Why the Rush?

by ByANose on Jan 6, 2007 7:49 AM EST

I know that he had 166 AB last year and no longer qualifies as a minor leaguer, but I need some insight into why NYM are giving Milledge such a hard time in NY? Starting with Randolph openly criticizing him over the "high five's" with the fans after hitting a 9th inning HR, then left off of the NLCS roster even with Floyd going down, and now he has seemed to have really fallen out of favor this offseason (David Newhan will be the 5th outfielder for God's sake !!). Can't use the excuse that they want him to get everday AB at AAA as he wasted away on the bench last year. I drafted the guy with high hopes in '06, and now do not think he will contribute till '08. In a $275 NL 13 team keeper league, is he now a bust at $5 (could I get him for $2)? Puzzled with his treatment.

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The thing is

The Mets as well as the Yanks, are very quick to judge players. In Millege's 160+ ab's he posted a 240 avg. Obviously most fans don't realize that he was kind of rushed, so the perception is is that he's not as good as the hype, which ultimately makes him expendable. It's a unfair system. But fans in new york are stubbburn and impatient, that's life.

by sagecoll on Jan 6, 2007 9:42 AM EST reply actions

Kazmir

Then the fans will turn around and blame management when they make the next Kazmir trade. Milledge is going to be good but, hey trade him for Brian Giles or someone why not? I mean if the Mets can trade Kazmir for penny why not Milledge... Don't say I didn't warn you... I don't want to see Mets fans bitchin' when Milledge is beginning to show signs of what he'll become while management is busy releasing the bum you got for him...

by nate050904 on Jan 6, 2007 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

Who says the fans want to trade him?

When Minaya screws up all offseason and becomes so desperate to "unload" Lastings Milledge for Joe Blanton, you know we have a problem.

Why the hell shouldn't I complain? I complained when Cliff Floyd was hurt, I complained when Milledge was left off the roster, and I complained more when Anderson Hernandez was put in his place. I think I'm allowed to complain if we trade Milledge for one of Peterson's former players or if we trade Kazmir for someone who Peterson thinks is a fixer-upper.

In the name of David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Lastings Milledge. Amen.

by BlackOps on Jan 6, 2007 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

High fives

I thought that was really awesome and could be a great way to endear himself to the NY crowd. It could be his trademark to go down giving fives on his way back out to right field after he hits a homer at Shea.

Waiting for Travis Buck

by Furious George on Jan 6, 2007 10:22 AM EST reply actions

Yea

I don't see the big deal with that. It's too bad more of these multi million dollar athletes don't take a lesson from a rook and learn how to interact with the fans who pay lots to see a game. Without us ballplayers wouldn't have what they have. It don't matter how skilled they are if no ones willing to pay to see them then they aren't making any money. So what Milledge high fived fans? Atleast you know he appreciates them.

by nate050904 on Jan 6, 2007 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

Showboting

Its a culturl thing. OK in NFL, considered disrespectful in MLB.

Guess which vowel won't work on my keybord?

by siddfynch on Jan 6, 2007 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

Milledge a Zephyr

This is from the Mets mouthpiece...

http://www.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070104&content_id=1418707&oid=36018&vkey=31

by drwmsu1 on Jan 6, 2007 2:40 PM EST reply actions

Clubhouse issues...

From what I can understand being an out sider, sure Mets fans will know better, but it seems that Milledge hasn't endeared himself to his teammates at all. Furthermore with Beltran cemented in CF, Milledge's "worth" is lessened to the Mets as his offense doesn't translate well to the corners.

The Mets are trading a LF/RF but the acquiring team is trading for a CF. It's hard to explain, but Milledge has more value traded than he does staying on the team.

by BaseballJonze on Jan 6, 2007 5:36 PM EST reply actions

Clubhouse

Randolph tends to let his veterans manage the clubhouse, and last year there was some consternation that Lastings didn't "know his place." Don't know exactly what that means, but apparently he wasn't deferential enough.

They've sent the message, now it's up to Lastings to decide whether he wants to fall into line or not. I think the Mets will give him the first half of the year to show his bona fides; if he doesn't, they'll deal him at the deadline.

by Yakker on Jan 7, 2007 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Well its the

Need for pitching and the presence of Carlos Gomez and a little further down the line Fernando Martinez that makes him expendable.. .plus prospects are kinda like a new toy... they are all nice and shiny and perfect, and then one day you open it, and if it isnt exacly what you thought it would be right out of the box, then it loses its shine and you dont want to play with it at all.... but sometimes you give it another chance and you realize why you liked it so much in the first place.

"You also must admit, that outside of the facts, I made a compelling argument!"

by jbluestone on Jan 7, 2007 2:21 AM EST reply actions