UPDATE: Per the Nationals conference call
- move was not necessarily made for the 2008 25-man roster but for the 25-man roster of a championship club
- Acta described Milledge as a gifted multi-talented athlete who can play any OF position; Acta stated he needs to play regularly to show everyone what he can do
- Acta/Bowden would not commit to a spot on the field or in the lineup; they want to wait until April to make those decisions; Acta commented he could bat anywhere from #2-7
- Milledge was on the call and thanked Bowden and the Nationals for the opportunity to play every day; his preferred position is CF though he said he can play LF/RF above average; with regards to the reported controversy in New York, he said all of it made him a better person and a better ballplayer
- Bowden sees Zimmerman, Kearns and Young as clubhouse leaders in place of Schneider
- Bowden commented on team’s need to focus on LH hitters given the trade of Church & Schneider (both LH)
- Bowden reiterated Stan Kasten’s idea of building the club through the draft and trades for young players, not free agency
- regarding Jesus Flores, Bowden beleieves Flores can develop into a #1 catcher and he is a key towards the long-term building process; no comment on whether he is the 2008 #1 catcher, part of a platoon or in Triple-A
WFAN is reporting that the Nationals and the Mets have agreed on a deal that will send CA Brian Schneider and LF Ryan Church to the New York in exchange for CF Lastings Milledge.
If this, in fact, proven true it is a tremendous deal for the Nationals. Church was on his way out of Washington this off-season. Church will be a nice complimentary piece in New York. Though losing Schneider is tough given his reputation handling an inexperienced staff, getting someone like Milledge is a boon for the future of the Nationals.
From Baseball America …
Strengths: The first thing scouts mention about Milledge is his lightning-quick bat speed. Milledge boasts one of the fastest bats in the minor leagues, allowing him to wait on pitches longer than most. He uses the entire field and has the strength to hit for average as well as power once he matures as a hitter. He made very good adjustments after he moved from high Class A St. Lucie to Binghamton, improving his pitch recognition. It’s still unclear as to whether Milledge profiles better at the top or in the middle of the order. He has above-average speed that he uses to his advantage on the bases and in center field, and he also has a plus arm. With his package of five tools, Milledge has few peers in the minors, and he has produced throughout his minor league career.
Weaknesses: The biggest knock on Milledge is his inability to control the strike zone. He’s a free swinger prone to chasing breaking balls out of the zone, and he hasn’t drawn many walks even though pitchers are wary of him. Though he has the speed to steal bases, his instincts are unrefined and he was caught in 38 percent of his attempts in 2005. He stands up too quickly when he moves toward second base, which slows him down. Milledge has lost time to work on those flaws having played just 204 games in 21/2 pro seasons. He held out for most of the summer in 2003, and a broken finger (in 2004) and a shoulder injury (in 2005) cost him playing time the last two seasons.
What this also means is that Jesus Flores will be the starting catcher for the Nationals in 2008.
Update: More on Milledge
He is a 22-year old who has played for parts of the last two seasons for the Mets, primarily as a right fielder (only because Carlos Beltran plays CF for New York).
| Year | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 241 | 310 | 380 |
| 2007 | 272 | 341 | 446 |
Once again, he is still only 22 (he’ll be 23 in April). For a team like the Nationals gambling on Milledge is very reasonable.
Ryan Sullivan | 30-Nov-07 at 3:25 pm | Permalink
I honestly think this is the happiest I have been about anything the Nats have done since that day they announced baseball was coming back in Washington. Milledge is exactly the type of player we need, and we gave away an overrated backup/platoon type catcher and a solid 4th OF, weak 3rd OF…
Well done Bowden, now make the same type of move with Cordero-
Louis J. | 30-Nov-07 at 3:52 pm | Permalink
WOW, WOW!!! Lastings Milledge!!!! He’s a legitimate CF and probably our leadoff man for 2008. Wily Mo(LF)(R/R), Milledge (CF)(R/R) & Kearns (RF)(R/R) in the outfield. Ryan Church was expendable and Flores made Schneider’s weak bat a problem.
Bowden is filling holes but he still needs a LHH power bat for the No. 6/7 spot in the lineup AND a least one more starting pitcher. It interesting seeing Bowden pick up young talent and/or veteran players with very little in resources or quality trading talent.
