Would Church Fit?

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (network Member):

We've all heard the names coming out of the Washington that maybe available before the trade deadline, but one that slipped past me was Ryan Church. Bowden always asks for too much, if he isn't happy with the trade he'll walk and get the draft picks at the end of the year, which is what he did with Soriano. Maybe with Manny Acta coaching the team Bowden will feel like he has an inside scout on Mets prospect players. Back to Church, the 29 y/o is a lefty which maybe a deterrent his career batting average is .267 in four seasons.

The Nationals' inventory of movable parts is well-known throughout baseball. For the right price, a contending team could have relievers Jon Rauch or Chad Cordero, outfielder Ryan Church or first baseman Dmitri Young. source Washington Post

Mets Fever Wish List

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Network Member):

With a week before the trade deadline and the rumor mill churning at full speed I'm going to submit my wish list so that you can hold me to it at a later date. During the off season I went 1-3 with my wishes getting Alou, missing on Lugo (who has been a bust) and missing on an inning eating starter Lilly, Meche, Wolf, Marquis, Mulder or Suppan. I was not worried about the cost but more about his effect on the clubhouse, when I thought the team should pass on Soriano and man that was a mistake he would have completed this team.

Here's what I hope the team does: If they go after a 2B it should be an up grade in the field and at the plate. The only two I see available are Mark Loretta and David Eckstein, if the price is right I say do it. If they don't look for a 2B there are several nice utility players out there to bolster the bench Jorge Cantu, Jeff Conine, or Ty Wiggington these guys aren't necessary but could help there isn't really a backup 1B right now. I think the team definitely needs a veteran right handed outfielder that can handle being a 4th/5th outfielder with some pop in his bat, defensive skills and base speed. This could be the priciest player the team acquires the players available are (this my order of preference) Jay Payton, Kenny Lofton, Xavior Nady, Juan Encarnacion, Jermaine Dye, and Randy Winn.

Everybody knows Omar's looking for bull pen help. There are too many to list but the type of pitcher I think is clear, the Mets need a hard throwing righty to compliment the off speed pitchers which what they hoped Burgos was going to be. If they don't have faith in Schoeneweis (which I lost two months ago but I'm not the GM) then maybe a LOOGY.

So in order:

1. Jay Payton - or a right handed 5th outfielder.
2. Power righty reliever
3. Mark Loretta
4. Jeff Conine - or an up grade / high up side utility infielder

Ervin Santana?

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever brought to my attention that Ervin Santana was sent to the Minors by the Angels (Article Here) and wonders if the Mets could steal him away from them like they did Oliver Perez.

If Omar were to attempt to trade away some players for Santana, I have no idea what the Angels would want in return. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask and see.

If the Angels aren’t asking too much for the struggling starter who has a career 4.87 ERA with a 33-27 record and 327 strike outs, then I say go ahead and make the trade. What’s the worst that would happen? He wouldn’t pan out.

I say offer the Angels a variety of options (not too high in value that it will hurt the Mets) and see if they bite.

Mets Give: Kevin Mulvey, Andy Tracey and Damion Easley
Angels Give: Ervin Santana

To Go After Gagne Or Not

What should be a big target as the trade deadline approaches is a solid reliever, and what better reliever than former Dodger Closer Eric Gagne. The big question, however, is what do the Rangers want for a former closer putting up closer numbers.

So far this season, for the Rangers, Gagne has a 1.27 ERA, 2-0 record, 13 saves and 24 strike outs. If you ask me, I’d say that Gagne is back.

The big question for the Mets has part to do with the Rangers and a bigger part to due with Gagne himself. Would it be worth the players for a rental player who wants to be a closer again? The answer would have to be yes and no. Yes, if the deal is right and the Mets don’t have to give up top level prospect to obtain Gagne and no, if they do have to.

All of us know that if the Mets were to obtain Gagne, which he most certainly would walk away from the Mets after the season was over and search out a new home where he could be the closer.

At any rate, the mets need a solid set up man if Heilman is going to keep up his rollercoaster season and with Gagne that could prompt the Mets to thin out the herd in a pen with a couple of under achieving relievers.

Rangers get: Anderson Hernandez, Andy Tracey; Guillermo Mota (Met eat a portion of his contract)
Mets get: Eric Gagne

I know it doesn’t seem like much, but this would be all I’m willing to part with for a rental player.

