smg58

I think Humber's stock is lower than it should be right now, so I'm inclined to think that Pelfrey could get more in a trade relative to Humber than the actual difference in their abilities. And I don't mean that as a knock on Pelfrey; I think he'll be fine if/when he gets the confidence to throw effectively inside the strike zone. I'm perfectly OK treating Milledge as our starting rightfielder, and I think most of Gomez' value comes from his defense in center, which will mean more to another team than it will to us.

I'm really not sure why Bedard would be available, though.

Nymr83 wrote: ]If Arizona made Orlando Hudson available If the Phillies made Chase Utley available, I bet we'd be in on that too. this kind of "reporting" is annoying, there isn't the slightest indication he's actually available is there? He has one year left before free agency, and Alberto Callaspo's natural position is second base. Callaspo played mosly third when he got called up, but while he struggled in the bigs he's had two strong seasons in AAA and has nothing left to prove in the minors. I've heard nothing beyond vague rumors, but I can see some logic to thinking Hudson could be dealt. It might be more likely, though, that they keep him for another playoff run knowing that he's not likely to return. If he goes on the market next year, would that affect how you approach second base this year?

I don't like giving big multi-year contracts to set-up guys, especially to somebody who's had an implosion in the recent past. Cordero has ability, that's for sure, but he's just not a safe enough bet to justify outbidding teams that need a closer. The bidding for him will certainly go over $30M, if not $40M.

That's about as candid as I've seen a GM get. Personally I think there's too much talent in his pitching staff to mail it in, but you never know. Any addition to the number of quality pitchers on the block would be good for the buyers, and Haren and Blanton would certainly qualify. Dealing Heilman and Milledge would create two needs on the major league level, though, so I'd prefer to deal from the farm system. Plus, I'm not sure Blanton wouldn't be the better value of the two.

Jones was probably on his way out the door before Zumaya's injury. Funny how things work sometimes. I tell you what though, if Troy Percival asks for that price I'd give it to him.

The same exact rumor came up last year and Beane said Haren wasn't going anywhere. Not sure why he would change his mind now.

Rustich's control suddenly doesn't look so good...

Plus his peripherals actually sucked. ERA is very misleading for one-out relievers. They can have him for that price.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Here's Brant Rustich Extremely small sample, but the K/BBs look good.

Guerra's a riser, Humber's a faller. As is Mike Carp, who looked a lot better in spring training than he played at Binghamton. Nobody really had a big breakthrough season, and a few people disappointed. Everybody expects the power to come for Martinez, but it hasn't happened yet. Ironically I might be inclined to keep Humber simply because I think he's undervalued at this point. He showed some flashes, he's close to ML ready, and for a first full year back from surgery it could have been worse. But there's nobody on the list I'd consider untouchable.

The Braves would be crazy to let us have two draft picks, including their first-rounder, for Glavine's services, and I'd rather not be stuck with him at a price he's no longer worth. We can't offer to Green. We offer to LoDuca and Castillo if we haven't already filled those spots.

Heilman had a better ERA in more innings last year. Troy Percival had a far better year and can probably be signed to a one-year contract plus an option. David Riske is also a viable free agent option who's a better pitcher than Cordero. Cordero's value is inflated because he's a closer, which he won't be here. It can't be so hard to find a right-handed setup guy that you'd part with one top prospect to get one, much less two. I see no reason to go there.

Lidge had an excellent second half last year, and appeared to be back to his old self. If he can stay that way, it's a fantastic deal for the Phillies. Unfortunately. Costanzo needs to cut down on the K's before he reaches the show; otherwise he'll probably be a Russ Branyan clone.

Winding up in the pen wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for Humber or Pelfrey any more than it's been for Heilman. But there are no free agent starters left that I would consider a definite upgrade over either, and a trade would probably involve at least one of them. Yes it's an option, but I don't think at present that the offseason will pan out in a way that makes that option likely. We'll see, though.

Edgy DC wrote: I'd like to see Padilla at least work out with a winter team, and maybe log a handful of innings. Sanchez and Padilla available last season could have made the Mets a different team. They could make this year's team different, at least. I still think a #2 reliever is a top priority, but if you can put a solid #2 plus two of Smith/Sanchez/Padilla/Muniz in place of Mota/Sele/Sosa, that's got to be worth a bunch of wins relative to last year.

metirish wrote: Newsday has Minaya with only token interest in Rodriguez and instead looking to deal for Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras or John Garland, or maybe all three. Sox apparently not high on Milledge. Also speaking to the agent for Carlos Silva. Dealing Milledge would create a need at this point anyway, and the Mets have other bargaining chips. Blanton really turned a corner last year; he's not an ace, but he'd certainly be beneficial.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: *Rumors that AZ may trade Orlando Hudson? Hmmm... I've heard the Hudson rumors before. He's a very underrated hitter and arguably the best fielder at his position. You would have to ask about him.