Tofu Dog | 30-Nov-07 at 4:55 pm | Permalink
Louis J. Keith Law is a big fan of this one, calling it the worst move the Mets have made since they traded Kazmir to the Rays. We got everybody on our side on this one. And it is a hell of a lot better than the rumored trade for Elijah Dukes. Milledge’s attitude problems are not likely to land him in jail where it is even harder to hit .300 than in the manager’s doghouse. Now they can go into the Rule 5 and take a catcher or Brian Barton as a fifth outfielder.
Greg | 30-Nov-07 at 5:25 pm | Permalink
Really like this move. Hopefully this will solve our CF questions for the next few years. And hopefully Lastings relationship with Manny will smooth over any of the attitude questions.
Louis J. | 30-Nov-07 at 5:49 pm | Permalink
Tofu
Keith Law likes the trade!! Wow, the guy has some smarts after all….
Remember, the Mets still have Johnny Estrada (S/R) who was paid $3.4M last year and is arbitration eligible for 2008. With Schnieder at $4.9M a year, the Mets will not keep both Schnieder & Estrada. They may non-tender Estrada who would become a free agent at which time the Nationals can attempt to pick him up (1/2 yrs) but it will cost them $3.7 a year.
What does the trade mean for Maxwell? His move to the Nats is now blocked by Milledge, Pena and Kearns. Could be part of a trade?
Will | 30-Nov-07 at 5:56 pm | Permalink
I like this move too.
I don’t think Flores is ready. He will need some time in the minors.
Tofu Dog: are you talking about Brian Barton from the Indians? I saw him play several times and I think he could start. I think he is much better then a 5th outfielder.
Tofu Dog | 30-Nov-07 at 7:08 pm | Permalink
If the Nats can get Barton, he can fill in everywhere like Church did, probably play better defense as well. I have some friends from Cleveland that are pretty high on him too. I think Maxwell may end up being a Barton kind of player too if he can make consistent contact. Maybe Maxwell blossoms this year in Harrisburg and does more, but I still think he will do well to develop into a good fourth outfielder who can steal a base and fill more than Church’s role. I think the next shoe to drop is the interesting one. Will we trade any of the three relievers, Cordero, Rauch or Ayala, and can Bowden keep getting interesting talent in return?
Louis J. | 30-Nov-07 at 10:11 pm | Permalink
Tofu Dog
Bowden said he was working on this trade for 4 months. We know he was working on the Wily Mo trade for 2-3 months. We don’t know what other deals he’s been working on. In a radio interview, he indicated that while the Nats might not be signing any big free agents, they could be involved in trades as a way to improve the team.
Therefore, it would not surprise me that he would trade Cordero or Rauch for a starting pitcher, probably young veteran (age 25-27) type since they have enough of their own young prospective starters. The Giants, Bewers & Rangers need a starter AND the Cubs, Indians & Tigers may decide to invest in a younger closer. The deals could revolve around the secondary players in the deals. Of course, there’s always Lopez to talk about.
Next week’s winter meetings may be VERY INTERESTING!
Let Teddy Win! | 01-Dec-07 at 12:31 am | Permalink
Has anybody noticed that the Nats just traded their only left-handed starting position players, on the eve of moving into a park with a cozy right field?
hartmanbirge | 01-Dec-07 at 2:31 am | Permalink
Hi gang. I just LOVE this move…. We are getting a kid who has potential to be a 30/30 guy and play a very good center field. I rhetorically ask - is it better to make the trade we just did for Milledge or is it better to pay a gazillion bucks for Tori Hunter? Love it! Love it! Love it!! This solves a whole slew of problems I think…. Now Wily Mo is the unquestioned starting LF. This is good for us and bad news for the rest of the league. We have a young stud in CF. Kearns is home in right. We will now have a very good defensive outfield with Kearns and Milledge patrolling the RF/CF gaps. Our left handed bat is going to have to play 1b which is a tad disconcerting for 2010 when Marrero will be pushing his way to DC.. This now creates a few “needs” for Bowden to address… he has to find a 4th outfielder now…. and a left handed one with power at that… he has to find a catcher - preferably left handed… if Lopez could return to the bygone power days he had in Cinci this would help from the left hand perspective a lot… Tally it all up…. Bowden has acquired Wily Mo, Kearns, Lopez, Milledge, and Young - for pieces that just didn’t fit. And the Ryan Church “this will be good for me” show is out the door… excellent!