Oswalt Willing To Waive No Trade Clause

D.J. Short at Mets Blog writes an article on Roy Oswalt and his compliance of waiving his no trade clause if it would make the team better. In the post he writes:

According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, Astros RHP Roy Oswalt told the paper he would consider waiving his no-trade clause should a deal arrive that would improve the club's future.

I don’t see this happening for a number of reasons, but D.J. also writes that Wagner told Oswalt that New York isn’t that bad of a place to play in.

Oswalt is locked up for 5 years, so this should be a no brainer for the Astros, but you never know.

If the Mets do deal with the Astros, they’ll have to part with a hefty amount of top tier prospects and probably a Major League ready pitcher. Here’s my best guess as to what the trade might look like:

Astros get: Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman, Mike Pelfrey and Anderson Hernandez and possibly another top tier prospect
Mets get: Roy Oswalt

Mets Should Go After Lidge

A lot of people, in Houston, have lost faith in Brad Lidge this season. He’s had all of three save opportunities and has blown them all. He was demoted to set up man and got injured. Like so many others have said, “Maybe it’s time for a change of scenery.”

The Mets are in desperate need of bullpen help and Lidge already has an ally in the pen. Billy Wagner has already given his blessing to the Mets if they want to go after Lidge. Wagner told the Mets that they won’t be disappointed and I can’t disagree with him.

In 34.2 innings pitched, Lidge has a 2.34 ERA to go along with a 2-1 record and 44 strike outs. That just screams premier Met set up man from a mile away.

But the question is what do the Mets have that Houston may want? That’s an answer I have a hard time coming up with. I’ll give it my best shot though.

Astros Get: Damion Easley, Brian Roberts; Mike Carp
Mets Get: Brad Lidge

Jermaine Dye?

So now the Mets have interest in Jermaine Dye. Jermaine Dye?

That’s the last thing the Mets need, a 33 year old outfielder (sound familiar?) who is currently hitting .212, 12 HR, 39 RBI and 2 stolen bases. If Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune is right, I will be so disappointed in the Mets:

The Mets had been looking closely at Buehrle and right fielder Jermaine Dye, but there might not be a match right now despite some strong sentiment for Dye. Sox GM Kenny Williams and Minaya have done deals in the past, the most recent one a few years ago with the Sox's acquisition of Carl Everett.

This has got to be a joke. If not, then I don’t want to see anyone with almost no kind of upside go to the Sox for Dye.

White Sox Get: Julio Franco and Jake Gautreau (2nd base New Orleans Zephyrs)
Mets Get: Jermaine Dye

A Try For Dotel

Since the Royals are said to be about to conduct a fire sale of all their veterans, I thought it be fitting if I propose a possible trade for the Mets and them.

Octavio Dotel is doing a fine job for the Royals this year and owns a 3.94 ERA, a 1-1 record, 19 SO; 8 SV. The Mets could definitely use this righty out of the bullpen this year. The only question would be what the Royals would want in return. Dotel’s contract does run out at the end of the season, but the Mets are in desperate need of some help in their pen.

The Mets could possibly give up some mid level prospects to the Royals if that’s what they’re after. I was thinking of someone along the lines of Anderson Hernandez and Drew Butera. I don’t even know if such a deal could be worked out with these two players packaged together but it’s always worth a shot.

Royals Get: Anderson Hernandez and Drew Butera
Mets Get: Octavio Dotel

Mets Should Go After Conine

As we approach the Trade Deadline this season, I will be trying to come out with one trade idea that could potentially make the Mets a better team. Periodically I have proposed a trade idea every couple of days, but with the deadline looming I’m going to be stepping it up a notch. Enough talking, here’s the latest that I’ve come up with:

The Mets are in need of Ruben Gotay starting second base, just look at his numbers compared to Jose Valentin’s and Damion Easley’s:

Ruben Gotay: .310 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI; 1 SB
Jose Valentin: .261 BA, 3 HR; 17 RBI
Damion Easley: .255 BA, 8 HR; 20 RBI

Gotay has put up those numbers all while having about 100 less at bats.

My proposal isn’t to trade for a second baseman, but instead to trade away one of the second baseman and another utility player.

Julio Franco has been nothing short of a player coach this year and has become a sort of dead weight on the bench. If you’re interested, here’s his numbers:

Julio Franco: .188 BA, 1 HR, 8 RBI; 2 SB

The Mets simply have to get rid of him and one of the utility second basemen, but for whom? Well how about the Reds’ Jeff Conine?

