All Star Break Transacttions

[Guest Edgy DC]

Purely speculative, but do you see the Mets coming back from the break with the same team?

I'm dubious, if only because men of action, giving three days to chew, will tend to act, if not necessarily wisely.

I'm thinking a few things might happen

1) Danny Graves. I think the Mets probably haven't given up on rehabbing the career of this son of Saigon, but may try and slip him through waivers into Nofolk and continue the project there. That said, it may be best trying such subterfuge a few days after the break ends, as other teams will be juggling rosters also and may grab him off the wires.

I'd like to see McGinley come up in his stead, but obviously Padilla has been pitching some big-league ball in the minor leagues, so he's a possiblity. Koo's return has given the Mets three lefties in the pen, so there's not neccessarily a need to keep Graves as a lefty, or to call up a lefty if he goes down.

A related move might be to swap Ring and McGinley.

2) Can we activate Kaz Matsui? Can we activate Mio Matsui? It's Offerman as the odd man out if we do.

3) We can't continue long with Gerald Williams as the only reserve outfielder. There're plenty of at bats waiting for Victor Diaz on this team. Daubach. It's unlikely that anybody would grab Williams off the wire, and if they do, ce la vie. Compared to what is going on at first for the Mets right now, I'm not afraid of a Eric Valent/Victor Diaz platoon at first, with Diaz also seeing some outfield time. Unlikely, though.

4) Johnny D. spoke of a possible Castro/Santiago swapout. Last I checked Santiago was on the St. Lucie roster. St. Lucie?

5) Glavine, to my thinking, remains the most likely trade candidate. Texas is in a pennant race, but has had little in the way of starting pitching, and the one guy who has brought it for them this year is beating on cameramen. Glavine, of coures has some way in if and where he goes.

One thing that can make the Mets gunshy is that most of the guys on the bubble -- Williams, Offerman, Daubach, Graves -- have no options, but the Mets have shed some veterans this season with few tears. I do think there'll be some shuffling.

[MFS62]

And if Omar can get anything in return for Ishii that barely resembles a ballplayer, they will erect a statue in his honor outside Shea Staduim.

Later

[seawolf17]

Edgy DC wrote: One thing that can make the Mets gunshy is that most of the guys on the bubble -- Williams, Offerman, Daubach, Graves -- have no options, but the Mets have shed some veterans this season with few tears. I do think there'll be some shuffling.

Probably not the best thing for team morale, but I'd punt all four of them and get younger guys up here NOW.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Ed C suggested neither Minky nor Matsui would return for the Braves series. Who the hell knows what's up with Matsui -- I wish they'd just trade him or play him -- this vague summer rehabbing at St Lucie is no fun.

I honestly have no idea what they'll do with Graves, Koo, Ring, etc. But I think the pen will look different soon, and that they makes trades to change it.

You may have seen where Looper was suggested as trade bait: That's actually a fine idea since his contract is up at the end of the year, and he won't likely be re-engaged as a closer here (or elsewhere prolly, but here is where it'll hurt not to be a closer).

I'm thinking, if they deal Looper off they'll also make a deal (prolly a seperate one) to acquire a closer or closer candidate -- perhaps a higher salary guy who's under control for another year or two (no ideas as to who at this point). We can probably live with Roberto Hernandez closing for the rest of this year, tho I wouldn't expect a better 2nd half.

I'd trade Glavine in 5 seconds but I doubt there's much orf a market for him any longer.

[metirish]

I like your thinking seawolf.

]5) Glavine, to my thinking, remains the most likely trade candidate. Texas is in a pennant race, but has had little in the way of starting pitching, and the one guy who has brought it for them this year is beating on cameramen. Glavine, of coures has some way in if and where he goes.

Glavine has indicated his desire to stay in the North East if traded, any chance Boston takes him?

[Guest Rotblatt]

I'm down with sending down Graves. Padilla is the obvious choice, and, I think, the right one.