hartmanbirge | 01-Dec-07 at 6:39 am | Permalink
Sorry….. can’t help it - so I need to write more. I’ve thought of some more impact that this trade implies. This is potentially great news for Cory Casto. He is left handed and plays multiple positions. I have to now think that Church’s departure opens a door for him. He can substitute in the OF and be a left handed bat in the lineup… he can also spell Zimmerman at 3b and Lopez at 2b. Because of his versatility Casto could get quite a few ABs through the year. Second, if Nick Johnson returns to health, then Young can also fill-in in LF as a left-handed bat. Longer term, Burgess bats left… So when Marrero arrives in DC it should probably coincide with Burgess. Burgess will be either in RF or LF…. Kearns will have probably played out his contract at that point… That gives you a power left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup… If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that Jimbo is looking for a left-handed hitting catcher right now - perhaps frantically. Another thing I would love to see is that the Nats acquire a young left-handed hitting SS with power - that would really help resolve the rh and lh imbalance we have. Guzman is just a short term answer - we have him only one more season.. Overall, this trade just resolves a lot of issues for our OF. Maxwell? I think you can kiss him goodbye… he will never break into our OF now… Milledge is a far better prospect and is younger to boot. I doubt that Maxwell’s arm holds up in RF…perhaps LF but I’d vastly prefer Wily Mo and his prodigious pwer… Maybe Mad Max can eventually serve as a toolsy 4th OF? And if Jimbo can find a 2b or SS who can lead off that would just be the icing on the cake… I wonder where Milledge would rank in the Baseball America top 10 Nats prospects were he eligible… somewhere btwn #1 and #3 I’d think…
Jane | 01-Dec-07 at 10:39 am | Permalink
I disagree with this move. I thought the Nationals were interested in keeping “home grown talent”.
Brian Oliver | 01-Dec-07 at 11:38 am | Permalink
Jane - For completeness sake, Church is not homegrown, he was acquired as a minor leaguer from the Cleveland Indians.
The Nationals are not a near term candidate (next 1-3 years) to compete for a World Series and by the time they likely will be ready, Schneider & Church will be on the back end of their careers and most likely would not be part of the roster (age or dollars). Milledge on the other hand will only be 23 years old next year and should be entering what would be his prime years when they are ready to compete.
Louis J. | 01-Dec-07 at 12:47 pm | Permalink
hartmanbirge
I love the trade too BUT get a hold of you enthusiasm. Casto can play 3B, 1B, LF & RF but not 2B (that experiment at Harrisburg never happened) AND he has to prove he can hit ML pitching especially as PH. The Nats could use a 4th OF/PH who can also play CF just in case (sounds like Langerhans instead of Casto). The Nats have a young LHH outfield prospect in the the minors who could help in 2009 - Marvin Lowrance. His power numbers are getting better and he had a very consistent & good 2007 year.
They need another LHH starter but where do you play him. Zimmerman, Pena, Kearns and Milledge are RHH starters. Guzman & Lopez are switch-hitters and either Johnson(L) or Young (switch hitter) will play 1B. That leaves the CA position. Flores is a RHH BUT Johnny Estrada of the Mets is a switch-hitting catcher who can fit nicely at Nos. 6-8 in the lineup. I hope Bowden did not outsmart himself by not taking Estrada as part of the Milledge deal and waiting for the Mets to non-tender him which means he can go anywhere.
Finally, I’m not sure they know what to do with Maxwell yet. If he has a big 2008 year he becomes a valuable trading tool but the Nats are not sure what will happen to Pena & Milledge; therefore, it would be nice to have any insurance policy (Maxwell) just in case. But the future with Marrero, Englund, Burgess, etc. is not great.
hartmanbirge | 01-Dec-07 at 2:01 pm | Permalink
“get a hold of you enthusiasm.”
Hard to do that….. and I think that Casto can fill in at 2B a game here and there… I never said he should play regularly.. I think that Casto is a commodity due to his versatility and make-up more than his talent or production. We obviously need a 4th OF now…. who’s it going to be? And he almost HAS to bat left handed.. Brian you were exactly right in your earlier answer and it’s why I’m excited. Schneider and Church will be “pushing the envelope” in three or four years… perhaps they could have been key pieces but I never thought that either quite fit that bill.. Joe Gibbs talks of “core Redskins” and I think it vital to ID that core - that group that will be with you for a decade. Anybody who isn’t in that group in my mind is expendable. I would also add a few more to the category of good players who just don’t quite fit that core - Nick Johnson comes to mind…. Guzman…Lopez…. perhaps Kearns… and it goes without saying Young and Belliard. Cordero. If I had to hazard a guess I’d bet that all of these will be gone within 3 years…but we get a guy with Milledge’s upside who is only 22? In a decade he will be 32 years old….. I call that a potential franchise cornerstone…
Alan | 01-Dec-07 at 3:02 pm | Permalink
Joel Sherman, in his column in today’s NY Post (http://www.nypost.com/), has an analysis of the trade that addresses the pros/cons of both sides. The whole column is worth reading, but I’ve pasted in the core paragraphs here….
