On the Mets beat

I have no idea why everyone thinks the Mets *must* acquire a front-line starter this offseason. Who came up with this ? The Mets had a respectable ERA last season (4.26), and the numbers of Maine and Perez only figure to improve now that they've gone through the rigors of a full, 30-start season. I won't deny the need to add another starter considering the age and injury history of Pedro and El Duque and the loss of Glavine's 200 innings. But I think this notion that the Mets have no choice but to pony up for a front-line starter is ridiculous.

A trade of Milledge, Heilman, Fernando Martinez, and Mulvey (which is probably what it would take) for Haren would weaken the Mets too much organizationally, it would more than offset the improvement to the starting rotation. As much as Heilman has been criticized by Met fans, which reliever out there on the FA market is going to replace his sub-1.20 WHIP over 80+ innings ? What OF has the potential to do what Milledge can for the Mets in 2008 ? Not Brad Wilkerson, that's for sure. And Milledge for Blanton is even more ridiculous. What's Blanton's upside ?

I think there are pitchers out there for the Mets who are much more easily obtainable, if they're willing to show some creativity. Putting together a monster package for Dan Haren, or throwing a silly contract at Carlos Silva is just sloppy, lazy, uninspired management. Why not take a look at Bartolo Colon or Jose Contreras ? Both still have the stuff to succeed in the NL, would be much easier to acquire than Blanton/Haren, and wouldn't require the same kind of committment as Kyle Lohse or Carlos Silva.

I don't feel the Mets need to get crazy over either of the A's pitchers or Santana. I Would love to see the Mets make a deal with the Rays to pickup Kazmir AND Crawford! Who here would be in favor of bringing back Kazmir and aquiring Crawford? There are also a couple of half-way decent starters available in free agency,,,Livan Hernandez and Josh Fogg. Anu others??? Lets Go METS!!!

Since there is so much speculation on what it might take to get Johan Santana, we have not heard what it might take to get Dan Haren or Joe Blanton. The Mets in looking at Dan Haren, would get a reasonably priced pitcher who makes $4m in 2008, $5.5M in 2009 and $10.5M option in 2010.

I am not promoting reading a another rivals daily but todays NY Daily News, John Harper, FINALLY has a sensible look at the Mets prospects for landing Santana. FINALLY!

A must read!!!!!!!!!!

From ALL accounts it's believed the Mets would not trade Reyes for Santana or anyone for that matter. Why?? Are we talking about D. Jeter? NO. A-Rod? NO. We talking about a terribly immature, undisciplined, lack of focus, over-hyped SS. Like the article smartly noted you win championships with PITCHING on all-star SS! Further encouraging is Omar is in his 4th. yr. of a 5yr. contract and though he's not on the hot-seat, there is pressure for him to make something happen. This is that something! Since the Mets are a level below the yanks and Boston with regard to minor league talent they're going to have to be 'creative'. A package centering on Reyes and including Milledge and Humber, Heilman or Mulvey would vaunt the Mets to the top of the list of suitors. The deal would work for both sides, which has to happen for a deal of this magnitude to happen. The Twins get near equal value, ready-now players, affordable, sellable to the fan base who are footing a sizable $$$ chunk for their new stadium in '09. The Mets get the BEST pitcher in the game!!!!! Making them the clear favorite to represent the NL in the World Series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anderson Hernandez, an excellent defensive player makes the seamless transition to the SS position (traditionally a defense-first position). L. Castillo who bested Reyes in OBP% and % caught stealing (as well as pitch reconigition at the plate), would slide into the leadoff spot. If Carlos Gomez is not included in the trade (and I'm hopeful he's not!) he could bat second behind Castillo providing for an explosive 1-2 at the top of the order and help to make up for the 78 SB's by Reyes. If Fernando Martinez has a lights-out spring training he could possibly make the squad and spell Alou on days off and his annual trip to the DL. Martinez then takes over in LF for '09.

A no-brainer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMAR MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

need to keep Gomez and Martinez as the corner outfielders
so long LMillz

Aw geez, Sean Butcher, what a horrible idea. I agree with Jon from NJ.

