The Mariners have agreed to a minor league contract with Tommy Milone, according to Triple-A Tacoma’s director of media relations Paul Braverman (Twitter link). The veteran lefty also spent the 2022 campaign in the Mariners organization.
Milone, who turns 36 in February, got into seven MLB games for Seattle this past season. He tossed 16 2/3 innings in low-leverage relief, allowing 10 runs with six walks and five strikeouts. Milone spent a greater chunk of the year at Tacoma, where he started 10 of 11 outings. Over 40 1/3 innings, he provided the Rainiers a 2.68 ERA with a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 7.1% walk percentage.
A 10th-round pick in the 2008 draft, the USC product has spent a decade and a half in the professional ranks. That’s largely on the back of stellar command, as Milone consistently pounds the strike zone. He doesn’t throw hard or miss many bats, but his reliable control has earned him plenty of depth work as a journeyman.
Milone has gotten to the majors in 12 straight years, suiting up with Washington, Oakland, Minnesota, Milwaukee, the Mets, Seattle, Baltimore, Atlanta and Toronto. He has a 4.60 ERA over 944 1/3 innings in the majors, while he owns a quality 3.27 mark through nine years at Triple-A.
YourDreamGM
M’s answer to Rodon.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
In their respective careers, Tommy has pitched in more MLB games than Carlos!
MM.MM
No shh..Milone is OBVIOUSLY older
MLB Top 100 Commenter
True, born in 87 not 92. Also true, Rodon only reached 25 starts in 2 of his 8 seasons.
deweybelongsinthehall
Let’s see what happens with Rodon. I think the Yankees will be sorry by year three although to have another lefty in their stadium makes more sense than most other clubs. For some reason I kind of like this move. In a bigger park, I’m thinking he surprises and actually pitches well.
YourDreamGM
I would take 2 Rodons over 1 Cole. Judging by the comments Yankee fans were the only team fans who wanted him. Apparently he is a 2 year wonder who will be hurt all the time. Usually one of these types every year or two. For a lil risk you can get a ton of reward.
Dustyslambchops23
Man I’m far from a Cole fan but that’s a tough take, Rodon has only pitched more than 135 innings twice and he’s about to turn 30.
deweybelongsinthehall
Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make. Rodon to his credit has pitched great recently but his history suggests as you mentioned he won’t give quantity which in today’s game is as important as the quality. The league still needs to limit the number of pitchers on a staff. Short term pain but long term gain in my book as the staff would have to learn how to actually pitch instead of overthrowing. I still go back to 75 when Sparky Anderson had just 9 pitchers for the WS when the DH was not used.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Two Rodons would be great, on average, one would be healthy.
User 3595123227
D d e added se dedicated see add
ayrbhoy
The Ms needed to go after Rodon as much as they needed to pursue a starting CF and a starting C
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Persistent
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12 years in the show, 10 teams and counting, how have I never heard of this guy?!?! Hahaha
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Almost 11mil in career earnings…Impressive with all that time spent in AAA.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Most of his money came in two seasons with Twins.
fre5hwind
Trumbo for some reason i can not respond to your comments.
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fre5hwind, Accidentally muted you. Forgive me?
fre5hwind
Of course!
Edp007
Lol don’t watch enough baseball. He’s going for the Edwin Jackson record. baseball-reference.com/leaders/leaders_most_franch…
deweybelongsinthehall
Never reach that. Jackson should be proud to own the record. I know his bank is happy…
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Malone, Melancon and Jesse Chavez all have played for nine teams in the majors and all are likely to play in 2023.
Edp007
Matt Stairs eats free all across N America and Central America too
Rsox
9 teams. He’s had multiple stints with the Nationals and Mariners because sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came…
Rsox
Interestingly Edwin Jackson (14), Octavio Dotel (13) and Matt Stairs (12) are #1,2,3 respectively in teams played for
Edwin Jackson:
Dodgers
Rays
Tigers
Diamondbacks
White Sox
Cardinals
Cubs
Nationals
Braves
Marlins
Padres
Orioles
A’s
Blue Jays
Octavio Dotel:
Mets
Astros
A’s
Yankees
Royals
Braves
White Sox
Pirates
Dodgers
Rockies
Blue Jays
Cardinals
Tigers
Matt Stairs:
Expos/Nationals
Red Sox
A’s
Cubs
Brewers
Pirates
Royals
Rangers
Tigers
Blue Jays
Phillies
Padres
The three players played for 29 different teams (30 if you count the Expos separately from the Nationals), 10 of the same teams (though oddly at different times) and the only team none of the three ever played for: the San Francisco Giants
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Rsox that is wild that the only team they didn’t play for was SF haha I wonder if any of them ever came “close?”
Rsox
Upon re-reading they also never played for the Indians. But I’m sure *they were a close second on all of them*
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The future 3 that overtake them will only have missed out on playing for SD no doubt..
Rsox
Currently Anthony Swarzak is the active leader in teams played for with 10. Milone, Mark Melancon and Jesse Chavez are tied for 2nd with 9. Age says Milone has the best chance of at least catching Edwin Jackson as at 35 he is the youngest of the four. However at a glance teams played for;
Anthony Swarzak:
Twins
Indians
Yankees
White Sox
Brewers
Mets
Mariners
Braves
Diamondbacks
Royals
Jesse Chavez:
Pirates
Braves
Royals
Blue Jays
A’s
Dodgers
Angels
Cubs
Rangers
Mark Melancon:
Yankees
Astros
Red Sox
Pirates
Nationals
Giants
Braves
Padres
Diamondbacks
Tommy Milone:
Nationals
A’s
Twins
Brewers
Mets
Mariners
Orioles
Braves
Blue Jays
Among the 4 only the Marlins/Rays/Reds/Phillies/Cardinals/Tigers/Rockies are yet to be represented by one of the 4
impapad17
You should re-re-read. None of those 3 played for the Mariners
TheHighCheese4Me
Start printing those WS tickets now!
#organizationaldepthcharge
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Hahahahha To be able to say you have played for half the teams in MLB is pretty remarkable.
davemlaw
Good for this guy. Not many have that kind of dedication. Respect.
JustinLikesSharks
Jerry Dipoto is laser focused on finishing 2nd place in the AL West
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Second place in West should be good enough for wild card. Both Central Divisions have uphill battle to have even a single wild card team.
letsplaytwo
Uh………….but only one of the Central Divisions affects the Mariners chances of winning a Wild Card.
ayrbhoy
This type of signing is not without value. Every team needs AAA pitchers and emergency middle relief depth
League Minimum
‘xactly!
He can spot-start and do long-relief, as well.
King Floch
His transactions section on Baseball Reference goes on forever. Truly a journeyman’s journeyman.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
LOL – Love Tommy, he will have gigs like this open to him well into his forties.
User 3663041837
Force your kid to be a lefty.
afl forever
Doesn’t hit 90 on the gun.
Rishi
The last time this guy was any good I was only a few years or so removed from high school. How is he still getting jobs?
HeedFrodo
M’s love kicking the tires on this guy
LarsAnderson
My name is Ramone
tiredolddude
Proof positive that you don’t need a fastball in the 90’s to pitch in MLB. How this guy has lasted so long is anyone’s guess. That said, I’m surprised that he somehow survived the Pirates Annual Dumpster Dive and Weenie Roast
Yay Sports
I always love seeing this dude hang in there. Get em Tommy
bkwalker510
when he gets to 0-2 does he still throw a high fastball above the zone?
League Minimum
It’s a good signing. As an M’s fan, I have no problem with this at all.