All spring we kept hearing from the Mets how important it was for Lastings Milledge to get regular at-bats. That meant the minor leagues, and even he said so.
Guess not.
Milledge made the roster as a role player.
Willie Randolph stressed how hard Milledge worked in the offseason and during spring training, and there’s no question this was a reward for that work.
“I’ll try to find him some at-bats,’’ Randolph said. “He’s on the team to play.’’
Milledge acknowledged he’s a role player and he needs to keep working. The answer keeps in line with the attitude he’s shown all spring.
I didn’t think they’d go this route, but there’s nothing wrong with rewarding Milledge’s effort. The Mets wanted him to work hard and show something and he did. He should be rewarded.
6 Comments
I think what’s most relevant is what wasn’t said here: How this decision reflects on their feelings about Green.
The real question then becomes, what happens when pelfrey comes up in mid-April (1st need for a 5th starter)?? Does Lastings go down? If not, then who?
John,
Well said. Kepp the carrot out there and reward him to boot.
Mike,
that’s easy ambi. he is terrible.
John –
I’m glad to see that Lastings will be with the team – he did as he was asked and now has the rewards.
Lasting’s earned it, plain and simple. If anything, Green is the one being gifted going North. I stood by Lasting’s last year and took a lot of heat from the bloggers, but at his age he is going to prove me right. Just wait…
couldn’t be happier. when you look at the lineup, while i think having dwright hit 2nd makes a lot of sense because it will give him a lot of fastballs, i love the depth that is created when he hits 5th putting alou 6th. if we get milledge into the lineup instead of shawn green, it gives the mets a whole new look. milledge offers the mets so much more than green – bat speed, base speed, great arm, and he’s just young and exciting. he can be a real x-factor for this team. prognosticators are basing their predictions on green in right field, but if you pencil lastings in instead and get 12-15 hrs, 70 rbi and 20 steals, i think it will be a big boost. he’s a dynamic player, just think of a lineup of reyes, lo duca, beltran, delgado, wright, alou, valentin, and milledge if milledge plays like he can. it could be scary, plus he’d give the team better defense. i wasn’t sold on milledge last fall, but i am now. the kid did what he was told, and let’s face the facts. he’s 21. 21. 21. 21. look at some of the rookie’s that are being hyped (ala alex gordon) milledge is younger than all of them. well done lastings, keep it going.