I wonder how this will affect his market value.

and the dart board says: 1. Armando Benitez (FLA) RP Reds 2. Kris Benson (BAL) SP Orioles 3. Barry Bonds (SFG) LF A's 4. Milton Bradley (SDP) LF Padres 5. Mike Cameron (SDP) CF Twins 6. Luis Castillo (NYM) 2B Mets 7. Ramon Castro (NYM) C Mets 8. Roger Clemens (NYY) SP retires 9. Bartolo Colon (LAA) SP Mets 10. Francisco Cordero (MIL) RP Brewers 11. David Eckstein (STL) SS Cards 12. Pedro Feliz (SFG) 3B L. I. Ducks 13. Cliff Floyd (CHC) RF L. I. Ducks 14. Josh Fogg (COL) SP Rockies 15. Eric Gagne (BOS) RP Pirates 16. Freddy Garcia (PHI) SP Royals 17. Tom Glavine (NYM) SP Braves 18. Livan Hernandez (ARI) SP Nationals 19. Torii Hunter (MIN) CF Yankees 20. Geoff Jenkins (MIL) LF Padres 21. Jason Jennings (HOU) SP Rockies 22. Andruw Jones (ATL) CF Dodgers 23. Paul Lo Duca (NYM C Mets 24. Kenny Lofton (CLE) CF Braves 25. Kyle Lohse (PHI) SP Twins 26. Kazuo Matsui (COL) 2B Rockies 27. Andy Pettitte (NYY) SP Yanks 28. Odaliz Perez (KCR) SP braves 29. Mike Piazza (OAK) DH Twins 30. Jorge Posada (NYY) C Yanks 31. Mariano Rivera (NYY) RP Yanks 32. JC Romero (PHI) RP Red Sox 33. Alex Rodriguez (NYY) 3B Marlins 34. Aaron Rowand (PHI) CF Phillies 35. Carlos Silva (MIN) SP Twins 36. Sammy Sosa (TEX) DH Rangers 37. Yorvit Torrealba (COL) C Rockies 38. Steve Trachsel (BAL) SP Orioles 39. Luis Vizcaino (NYY) RP Blue Jays 40. Kerry Wood (CHC) RP Yanks

Get ready to cross Maddux off the list; he and the Padres have apparently agreed on one year and $10M. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3096282

Edgy DC wrote: How about if they take a burdensome contract off the Mets hands? The Mets are mostly in good condition in this department, but Mets that are unlikely to produce at their salary level going forward include Scott Schoeneweis, Guillermo Mota, and Carlos Delgado. Mota and Schoenweis fall into the "addition by subtraction" category as far as I'm concerned, so any offer should start with them. A deal for Zito that involved those two would add $7.7M to the team payroll this year. Zito's deal is backloaded, though, and while I might not ask for as much "cash consideration" as Grimm would I do think a substantial amount is necessary. Delgado is like Zito in some ways; not sure it's fair to dismiss him after one bad year, but yes his stock is down. Delgado for Zito would create a bigger need than the one we're addressing, though, while adding substantially to the long-term payroll commitment. (Keep in mind that we're paying about $12M of Delgado's contract, with Florida footing the rest. Given his track record outside of this year, that's not an awful commitment).

The no-trade clause might make the whole discussion moot, but if he were to waive it to come here then he presumably wouldn't turn around and demand a trade -- especially since he's not in a position where getting out of his current contract would work to his benefit. I do think the Mets would be one of a small number of teams he'd waive the clause for, and if the Giants are intent on dealing a pitcher to get hitting help (or to free money to get hitting help), they would have to prefer (or at least you'd think they'd prefer it) moving Zito to trading Lincecum or Cain. If all of the above is true, the Mets could be in a position to name the terms if they ask for Zito. It's one of those things where you have to at least ask.

I can't imagine they'd consider dealing Lincecum or Cain without first seeing if they could free themselves of Zito, preferably before the big free agents start signing. So if they're desperate enough to even consider trading Lincecum, they might be desperate enough to take any lowball offer for Zito they can get. And that might present an opportunity.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11052007/sports/scott_stove_league_846843.htm Somebody from the Post is suggesting that Scott Kazmir might be on the block. I don't see the logic to that at all, but the same article is now the second to mention Tim Lincecum. I suppose we have to ask about them, but I'll be completely dumbfounded if either of them gets moved.