Friends of P

[TransMonk]

Peter Gammons reported during the game last night that Kenny Williams and Omar Minaya are once again talking about a Mark Buehrle trade. ESPN radio was all over the story this morning as well. With just over a month to go until the trading deadline, what summer rentals, if any, do you feel would address the Mets’ needs this season? And maybe even more importantly, what would or should the Mets give up for those rentals?

The White Sox are a mess of injuries this season and those who are healthy have underperformed. They have little chance of competing for the AL Central or wildcard this year. IMO, Buehrle would help two parts of the Mets club. He would solidify the starting rotation, which was pretty good the first 2 months of the season but is now showing some blemishes. It would also allow El Duque or Sosa to move to the bullpen and hopefully allow Schoeneweis to go to the DL like he should. Scott has pitched in 45% of the Mets games this year AND he has a severed tendon in his left hamstring. I’m really sick of seeing him warm up in the bullpen. On the down side, I don’t know if I can see Buehrle re-signing with the Mets, so he would most likely be a true summer rental. That being said, I wouldn’t have a hard time giving up Milledge to fill those holes on the club. I would not, however, give up Pelfrey or Humber in addition to Milledge, even if they were adding Dye, even though it might be tempting.

Brad Lidge is also rumored to be available. Apparently, he likes the fact that he would be able to setup his former mentor Wagner again. He may benefit from being with Wagner and pitching in a pitcher’s park rather than that milk crate in Houston. Again, he could take Schoeneweis’ spot, but the Mets would probably wait for more information on how well Pedro is coming along before they went this route. Not sure what the Astros would want, but Milledge seems like a little much straight up.

[metirish]

I believe Lidge is a FA after this season,he avoided arbitration for the 07 season,I've no idea what his value is these days,I just don't think it's Milledge.

I like Buehrle ,not worried that he's a FA,price would be high but he might be the best available pitcher out there.

[Frayed Knot]

In recent interviews Omar has been giving mixed signals about this -- well not about this trade specifically (something he couldn't do) but about this type of deal:
- first by saying that he's not really interested in short-term rentals or paying a high price for one
- but also saying that 'anytime pitching is available I'm going to be involved'

It seems all but certain that Buehrle will be dealt in the next 6 weeks (the spelling of that name could drive Yancy's PotG program to drink). He's coming off an off-year but seems to be back to his usual norm this season.

Tough to figure how deep Omar is really involved. That Gammons mentioned it last night and then the radio being all over it this morning is really just the same source being repeated over again by the ESPN monster. It's not like this is closer to true because it's being talked about in two different places.
Also, as seems to be the norm, Omar always seems to be talked about as having "obsessions" with certain players moreso than any other GM. And maybe he does really like Buehrle, but it should be noted that I don't think he's ever actually obtained any of the players he was said to have wet dreams over.

[seawolf17]

="Frayed Knot"]...I don't think he's ever actually obtained any of the players he was said to have wet dreams over.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Burhle's like a younger, fatter Tom Glavine.

[Frayed Knot]

Hmmm, I don't remember Moises being mentioned as one of Omar's obsessions but maybe he was. Not as high on the list as Sosa, Soriano, Javy Vazquez, and a handful of others.

Mostly I just get a kick out of the view that Omar - more than any ohter GM - seems to operate like some kind of kid who can't control his emotions and will stop at nothing to get the guy he sets his sights on. And then when he passes on that guy there's a new one who he can't live without, yyybbb. Or maybe the press just assumes that if the player has a Spanish name then he's on Omar's mobile phone 'Friends and Family' plan as well as on his 'MySpace' page of bestest buddies.

[smg58]

Upgrading on Sosa and moving him to the pen would kill two birds with one stone, but I think Minaya's willingness to deal for a starting pitcher will depend a lot Pedro's status as the deadline approaches. You certainly can't take Pedro for granted, which is why you need to be asking around, but I wouldn't expect a trigger on anything well in advance of the deadline unless he takes a turn for the worse.

As for whom to deal, I know everybody in the media seems to have packed Milledge's bags for him, but I would hope he gets at least a few weeks full time in left field (a greater need than starting pitching, I think) before a final decision is made on whether the team is better off with or without him.

[Guest iramets]

Frayed Knot wrote: Hmmm, I don't remember Moises being mentioned as one of Omar's obsessions but maybe he was. Not as high on the list as Sosa, Soriano, Javy Vazquez, and a handful of others. Mostly I just get a kick out of the view that Omar - more than any ohter GM - seems to operate like some kind of kid who can't control his emotions and will stop at nothing to get the guy he sets his sights on. And then when he passes on that guy there's a new one who he can't live without, yyybbb. Or maybe the press just assumes that if the player has a Spanish name then he's on Omar's mobile phone 'Friends and Family' plan as well as on his 'MySpace' page of bestest buddies.

And why do you give any credence at all to anything you hear about Omar's thinking process through the media?