“From his days as the Expos/Nationals GM, Minaya had an insight into Church and Schneider. But in manager Manny Acta, a Mets coach in 2005-06, Washington had an insider glimpse into Milledge. And Acta always felt the Mets clubhouse culture was unfairly critical of Milledge, who really does need to tone down the audacious cockiness.”
“But Acta knows the positive of that attitude. Milledge is fearless. He was not afraid of the majors or New York. He tends to give too many at-bats away. But not in pressure spots. He loved the big stage. As a former teammate of Milledge said, “he’ll win games for you. The better the pitcher, the bigger the moment, the better the player.”"
“It will be up to Acta to get Milledge to concentrate full-time, and Acta’s first year in Washington when he worked with a dubious cast that included Dmitri Young, Felipe Lopez and Robert Fick suggested he was good for this task. And, remember, just a year ago Milledge was being compared to a young Gary Sheffield. So this is a good piece of clay with which to work.”
“That is the biggest problem with this deal by Minaya. In 2007, Milledge was beset by injury and more bad behavior that the NL talent evaluator said has “turned people off since high school.” So Minaya sold Milledge at a low value. My gut says that even if Milledge had another dubious year in 2008, he would still fetch a Schneider/Church level deal.”
Dick | 01-Dec-07 at 5:46 pm | Permalink
I can’t get over the irony of Milledge’s cockiness being a problem for the Mets. Perhaps a little more attitude like that in their clubhouse would have prevented the Mets folderoo in September!
Only Omar can make a trade like that! He would have been better to clear out some more old timers than guys like Lastings. Thank goodness Omar is on the other side now.
Louis J. | 02-Dec-07 at 12:20 am | Permalink
If the Nats are looking for a LHH #4 outfielder, Brad Wilkerson is available and he can play LF/CF/1B and still has some pop in his bat. He’s a free agent who does not cost them any draft chioces. But Boras is his agent and will ask for some silly long term contract eventhough the Rangers have not offered him arbitration.
Suns Fan | 02-Dec-07 at 12:56 pm | Permalink
They could always try Mike Daniel. He had a really good year in Hagerstown/Potomac. I know he doesn’t project that well to the majors, but he hits for a high average, and has at least some power. And he’s a left-handed hitter. Leonard Davis–if he escapes the rule 5 draft–is another left-handed bat with good power. But it’ll probably be a year or two before he’s ready for the big leagues.
dd | 02-Dec-07 at 2:36 pm | Permalink
“The biggest knock on Milledge is his inability to control the strike zone. He’s a free swinger prone to chasing breaking balls out of the zone, and he hasn’t drawn many walks even though pitchers are wary of him.”
Good to see another toolsy guy. A prospect is just that! He hasn’t proven his worth yet, but may blossom…or not.
One thing is for sure, the Nats will be among the leaders in strikeouts, with Pena, Milledge, Kearns and Lopez. Only Kearns gets walks. Hopefully there will be lots of key homers.
Dick | 02-Dec-07 at 3:33 pm | Permalink
Louis J:
Interesting on Brad Wilkerson. Unless he has changed since he left, he can’t hit right handed pitching. He only hits left handers. I used to dislike him but would love it when the opposition brought in lefty’s to pitch to him. He would kill ‘em, especially Bobby Cox and the Braves.
Jane | 02-Dec-07 at 5:01 pm | Permalink
For clarification sake, I was talking about Brian Schneider being “home grown” (not Ryan Church).
Hartmanbirge | 03-Dec-07 at 9:41 am | Permalink
Well we may indeed leade the league in strikeouts but we do have guys in Zimmerman and Johnson who get on base a lot. In the minors Milledge’s OBP wasn’t all that bad. I expect improvement in Pena’s now that he seems to be learning to go “inside out” with his swing. In my mind the huge what-if for the regular lineup is up the middle. Of course catcher is a big qustion. I don’t get impression management is sold on Lopez. Guzman is brittle and inconsistent (one year he’s a gimme out the next he’s over .300 - which will it be?). We have Guzman only one more season and really no one pushing towards big leagues that soon. Desmond? Would be a shock. Far more questions than answers here.