I would prefer to see the Mets trade Johnny Maine, Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and either of Pelfrey or Humber to the Rays for Kazmir and Crawford then sign Fogg or Livan. The rotation would be:

1) Scott Kazmir
2) Pedro Marinez
3) Oliver Perez
4) Josh Fogg / Livan Hernandez
5) El Duque Hernandez

The Lineup would be:

1) SS Jose Reyes
2) 2B Luis Castillo
3) Outfield Carl Crawford
4) Outfield Carlos Beltran
5) 3B D-Wright
6) 1B Carlos Delgado
7) Outfield Moises Alou/Endy Chavez
8) C Johnny Estrada

I think a team comprised like this may win a couple of Games !!! Can you say NY Mets World Champs 2008 !!!

Sorry! to horrify you, Blastings! But this is starting to get momentum! Jim Baumbach from this paper is also in agreement!!! Read his article.

OMAR MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

I'm not in a hurry to dump Fernando Martinez, but can we be patient with this guy ? He's 19 years old and was average in AA ball last season. He's probably a 1st baseman in the big leagues. Gomez was rushed last year and what happened - he was clearly overmatched at the plate.

If I were given the choice, I'd take Milledge in a heartbeat over Gomez. You can't be comfortable with Gomez in RF for 140 games next year, the guy would struggle to post an OPS of .650. No amount of range in a corner OF spot is making up for that, even when Moises Alou is healthy and productive.

Martinez should be given 2 more full years in the minors (maybe a cup of coffee in 2009), and Gomez should be given a full year in New Orleans next year. I can't really blame the Mets on Gomez this past season, due to all the injuries in the OF. But that just emphasizes the importance of not putting yourself in a position in which you might have to rush these players.

I'm in FULL agreement, River Alph!!!!

Though, I haven't seen much of Martinez, Gomez has the making of a bona-fide star!

Some reasons for the Kazmir/Crawford trade are:

1) Gives Minaya that Big, Splashy trade he is looking for!
2) The Mets get one of the Best Outfielders in the game!
3) Comapre Kaz and Johan

Kaz
13-9 (For a Much Worse team), 239 KO's, 23 Years old !

Johan
15-13, 235 Ko's, 28 Years Old...5 Years Older than Kaz!

Look at that Rotation and Lineup with Kaz and Crawford...Nuff Said!!!

I really love this time of the year. Everybody wants to play fantasy baseball. Now it's my turn. I give the Mets a 50% chance to land Johan Santana. They simply do not have high enough quality prospects. I just think it would make much more sense to use those players to acquire Haren or Blanton, maybe both. Think about it. If the Twins want 4 proven prospects and 1 or 2 major league ready guys, where does that leave the Mets? The only major league ready young guys they have are Reyes and Wright and we all know neither one are getting traded. I doubt the Twins would hand over Santana for say, Milledge, Heilman, Pelfrey and Mulvey. That being said, they could use those 4 guys and possibly a 5th, say Humber and get Haren AND Blanton. Both guys are young and come pretty cheap. That will free up the Mets to go sign a few arms for the 'pen and a rightfielder. I think they should try to hold onto Gomez and Martinez but if they have to part with one, I'd say Gomez should go. I haven't seen much of Martinez but I've heard not only is he fast, but he's got some pop as well. Doing that opens the door for them to sign a proven rightfielder. Maybe not a high profile guy, but somebody who can give them 100 starts and platoon w/ Martinez, Endy and Marlon Anderson. I also think they should explore using Estrada as a bargaining chip. If the Santana thing doesn't happen and they can't land Haren or Blanton, they should put Estrada in a package w/ say, Heilman, Milledge and Pelfrey for Ramon Hernandez and Erik Bedard. I know lots of these high profile trades usually fall through and although it's not COMPLETELY his fault, Omar needs to be creative and make SOMETHING big happen or Mets fans will be calling for his resignation after what happened to them this year. We're not asking him to deplete the farm but if he has to in order to get the best pitcher in baseball or the next best thing, then he should do it.