Isn't it at least as likely as Omar's honestly confessing his secret lustful desire as it is that he's spinning misleading misinformation so as to disguise his true plans and throw other GMs off the scent of what he really, really wants?

How do you KNOW?

[Frayed Knot]

"And why do you give any credence at all to anything you hear about Omar's thinking process through the media?"

I don't. I just find it funny that they treat him in that obsessive way while no other GM seems to get the same treatment (except for Billy Beane's supposed Lastings Milledge man-love of course). I've yet to hear about a Brian Cashman obsession for instance.



"Isn't it at least as likely as Omar's honestly confessing his secret lustful desire as it is that he's spinning misleading misinformation so as to disguise his true plans and throw other GMs off the scent of what he really, really wants? "

Sure. Where am I saying that I'm buying every word of the latest rumor du jour? I pretty much ignore most of them.

[nymr83]

Sosa has done well, i'd hate to see him exiled to the bullpen in favor of a new acquisition while the old man remains in the rotation.

[Guest cleonjones11]

Sometimes you dont have to do anything

As far as Lastings Milledge goes...You might as well hold on to him or release him. I don't believe he has much if any trade value at the moment..Maybe next year. By then he might be Pac Man Jones or a mature adult..

[DocTee]

I'd rather have a power corner OF bat like Adam Dunn. (and I'd trade Heilman for him straight up)

[Guest OlerudOwned]

DocTee wrote: I'd rather have a power corner OF bat like Adam Dunn. (and I'd trade Heilman for him straight up)

I think the Reds would laugh at you.

[DocTee]

Probably, but their GM traded two of his starting eight (Felipe lopez and Austine Kearns) for a set-up man last year.

An intriguing name from ESPN: Kevin Millwood. He's in the second year of a five year deal ($60 M)

[Elster88]

Neither Buehrle nor Millwood would be significant upgrades over our current starters.

Millwood would be a huge step backwards.

[nymr83]

]As far as Lastings Milledge goes...You might as well hold on to him or release him

the usual cleon idiocy. even if you think he sucks he has trade value

[Gwreck]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Burhle's like a younger, fatter Tom Glavine.

Bingo. I like him as a replacement for Glavine when Glavine retires at the end of this year.

[seawolf17]

Actually, an injured Lastings Milledge has very little trade value right now. Hopefully he comes back and shows he's still worth something -- either to us or to another club.

[Willets Point]

Gwreck wrote: ="Johnny Dickshot"]Burhle's like a younger, fatter Tom Glavine. Bingo. I like him as a replacement for Glavine when Glavine retires at the end of this year.

I hope we don't have to wait that long.

[Elster88]

PMFI, but IMHO, the Glavine-hating thing is wearing just a tad thin.

[Willets Point]

Elster88 wrote: PMFI

What the hell?

[Gwreck]

Not Glavine hating. I realistically expect that he retires at the end of the year, having gotten win #300.

[Frayed Knot]

"Actually, an injured Lastings Milledge has very little trade value right now"

I don't believe that.
I mean he'll have to over his current injury and get back to playing, but just because Met fans were disappointed that he didn't set the world on fire immediately upon his call-up last year doesn't mean that his star plummeted in the minds of those who scout talent. He's still a promising player who's younger than most first-time callups.

[Elster88]

Willets Point wrote: ="Elster88"]PMFI What the hell?

Pardon me for interrupting. I learned that one in a Dave Barry book.

[Guest cleonjones11]

Nymr83 wrote: ]As far as Lastings Milledge goes...You might as well hold on to him or release him the usual cleon idiocy. even if you think he sucks he has trade value

OK..Trade him at a fire sale price..Brilliant

[Elster88]

Gwreck wrote: Not Glavine hating. I realistically expect that he retires at the end of the year, having gotten win #300.

Not you. WP has a rather irrational (irrational in my opinion) hatred for Tommy G. Very unusual for such a rational being.

[seawolf17]

I'm not saying that he won't have full value down the road, but if Kenny Williams wants to get full value for Buehrle right now, Milledge has to come at a discount until he starts playing again. I'm not specifically down on him; he's still on my fantasy team, because I fully believe he's going to contribute somewhere this year. I'm just saying that right now his value is down due to the injury.

[Willets Point]

Elster88 wrote: ="Willets Point"] Elster88 wrote: PMFI What the hell? Pardon me for interrupting. I learned that one in a Dave Barry book.

Thanks. No need to excuse yourself for interrupting, we all speak freely here.

[Willets Point]

Elster88 wrote: ="Gwreck"]Not Glavine hating. I realistically expect that he retires at the end of the year, having gotten win #300. Not you. WP has a rather irrational (irrational in my opinion) hatred for Tommy G. Very unusual for such a rational being.

It is too late for me, son. You don't know the *power* of the Dark Side. I must hate Glavine until he's traded, released or retired.

[Guest iramets]

The question is who, among the Mets, is the truest "friend of P"? Alou, who toughens his skin with it, or Wright, who endorses a P-based beverage?