Valent's been hitting much better lately and I'd like to see him take a stab at 1B/OF instead of Daubach/Offerman until Mientkiewicz gets back. Maybe after Mientkiewicz gets back, depending on how they both look.

Diaz is still scuffling at AAA and still getting used to 1B, so I'm inclined to leave him down there for a while--maybe until September.

Castro, despite one or two boneheaded plays, if having a fine backup C season (15th best OPS out of all NL players who qualify at C) and he's looked good lately. I'd keep him around and keep giving him more playing time to see if he's a potential stopgap for 2006.

Trading Glavine would be great, but I'm not so sure about Boston. They'll probably be looking for a clear upgrade and I'm not sure Glavine's better than any of their current starters--even Miller. And if they wanted to do better than Miller, they can probably go cheaper than Glavine . . .

I like the idea of trading for Loop, but I'd want to be blown away by the offer.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Baltimore might go for Glavine, too.

[Guest cooby]

I have a question:


Would trading Looper make us buyers or sellers?

[Guest Edgy DC]

There's certainly some market, for Glavine as well as Ishii. The Dodgers have given eight starts to Scott Erickson this season.

Still, it's not trade speculation that whets my whistle. As I said, the Mets have cut loose four vets already this year, so I don't think they're shy about shedding. They just want to be sure to replace any vets they shed with the right players to help them NOW!!!

Diaz is almost certainly coming back soon. They're just looking to learn him some first base.

[Guest Bret Sabermetric]

Depends on whom we trade him for. If we trade him to Houston for Franco, for example, then we're putting on a pennant push, acquiring a veteran arm for the crucial pennant drive about to unfold.

Stop snickering. That's what we did last season.

Stop that eye-rolling, too.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I think the guys the Mets got last July had more time remaining in their careers than John Franco does.

Or by "we" are you referring to the Red Sox?

[Guest Rotblatt]

Glavine to Baltimore could be an interesting choice. He would probably be an upgrade over Ponson and maybe even Cabrera. If we paid enough of Glavine's salary (all remaining for this year, maybe, but they're on the hook for his vested option next year?) we might even get a washed-up former prospect for him.

Here's an idea: we send Zambrano & Glavine, plus some cash, to Baltimore for a legitimate prospect--maybe Nick Markakis? They have some decent minor league pitchers, too . . .

[metirish]

Swap out Zambrano for Ishii Rotblatt and I'd do that deal.

[Guest Bret Sabermetric]

To Dream--
The Impossible Dream--
To fight bbbyyy

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I was more or less furious with Castro when I suggested sending him down to punish him: He's a pretty good line-drive hitter.

Appears that WWSB intends to gradually diminish Piazza's role (he publically says it's to "keep him fresh for the dog-days" but that's only part of it obviously: He's trying to look-see getting by with a different catcher next year and beyond).

I think that had something to do with the Santiago speculation (which was in one of the papersover the weekend) -- obviously not a long term thing but rather just another option to be plugged in and ease Piazza's transition. Plus it might free Castro/Piazza up to PH in situations we'd otherwise be looking at empty bats like Cairo or Williams. I have no idea how Santiago is doing. 3 catchers isn't a good situation unless the 3rd one hits better than your fifth OF.

FWIW on the bench, I don't think Daubach has really gotten the shot I think he shoulda in Minky's absense yet. He was having a great year plkaying everyday @AAA, can draw a walk and has some pop -- I believe his only hits for the Mets have been XBH's so far

[Frayed Knot]

- Supposedly Willie told Graves he was going to lean on him more in the 2nd half. Of course that was before the Saturday Night Massacre.

- Mcz will supposedly be ready before Matsu. Not sure if they'll do much juggling around 1st base until then. Valent is hitting better in AAA, but of course Daubach was killing the ball in AAA and Met fans were clamoring for his arrival ... until he got here that is.

- Now that Zambrano is pitching better can we please stop trying to farm him out (plus throw-ins, plus cash) for Single-A maybes who will hopefully crack the lineup in 2 years IF everything goes well?

