Boom or Bust? Trade Mejia for Lee.
Matthew (what happened to just Matt?) Cerrone asks, “Would you trade Mejia in a deal to get Lee?”
According to Dave Cameron at fangraphs.com, Cliff Lee’s trade value is:
If you’re a GM shopping for Cliff Lee this summer, that looks to be the price – $15 to $20 million worth of value, which translates into one high quality prospect and a few fillers.
Mejia does fit that high quality prospect role but could the Mets get Lee for Mejia and a few fillers?
Dave Cameron also moonlights as the British Prime Minister
On U.S.S. Mariner, Dave Cameron also took a stab at where Lee might end up:
So, really, I see two teams that make sense on most levels – the Mets and the Twins.
The Mets have the glaring need, with only three big league starters on their roster and a GM whose job is almost certainly on the line. Omar Minaya has shown a willingness to give up a bushel of prospects for an arm he believes could put him over the top, as he did when he traded Lee (along with Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips) to Cleveland for Bartolo Colon. The Mets have spent a lot of money to try and win, and yet, they are one starting pitcher short of being a legitimate contender. Lee would give them a real chance at grabbing the NL East title and playing well in October. And in Jenrry Mejia, they have the kind of dynamic young pitching prospect who the Mariners would see as a valuable long term piece who could also potentially be part of the 2011 rotation. The Mets could put together a strong offer for Lee built around Mejia. There’s a potential deal to be made there.
Okay, so Mejia and a few fillers might get it done, though Cameron likes a deal with the Twins more. Assuming Mejia and a few fillers can get it done, is there anyone else available that could help the Mets?
How does Broadway Roy sound?
Buster Olney at ESPN.com thinks the Mets will have many options including Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook, Ben Sheets and Fausto Carmona:
But no matter whom they target, it appears that the Mets — one of the few buyers in a buyers’ market — are going to get somebody good.
Also, don’t forget about Cuban defector Yuniesky Maya who is free to sign with a major league club.
Finally, friend of the blog, Joe D of Mets Merized Online makes the argument for trading Jon Niese for Cliff Lee:
Would you trade Jon Niese for Cliff Lee to increase the Mets odds of winning the division, going to the playoffs and having a chance for a third World Series victory for the Mets?
Or do you keep Niese and keep your fingers crossed that Oliver Perez and John Maine return to form and carry the Mets to the post season?
I’m leaning toward going after Lee…
Mr. One Hitter
So what say you? Should the Mets:
Trade for Lee? Who do you give up? If not, then do you trade for Oswalt? Maybe you like some of the other guys Olney mentioned or Maya. Or maybe you want to stand pat and give Ollie and Maine another chance.
96 comments
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
i have been reluctant in the past but if you can get Lee and give up Mejia, Tejada and other prospects from a list that doesnt include Niese, Davis, Havens, Nieuwenhuis, Flores or F-Mart then you have to make that move no questions asked.
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
And if he walks, you get 2 picks. I’m still not sure how I feel about the whole deal.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
not only that but the Mets go out and sign the next best available FA SP so you still have a great rotation
prismo
6/17/2010-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
I would absolutely trade Mejia for Lee (obviously not straight up). Regardless of where Mejia’s true potential may lie, it should be clear to everyone that the Mets think he’s more valuable as a mediocre middle reliever than as a starting pitcher prospect.
However, I would absolutely NOT trade Jon Niese for Lee. Niese is off to a very solid year, and the Mets can keep him cheaply for several years to come. Lee may be great this year, but then could head off to free agency elsewhere, leaving the Mets with two draft picks instead of a solid starter (Niese) for years to come.
A rotation of Santana/Pelfrey/Lee/Niese/Dickey is just absurdly good. Adding to that, in a playoff series 90% of the games would be started by Santana, Pelfrey, or Lee.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
for this franchise, especially after 3 depressing seasons, making the playoffs is so crucial…even if it means signing Lee to a possibly dangerous contract…the short term gains are so great…
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2010-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
Prismo put it better than I ever could. I second his response.
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
I completely agree.
If Mejia is the only top prospect we trade, and we then do not sign Lee to an outrageous deal, and we get two draft picks (Mike Hampton leaving netted a draft pick that became David Wright and Hampton helped us get to the WS), DO IT.
