Eric Milton is BACK

[reds44]

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/...ton_to_mi.html

Gernal manager Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees have signed lefty Eric Milton to a minor-league contract.

Milton, who turns 33 next month, is still recovering from "Tommy John" surgery. He threw on flat ground today in Tampa, Fla., and is at least six weeks away from pitching in games.

"If he does anything to help us this year, that's fine," Cashman said. "We're just going to have a chance to get an advance look (for 2009)."

Milton was the Yankees' No. 1 draft pick in 1996 but they traded him to Minnesota in February 1998 as part of a package for Chuck Knoblauch. Milton has an 87-84 career record and 5.01 ERA for Minnesota, Philadelphia and Cincinnati.

The Yankees have also worked out but not signed right-hander Victor Zambrano.

[nate]

I was just about to post this!

[RedsManRick]

Good for Eric. For as badly as he pitched, he was a stand up guy who always took the blame. I his time off for Tommy John has also help his knees. As a person, he deserves a second chance.

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Worst thread title ever!

[Reds1]

Worst thread title ever!

Agree. I thought he was coming back here. I was -well. I can't say on a public thread.

[*BaseClogger*]

He wasn't that bad in 2006 or 2007, especially if you give him a decent defense and a neutral home park...

[redsmetz]

It's ironic this is posted as we head into Milwaukee because my son and I saw him pitch probably his best game as a Red against the Brewers at Miller that night. And Cordero debuted with the Brew-crew that night.

[savafan]

I wonder where he'll get his Yankee tattoo at

[Jpup]

He wasn't that bad in 2006 or 2007, especially if you a decent defense behind him and in a neutral home park...

he was terrible, every year.

[MasonBuzz3]

I wonder where he'll get his Yankee tattoo at

I think he already has one actually

[Strikes Out Looking]

And the fans in Central Florida and New England rejoice!

[cincrazy]

He wasn't that bad in 2006 or 2007, especially if you a decent defense behind him and in a neutral home park...

um.............

[*BaseClogger*]

he was terrible, every year.

um.............

ERA's of 5.19 and 5.17 are respectable when you consider he had a terrible defense behind him and pitched in a flyball pitcher's nightmare. If he would have been with the Cardinals he probably would have had an ERA closer to 4.50 (just look at Kyle Lohse)...

[cincrazy]

ERA's of 5.19 and 5.17 are respectable when you consider he had a terrible defense behind him and pitched in a flyball pitcher's nightmare. If he would have been with the Cardinals he probably would have had an ERA closer to 4.50 (just look at Kyle Lohse)...

In 2007 Milton only threw 31 innings or so, and in 2006 he allowed 79 hits in 67.1 innings to go with a 4.95 ERA and 13 home runs on the road, in the NL. Not the absolute worst numbers you'll ever see compared to his 2005 numbers, but certainly not good by any stretch.

[*BaseClogger*]

In 2007 Milton only threw 31 innings or so, and in 2006 he allowed 79 hits in 67.1 innings to go with a 4.95 ERA and 13 home runs on the road, in the NL. Not the absolute worst numbers you'll ever see compared to his 2005 numbers, but certainly not good by any stretch.

We can agree he was not good... which is exactly why I phrased it as "not that bad". I don't see why it would that bad of a move for some MLB teams to pick him up as a fifth starter...