According to various sources, former Met Lastings Milledge (above with his dad, Florida State Trooper Tony) has signed to play with the Yakult Swallows of Japan in 2012:
As Met fans remember, Milledge was once among the top prospects in the Met system. After a very good minor league career and much hype, Milledge struggled in 2006 with the big club, but did improve in 2007. After various incidents including high-fiving fans after a big hit and supposed run-ins with veterans, the very staid Mets organization decided to trade him to Washington for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider.
Given a chance to play every day for the Nats in 2008, Milledge had a decent but decidedly unspectacular season. In 2009 he was traded to the Pirates, then later wound up as a free agent signing with the White Sox. He spent 2011 in AAA and had a pretty good but not overly productive year.
Now he heads off to Japan, where he will earn nearly 600K.
This writer was a big fan of Milledge and wishes him well. Some American players have gone to Japan and far exceeded their MLB success. Here’s hoping that he can follow in the footsteps of at least Tuffy Rhodes or Randy Bass, or maybe even pull a Cecil Fielder and return to the US and become a star.
There was no word on whether Manny D will accompany LMilz to pursue his rap career in the Land of the Rising Sun.
9 comments
MetsFan4Decades
12/28/2011-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
After Lasting’s stint with Washington, I predicted he’d be out of MLB by the age of 30. He’s got some nice talent but it doesn’t appear that he has the drive or determination. Talent might get you to the majors but that alone won’t normally keep you there. I read stories when he was with the Nats on missed team meetings and being late for practices. Either his heart really isn’t in it or he didn’t have the maturity needed to succeed at the major league level.
He’s got other interests – and nothing wrong with that. Could be he’s just not 100% dedicated to being a successful ball player. Hard to pass up 600K though so not hard to understand why he’s going to play in Japan.
Anonymous
12/28/2011-9:28pm at 9:28 pm (UTC -4)
I really didn’t like him when he was a Met, but I also think he’s grown-up some even from his days with Washington and Pittsburgh.
If he succeeds in Japan, he’ll have better positioned himself for MLB, but upon his return, would still have to prove himself. I can’t see him getting a big league deal unless he succeeds in Japan for several years in a row. If he becomes satisfied with success in Japan, but opts not to try MLB return, he’ll never really know whether he’s good enough for the big time.
MetsFan4Decades
12/28/2011-11:50pm at 11:50 pm (UTC -4)
Agree that he’s still young enough to get back into the game in the states. Maybe he’s grown up some and is using the deal in Japan to prove he’s got the talent AND drive this time to succeed. Time will tell.
Dirtysanchez
12/28/2011-6:11pm at 6:11 pm (UTC -4)
lmao @ “There was no word on whether Manny D will accompany LMilz to pursue his rap career in the Land of the Rising Sun.”Ah, the ballad of Lastings Milledge. Still dont see the big deal about the high five but w/e. Wish him well
Anonymous
12/28/2011-8:29pm at 8:29 pm (UTC -4)
Happy holidays Dirty!
Damn do I agree–I mean, the Packers jump into their crowd and are heroes! LMilz was cool. I hope he becomes a serious star there.
Adam "Prismo"
12/28/2011-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
Two words: Blastings. Thrilledge.
Anonymous
12/28/2011-11:35pm at 11:35 pm (UTC -4)
Damn right.
Anonymous
12/29/2011-12:04am at 12:04 am (UTC -4)
I wish him well but I personally could not see wanting to spend any extended time in Japan given the Nuclear accident there earlier this year. Just not worth the risk.
Anonymous
12/29/2011-1:35am at 1:35 am (UTC -4)
Andrew Marchand over at ESPN wrote the following:
“Anyway, ESPN Insider and Baseball Prospectus guru, Kevin Goldstein has listed his Top 10 prospect flops for 2011 and guess what? A Met shows up on the list.
The good news is that Wilmer Flores is only 20. The bad news is Goldstein says he can’t play shortstop and may not ever be an everyday major league player. Here is what Goldstein wrote:
Flores has long been seen as one of the Mets’ top prospects, but that’s mostly been because of his age and level.
In 2011, he proved to still be more potential than reality and nobody thinks he can stay at shortstop long-term, putting even more pressure on the bat.
“Sure he was good in the Sally League at 17, but he hasn’t done much since,” said one evaluator. “The tools don’t even profile for a corner, which is where people will think he’ll end up.”"
I’ve always respected Goldstein’s evaluations and it should be noted he’s a Mets fan.