Let's give Lastings one last chance

by dtran320 on Apr 10, 2011 12:50 AM PDT

On Thursday, April 7th, the Chicago White Sox designated Lastings Milledge for assignment, giving them 10 days to release trade, or assign him to the minors. What are we waiting for??? Let's go get him!

In 2003, the New York Mets drafted 18-year old Lastings Milledge with the 12th overall selection. On Thursday, the White Sox designated 26-year old Lastings Milledge for assignment. Having spent time in both the major and minor leagues for four different organizations over the past four seasons, the former highly touted high school product has lost virtually all of his luster.

Source: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/he-didnt-leave-a-lastings-impression/

Sure, our club's had a complex relationship with Lastings alternating between lust and disgust, his lifetime 6.3% walk rate doesn't inspire much confidence, he reminds me way way too much of Milton Bradley, and we already have an army of meh outfielders, but what do we have to lose? Here's a chance to acquire someone that we've had our eye on for a long time for next to nothing. He's only 26 and still has his prime hitting years ahead. Over 1500 ML ABs, he's tallied a .269/.328/.395 slash line, but more encouragingly, in his only close to full season of ABs, he showed speed and some pop with 14 HRs and 24 SBs. Nobody in our current outfield or in our farm system at in the outfield really excites me, maybe with the exception of Michael Taylor, so it's not like grabbing him would block anyone. Why not give Lastings one last chance?

I'll leave you with the gems in a hilarious list of Lasting Milledge Facts:

1. Lastings Milledge isn't a 5 tool player. Lastings Milledge has more than 100 tools, many of which are unknown to most baseball scouts.

4. Lastings Milledge doesn’t hit 8th. Those seven other guys are just warming up the pitcher for the first real at bat of the game.

37. Rickey Henderson wishes his name was Lastings Milledge so he'd have a better name to refer to himself in the third person with.

259. Lastings Milledge said he wears #44 to honor Hank Aaron. Actually, Aaron wore it to honor Lastings Milledge.

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Comments

this makes me laugh

for all sorts of charles thomas reasons.

good luck with milledge.

Nick Swisher is handsome.

by ChrisCEIT on Apr 10, 2011 1:03 AM PDT reply actions

He did have a good Spring training.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 10, 2011 1:54 AM PDT reply actions

Beane collecting untilitymen at Sacramento

I wonder if Milledge would accept assignment to Sacramento? That team really lacks offensive punch. They are basically playing 4-5 utility players everyday. At first base they have played Recker and Timmons at 3rd Tolleson and Horton. Heether, Cardenas and Tollson rotating at DH. I’ve seen enough of Carson to know he’s AAAA. The only guys I enjoy watching bat there at Carter, Weeks, Sogard and maybe Donaldson.

In the past when the A’s were not hitting at least the Rivercats had exciting prospects that could be called up. It seems like they are wasting valuable at bats at AAA on guys with zero potential.

by BlueMoon on Apr 10, 2011 7:11 AM PDT reply actions

Kick Carson and pick up Lastings.

Much rather have the upside even if Lastings is a total bust.

by sums95 on Apr 10, 2011 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I was disappointed when the Bucs

non-tendered him. He can be frustrating in the field — the young man will take some tortuous paths to fly balls. And while he does hit the ball hard, the power that one thinks should be there still hasn’t shown up. However, he was a good citizen in Pittsburgh and, by all appearances, gave the full measure of effort.

I think he is worth a shot.

"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway

by SubLime on Apr 10, 2011 7:13 AM PDT reply actions

Rajai Davis v2.0

Now there's nothing left to say, so let's go drink beer.

by doctorK on Apr 11, 2011 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Only if at AAA

Right now he is a waste to sit on the bench in Oakland. If Sweeney can’t get ABs than there is no way he will get any. Promise him a starting job in AAA CF and a sept call up. He is worth a chance but not a Beane type player because of attitude.

by Arcman on Apr 10, 2011 8:54 AM PDT reply actions

What's his "lifetime 6.3%"?

More importantly, what’s my lifetime percentage? Is it at least 4%, I hope?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 10, 2011 9:10 AM PDT reply actions

Walk rate, walk rate

edited

by dtran320 on Apr 10, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Ah. Mine's probably at least 4% then.

Except when I take the bus.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 10, 2011 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not sure which is more puzzling

The call to sign Lastings Milledge or that Michael Taylor might be the only outfielder in our entire system that excites the original poster.

MexicAN AmericAN VegAN

by Mike Garza on Apr 10, 2011 9:15 AM PDT reply actions

He's tall.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Apr 10, 2011 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

You know what they say about tall outfielders...

short cleats.

MexicAN AmericAN VegAN

by Mike Garza on Apr 10, 2011 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah I was with you there.

Michael Taylor is the only hope? How can you say that when we have Jai F***in Miller!? :P

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by dwishinsky on Apr 11, 2011 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions

And Father Desme is playing for us as well

Oops, typo. He is praying for us.

Life insurance s..cks. I'm now worth more dead than alive.

by Tutu-late on Apr 11, 2011 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Funny fanpost... yeah, that's about it.

At one point in my life I liked Dave Kingman more than Rickey Henderson. I was stupid.

by the_rozeboom on Apr 10, 2011 12:29 PM PDT reply actions

66. Lastings Milledge removed Rick Peterson's jacket.

This was the best one by far

WHAT!??!?!?!?!?!?!

by true torture on Apr 10, 2011 7:43 PM PDT reply actions

.

Now there's nothing left to say, so let's go drink beer.

by doctorK on Apr 10, 2011 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

This guy is just another [insert name of mediocre black outfielder]

Come on, Charles Thomas? Rajai Davis? Charles hit left-handed and was never a top prospect, Rajai Davis was never one either, is much better than Lastings, and is a CF-er….come on, I know no one here is a professional scout but this is half a step away from the uniform talking about all white basketball players as “unathletic,” but with a “high basketball IQ.”

by swatnick on Apr 11, 2011 10:21 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs