Not Ever Lastings

The Mets finally gave up on highly touted prospects Lastings Milledge, sending him to the Washington Nationals yesterday for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church. Milledge's name had been mentioned in the past for 'A' list players such as Dontrelle Willis, but on- and off-field transgressions upset GM Omar Minaya and manager Willie Randolph.

The final straw may have occurred during the 2nd to last game of this past season, when the Mets were battling the Phillies for 1st place. Milledge and Jose Reyes went over the top in home run celebration dances and the next day the Mets were clobbered by the Florida Marlins, eliminating from a chance at the playoffs. While it obviously wasn't a cause and effect situation, there was thought that Milledge didn't take things seriously enough.

Nat's GM Jim Bowden is certainly not afraid of taking on players with questionable or bad reputations. Dmitri Young was released by the Tigers during their run to the World Series in 2006 and won the comeback player of the year award for the Nats in 2007.

If Milledge can still show off all of the tools rather than being a tool, Bowden will have gotten him and given up next to nothing. Schneider is a very good defensive catcher, but hit just .235 this past season. Church is an average hitter, who is most likely best suited as a 4th outfielder.