The Josh Hamilton Idea

Over at Mets Geek 7 Train to Maine (Screen Name) writes about the Mets needs and how he would fix them (Dan Haren and Josh Hamilton). There's an interesting trade idea in there that I don't think anyone has thought of yet. I think we all have had our fill of Haren trade ideas, so I will just throw the Hamilton one at you:

Mike Pelfrey and Bobby Parnell/Willie Collazo for Josh Hamilton

The second trade might have shocked you guys a bit. Josh Hamilton is on the market and its not secret. The Reds have a surplus of outfielders (Nick Hopper, Griffey Jr, Adam Dunn, Josh Hamilton, Freel) and in addition to those currently on the roster, the Reds have both Jay Bruce and Joey Votto as top outfield prospects. Joey Votto has moved to first base and has played at 1st for most of the 2007 campaign so he shouldn’t be a real factor. Jay Bruce on the other hand is a 3rd baseman but is currently displaced by the young Edwin Encarnacion. The Reds have been shopping around Ryan Freel and Josh Hamilton seeing what they could get. I cant see the Reds trading a valuable utility player like Freel. Those players are hard to come around nowadays. Josh Hamilton is the perfect option for the hole Mets will have in right. Hes moved on from his previous problems and has lived up to the talent that got him drafted number 1 overall. The guy hit 19 homers in just under 300 at bats and showed great patience with an OBP of .368. His OPS was over .900 which is great. He first needs to play a full season but he showed a lot of promise in Cincy. Hes a good defender and his home and away numbers don’t differ by much.

What Would It Take?: Take Two

As I alluded to yesterday, I would love to have Erik Bedard and Ramon Hernandez on the Mets and with yesterday’s magician act by Omar Minaya to obtain Johnny Estrada from the Brewers for Guillermo Mota, of all people, it further enhances the capability of such a trade getting pushed through.

From yesterday’s post:

Erik Bedard is the acting Ace of the Orioles staff and isn’t arbitrational eligible until after the 2008 season. He finished the 2007 season with a 13-5 record, 3.16 ERA and 221 strike outs. The biggest question for the Mets is how to fill the void of innings pitched, when Tom Glavine left, and if you’re thinking that Bedard is the answer, you are mistaken. He had pitched only 182 innings last season. So the Mets are still going to have to spend money on a Livan Hernandez or Carlos Silva type of pitcher.

Ramon Hernandez is only 31 and under contract for the next two seasons when he will be 33. A favorite in the Mets pursuit of the off-season after the 2005 season, Hernandez waited too long to reply to Omar’s offer (Like Bengie Molina) and settled with the Orioles. Molina is a career .263 hitter, so his 2007 batting average of .258 was a tad under par. But his 9 home runs were way under his normal production. In 2006 he rang up 23 long balls (’05 – 12 & ’04 – 18) and after an injury year, the Mets should be able to swing him away from the Orioles with minimal damage to their farm system.

David Rubin and I were discussing the possible trade ideas and he came up with a gem of one. This deal appears to be well beyond the capability of getting completed. Here you go:

So the new deal would include Carlos Gomez, Aaron Heilman, Philip Humber and Johnny Estrada for Erik Bedard and Ramon Hernandez.

To view yesterday’s post use this link (What Would it Take?).

Could Haren Be Traded To The Mets?

Matthew Pouliot at Rotoworld writes about the off season trade candidates and where he thinks they will end up. The one that caught my eye was Dan Haren to the Mets for Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez and Aaron Heilman:

Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, Rich Harden (Athletics) - If the A's decide to rebuild, they'll trade at least one and probably two starters, with Chad Gaudin also a possibility to go. Haren, the AL ERA leader for much of last year, would command the highest price tag. He'll earn just $16.25 million over the next three seasons. Blanton is arbitration eligible for the first time and is under control for three more years. It's likely that he'll make $3.5 million-$4 million next year. Harden is set to earn $4.5 million in 2008. There's a 2009 option on his contract worth $7 million, but if he gets hurt again, that can be declined and he'd have to settle for less in arbitration. He'll then be a free agent after 2009. Since he's pitched just 72 innings the last two years, Harden is the best bet to stay.

Possibilities

1)Haren to Mets for OF Lastings Milledge, OF Fernando Martinez & RHP Aaron Heilman
2)Haren to Dodgers for OF Matt Kemp, 3B Andy LaRoche & RHP James McDonald 3)Haren to D'Backs for 1B Conor Jackson, OF Carlos Gonzalez & RHP Dustin Nippert
4)Blanton to Mets for OF Lastings Milledge & RHP Aaron Heilman
5)Blanton to Dodgers for OF Matt Kemp
6)Blanton to Phillies for 2B Adrian Cardenas, LHP J.A. Happ & RHP Joe Bisenius
7)Harden to Red Sox for INF Jed Lowrie, RHP Michael Bowden & LHP Hunter Jones

Prediction - Haren traded to Mets, Others stay

To view the entire report use thislink (Rotoworld)

What Would It Take?