Conine is having a solid year for the Reds and could be unloaded in the “fire sale” the Reds are said to be having this season. Here’s Conine’s numbers:

Jeff Conine: .276 BA, 4 HR, 24 RBI; 3 SB

Conine has played first, third and the outfield for the Reds this season and with the two players I’m proposing the Mets unload, they could cover his ground while not costing the Reds as much as Conine ($1.7M vs. $850M and $1.1M). Now of course the Mets would have to eat up a portion of Franco’s contract to bring it well below a million, maybe half. It may seem like a lot of money to pay a player to play for another team, but it’s a small price to pay to have Gotay on second and Conine backing them up.

Reds Get: Julio Franco and Damion Easley
Mets Get: Jeff Conine

Get Buehrle Only If A Contract Comes

If the White Sox are still going to give Mark Buehrle a new contract, but not a no trade clause, Omar will most likely jump on this trade like a sprinter to the finish line.

The big question would have to be who the Mets would give up for a pitcher of Buehrle’s caliber?

Let’s take a look at what he’s done so far this season:

W- 5
L- 4
ERA- 3.33
SO- 66
BB- 20
IP- 100
No Hitter – 1

Putting up those numbers in the American League Central is enormous and he’s only 28. If the Mets could swing a deal for him now, they could have him for years to come.

Mets give: Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman
White Sox Give: Mark Buehrle (Only if there is a multi year contract attached to him)

Could The Mets Get Hillenbrand?

Things don’t seem to be getting better for Carlos Delgado and may not ever get well. That’s, at least, what many Met fans are thinking. Delgado’s hitting .223 and has only hit11 home runs this season. He’s just, plainly, not hitting with runners in scoring position and it’s starting to ware on him a little. Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs.

One possible trade scenario is with the Angels for Shea Hillenbrand who will be designated for assignment on Friday. That means the Angels have ten days to either trade Hillenbrand or flat out release him. So far for the season, Hillenbrand is hitting .254 and has 3 home runs.

This might not seem like a player that the mets would want on their team, but last year for the Blue Jays he hit .301 and had 12 home runs before being traded to the Giants. My opinion with Hillenbrand is that he needs to find a place where he can play everyday and if he doesn’t work out, the Mets could just as easily move Shawn Green to first and keep Gomez up when Alou comes off the Disabled List.

Angels get: Carlos Delgado

Mets get: Shea Hillenbrand

Mets Should Get Floyd Back

There are a lot of rumors going around about outfielders for hire. From Jermaine Dye to Adam Dunn, we’ve heard it all.

Well take this into consideration.
The Cubs have an abundance of outfielders and a couple of needs. They could use bullpen help (like everyone) and maybe even a starting pitcher. What I propose is a trade between the Mets and the Cubs to bring home Cliff Floyd.

The Mets were probably not thinking when they let Cliff walk and brought in an outfielder who has a much worse track record on the disabled list.

Floyd has done everything asked of him n Chicago. He’s hitting .304, with 3 home runs and 24 runs batted in. Looks like Cliff is back to his normal self.

This could be what the Mets need to break out of this slump. An old face and his great attitude will be greatly welcomed back. Cliff will always remain one of my favorite Mets of the last four years. He did a great job while he was here on and off the field.

I know David Wright would be elated to welcome back his friend to the Mets. I know I would.

Mets give: Aaron Heilman, Jason Vargas and a low to mid level prospect

Cubs give: Cliff Floyd

Rios Part Two

Going back to the Alex Rios post, I want and maybe the Mets need this to happen to wake them up from this heavy slumber they’ve recently fallen into.

The only problem with this deal would be Moises Alou. The Mets really backed themselves into a corner with that deal. If the Mets would have started with Milledge in Left instead of signing Alou, this problem would have been made a lot easier. It might have even boosted Milledge’s value to the point that the Mets could have positively made the deal already.

The Mets were linked to Rios trade talks last season before they acquired Shawn Green. I have no idea if that rumor was true, if the Mets or Jays backed out or if there was just no common ground for either team to hash a deal out.

I guess that if Omar did get Rios, Alou and Green would platoon. That seems to be the only feasible solution and one I wouldn’t mind seeing.

