Ken Davidoff's baseball insider

Here is our story on the Mets' extension of Omar Minaya. We all knew it was coming - sorry, Jim, no Cashman to the Mets scenario ;). Obviously, the Mets do not want to discuss this now, not with bigger news occurring on the field.

While I think four years is a bit on the long side _ with Minaya already signed through next year, I would've thrown another year on top of it, giving him security through 2010 - it does exemplify that teams don't hire and fire personnel based solely on results. Minaya has an excellent relationship with the Wilpons, and he has done a great deal to extend the Mets brand into Latin America, no small thing. As I wrote in the story, he gained additional leverage when Mike Pelfrey and Daniel Murphy disproved the notion that the Mets' farm system was worthless.

The bullpen? Yes, the Mets' bullpen is horrible, and that's on Omar. But very few GMs consistently put together good bullpens. San Diego's Kevin Towers comes the closest, and he benefits from working in an extreme pitchers' ballpark.

Catching up from the previous item: Hank Steinbrenner's whining about the divisions is silly. The Yankees won the AL East at 87-74 in 2000. What does he want? Rotating divisions? I understand his points about revenue sharing, but the most recent CBA made that far more favorable to the Yankees and other large-market teams.

This is a stunner. More analysis to come shortly.

It's not an official deal yet, as there are some unclear medical issues to resolve, but the Yankees and Pirates have agreed in principle on a trade that would bring outfielder Xavier Nady and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to the Bronx in return for Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, left-hander Phil Coke and right-hander George Kontos. The final two were with Double-A Trenton.

Instant analysis: Seems like Pittsburgh lowered its price considerably. We saw that Ohendorf was no great shakes, and Tabata's behavior has been a major issue. I don't know much about Coke, although one official from an AL club with whom I spoke with tonight likes him and thought the Yankees gave up too much in this deal.

For now, though, the Yankees get an offensive boost and the final piece to their bullpen, without sacrificing any of their prime minor-leaguers. Pretty good.

So much for "nothing new"...

UPDATE, 11:06: It appears that there are no mystery medical issues. The players will either take physical examinations or have their medical records reviewed tomorrow, and as long as everyone passes, Marte and Nady will be in Yankees uniforms Sunday at Fenway Park.

UPDATE, 12:42: Here is my column for Saturday's Newsday about the trade.

Anthony Rieber and I are reporting here that Ryan Church went to Cleveland this week to get more tests on his concussions, and that the tests have left Church and the Mets cautiously optimistic that the rightfielder can play again this season.

Church told Anthony that he'll be at Shea Stadium today to explain more and answer reporters' questions.

If this can actually become reality - and look, we still have to allow for the fact that Church might never fully regain his equilibrium this season - this would be quite a boon for the Mets. Omar Minaya would be less desperate in his pursuit for corner outfielder help.

Thanks to ESPN.com for the headshot.