[ThePundit]

WFAN is reporting that the Mets have traded Lastings Milledge to Washington for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church.

This is a dumb trade.

According to Omar Minaya, nobody else wanted Milledge so the Mets couldn't get a pitcher for him.

If that's the case, then they should have kept and played Milledge hoping that he played well and THEN trade him for a pitcher. What do they need Church for? They have like 9 platoon outfielders, and Schneider is okay, but Milledge who was a huge prospect just a year ago.

Doesn't make sense to me.

[EmpireWF]

My first reaction when I just saw this....WHAT?!?!

Let me get my head together....

[EmpireWF]

Alright, here's what appears to have happened.

Lastings Milledge trade value was not what it was a couple of years back. The Mets were not going to get a pitcher for him. The organization may have even soured on him. They obviously don't see him as being a potential superstar like they did years back. So they deal him to the Nationals for a good defensive catcher and an outfielder who has a nice bat and a good glove who can play any of the OF spots.

Upon first glance, I was upset. After thinking about it for a couple of minutes, the Mets soured on Milledge. All that's left is to see how he develops in Washington.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Alright, here's what appears to have happened.

Lastings Milledge trade value was not what it was a couple of years back. The Mets were not going to get a pitcher for him. The organization may have even soured on him. They obviously don't see him as being a potential superstar like they did years back. So they deal him to the Nationals for a good defensive catcher and an outfielder who has a nice bat and a good glove who can play any of the OF spots.

Upon first glance, I was upset. After thinking about it for a couple of minutes, the Mets soured on Milledge. All that's left is to see how he develops in Washington.

Then play him in right field for 60 games, maybe his value will go up and they can get what they really need - pitching. What do they need Church for?

[legend]

This tells me that Milledge has even more baggage than we know about. I never liked him much to begin with, and the Mets have had a history of overrating their position player prospects. Church is only 29 and had 15 and 70 in Washington and Schneider is 31 by next year, and the catcher that they desperately needed. This is a lot better deal than people think right now.

[EmpireWF]

Church is a nice player. But perhaps this is part of a bigger plan from Omar to seek a pitcher. Everyone knows he needs to acquire a starter somehow.

Whether Church remains on the team, who knows. But if he were to stay (and the Mets could get a starter some other way), I wouldn't be angry.

Let's just make one thing clear, this is NOT Kazmir-trade bad.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by legend

This tells me that Milledge has even more baggage than we know about. I never liked him much to begin with, and the Mets have had a history of overrating their position player prospects. Church is only 29 and had 15 and 70 in Washington and Schneider is 31 by next year, and the catcher that they desperately needed. This is a lot better deal than people think right now.

There has to be something. Frankly, Milledge is only 22-years old. His upside is better than Church's. You have to think there really was something the Mets didn't like about Lastings to trade him for these two players.

Or maybe the fans just overestimated Milledge...but he is just 22-years old.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

WFAN is reporting that the Mets have traded Lastings Milledge to Washington for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church.

This is a dumb trade.

According to Omar Minaya, nobody else wanted Milledge so the Mets couldn't get a pitcher for him.

If that's the case, then they should have kept and played Milledge hoping that he played well and THEN trade him for a pitcher. What do they need Church for? They have like 9 platoon outfielders, and Schneider is okay, but Milledge who was a huge prospect just a year ago.

Doesn't make sense to me.

What the heck...Wasn't he a five tool prospect?...and they deal him for almost nothing?...that is dumb.

[azrael492]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

What the heck...Wasn't he a five tool prospect?...and they deal him for almost nothing?...that is dumb.

This will come back to haunt them.

[bears9]

Are the Mets out of their mind he would an ideal piece in Santana trade

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

What the heck...Wasn't he a five tool prospect?...and they deal him for almost nothing?...that is dumb.

I agree 100%. at the end of 2005 season milledges name was among those to trade for manny ramirez one-for-one trade, now they got hardly anything for him, this is a bust trade for the mets..

[EmpireWF]

MetsBlog has notes from a Mets conference call earlier this afternoon.

Omar Minaya said he checked with teams and dealing Milledge wouldn't hurt their chances of acquiring a starter.

Schneider will be the starting catcher and Church will start in right field.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

MetsBlog has notes from a Mets conference call earlier this afternoon.

Omar Minaya said he checked with teams and dealing Milledge wouldn't hurt their chances of acquiring a starter.

Schneider will be the starting catcher and Church will start in right field.

Still not seeing it as a good trade...

[Lefty Noob]

Well, as Empire mentioned in another thread, the Mets weren't high on Estrada and still wanted another catcher. They got him, but like the others, I think they gave up too much to get Schnider and Church. To deal someone with the potential Milledge has - well, it's either a baggage dump as legend suggests, or a mistake.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Well, as Empire mentioned in another thread, the Mets weren't high on Estrada and still wanted another catcher. They got him, but like the others, I think they gave up too much to get Schnider and Church. To deal someone with the potential Milledge has - well, it's either a baggage dump as legend suggests, or a mistake.

Mistake...A bagage dump you could still weasel into a better trade.