Apparently Lastings Milledge is available. Non-tendered by the non-serious Pirates, looking to extend their streak of losing seasons to a truly stupefying 19, LMillz is now a free agent.
How the mighty fall. Seems like it was not that long ago that WFAN loudmouths were speculating that the Red Sox might want Milledge in a trade for another current free agent, Manny Ramirez.
Milledge was a fan favorite for a while with the Mets and was once one of the jewels of the farm system. His major league career has been less than impressive.
Still, Milledge is just 25, and has never even been paid $500,000 in a year. In other words, he might be very, very inexpensive.
The Met outfield situation is quite unclear. Yes, opening day will surely see Bay, Beltran, and Pagan. Bay will play every day if healthy, pretty much regardless of how poorly he hits. Beltran, if healthy (surely always a big “if” at this point with Beltran) will as well. Pagan may or may not already have a wing being readied for him in Cooperstown by Met fans, and if he does decide to play this year and therefore delay his election into the HOF, he will play every day too.
But the backups? Evans? Duda? FMart? Loads of potential, but very little proven at the MLB level. These three will be given every chance to make the squad, but the likely reality is that FMart and Duda play every day in Buffalo, and Evans makes the team due to his versatility and experience.
So what about LMillz? Is he worth a shot, were he to accept a 1-year deal with something like half a million guaranteed? Would he want to return to NY and try to rebuild his career? Can we say for sure that his unfulfilled potential no longer exists?
If he did enough in Florida to win a spot as 4th outfielder, he certainly would get his share of playing time, as Beltran and Pagan staying healthy for 160 games is, well, not likely. Beltran also will definitely not be a Met longer than then last day of 2011, at the latest. Milledge might cherish the chance to return to NY, and be extra-motivated to have a chance to rebound, and basically audition for a starting spot on the 2012 Mets, if not the post-trade deadline 2011 Mets.
This is not a slam-dunk move, but all things considered (age, cost, previous Met experience, speed) this is a move which might really be a sleeper for the Mets.
Cheap, exciting, still young, liked by many fans—LMillz should be given serious thought as 4th outfielder for the 2011 Mets should he be interested in the position.
62 comments
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:12pm at 7:12 pm (UTC -4)
I see the Mets signed Capuano and Bucholz – along with DFA’ing Iggy.
Color me surprised on that DFA. Wake up call to the rest of the gang. Sounds like Sandy means business when he says just b/c you’re owed a paycheck doesn’t automatically mean you’re making the team…..
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
now, the Iggy move makes little sense to me (doing it at this point at least, given how short the BP is, and that they are paying him anyway). Why not wait to ST? Is there no one else on the 40 man to dump? or put Johan on the 60 day DL.
Guess this makes me look silly, since earlier today I predicted Iggy would be the breakout star of the 2011 pen!
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
Well, if no one claims him off waivers, we get him back and can stash him in the minors if need be right? If he doesn’t produce, we’re still paying him but don’t have to guarantee a spot on the 25 man roster.
I’m curious too why he was the goat to make room for the other two. Must be some reason they believe him to be that expendable.
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:38pm at 7:38 pm (UTC -4)
I forgot that he probably is still under control if he clears waivers. Probably won’t get claimed, since he comes with a 1+mill contract if claimed.
Or can he decline and become a FA?
most likely then it was done to get him off the 40 man roster but still in the system? because he is a 2nd year guy so I assume he can be sent down at the mets desire.
TRS86
1/4/2011-8:06am at 8:06 am (UTC -4)
Based on what I am reading it’s because of the salary. They just don’t expect him to be claimed. Keep in mind they also have some Rule V guys to look at.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:18pm at 7:18 pm (UTC -4)
I haven’t followed Lasting’s career that much since he left the Mets. He’s been injured a couple of times over the past few years, right? I also read stories with the Nats (or was it the Pirates) where he was fined repeated times for being late and/or a no show to team meetings and practice. I’m surprised you of all people would suggest him, King. Or maybe you’ve got that much faith in Terry to whip into shape, mentally? LOL..
Last year I got into a conversation (I believe it was in our Dugout) where some Met fans said we should have never gotten rid of Lastings. I commented that I thought he’d be out of baseball by age 30. He’s got talent but it doesn’t appear to me he’s got the mental make-up to use that god-given talent.
