Cincinnati signed Eric Milton to a three-year, $25.5M contract yesterday. In addition to a $4M signing bonus, the contract sets Milton's salaries at $4M in 2005, $8.5M in 2006, and $9M in 2007. However, Milton holds a player option on the final year of the deal, so he could choose free agency over the final $9M.

After missing most of 2003 following knee surgery, Milton rebounded nicely in 2004, though he was unable to resurrect the superb walk rate he posted in 2002. Unfortunately, the fly ball pitcher seems a poor fit for a team that plays their home games in the homer-friendly Great American Ballpark. Given the uncertainty regarding the continued health of the 29-year-old's knee and his incompatibility with the ballpark, the Reds' signing of Milton appears unwise.