Loading ...I mentioned this in the game thread yesterday, but I thought it was worth reproducing here. Here’s a direct quote from Reds broadcaster Chris Welsh on Sunday:
“If the Reds had put up 8 runs on the scoreboard, this would have been a good start for Milton.”
Heh. I love Chris Welsh — he’s usually great to listen to on television — but that’s just funny.
Anyway, regarding Milton: Daedalus has made up her mind.
An interesting contrast to Milton is Mike Hampton.
He didn’t pitch last year and made $14.5 million. He’s hurt again this year and will make $14 million. He’s on the books for $15 million in 2008. In 2005, he won five games and made $15 million.
That outlandish eight-year, $121 million contract he signed with the Rockies before the 2001 season has to be the worst in history. To get through this deal, the Rockies, Marlins and Braves are paying him.
After trading him to the Marlins, the Rockies have paid Hampton $30 million. Two days later, trading him to the Braves, the Marlins are on the hook for $38 million. And the Braves are paying him almost $36 million through the end of the deal.
That kind of money makes Milton’s look like chump change on the dresser top.
The Milton-Hampton comparison is a good one … however, when I heard Milton was starting the year on the DL, I was sadden when I saw that it didn’t last long enough
When the Reds signed him, I thought it was a good deal. Yet, I’m seeing he’s not fit to pitch in the GABP on a reg. basis. He’s a fly ball pitcher, not to mention injured often.
I think he’d be better suited for the Padres, but with his recent history, I’m not sure Petco Park would be an adequate equalizer for his pitching.
I disagree. He did OK in his year with the Phillies and that is no more or less a HOMER park than GABP. He’s just been too hittable as a Red, especially 2005.
Last year he had the 2nd best quality start percentage on the team to Arroyo. Why can’t he be more consistent? Is it age? Health?
The question about Hampton is why would other teams take on that salary, even with help?
If the help gets his salary down to $10 million or under per year, and they believed his inflated numbers were caused by they stadium, then it would be a good bet. Look at his pre-Coors numbers.
He never had an ERA over 4 (not counting in 17 innings at age 20 debut season) until pitching in Colorado. His 3 seasons leading into Colorado were 3.36, 2.90, 3.14.
He hasn’t pitched that well for Atlanta, but he was an above average pitcher his first 3 years with the team until he got hurt in 2005. He hasn’t been back on the field since, and may not play at all this year. If that’s the case, then the Braves aren’t paying his salary again this year, either (insurance.)
I wonder if the deal was for cash or if the other teams are still on the hook for his salary each year and get the benefit of insurance also?
Greg, excellent questions on Hampton.
Teams cannot get an insurance policy for a player they do not employee. Each team is paying him annually, for tax reasons. In fact, much of Colorado’s money is deferred.
The thing that always threw me for a loop with this deal is the Marlins. They were in the middle of ripping up a championship team, they were slashing costs right into the front office, they had Hampton for two days, knowing they were gonna trade him, and they are paying him $6.3 million a year until 2008.
What a head-scratcher, eh?
Oops, found this updatee, but the money is still staggering:
Commissioner Bud Selig forced a financial restructuring of the deal because he didn’t like the fact that Florida’s $38 million obligation to Atlanta for Hampton’s contract was backloaded to 2006-08. The Braves now are on the hook for $48.5 for six years of Hampton, with the Marlins paying $23.5 million of his 2003-05 salaries and the Rockies contributing $6.5 million over the same period. Colorado also paid $6 million to buy out Hampton’s $20 million option for 2009. Thus the overall savings is $24.8 million for the Rockies and $23.7 million for the Marlins.
Not mentioned here is that his $19 million signing bonus is deferred by the Rockies.
To answer Bill’s question about why, why, why . . .
Hampton was traded to the Braves because the rebuilding Marlins were looking for young pitching and got Tim Spooneybarger and Ryan Baker. Spooney was supposed to be the next great closer but blew out his elbow in 2004 and I don’t think he’s pitched in the majors since. Baker has yet to pan out.
Obviously, the Rockies wanted to get out from under the $85 million remaining on Hampton’s contract. And the Braves had lost Glavine to the Mets and figured Mazzone could fix Hampton.
He did, essentially, but the injuries have prevented any progress or consistency.
What a bust for everyone involved.
GregD,
One thing: Milton wasn’t really any good with the Phillies, either. His ERA+ (adjusted for ballpark effects) was 92 — 8% worse than the league average.
He’d thrown all of 17 innings in 2003, and his 2002 numbers were almost exactly what they were in 2004.
2002: ERA+ 91
2003: INJURED
2004: ERA+ 92
That’s the guy that Dan O’Brien signed to a three-year, ~$27M contract.
Chris, my comment wasn’t intended to defend the Milton signing by OB, but to counter the idea that Milton would have better results at a different ballpark.
Both the contract length and contract amount for Milton were terrible ideas, made by someone who valued Milton’s 14-6 record.
Milton was signed for his 14 wins with the Phils in a comparable park. Great match to Hampton for half the money over the years. Anyhow Hampton in a deep park not prone to HRs is servicable more so then milton. Give Milton to Padres for Scott Linebrink. Solves our issues…..Laugh I know