Oakland Athletics left-handed pitcher Tommy Milone has requested a trade, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Milone, 27, was optioned to the Sacramento River Cats on July 5 following the trade that brought Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Athletics from the Chicao Cubs. Milone was 6-3, with a 3.55 ERA in 16 starts. In his 11 starts prior to his demotion, Milone was 6-0 with 2.62 ERA.
San Francisco Chronicle Athletics beat writer Susan Slusser believes this is out of character for Milone, but does not dispute the reporting from Rosenthal:
That doesn't sound like Tommy Milone to me at all, maybe more an agent thing. But @Ken_Rosenthal is among the best, so someone's saying it.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 21, 2014
Sounds as if @Ken_Rosenthal's report re: Tommy Milone requesting trade is accurate, but I'm not sure it will prompt #Athletics to deal him.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) July 21, 2014
As this author noted on the day Milone was optioned to Sacramento, the decision to option him would have the serendipitous effect of delaying his eligibility for free agency an additional year (to after 2018) if he remained on optional assignment for at least 30 days. If there is a rotation happy to have him, a trade would make Milone more likely eligible for free agency after 2017. Beyond the current option year, Milone has one additional option year remaining; such flexibility can only enhance his trade value.
Milone was optioned to the Stockton Ports for a brief period on August 28, 2013, when Brett Anderson was activated from the 60-day disabled list for the purpose of allowing his re-activation during September call-ups without waiting the mandatory minimum 10 days, as the Ports season was coming to a close prior to the 10-day waiting period.
Between August 3 and August 17, 2013, Milone was on optional assignment with the Sacramento River Cats, the A's electing to recall Evan Scribner for that period. Milone was recalled after Bartolo Colon was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain.
In a text message to Slusser reported on the Chronicle's Drumbeat blog, Milone said, "I don't have any comments on the issue at this time. Any talks about my future with the A's are between the club, my representatives and myself."