…wow, two of the worst run franchises in baseball team up to make a deal, each swapping young outfielders… i have no idea how to judge this deal, because i have no faith in anything either club does…

Morgan, 28, is hitting .277 with 13 extra base hits and 18 stolen bases in 71 games for the Pirates this season, and he’s not eligible to be a free agent until 2014.

Meanwhile, Milledge underwent surgery on a broken finger in May.

He had hit .167 in seven games for the Nationals this season, before being demoted to Triple-A.

Milledge hit 268 with 14 HR and 61 RBI in 136 games for DC in 2008.

Speaking of trades…

“The Yankees acquired veteran Eric Hinske from the Pirates for two minor leaguers not considered significant prospects,” reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

In a post to Twitter, Sherman points out that Hinske cleared waivers two weeks ago, “which means any team could have had him for rest of salary, about $800,000,” i.e., the Mets.

Hinske had been hitting .255 with one HR in 106 at bats for the Pirates.

Lastly, according to MLB.com, the Phillies continue to look for a starting pitcher, but are growing frustrated with the trade market.

…well, he may not be the President… but, he may end up being a starting outfielder in the All-Star Game…

Milledge is currently in Triple-A, since being demoted by the Nationals earlier this season.  Yet, he is still listed on the ballot from MLB for the National League All-Star Team.

So, the popular Red Sox site, Sons of Sam Horn, is encouraging Red Sox fans to vote Milledge in as a starting outfielder, writing:

“Milledge is on the NL All-Star ballot.  He needs to make the team.  Nothing would be more NatsTown than having the Natinals’ (lone?) All-Star game representative be a AAA player for whom the organization has no plan.”

In a post to Big League Stew, ‘Duk writes, “Throw in Nats fans like Chris Needham who wish to see their franchise shamed and scheming baseball bloggers like yours truly and maybe there’s a chance to generate some headlines with inflated vote totals.”

To vote in players for MLB’s annual popularity contest, click here.

…speaking of Milledge, SNY’s Ted Berg uses this image for the wallpaper on his laptop, and i laugh every time i see it…

To vote in this week’s Fan Confidence Rating, click here.

Once part of ‘Generation K’, reliever Jason Isringhausen signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

After not playing in the majors last season, catcher Jason Phillips has been invited to spring training by the Mariners.

And Lastings Milledge has graciously offered up his #44 to new teammate Adam Dunn, and will sport #85 this season in honor of the year of his birth.

Milledge, on playing against the Mets:

“It’s good to come out here and do some damage here, don’t get me wrong. But I plan on coming out and doing damage every game, not only in New York. I’m trying to do damage everywhere I go…They can boo me, I don’t care. I want to see how loud they can boo me. I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me, so it’s funny. As they say, you must be doing something right if they boo you.”

…that’s right l-millz, fan the flames…

According to Newsday, the Mets not happy about Milledge’s comments, such as David Wright, who said…

“Enough is enough. You’re a Washington National now. Don’t worry about what happened last year or the year before that. Just go out there and try to help the Nationals win. It makes no sense to bash your former team. He just needs to turn the page and worry about helping the Washington Nationals. Forget about what we’re doing over here. Forget about the New York Mets.”

Milledge, speaking on his time with the Mets:

“A lot of veterans didn’t like the way I play the game. They thought I didn’t respect it, but the vets here have no problem with me. They know I respect it. They know I work hard.

“I can’t go through anything worse than I went through in New York. It only gets better from here.”

…i loved milledge’s energy, potential, and displays of emotion and excitement…i would have enjoyed watching him play for the Mets… but i also feel he needs to grow up quite a bit and definitely think his attitude played a larger role in him getting traded than anyone is letting on…

Milledge, on the Nationals chances:

“I think we’re going to compete and not only compete, but … you hear about New York can win and Philly can win. Why can’t we talk that we’re going to win the division, too? I’m not saying we will. But we’re in this thing to win the NL East.”

…see, good kid, just a little crazy…i can only imagine milledge in the New York spotlight, jawing with rollins and how that would have gone over in the Mets’ clubhouse...

Lo Duca, on why he chose the Nationals, as quoted by George King of the New York Post:

‘A big part with me was staying in the National League, being familiar, knowing the National League East and getting to play the Mets 18 times.’