I could be wrong though. He might have finally realized that without hard work and a serious attitude towards his craft, he’s going nowhere. Might be worth a flyer. I wouldn’t be upset if they signed him.
I like Duda better though….
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:31pm at 7:31 pm (UTC -4)
Haha! I guess I am a sucker for Met farmhands. I really do still wish Reyes would be consistently healthy and good and grow up. I will always love Straw and Gooden. My family followed Milledge through the minors, so I guess I have a soft spot for him too.
Yeah, I do think that if there is a situation where he would behave and really try to get it together, it would be returning to the Mets as a backup under Collins and Alderson.
Thanks for the scoop on Capuano; fine move I think.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
The point that really bothers me though is it was the Pirates releasing him. If they believed his talent was finally going to blossom, he’s exactly the type of player they usually go for or hold onto. I wonder if they know something the rest of us don’t……
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
Well MF4D, that is a large part of the reason I like the idea!
How many things have the Pirates done right since the last out of the 1992 NLCS?
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
the key is, very little commitment. take a flyer and if it flops, cut and run pretty cheap.
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:45pm at 7:45 pm (UTC -4)
Bingo!
No way he costs more than half a mil.
Free LMillz!!!
The team’s slogan can be:
He’s better than Chris Carter!
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
Very true. I’ll have no problem if they do sign him. It won’t be for much $$ so if it doesn’t work out, no harm/no foul.
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:35pm at 7:35 pm (UTC -4)
oh, Duda is certainly better. much more bat. And no “issues”. Although that aspect of Lastings always seemed overblown, at least what he did while with the Mets.
the bigger issue might be he does not seem to have a good rep for playing D. He has hit LHP OK though, and in a pinch can wander around in CF. Overall though, Evans is probably a better option.
Still, if they can get a guy his age on a MiL deal of some kind, they might as well go for it.
And don’t forget, I am on record saying that if duda gets a FT job to start the season (probably would only happen if beltran gets traded) he will win the ROY.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:38pm at 7:38 pm (UTC -4)
I believe one plus for Milledge though is he can play all 3 OF positions – which is a good thing to have in your 4th OF.
ROY? I guess you really do like Duda – lol.
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
Stick, you are a tad off your rocker with the Duda-love my friend.
Is that you at FWICG.com?
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:42pm at 7:42 pm (UTC -4)
yes to the 2nd question. And I stand by my prediction, but it is up to the Mets to actually give him the chance.
fongy2
1/3/2011-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
What Bat???… Based on What??…. And Duda CAN play the vast OF of Citifield??… Stick, when exactly did this man-crush on
Lucas Duda start?
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
Oh man, his house is wallpapered in homemade Duda posters….scary sh**.
Duda is probably a AA/AAA star, like Murph and Carter.
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:45pm at 7:45 pm (UTC -4)
nah, they couldn’t touch his numbers from last year. He will be a beast. I guaranteeeee it.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
Ralph Kiner absolutely loves Duda’s swing. That has to count for something, right?
fongy2
1/3/2011-8:02pm at 8:02 pm (UTC -4)
Ralph is 90 and has been half senile for 30 yrs that
I’m aware of.
stickguy
1/3/2011-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
Low blow, making fun of his Bell’s palsy. He still is pretty damned sharp (did you watch any of the interviews Ted berg did with him?)
hey, if I can’t take his opinion or Keith’s opinion to mean anything, I sure ain’t taking yours!
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-8:18pm at 8:18 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, that is just wrong…
True, Ralph is very close to 90 but nowhere near senile. His analysis and evaluations in the booth have been very enlightening these past few years…
stickguy
1/3/2011-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
Keith said nice things too. And yes, ralph counts in my book.
I also like that his approach (using the whole field), OBP and excellent K/BB ratios. The only thing missing offensively was utilizing his natural power to add some more HRs, and that came this past year.
fongy2
1/3/2011-8:13pm at 8:13 pm (UTC -4)
Look, Duda is about to be 25 years old, wasn’t great at USC, has never
been a highly thought of prospect until last September
following a very good season, at an advanced age,
split b/t AA ans AAA. Mostly struggled in September,
is a plodder in the field
AND suddendly we’re looking at him to be a contributor to a contending team??….In New York??
