million this year. The Pirates will save almost all of that money, as the three players coming in the trade and McCutchen will not make much more than the major league minimum -- $400,000 this year -- for the first three years they play in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates failed to get any of the Braves' top three prospects, as rated annually by Baseball America: Hernandez was ranked No. 4, Locke No. 7 and Morton not at all.

How do the Bucs even still have fans? Every year seemingly they unload any veteran of promise, constantly striving for tomorrow. The team is 24-28 sure, but they are only 6.5 games out in the N.L. Central. Getting of McClouth makes no sense, but it does make dollars and cents, or at least keeps money in the owners pocket.

MLB pirates, braves, nate mcclouth