21
2012
Bring Back Lastings Milledge?
An article by Barry Duchan
It is perhaps a sad commentary on the current state of the Mets and their almost non-existent production from the outfield, but I want to assure you that this post is NOT written tongue-in-cheek.
I’m sure most Mets fans remember when Milledge was the highly-touted first-round Mets’ draft pick who made a big splash in the major leagues after an impressive climb through the minors. Milledge seemed to have it all plus that special charisma that should have made him a star in New York.
But it all seemed to fall apart rather quickly and soon Milledge was labeled as a self-centered, self-promoting rookie who “didn’t know his place” and was shipped to Washington for what at the time seemed like an underwhelming package of Ryan Church and Brian Schneider. None of the principals in the trade really did much with their new teams and Milledge proved a disappointment everywhere he went from Washington to Pittsburgh to the White Sox.
Before the 2012 season, his major league career stalled, Milledge signed to play in Japan. Back in May, I read how Milledge was unproductive and disillusioned and found it hard to adjust to life in Japan and figured this is the end of the line, but a recent post on NBC Sports’ Hardball site featured Milledge and noted he was “second in the CL in average and third in homers” as of August 31st.
I have to admit, I’ve always been a fan of Milledge. He was one of the few recent Mets’ #1 picks I was excited about and I loved his swagger and fan-friendly style even if teammates and the front office felt differently. He’ll be 28 years old next season and I think it would be fitting if he were given another chance with the Mets. Who knows? It could become a real feel-good story if he finally makes it and this is the kind of creative move I expected from Sandy Alderson and staff that they haven’t made so far.
I admit I don’t know Milledge’s contract status in Japan, but based on earlier reports, it didn’t seem like staying there was a life plan for him and I’m sure he’d welcome another shot to become the star in New York he thought he was meant to be.
I’m sure a lot of disillusioned Mets fans would laugh at this idea and consider it as tired and ill-advised as penciling Jeremy Hefner in next year’s starting rotation. Sure I’d prefer one of the Upton brothers or maybe even Delmon Young in the Mets’ outfield next year, but bringing back Milledge would at least create a glimmer of hope that the front office is trying improve the team however possible given its financial constraints.
About the Author: Barry Duchan
I've been following the Mets since 1962. Have to admit I was a Yankee fan as a kid, but I found it to be so much more interesting to see how a young team could build itself up rather than following a team where the season didn't really begin until October. I remember them all - Casey, Marv, ChooChoo, Don Bosch, The Stork, etc. As the years went on, I became more and more of a Mets fan, and a Yankee hater once Steinbrenner and Billy Martin entered the picture. After retiring, I relocated with my family from Long Island to Chapel Hill, NC in 2005. I spend a lot of my time now checking out all the various Mets blogs. Fortunately, I still get to watch almost all of the Mets games (except those that are blacked out here).
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 28 | .600 | - |
| Nationals | 34 | 35 | .493 | 7.5 |
| Phillies | 34 | 37 | .479 | 8.5 |
| Mets | 25 | 40 | .385 | 14.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 47 | .319 | 19.5 |
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I would be lying if I said this thought didn’t cross my mind. I mean he’s not Torres. That’s a start…
Don’t take stats in Japan all that seriously.
Just look at all the high priced flop imports that have come from there.
As far as I’m concerned we already have a potential Milledge on the roster already in Valdespin.
If Valdespin hits better than Millege then I can deal with any attitude problems he may have (If he really has them!)
Is Milledge better than Andres Torres right now? You bet! But he’s far from an answer to our problems.
Most players that end up playing in Japan don’t come back and have successful major league careers a la Mr. Baseball.
Neither did Bobby V.
Lmao… Damn. He sure didn’t!
That’s true Mitch. A lot of guys go to Japan and see nothing but splitters and breaking balls and have to learn to hit them which makes them improve on that aspect. Then they come back and are now able to hit that stuff when they couldn’t before.
The Mets traded what was once a highly touted and untouchable prospect in Milledge to the Nats for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church. Sold low, to be sure.
Now we’re discussing possibly bringing him back for the OF next season as he might possibly be better than anything we currently have.
I realize the overall plan seems to be home grown players, developing from within to fill needs at both the ML level and as trade chips to be used for positions we’re weak in.
I just wonder how low we have to sink before we start climbing up again. How long is this overall plan going to take? Nats and Rays stunk for pretty long before theirs paid off.
Hi Barry,
So sad to see one so desperate to even contemplating adding to the headaches we already have.
Can’t go by Japan baseball performances. Many a major league failure has become a star out there – ever hear of Tuffy Rhodes? But knowing this front office, those stats are going to jump right out at them so I bet we will see a return of Lastings if contractual obligations are not the issue.
Considering Lastings Milledge seriously says less about the Mets and more about the fans touting the idea.
I was take him back. I hated that trade anyway.
In response to those who say stats in Japan don’t translate to the big leagues, I didn’t single out Milledge because his stats are among the best in the Japanese leagues, but because of who he is and his history with the Mets. I also give him props for having a good year playing somewhere he complained about and had a hard time adjusting to. I am betting that the chance to come back to the Mets could invigorate him and give him a chance to redeem himself and make him a productive player in the major leagues. Sure, I might be wrong on all counts but at least I’m trying to think outside the box. This do-nothing front office staff is really getting me down !