Good luck with that!
fongy2
1/3/2011-8:23pm at 8:23 pm (UTC -4)
I was half joking! Still because Ralph Kiner likes
a Major Leaguers swing doesn’t make him a legit
MLBer. This means what? He’s got a nice swing BUT….
is 25, hasn’t blown away the minors and projects to
what?…Exactly?
fongy2
1/3/2011-7:52pm at 7:52 pm (UTC -4)
I’m rootin’ for the kid and me having seen him a handful
of times in the minors the past two yrs doesn’t make me
any sort of pro-eye-scout…BUT I’ve seen enough of him
to know he’s no starting OFer in The Majors.
I wasn’t as down on Carter as you BUT also felt, long term
he’s no starting OFer or 1B. Murphy, I think has an MLB bat
BUT he can’t field. He’s the perfect type player for a team like
The Royals or Pirates. Lock to lose 100 games, no attention,
no pressure, if he could stay healthy and maybe con’t to learn a position like 1B or LF, he could hit .280/.290 with teens HR power and ALOT of Doubles. But not here!
TRS86
1/4/2011-8:03am at 8:03 am (UTC -4)
From what I saw of Duda, comparing his defense to Carter is incredibly unfair. Honestly, there have not been many OF that have played for the Mets that were worse in the OF than Carter. The guy seriously could not even get the ball to the cut off man in the air. What a terrible fielder.
fongy2
1/3/2011-7:36pm at 7:36 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry to say…..I’m very unimpressed so far by Mr. Alderson.
Capuano and the wrong Bucholz??…Okay….I get it, we need bodies
BUT since putting together his Front Office Assistants and Staff, Sandy’s moves have been weak…And frankly not very imaginative.
RE: Lasto ( As Reyes used to call him), I’m all in and have had this in mind since he was let go by The Bucs. At his age with his skill set, THIS
is the type of Gamble/Signing(s) we should be making.
Ya never know! Maybe this kid sees the light and becomes something
close to what he was supposed to…..OR maybe not. Maybe he just
continues to be a knuckle head and he’ll be out of the game soon enough. For a few hundred thou or even a Mil, it’s worth the gamble.
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:38pm at 7:38 pm (UTC -4)
Well, Capuano was decent last year.
As for Millz, if he can be had for 500K?? Sign him tomorrow, and make him earn a spot.
fongy2
1/3/2011-7:45pm at 7:45 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah….I know and I’m fine with Sandy’s approach, just not very
impressed…Yet. No problem with Capuano, just at some point
this off season Mr.Alderson needs to figure out a way to improve
this team on the field. Don’t think there’s been much of that yet.
b/t/w, Happy New Year to you too my friend, hope all is well.
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:47pm at 7:47 pm (UTC -4)
what are you thinking of (and signing Capuano and Paulino did improve the team)?
Other FA signings? Or a big/shocking trade (Beltran or reyes, neither of which likely improves the team this year)? Minor trades and if so, for what?
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:48pm at 7:48 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks my friend, and things are good; I most certainly hope the same is true for you.
I am afraid Omar has created the situation for Mr. Alderson.
Just not much he can do—little dough right now, very few players who are not coming off injuries and/or crap seasons so little real trade value….eternal patience is one of the defining features of this disease of ours called “Met fandom.”
fongy2
1/3/2011-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
I know it!…And I can be patient….BUT at some point during
the season I’d hope for some creativity in a trade or an out
of the box signing…..
fongy2
1/3/2011-8:00pm at 8:00 pm (UTC -4)
b/t/w, easy shot for me BUT….Omar did indeed leave a mess. All the more aggravating having wasted sooo much
time arguing with Omar defenders the past couple yrs.
TRS86
1/4/2011-8:01am at 8:01 am (UTC -4)
I think some of his signings are already out of the box moves but…
I can’t complain so far. I am sure there will eventually be a decently high level trade but I am in no rush.
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
capuano, I like this move. He was OK last year, and better in the past, so there is a decent shot he could be valuable in 2011, and even beyond that. But mostly, they desperately need depth.
Hopefully though this isn’t the last signing. Get Francis too and they might actually be able to cobble together the 7 man rotation every team needs.
kingman 26
1/3/2011-7:43pm at 7:43 pm (UTC -4)
Sign Fuentes or Soriano!