The burning question running through Metsville is where they are going to get top pitching, a good starting catcher and how much is it going to cost the Farm System.

The latest rumor is that the Orioles are prepared to shop Ramon Hernandez and Erik Bedard, but at what cost.

Erik Bedard is the acting Ace of the Orioles staff and isn’t arbitrational eligible until after the 2008 season. He finished the 2007 season with a 13-5 record, 3.16 ERA and 221 strike outs. The biggest question for the Mets is how to fill the void of innings pitched, when Tom Glavine left, and if you’re thinking that Bedard is the answer, you are mistaken. He had pitched only 182 innings last season. So the Mets are still going to have to spend money on a Livan Hernandez or Carlos Silva type of pitcher.

Ramon Hernandez is only 31 and under contract for the next two seasons when he will be 33. A favorite in the Mets pursuit of the off-season after the 2005 season, Hernandez waited too long to reply to Omar’s offer (Like Bengie Molina) and settled with the Orioles. Molina is a career .263 hitter, so his 2007 batting average of .258 was a tad under par. But his 9 home runs were way under his normal production. In 2006 he rang up 23 long balls (’05 – 12 & ’04 – 18) and after an injury year, the Mets should be able to swing him away from the Orioles with minimal damage to their farm system.

So, if a deal were to go down with these two teams, I feel it would resemble something to this effect:

Orioles give: Erik Bedard & Ramon Hernandez
Mets give: Aaron Heilman, Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Joe Smith, Ruben Gotay and Lastings Milledge (or Carlos Gomez)

That’s an awful lot, but that’s what it’s going to have to be in order to pull off a deal of this magnitude.

Bedard and Hernandez?

(Brought to you by Mets Prospects)

The Mets need two things right now; starting pitching and a catcher. In order to accomplish both I have feel the best possible option is via trade. The trade would be as followed: the Orioles would give the New York Mets Ramon Hernandez and Erik Bedard. The Mets would have to part with Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, Kevin Mulvey and or Phillip Humber, Mike Carp and (maybe Ruben Gotay). If this trade works the Mets have an ace in Bedard who is under contract until 2009 and a catcher in Ramon Hernandez who pitching Coach Rick Peterson already knows can get the job done. This trade could be the thing to turn the Mets in World Series Champions and maybe even a dynasty.

To find out read my full reason why this will be a good trade and check up on the Mets prospects vist Mets Prospects.

Hello Shea Nation!

Hello Mets fans and Shea Nation. This is Rob Milelli and I'm writing my first blog for Shea Nation. I have been an avid mets fan for years and wanted to share my opinion with people in the blog. So let's get started:

Johan Santana: An amazing pitcher, best in the game by far. I would definitely love to acquire him in a trade. Here's the deal, the rumors of Reyes going along with one of the outfield prospects are hopefully false. Nor would I want to give up Reyes. As awful as he was in the stretch of the season when we needed him, when we were winning, Reyes was hitting, stealing, and scoring. He is the spark plug on the Mets. Santana will most likely stay a Twin, unfortunately, and will be a free agent after the year. Unless the Twins do dismal up to the trading deadline, I see him staying a Twin the whole year.

Alex Rodriguez: Alex Rodriguez is definitely the best player in baseball; he is the most consistent as well as the best run producer. I love this guy...but I would not move David Wright to adapt Rodriguez to the Mets. I also don't think Rodriguez or Wright would do well in any other position than third, even at SS for Rodriguez. He hasn't played it for years and his body is too big for a short stop now. His stipulations are way to steep for the Mets to acquire him. I would rather save the money, sign bullpen, and wait for Santana if he becomes available in a year.

Top Prospects: The Mets are loaded with prospects in their organization. Lastings Milledge, Phillip Humber, Carlos Gomez, Mike Pelfrey, and Fernando Martinez. All of these players should make the top 100 prospects list, and deserve to be there. Milledge, although he has fallen since his once number 1 status, he still is an outfielder that can play ball, and he proved that when the season was in its whims. He may not be the best ever again, but he can obviously play, if his attitude stays the same. Carlos Gomez is fast, real fast. He also can't be judged after his first major league season. He is going to be a great player, Reyes status. Once the kid learns to hit for average at the big leagues you will see him again, and probably will not be sent back down. Although, I think it is rightfully said he is not developed yet and will need more time in the minors. Fernando Martinez is suppose to be the next big thing. How people can tell when a kid is 18, I don't know, but hitting in AA at age 18 is a phenomenal thing. He is suppose to be better than all of them. Now you can make a case to trade all of these players, but I would be upset to see them go. At most, trade one, but it better be for a promising prospect or an established young veteran. Now on to the pitchers. Mike Pelfrey showed he can pitch 4 wonderful innings. He has not learned to go much farther than that, but that's ok. He showed great stuff, and mind you he was drafted 2 years ago. He will get better and might even be on the rotation next year. His trade value might not be huge like the rest of them, which is a value for us. We will be able to keep him and he will help us in the immediate future. Phillip Humber has shown me wonders. The guy has an outstanding curve ball. All he needs to do it work on his other pitches and establish them. I can see him being on the big league roster by next year's end. Pitching is obviously what the Mets need, and to trade these two would be a mistake. I think Humber will be great and you won't get Pelfrey's value in return.

