Geoff Young has an interesting article up at The Hardball Times on 10 Pitching Seasons To Forget, and not surprisingly Eric Milton makes an appearance at number five:

Once upon a time, Milton was a hot young prospect in the Yankees organization who became part of the package that sent Chuck Knoblauch from Minnesota to the Bronx. In his 1998 Minor League Scouting Notebook John Sickels rated Milton as the 23rd best prospect in baseball and compared him favorably to Andy Pettitte. Milton teased for a few years, then got hurt, then lost effectiveness.

Always susceptible to the home run ball, Milton gave up 40 of them in 2005 (half of which came in his first 11 starts). That's not quite Ken Dixon territory, but it's not good. Milton allowed six runs or more in 11 of his 34 starts.

Milton owns an 87-84 record over 10 seasons and counting. The highlight of his career came on Sep. 11, 1999, when he no-hit the Angels at the Metrodome.

The Milton signing really was one of the dumber things the Reds have ever done. And I'm such an abused fan that I remember trying to talk myself into thinking it would be ok.

You know you're in bad shape when your favorite team gives three years at a huge price to a guy you are thinking might be able to put up a 4.50 ERA. And you start telling yourself a 4.50 ERA wouldn't be TOO bad. Hell, it's an upgrade even.

I have no idea how 2008 is going to turn out, but it's nice having some realistic hope for once.