And Oleo’s right too.
Making the playoffs this year, regardless of what happens IN the playoffs, with the talent we have and have on the way, puts this team in just amazing position for 2011, a la the 2007 Phils.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
The thing about Lee is that he’s relatively cheap this season. So no doubt teams other than Twins or Mets will get in the race.
I still think Oswalt is the better choice. Not because he’s a better pitcher (I think Lee is a better pitcher), but prospect cost will be much less as long as the Mets are willing to take on his contract.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
Click on the USS Mariner link, Dave does a good job of explaining how many teams don’t make sense, either because they are non-contenders, need hitters instead or don’t have the prospects that can help the Mariners in 2011.
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2010-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
Without even clicking the link I remember some suggestions that SEA is looking for a serious catching prospect and I think at least subjectively that the Twins have the edge over us in that regard with the kid being blocked by Mauer (Ramos?) seemingly being a more attractive prospect than Thole.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
I guess if the Mets offered up Thole, Mejia and someone, it’s not a bad offer…
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
Heyman had one article that listed potential suitors for Lee/Oswalt.
Basically the point was that there are no one that wants to take Oswalt’s contract, so everyone is looking at Lee.
Which really should work benefit towards the Mets getting Oswalt. But then numerous reports say that the Mets are not that interested in Oswalt.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s Heyman’s link
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_heyman/06/14/oswalt.lee/index.html
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
I would much prefer, of course, that the Mets ate a contract and preserved better prospects. Because it ain’t my money!
The Mets seemed to have some FA budget left they never spent. Well, now is the time to spend it.
and still save the farm.
Get Maya for some depth too. That can be the money they didn’t spend on the draft.
metsfan4decades
6/17/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
This is a tough one for me. Depends on who we have to give up. I’m reluctant to give up Mejia not knowing what we have. Couple that with it’s for a half year rental, unless we can get Lee to sign an extension. And how many years would that extension be? 5 seems to be the consensus. Five years makes me nervous as well.
I guess for me, this would depend on who else we have to give up with Mejia to get Lee.
I absolutely would not trade Niese for Lee. He’s not a prospect anymore, he’s in the starting rotation to stay. And he should stay.
I take a strong objection to this point though:
‘The Mets have spent a lot of money to try and win, and yet, they are one starting pitcher short of being a legitimate contender.’
***********
If we’re one SP short of being a legit contender, then what the hell is Philly? They have less of a SP rotation right now than we do.
If Maya looks solid, he’d only cost us the $$ and no prospects.
metsfan4decades
6/17/2010-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
It probably also all depends on what the priorities are too. Is it winning a WS this year and figure out the rotation next year when Lee walks? Or is it to stay a contender for the next several years?
Philly gave up prospects for 1/2 season of Lee – they only got as far as the WS. They then gave up more for Halladay. They’ve got not much in the way of AAA ready talent now, some big contracts, and some even bigger holes at the major league level. They went for the win now with Lee and just fell short.
If we’re giving up Mejia, here’s hoping we’re not sending 1 or 2 of our other better prospects as well.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
if Lee walks Omar signs the next best SP on the market…
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
BTW, anyone know how to put up a poll? I can’t.
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-1:49pm at 1:49 pm (UTC -4)
1. dig hole
2. put pole in hole
3. fill in hole
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
lol, I tried putting up a chain link fence once. Not as easy as you may think, though, probably easier than getting up a poll here.
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve never done it but I seem to recall something about doing it in the NLEC forums and linking to it here, as opposed to doing it here directly.
stickguy
6/17/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
make sure to add some redimix cement too. It will keep the pole upright longer.
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
MC blog is already running a poll on Mejia for Lee I think…
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
yup, that’s where I got the idea for the post. I just do a better job of putting it all into perspective
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
agreed
Mr North Jersey
6/17/2010-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
Polldaddy account Case.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
tnx Jerz
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
didn’t work. I think we need the polldaddy plugin.
Here’s the pole:
[polldaddy poll="3359796"]
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
what are the chances Mejia becomes a better pitcher then what Lee would give us for the next 3 years????
stickguy
6/17/2010-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
except you only get Lee for 2-3 months, not 3 years.