- As long as our OFers continue to be every inning guys, why not have Gerald as the backup? Diaz was farmed out specifically because there weren't ABs for him here, although there might be if they let him play 1st.

- Any one of the multitude of somewhat redundant 2nd-base types - Anderson/Cairo/Woodward/Offerman could certainly be moved, or packaged w/something else. Of course it would help if Matsui ever showed his face again ... and brought his bat w/him.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Frayed Knot wrote: -- As long as our OFers continue to be every inning guys, why not have Gerald as the backup? Diaz was farmed out specifically because there weren't ABs for him here, although there might be if they let him play 1st.

Because I'd like more potency off the bench, and I'd like a first baseman who didn't hit like a middle infielder. Also because, as you say, there might be more at-bats for Diaz if the Mets let him play first.

Second too, I say!

Also, (1) Diaz got farmed out to learn some first, not just to get more reps, and (2) I don't think it's healthy to be trying to squeeze every inning out of our outfielders, as much as I don't think it's productive to back them up with infielders (and one journeyman outfielder) expected to slug under .400*.

*No disrespect to Woodward and Offerman who are slugging over that number.

[smg58]

The team has an option for Looper next year, I think at $5M. That's pricey, but before you deal Looper you better have an idea of how to fill the role next year. It's possible the Orioles will let B.J. Ryan test free agency, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if they do. Otherwise, the Mets might have to get creative. I do think Hernandez could handle the role for the balance of the season, though.

The option the Mets gave Graves makes it unlikely he'd be claimed off waivers, so go ahead and demote him. How well does Padilla have to pitch?

Glavine needs to be dealt. Everybody in contention is looking for pitching, so I don't see why this should be hard. The Mets don't even need to get a prospect or major leaguer of any consequence in return, if the money earmarked for Glavine can be spent elsewhere next season. (So we stick him on the Orioles, who then no longer have the payroll flexibility to re-sign Ryan...)

[Guest Edgy DC]

So did they really get through the break with no transactions?

They still have a backup shortstop playing first. They still haven't announced an ETA for Doug Mientkiewicz. And Doug Mientkiewicz, when he was healthy, was still hitting like something of a sucka.

As I type this, Woodie makes an excellent pick on a double play.

[Valadius]

If B.J. Ryan tests free agency, we have to throw everything at him, including the kitchen sink and Mo Vaughn's leftover hamburgers. He is a BEAST.

Speaking of the Orioles, who else is ecstatic that Omar didn't make the bone-headed trade for Sammy "Corky Miller" Sosa? Imagine where we'd be if THAT had happened... *shivers*

[Guest Edgy DC]

I was kind of estatic at the time.

Yeah, moreso now.

[smg58]

I'm guessing if Minaya really wanted Sosa that badly he'd have been easy to get, so I never took those rumors too seriously.

How about Looper to the Sox for Shoppach?

The free agent market for closers for the offseason is a bit fuzzy right now. I'd be surprised if the Orioles let Ryan test the market, but you never know. The Padres' have enough depth in the pen to part with Hoffman, but that would be a PR disaster. Wagner will be a free agent for sure. Percival and Wickman might retire. Guardado and Baez have options, so unless they get traded to teams who don't need them to close or have closers on the DL, I don't see them being on the market. So there might be an element of risk involved in trading Looper, or there might be the opportunity to either bring him back or get somebody better.

[metirish]

congrats on your Sacred Seaver post.

[seawolf17]

HAIL!

I think this is the first SSP since the new place opened, right? That's a huge avatar.

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Congrats smg.

Will the avatar change when he posts again?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Probably.

Enjoy it while you can.

[Guest Iubitul]

Bad avatar - That's Seaver in a Reds uni.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Well, a Reds collar.

Warhol also did Mao in a reds uniform.

[smg58]

I have to admit that one caught me a little off guard. I was afraid to post anything for a couple of days.

[Elster88]

[url]http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050724&content_id=1143683&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym[/url]
This article details a rumor that the Mets are interested in bringing back Jeff Kent. It's from nymets.com.