At MLB.com, Bill Ladson quotes Milledge, regarding his personality:

‘I love the game. I play the game with passion. Nobody can take that away from me. People can think what they want to think on how I play the game. The most important part is I play to win.’

The Free Lance-Star has a picture of the two new Nats.

…i wish them both the best, just not when they play the Mets…sounds like lo duca will certainly be playing with a chip on his shoulder, and rightfully so…

Lo Duca will be a guest with WFAN’s Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno at noon.

…first off, i’m glad for milledge, as a person, because i think DC and the nationals, with acta, will be a good spot for him to develop…on the other hand, Jim Bowden is his GM, who has some weird addiction to piling up outfielders, who get angry at him because that can’t get enough playing time…i mean, he did it with the Reds, when he formed a logjam with Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr, and refused to trade one of them for pitching, despite having endless opportunities, year after year, to do so…now in DC he has milledge, Elijah Dukes and, again, kearns and pena…

…as for lo duca, i can’t lie, i am a fan and so i am disappointed he ended up in the NL East again…i wish him luck, just not on days he is playing against the Mets…

…for what it’s worth, having talked with a few people who mingled in Nashville, as well as people connected to the team, i believe lo duca’s exit and destination panned out as follows: the Mets were a bit disappointed in him, ranging from how he communicated to the team about his health to his diminishing defensive skills to his public comments about Willie Randolph; at the same time, his agent explained that he was looking for a three- or four-year deal, while the Mets only had mild interest in bringing him back on a one-year deal; so, instead, they took time to look around the market place for a better defensive, younger, short-term catcher; the Mets eventually pursued Yorvit Torrealba, than acquired Brian Schneider; and without the Mets in the market, lo duca’s options dried up, to the extent that he had to weigh one-year deals from the Blue Jays and Nationals, neither of which offered a full-time starting job; and so he latched on in DC, where he’ll get the bulk of playing time alongside Jesus Flores…

Ultimatly, Dan says…

“I think Mets fans will be happy with the production they receive from right field in 2008.  Although, I think Mets fans would have been happy with the production they would have received from Milledge in right field, as well.”

…the thing is, as evident by the following quote, this decision had less to do with our collective happiness, and most everything to do with the Mets trying to win now, next season, and milledge being too undeveloped to contribute, right now…

Willie Randolph, speaking about Milledge, while talking to reporters during the Winter Meetings in Nashville…

“You can’t make mistakes when you’re trying to win a championship.  So, it’s too much to really expect a young player to have all that mastered.  Some organizations can be patient with that…No, we can’t afford to go with a that type of guy at this point in time.  He needs more seasoning…For me, you have to make sure you don’t get blinded by one asset, you have to look at the whole package.”

…this is why i am understanding of this trade…as i said then, i know the Mets are going to regret trading milledge, at least to the extent that he’ll be a pretty-good player one day…the thing is, the Mets will always be able to afford a corner outfielder who hits .280 with 15 HR and has speed…i like milledge, and wish he was still on the team, but i think we’re going to be pleasently suprised by church, especially on defense, which is something the Mets are putting a ton of value upon this season…and, let’s be honest, milledge’s defensive insticts in right field left a lot to be desired…plus, if as willie says, milledge isn’t really ready for crunch time, then the swap for church, who is seen as more stable and more fundamentally sound, makes sense…

…the thing is, if church makes the same mental mistakes as milledge, you can bet he will get pulled by willie too…what’s worse, as i have been saying since the trade occured, i do believe milledge will mature and grow beyond his current limitations in to an engaging, talented and exciting player…

…the point, though, is that, given the pressure to win now, the Mets were not willing to wait…

…yikes…odd bedfellows, should the Twins trade santana to the Yankees, then sue them…somehow, i can’t see both of these things happening, can you…

By the way, in his report, Rosenthal details Nationals GM Jim Bowden’s long love-affair with Lastings Milledge, who he failed to acquire from the Mets roughly two years ago in exchange for Brad Wilkerson.

Rosenthal also writes about the market for 3B Pedro Feliz and Chris Burke, and notes that the Twins may also look to trade their closer, RHP Joe Nathan.