SEAN: NICE POINT OF VIEW.,; NOW I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU MY POINT OF VIEW ABOUT IT.
THIS WHAT HAPPEND WITH THE REYES SITUATION:
FEW YEARS AGO ; THE YANKEES GAVE ALMOST 200 MILL TO ONE SHORSTOP FOR THE ONLY REASON THAT THEY WANT HIM TO BE COMPARED WITH ALEX RODRIGUEZ.
THE REALITY IS THAT JETER NEVER WAS EVEN CLOSE TO BE LIKE ALEX RODRIGUEZ BUT THE YANKEES SALE THE FANTASY TO THEIR FANS THAT JETER WAS LIKE AROD.
WELL; WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW; IS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER SHORSTOP PLAYING IN NEW YORK THAT IS ONLY 24 YEARS OLD, IS STILL DEVELOPING, LEARNING AND GETTING BETTER BUT STILL MANAGE TO BE THE NL LEADER IN S.B. EVEN BEEN A PLAYER WHO IS STILL GETTING BETTER.
I KNOW THAT REYES DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD SEASON LAST YEAR ;SORRY BUT I AM REALISTIC AND FOR ME THERE IS NOT FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON OR SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON; JOSE COULDN'T PUT THE SAME OR BETTER NUMBERS THAT THE NUMBERS THAT HE PUT IN 2006.,; BUT THE SCOUTS AND EVEN THE MEDIA ARE SEEING THIS GUY LIKE A POTENTIAL SUPERSTAR WHO WILL BE ABLE TO HIT OVER 300, 40 DOUBLES,20 TRIPLES, 20 HRS ; 90 RBIS AS A LED OFF HITTER AND PLAY GOLD GLOVE SHORSTOP.
IN OTHER WORDS; REYES COULD BE BY NEXT SEASON THE BEST SHORSTOP IN NEW YORK
BELIVED ME; THAT IS SAMETHING THAT THE YANKEES DON'T WANT TO SEE.
SO; THE YANKEES MEDIA IS TRYING TO CREATED THE IDEA THAT IF THE METS WON'T GET SANTANA USING REYES WILL BE THE END OF THE WORLD FOR THE METS.
BECAUSE THEY WANT REYES OUT NEW YORK AT SOON AS POSIBLE.
PUT IT THIS WAY; AND PAY ATTENTION
IF REYES WILL BE SUCH A TERRIBLE AND BAD PLAYER; WHAT MAKE YOU THINK THAT THE TWINS WILL TRADE SANTANA FOR HIM?
SO FIRST YOU SAY THAT THIS GUY IS THE WORST PLAYER THE METS COULD EVER SEEN IN THEIR OVER 40 YEARS OF HISTORY BUT THEN YOU SAY THAT THE METS COULD GET SANTANA FOR HIM.
NO EVEN THAT; YOU ALSO SAY THAT REYES WILL BE ONE OF THE PLAYERS THAT YOU WILL TRADE FOR SANTANA.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT?
SANTANA ALREADY KNOWS THAT THE METS WANTS HIM
IF HE WOULD LIKE TO PLAY FOR THE METS; IS VERY EASY.,; HE COULD GO TO THE YANKEES OR RED SOX BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SIGN AN EXTENTION.
IF HE WAITS FOR THE METS ; HE WILL GET THE NEW CONTRACT WITH THE METS.; AT THE END OF THE WHOLE THING; HE WILL PLAY WITH CASTILLO, REYES, BELTRAN, DELGADO, PEDRO MARTINEZ FOR OMAR MINAYA.
IF NOT WHY THE METS WILL HAVE TO TRADE PLAYERS FOR A GUY WHO DOESN'T REALLY CARE WHERE HE GOES
NOT SEAN; THE METS WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SANTANA BUT ONLY IF SANTANA REALLY WOULD LIKE TO PLAY FOR THE METS.,; AND IF SANTANA WANTS TO PLAY FOR THE METS.,; HE KNOWS WHAT TO DO
DON'T SIGN THE EXTENTION AND BECAME FREE AGENT AT THE END OF 2008