I know that I’m probably dreaming, but here’s my guess at what the batting order would reflect:

Reyes
Rios
Beltran
Delgado
Wright
Alou / Green
Lo Duca
Valentin

Not too bad…

Mets Give: Lastings Milledge, Jason Vargas and Aaron Heilman

Blue Jays Give: Alex Rios

Rios May Be Made Available

Every time I read a story on Alex Rios, possibly, being traded, I get all giddy.

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever wrote the following yesterday:

Rios is proving that last year wasn't a fluke; he's batting .289 with 14 HR’s and 36 RBIs. Rios' is on a one year contract at 2.5 million (source Cots Contract ) but is only arbitration eligible at the end of the year. With the Blue Jays struggling they may look to unload salary and pick-up some cheap starting pitching. Heilman, Vargas, Bostick and Lawrence are all backend of the rotation quality pitchers.

I love Rios so much that I have him on my fantasy league and consider him one of the untouchables on my roster.

If the Mets were to pick him up, however, there wouldn’t be a need for two of Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez or Carlos Gomez. That’s if the Mets could pry Rios out of the Blue Jays hands, which is probably not too good of a chance. I can only hope.

A Trade For Encarnacion Would Be Wise

With the fragility of Moises Alou, the Mets may be on the look out for another outfield bat off the bench. The 5th outfielder and Alou could form a devastating platoon player in Left Field.

Juan Encarnacion could possibly be had for some mid level prospects and could supply the extra at bats for Alou. Encarnacion is hitting .246 to go along with 3 home runs and 9 runs batted in. Encarnacion is 31 and could benefit from the protection in the Mets lineup. He isn’t a huge power threat, but can deliver up to 19 home runs a year. No longer too much of a threat on the bases, Encarnacion reached his career high in steals in 1997 with the Tigers at 33. That however doesn’t mean he won’t be in motion if he were to be on the speedy Mets.

This would be a very wise move for Omar and I believe Mets fans would be greatly pleased with a platoon of Encarnacion and Alou out in Left Field.

Mets give: David Newhan and Jose Coronado (Double-A Binghamton Mets)

Cardinals give: Juan Encarnacion

Is Zambrano On The Horizon?

Yesterday at Mets Trades (Shea Nation Network), Ed Ryan supplied us with a nice piece on Carlos Zambrano and what the Cubs are looking for in return for him. Cubs want one of either Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber, Aaron Heilman and Lastings Milledge.

To give up Pelfrey might take a heavy gulp and bring back memories of Kazmir, but this is the good Zambrano. Heilman would be a product of a pen that is about to be flooded with good pitchers in Sanchez, Padilla and Williams. Milledge is of course the odd man out in the outfield. Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez and now even Ben Johnson has over shadowed him in all respects, so Milledge would be the most likely player Mets fans can drop and not look back on.

This trade would just about guarantee the Mets for the Playoffs. Imagine if you will, a rotation of (after the All-Star break) Pedro Martinez, Carlos Zambrano, Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, John Maine and Oliver Perez (a six man rotation because I don’t know who they can drop from it). I feel faint just thinking about it. The Playoff rotation would consist of Martinez, Zambrano and Glavine, with Hernandez, Maine and Perez coming out of the bullpen. Any team that faced the Mets in the Playoffs would be committing mass suicide.

With the addition of Zambrano, the Mets would and should overmatch any team in the National League and the American League. A phenomenal pitching staff, backed by a slugging and stealing lineup is just what the doctor ordered to maybe bring a title back to Flushing.

I’m giddy with anticipation and news on this scenario.

Is Lofton For Hire?

Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Shea Nation Network), wrote an article earlier this week about the White Sox possibly having a fire sale. Ed also hinted to the fact that the Mets could get their hands on outfielder Jermaine Dye to platoon with Alou and Green.

Dye isn’t hitting too well this season so far (.228 BA, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 2 SB). This won’t take the value of what the Sox are going to ask for him. I wouldn’t want to give up the young talent that would be needed to obtain Dye as, just, a platoon player. We’re looking at, at least, Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman. That money could be spent for a better position player, like a Teixeira (this won’t happen either).

If it’s a bench outfielder that the Mets are going to be after, than let it be Kenny Lofton. He’s a great veteran presence on and off the bench. He’s currently hitting .259 and has 4 home runs. But again, he’s definitely not worth multiple high ceiling prospects. So with many of our key pen guys on their way back, including the main set up man Dave Williams, I’d say give Texas Aaron Sele and Anderson Hernandez for Kenny Lofton.