The we can start talking WC!
stickguy
1/3/2011-7:49pm at 7:49 pm (UTC -4)
a solid pen arm like that, and 1 more experienced SP, and they actually (on paper of course) have a perfectly competitive team, with a potentially top offense.
just with the usual caveat of the guys having to actually stay on the field and come close to producing to career norms!
fongy2
1/3/2011-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
Problem with getting hopes up though is that The Phils,Braves,Marlins,Cards,Brewers,Reds,Giants,Rocks and
Dodgers all look better on paper. That firmly puts us in the
bottom third of likely contenders….So?
stickguy
1/3/2011-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
pre-season paper is only worth using to line your bird cage with. That’s so.
I’m also not willing to concede that all those teams do look (overall) better on paper.
but, everyone gets to have their own opinion.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
I’d much rather be the underdog that does good rather than the favorite that falters. Always a better feel good story. If you’re at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up. However, if you’re at the top, it’s usually a long fall down and the disappointment is far greater.
fongy2
1/3/2011-8:18pm at 8:18 pm (UTC -4)
Little difficult to play the underdog with a 130million
dollar payroll and being a New York team.
And “paper” or not, just about every year you can
look at teams going into ST and have a pretty good
idea where they’ll end up. We look like around the
10th or so best team, which is what we were in 2010.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-9:18pm at 9:18 pm (UTC -4)
Fongy, you’re bursting my balloon…..
stickguy
1/3/2011-9:31pm at 9:31 pm (UTC -4)
you must be rich from the gambling winnings, if you can tell before the season how good all the teams are going to be.
TRS86
1/4/2011-7:58am at 7:58 am (UTC -4)
Hmmm, I will agree with
Phils, Braves, Cards, Brewers, Reds, Giants, and Rockies. Maybe Dodgers not sure yet. No way on the Marlins looking better on paper IMO.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. I like your thinking.
Especially if Perez and Castillo are gone.
Anyone who regularly reads here knows I was probably one of two Met fans that wanted Ollie signed. Watching MLB the other night, there was a clip of something that involved a young Nolan Ryan. Thinking back, I always thought the Mets gave up on Ryan too soon (although I know there was controversy to letting him go). Not saying Perez is in Ryan’s league, but I guess I thought Perez would finally put it together and stop walking the league too. With his ability to K guys, if he got those walks down, he’d be a hell of a pitcher.
Hindsight is 20/20 though. Perez has never learned how to pitch and I have little faith he ever will at this point.
TRS86
1/4/2011-7:59am at 7:59 am (UTC -4)
To me you have it. Go out and get another Capuano, maybe Bonderman, and then spend the rest on Fuentes. To me that also sets you up to be in a great situation in July. Either in the race or out of it with a ton of valuable chips on short deals.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-9:22pm at 9:22 pm (UTC -4)
Reading Rubin’s latest twitter:
A Mets official said additions do not take the Mets out of the running for other free-agent starting pitchers, including Young and Francis.
**********************************
Assuming Ryota Igarashi clears waivers, which should be the case given salary, he’s expected in major league camp as a non-roster invitee.
stickguy
1/3/2011-9:29pm at 9:29 pm (UTC -4)
I hope he does stay. still has good stuff, and you have to hope that being more settled in year 2 in the states will help him harness it better.
metsfan4decades
1/3/2011-10:23pm at 10:23 pm (UTC -4)
Taylor Buchholz says Mets plan to use him as a reliever. He has a $600,000 base salary. He was an elite set-up man in ’08, before TJ surgery.
Capuano has $1.5 million base+incentives. A 2-time TJ surgery patient, Brew wasn’t option after added Greinke/Marcum since he wants to start
stickguy
1/3/2011-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
Buccholz actually had a huge year in 2008 (26YO). 217 ERA+, .95 WHIP.
If the 2nd year after TJ bump kicks in, and he can get back anywhere close to that, this could be a great signing.
And if he doesn’t still have “it”, they cut him loose.