Well that's my opinion on some of the Mets talk thats up in the year. Of course everyone feels they can be the best GM for their team, me included, but thats not always the case. LET'S GO METS!!

Mets Should Push For Garland

As Ed pointed out the day, the White Sox are getting ready to get going with an almost Fire Sale off season to bring in the young talent they so desperately need. If the Mets are going to be biting on the bait, then there are only a few pitchers I could see them going after.

One of those players would have to be right handed pitcher Jon Garland.

Garland is only 28 and has a reasonably middle of the rotation EAR (4.23 in 2007 and a 4.41 lifetime). Garland does, however has 36 wins for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, which is tied for the most wins in that time. Having an off year might bring his trade value down and might make the White Sox susceptible to asking for only one prospect in return.

Rays To Test Market For Kazmir

Joel Sherman at The New York Post writes about the Devil Rays and howthey intend to test the Market for Scott Kazmir:

The trade market opens in earnest today with the start of the annual GM Meetings. Already, executives are talking about the potential for stars as big as Minnesota ace Johan Santana and Florida slugger Miguel Cabrera becoming available.

But it might just start there. An executive familiar with Tampa's thinking said if the offers for Santana grow to a substantial level, then the Rays would test to see what they could get for Scott Kazmir.

Delgado For Figins?

Chris Caraballo at Let's Blog Mets writes about a trade between the Mets and the Angels:

Delgado, 35, completed his worst statistical season since 1996 (.270, 25 HR’s, 92 RBI); which is still very good production, but can he bounce back in 2008 to the Delgado of old? His comments regarding the Mets being “bored” at times certainly doesn’t help him either.

Figgins, 29, is coming off a career high .330 batting average; where in only 115 games stole 41 stolen bases for the Angels and has produced in his 4 years as a full time player averaging .295, 10 HR’s, 60 RBI, 92 Runs, and 47 SB’s. He would be a perfect #2 hitter in the Mets lineup and gives Willie Randolph lots of flexibility.

This trade works for both teams. For the Mets Figgins would become the everyday 2nd baseman, replacing Luis Castillo. Figgins also is a “jack of all trades” player, the Mets could potentially use him anywhere in the event of injuries (Alou) and play Gotay at 2nd. He and Reyes would be a dynamic 1-2 punch at the top of the order. Can you envision 120 SB between them? The Mets would create a void at 1B, they could try to acquire Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena, or a big name free agent like Adam Dunn for some power if the Reds do not retain him before free agency.

For the Angels, they would be acquiring the power type bat they are desperately looking for to help Vladimir Guerrero. With players like Maicer Izturis (2B, 3B), Howie Kenderick (2B), and Erik Aybar (2B, 3B), the Angels could afford to trade Figgins to acquire the middle of the order bat they are looking for.

Nick Johnson Might Be Available

Over at the Gotham Nation Forum, Shiner (screen name), puts up a good idea for a First Baseman other than Delgado and a situation where he might lift his no trade clause:

So with first baseman Dmitri Young evolving this past year as a solid hitter and the fact that the Nationals don't spend a ton of money but are committed for a couple of years to Nick Johnson, should they try and move one of them, particularly Nick Johnson since they owe him millions?

If I were the Mets I'd toy with offers. Nick is a solid player, defensively and offensively. Delgado's age and hand injury proved to me that he is going to be a .250 hitter that can't hit an inside-part-of-the-plate pitch. I think with the addition of a broken hand to an already unhealthy hand, Delgado is pretty bad hitter to have in the heart of your batting order. Unfortunately the Mets are committed. But I think they can use a guy that can hit around .300 in that spot. This would never happen because the way teams operate is based on salary instead of production. But If I were GM, I'd say too bad and look to acquire a better first baseman via trade. Then when Delgado starts whining that he is on the bench, maybe he'll lift his no trade clause and the Mets can try and move him for relief help. Offer to pay most of Delgado's salary; they have to pay it anyway.

Nick Johnson doesn't strike me as someone who would "get bored with all the Mets talent". The guy has the attitude the Mets need. People complain about Johnson's injuries, but the broken leg isn't some reoccurring problem. It was a freak accident.