What do you think?

Could Teixeira Be Had?

There seems to be rumors blowing around the baseball community that the Texas Rangers may be looking to trade Mark Teixeira because his contract is going to expire after this season. The reasoning behind this is one of two things, or both. Teixeira has amounted a superior career early and often. In years, he’s averaged a .284 (.307 this season) batting average and .366 (.390 this season) on base percentage, has 148 home runs, 479 runs batted in, 11 stolen bases in his 4 years of service for the Rangers. Also his agent happens to be Scott Boras. This factor, probably, is the driving force behind why the Rangers want to trade him.

Although the Mets aren’t in dire need of a first baseman yet, Delgado is starting to show his age and has only one more season left with the Mets.

For the Mets to pass up an opportunity like Mark Teixeira, who happens to only be 26, would be a huge mistake.

I know the Yankees are going to be in the mix for Teixeira, but if the Mets could put together a nice package deal for him, they should have no problem obtaining the slugging switch hitter (should Texas want to trade him).

Mets offer:

Carlos Delgado (Mets assume a portion of his contract),Mike Carp, Phillip Humber and Lastings Milledge

Mets get:

Mark Teixeira

The trade idea isn’t reflective on the way that Delgado isn’t producing at the plate right now, but rather because a young first baseman who does everything Delgado does and can be locked up for a number of years with the right contract is just too good to pass up.

Why Not Trade Ambres?

Could the Mets use Chip Ambres in a trade for a 2nd baseman? I know, I’ve been on a “Mets need a young 2nd baseman” kick for the past couple of days.

Ambres has been doing surprisingly well in Triple-A this year. He’s hitting .282, has 5 home runs, 4 stolen bases and 18 RBI’s. Besides this, Ambres was at one time the number 6 prospect in the Florida Marlins system (2000). It was seven years ago, but that has to count for a little.

Who knows? Maybe Ambres is ready to finally make the permanent jump to the Majors. Just not with the Mets. They have too much outfield talent to fall back on and sit on a prospect like Ambres, without getting anything of value in return.

I say package him together with a Triple-A pitcher for a player the Mets need or even might need in the not so distant future.

Mets Should Trade For 2nd Base

Let’s face the facts. The Mets need a second baseman. They need a good, young player. I fully believe that’s all they need to compete for years.

Below I’m going to list possible trade ideas for the Mets to obtain such a player(not that they’ll do it, but still good to speculate):

Aaron Hill (Toronto Blue Jays):

With the Blue Jays falling out of contention, about as fast as one team could fall, we could possibly see a fire sale of their players. So, how about Aaron Hill?

Hill is only 25 and in his third Major League year at second. A career .284 hitter and already reaching his career high in home runs (6), hill has the potential to be a power threat and a great fit for the Mets and their young left side. Although his career fielding percentage isn’t anything to gasp about (.976), his career fielding percentage at second is .986. That’s pretty good for a young player with his bat.

Proposal: Lastings Milledge, Ruben Gotay, Jason Vargas

Jose Lopez (Seattle Mariners):

The Mariners have three guys who all play second in Lopez, Bloomquist and Vidro. So I believe the Mets may be able to pry Jose Lopez away from them.

Lopez is only batting .255 this season so far, but he’s shown with regular playing time he can produce some nice numbers. In 2005 Lopez only appeared in 54 games and had a batting average of .247 and had a mere 2 home runs. But in 2006 he was in 151 games and hit .282 with 10 homers. Also, surrounded by the Mets lineup and being only 23, Lopez has a chance to flourish for years besides Reyes and Wright.

Proposal: Ambiorix Burgos, Chan Ho Park, Anderson Hernandez

B.J. Upton (Tampa Bay Devil Rays):

The D-Rays are going nowhere quick. Being in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox, they’re already fighting a mighty hill battle. Maybe Omar could swing a deal for their young second baseman, B.J. Upton.

Upton is by no means a dominant hitter. He doesn’t hit too many home runs (until this year) and isn’t the flashiest fielder. Sporting a career .276 batting average, Upton has passed his career high home runs by 3(now has 7). It could be the fact that in the past he’s been used, primarily, as a bat off the bench. Acting as Tampa’s everyday second baseman, he’s amounted career highs in just about every category and we’re only into the season by a month and a half.

Proposal: Ruben Gotay, Kevin Mulvey, Ben Johnson