tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183970606894154311.post8112817901690276378..comments2023-11-05T05:58:51.114-05:00Comments on The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...The Mets!: NEWS FLASH: Angels Clinch AL West With Win Over Yankees...Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926167077492487461noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183970606894154311.post-33148634580070665532008-09-12T09:28:00.000-04:002008-09-12T09:28:00.000-04:00I just don't see it for Milledge in the long-term,...I just don't see it for Milledge in the long-term, Jack, and I've felt that way from the beginning.<BR/><BR/>If in fact the compelling reason for trading him was based on his personality or personal habits, then I agree, those aren't good reasons, although I suspect that many players, and not just LMillz, are traded for no more reason than that. See: Kevin Mitchell and Keith Hernandez, for two more notable ones.<BR/><BR/>Lastings is notably horrid in the field. Watching him struggle out there is Jay Payton-esque. Remember the games he played at Fenway last year? Look, I know the Green Monster isn't the easiest to play, but the kid looked for all the world as if he had little or no instincts for outfield play. And that is worrisome.<BR/><BR/>I look at him, and just don't get the feeling that he's either committed enough to the game or talented enough to overcome what looks to me to be a combination of lack of commitment, thickheadedness and laziness. :)Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926167077492487461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183970606894154311.post-81483484731710016302008-09-11T18:45:00.000-04:002008-09-11T18:45:00.000-04:00Milledge has hit a lot better at the plate since A...Milledge has hit a lot better at the plate since August 1. He looked very bad in the outfield last night, but at least part of the problem there was outfield positioning. The Mets got the better of the deal this year; we'll have to see what happens down the road.<BR/><BR/>I think the argument that a lot of people had was that the *concept* of trading Milledge was based on faulty logic. Trade the young kid the media doesn't like for being too "hip-hop" - and we know what that's code for - for two veterans (one of which was a no-hit catcher who arguably belonged behind the back-up on the depth chart). Milledge wasn't "respectful" enough, so he had to go.<BR/><BR/>I thought this year would be a breakout campaign and I was wrong, although even a minor hot streak will boost his final numbers to acceptable levels. Milledge may still finish with 15-17 homers, 20 steals and a .260/.335/.410 line - not bad for a 23-year-old in his first full season at the major league level. With a year under his belt and better lineup protection, there's no reason his Age-24 season couldn't see a spike all around - perhaps 20 homers, 25 steals and a .280/.350/.450 line.Jack Flynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16809904649660393420noreply@blogger.com