All Star Break Transacttions

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Interesting. Here it is, for posterity's sake:

Rumor has it Mets covet Kent
07/24/2005 6:22 PM ET
By Marty Noble / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Mets watched the play of the Dodgers with focused interest over the weekend, curious to see the performance of one particular player, Jeff Kent. As the trading deadline moves closer, the Dodgers' second baseman becomes more prominent on the Mets' list. And according to one source familiar with the substance of discussions between the clubs, the Mets have inquired about Kent's availability.
The source, who said Kent would likely be asked to play some first base, also indicated the chance for a deal seemed remote as of Sunday afternoon, but that he understood the Mets planned to inquire again.

The acquisition of Kent, who leads the Dodgers in home runs (17) and RBIs (66), would address one of the Mets' primary shortfalls, production at first base. As a group, their first basemen -- there have been six so far this season -- rank last or next to last in the National League in the primary offensive categories.

Kent has started five games at first base and played there in two others. The Dodgers consider his defense at second base superior to his work at first. The Mets do as well, and certainly could use Kent at second and some assortment of players at first, including Miguel Cairo, who has played second regularly since the break.

There was no indication of whom the Mets would offer the Dodgers for the 37-year-old, 13-year veteran who spent nearly four full seasons with the Mets in the '90s. Kent was acquired late in the 1992 season when the Mets traded David Cone to the Blue Jays; Kent moved to the Indians in the summer of 1996 when the Mets acquired Carlos Baerga.

Kent subsequently developed into of the most productive second basemen in history in tours with the Giants and Astros. He was the National League MVP in 2000. He signed a two-year, $17-million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason.

[metirish]

Doesn't Kent recall his Mets days as fondly as getting a root canal?, I thought he really doesn't like NY , does he have a no-trade caluse, I doubt it but he'd probably invoke it.

[Elster88]

I don't think Kent likes anyplace or anyone. Maybe with Dallas gone he would be more amenable.

[metirish]

From Ken Rosenthal...

]The Mets are focused on two closers--the Devil Rays' Danys Baez and Pirates' Jose Mesa--but they would continue using Braden Looper in the ninth inning, at least initially, if they completed a trade. Baez has blown six saves in 24 opportunities, but that stat is somewhat misleading--he is asked to do more than most closers, frequently pitching in the eighth inning. . . .

[Guest ScarletKnight41]

Mesa? MESA?!?!??!?!

Anyone who enjoyed bashing Mando would have a total field day with Mesa.

[smg58]

Don't see how Mesa helps us, especially in a setup role. Baez interests me. Kent does too, actually, although the Dodgers aren't really out of it yet and they did sign him for a few years. I'm not sure why we'd bring in Kent and then not play him at second though.