Hi Barry,
If one singles out Lastings based on who he is and his history of the Mets, that alone would single out any thoughts of wanting him back. His attitude alone would be a bad influence on the young kids.
Th George Young philosophy ruined the Gianrs by Mr Squeeky Clean. Not Mr. Nice Guy but the best player available. Available is Josh Hamilton who is the best player but he has attitude problems too. Its really the moneyball philosophy the most value for the buck.
No matter what you hear from this front office the truth is they have nothing to spend and little to barter with. At 28 Milledge is as good an option as anything else and most likely an improvement too. I’m not adverse to the idea. You cant teach tools and apparently he has them.
I wouldn’t be opposed to it. Lastings was given a bad wrap after the whole high five thing. He has to be humbled now that he’s gone all the way to Japan… Right?
He was sold as a 5 tool player and basically had 2 greasy, old, used tools. We thought it said Craftsman but it was Shaftsman. He was just another highly touted bum. Forget him.
Milledge the next Fielder? Nah
If he fails lets go after Greg Jeffries
“Milledge seemed to have it all plus that special charisma that should have made him a star in New York.”
Did you ask Billy Wagner? Should a rookie know his place on a team? Apparently Wags is doesn’t like Lastings as much as you do, Barry. Lastings outsized personality often doesn’t fit in with team play. I’m curious what the Japanese fans and his teammates over there think of him. What did the Mets, the Nats, the Bucs and the White Sox know about Milledge that made them want to get rid of him?
With Lastings, things are always topsy turvy. He can somtimes laugh at himself when he does something foolish. Let’s remember:
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/05/07/lastings-milledge-thinks-he-hit-grand-slam-gets-tagged-out/
Silly. He flats out sucks!!!
Still, the Mets really needs to bring players with swagger. I”m tired of this bunch of nice guys that get knocked day in and day out.
I’ll go one better. Fernando Martinez who in 373 AB set career highs with 55 runs, 23 doubles, 13 homers, and 62 RBI. .314/.367/.507/.875 slash all in AAA but he’s only 23, three years younger than Duda with one caveat, he can actually play the outfield.
Hodges14, thanks for mentioning Fernando Martinez who is property of the Astros and would actually cost the Mets some talent if they decided they wanted him back. Letting him go for nothing more than the waiver price was another idiotic move by Alderson that I completely forgot about when I was reviewing his “accomplishments”. The Mets couldn’t even get a minor league arm in return for their one-time #1 prospect ?
Uh, remember that bad knee of his?
“Houston Astros OF Fernando Martinez (knee) was sidelined again Tuesday, Sept. 18, due to inflammation in his right knee. ‘His knee is still cranky,’ interim manager Tony DeFrancesco said. ‘He went to see the doctor the other day and there’s swelling in there.’”
He’s also hitting a smashing .231 with 3 hrs and 26 SOs in 100 plate appearances. He isn’t costing much of anything.
Yes, I’ll take Bay’s good knee and .153/.230.279 any day over F-Mart and his bad knee. Not really.
Who said anything about Bay? He should go too. I just think pining for scrubby prospects of old is silly.
No problem Barry, I enjoy your work on this site.
So Milledge’s attitude would be a bad influence on the Mets’ young players ? That kind of reminds me of 25 years ago when the Mets traded Kevin Mitchell because they thought he’d be a bad influence on Strawberry and Gooden. How did that all work out ?
Hi Barry,
I feel the Mitchell trade never should have happened because this was a world championship team with veterans as well as youngsters who as we know was quite rowdy on it’s own.
Different set of circumstances today. With Kevin it was his off-field problems that the Mets were afraid would influence Strawberry and Gooden (not that either needed help as we’ve since found out). With Milledge, it would be his attitude of not listening to his coaches and thinking he knows it all (sort of like the accusation I think fairly unjustified with Ike Davis). That type of attitude could rub off on young and egotistical players.
Also, if Lastings could not even help the Nationals when they were in last place or the Pirates when they were nose-diving last season, it’s hard to imagine him helping the Mets now other than him creating some sort of flap that will get media attention, this being New York.
As long as it seems that he has humbled himself and dedicated himself to his game, I say bring him in to a minor league deal with a ST invite and see what happens.
Also, for those of you who are wondering about players who have come back from Japan and being helpful in some shape or form, may I remind you of one Pedro Feliciano who stunk in his first go-around with the Mets, went to Japan and came back to be a key role player in the bullpen until Warthen screwed him up?
Hi Even Flow,
For all we know, Feliciano could have been screwed by possible overuse not only with the Mets but also during his tenure in Japan.
In Japan, pitchers are treated much differently than in the U.S. and are tossing all the time. I have read where Japanese pitchers often burn out at a much younger age. Now it is true Feliciano pitched in Japan for just one season, 2005, but I wonder if that could have helped contribute in some part to his arm going five years later? I forgot who it was (Fonzie or Donal?) who posted an interesting article with stats showing how a few less innings pitched each season helps a pitcher remain more effective toward the end of their careers, so how much an American’s arm is used – even limited to just one season by Japanese standards -could have long-term consequences.
Perhaps not, either. I am not a doctor. But it is a thought.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-03-01-japan-pitchers_x.htm
Cecis Fielder was another guy who struggled, went to Japan and came back to have a 50 HR season first year back.
Kazmir too!
Seriously Barry, with what we presently have…I’ve heard worse ideas…