The Washington Nationals have acquired yet another tool-filled outfielder, this time acquiring 22-year old Lastings Milledge from the New York Mets in return for veteran catcher Brian Schneider and 29-year old outfielder Ryan Church.
Milledge has superstar written all over him, hitting .272 with 7 HR's and 29 RBI's in 184 at-bats last year with the Mets. His defense is sub par, but moving to center field he might spend a little extra time working with his fielding skills.
I don't understand the move from the Mets standpoint, as Schneider is a decent catcher, but New York's roster is already filled with Ramon Castro and Johnny Estrada. Minaya could be thinking about the future, as it seems like San Diego will offer catcher Michael Barret arbitration, leaving only Paul Lo Duca on the free-agent market. Omar could than shop either Estrada or Castro and acquire another relief arm.
As for Church, he's been highly under appreciated, compiling quite decent numbers. Most scouts believe he has a legitimate shot at playing right-field for the Mets, but is not going to get too much better. Nationals definitely came out on top with this one.
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