Capuano has as much upside probably as Francis or Young, so hard to argue with him as a relatively cheap #5/depth option.
njstuckintx
1/3/2011-11:31pm at 11:31 pm (UTC -4)
L.Milz rocks a serious sweater vest, I must say.
gategem
1/4/2011-12:57am at 12:57 am (UTC -4)
It wasn’t that long ago when LM, CG and FM were being hailed as the all-star outfield of the future. It should certainly give pause to those who look at some of the brighter outfield prospects in the system and immediately pencil them in as first ballot hall-of-famers. The physical talents of all three were abundant but the baseball skills (and baseball requires a unique skill set) have never developed. I’m sure LM still has the foot speed, throwing arm and incredible bat speed that was compared to Gary Sheffield’s but he has never learned how to use his talents to improve has baseball skills and baseball instincts. Perhaps he never will be more than a marginal AAAA player. But he could also be a late bloomer and is worth a shot. Great call Kong.
oleosmirf
1/4/2011-7:49am at 7:49 am (UTC -4)
the Mets preferably need a LH bat for the 4th OF b/c other than Murphy (whom I expect to be the starting 2B most nights) the Mets dont have any LH bench players.
Also there is no place for Milledge in Buffalo. Duda will play LF, Kirk in CF and Martinez in RF pretty much every game so signing him to be the 4th OF in AAA is not a great idea…
TRS86
1/4/2011-7:56am at 7:56 am (UTC -4)
Wow, I am surprised this article is coming from Kingman. LMilz to me is exactly what you yourself seem to be trying to rid the Mets of.
I want no part of LMilz and as for 4th OF there are so many better names out there it’s not even really worth the potential disaster.
kingman 26
1/4/2011-8:20am at 8:20 am (UTC -4)
Well, as you know, I try to make my judgments based on reality, and not perception and media portrayals. I do know that the Met teams Milledge was part of were a different world from the 2009-2010 injury-plagued, country club, slacker groups primarily interested in depositing paychecks; of course that does not mean everyone, but it sure means a lot of guys. I sure saw Milledge hustle as a Met.
Has Milledge maybe had some issues? Most likely yes. Are the Pirates perhaps among the league’s very worst teams to make a judgment on a player based on his time with them? Most likely yes.
To me, 500K on giving a shot to see if Milledge is ready to be quiet and modest and be 4th OF for the team while rebuilding his career is definitely worth a shot.
He is Hank Aaron compared to garbage like Chris Carter. And I love Stick, but Duda is not necessarily a major leaguer because he hit a few garbage time HR in late Sept. Evans? FMart?
TRS86
1/4/2011-8:35am at 8:35 am (UTC -4)
Honestly I think there are just so many more names out there it’s not worth the risk.
As for Milledge, he was on the team with those same guys. You really think that a switch flipped in 2009 and Reyes, Beltran, Castillo etc all became “injury-plagued, country club, slacker groups primarily interested in depositing paychecks” after he left?
Ask our favorite Billy Wagner about LMilz. “I sure saw Milledge hustle as a Met”. I have seen Castillo hustle 90% of the time as a Met as have I seen Beltran, Reyes, Wright, Bay, Church, Alou, Johan, etc. I just don’t see how Lastings is a good fit and to me it is the opposite of what I expected from you, that’s all.
kingman 26
1/4/2011-8:44am at 8:44 am (UTC -4)
Well, I certainly can understand that, but I just did not see him slack off as a Met. Attitude? Maybe. Hot dogging it? Maybe. But he did always hustle as a Met.
And while I am certainly not saying that he was the leader of the positive attitudes in 2006 and 2007, I most definitely believe that certain players in 2006 and 2007 and 2008 raised the level of hustle/attitude/work ethic of this group. All of this collapsed by spring 2009 and continued all through 2010.
As others have also argued, Floyd/Valentin/LoDuca/Bradford/Oliver/Chavez were, I believe, absolutely the heart and soul of the 2006 team.
I know we have been through this again and again, but in 2010, Hernandez, Darling, Strawberry, Ojeda, and HoJo (and Sheffield) ALL questioned the heart/toughness/pride/preparedness/etc. of the team. Were they ALL wrong?
I think Milledge got somewhat of a bad rap (pun intended) due to his music and high school indiscretion, but what exactly did he do as a Met that was so bad?
TRS86
1/4/2011-8:46am at 8:46 am (UTC -4)
Eh. I don’t want to turn this into another one of the same debates. I will just say again there are better options without the Mets baggage.
kingman 26
1/4/2011-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, and you very well might be right.
Was definitely factoring in the $$$ too.
Probably won’t happen, maybe shouldn’t happen, but hey, it’s the first week of January and I am trying to find things to write about!
TRS86
1/4/2011-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
LOL, I understand.
Not much depth in the higher levels either.