Have to assume that in ST 2011, he is elsewhere, and you have the same issues filling out the rotation (just without Mejia + to pick from).
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
do you really think Omar is not going to sign a marquee free agent in the offseason…he’s done it every year…
stickguy
6/17/2010-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
he can sign lee in the off season even if he doesn’t trade for him.
better off signing a different one though if lee walks, that way you get the pitcher + at least 1 extra draft pick.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
but getting Lee = guaranteed playoffs
prismo
6/17/2010-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
Definitely not. Nothing is guaranteed playoffs!
stickguy
6/17/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
Well, it is hard to knw what the full spectrum of options really is.
But, I am reluctant to trade Mejia for Lee. But if it happens, and there aren’t any other high end or mear by prospects involved, I will accept it and move on.
But, 100% you do NOT trade neise for lee. just opens up another hole in the rotation, so you are giving up a very, very valuable commodity (young, cheap, good LHSP) for the marginal improvement between the 2. Not a good use of resources.
And, I would rather trade mejia + the others (just assume it is the same package basically) for Haren, since he is under contract for reasonable money for another couple of years.
finally, Oswalt scares me, but if the Mets decide to roll those dice, it better just involve $$ relief, and no prospects that hurt. Tejada + familia + stoner for Oswalt and his salary? Fine.
and, if they do get Lee, treat it purely as a rental. Beat him like a C.C. mule down the stretch, and offer him arbitration. The guy will be 32 in August, and has had some injury issues. Offer him 3 years if you want, but be happy to take the 2 high picks when some other idiotic team gives him a 5/100 contract.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
while i would not trade Niese for Lee, to say the upgrade is marginal is extremely misguided…while his last 2 starts have been fantastic, lets not anoint him a star pitcher yet…
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
the difference between the 2 is not going to be that great. maybe 1 run given up in 7 innings (which is about the diffrence in their ERAs).
not insignificant, but not worth giving up a hugely valuable asset.
Now, if yo are talking about adding a start pitcher to replace OLlie, that is a different story!
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
again you are forgetting that Niese has not proven himself to be consistant yet…we all know he will be a top of the rotation guy…these last 3 starts have shown it…but we cannot assume he has turned the corner for good…
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
way too crucial for the future though to trade him for the rental of another SP. Just can’t happen.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
o absolutely you should not think of trading him…but to say he is a stud pitcher in 2010 is way too premature…
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:21pm at 2:21 pm (UTC -4)
I didn’t say he was a stud.
just using the numbers though, if he maintains ~3.5 ERA, and Lee keeps a 2.25, the difference is about 1 run per 7 inning start.
how many wins is that worth (if they even oth keep up that pace)? Damned if I know! But at least in my mind, not enough to trade the future of neise for 2 months of.
Given a choice, I want them BOTH in the rotation!
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
just be cautious with Niese…im excited about his future but these last 3 starts have been against weak offensive teams…
Lee can dominate any team on any day…cant say that about Niese yet…
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-1:56pm at 1:56 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I’d do Mejia for Lee.
At worse, Lee becomes a free agent (after the Mets celebrate a WS Championship) and you can try to sign him (after all he just won the WS with the Mets and loves the team) or you pick up a guy like Vasquez (who needs to stay in the NL) and hope those draft picks are the Mike Pelfrey kind not the Phillip Humber kind.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
Plus Lee has a bone to pick with Philly.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R57vNVIRmpg/SNQXmlPYUvI/AAAAAAAAAAw/i6X8bmGIOzI/s320/haloween+008.jpg
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
well, that isn’t the worst or even close to it, but no need to lay out those ugly possibilities!
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Or hope the draft pick is the David Wright kind, as Mike Hampton became…..I want Lee just for this year.
He will be pitching for his one giant deal, will be showing off everything he has, and the NL still won’t be used to him.
Get him, use the hell out of him, then get the draft picks and let someone else sign him to an outrageous deal which he is not worth in the long term.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
if you’re gonna treat the guy like that at least give him the courtesy of a reach-around. sorry, I have a potty mouth
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
OY!
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
at least we still agree on something (your last line there!)
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, I promise you will LOVE the 26-foot high bronze bust of Jerry I am having installed on the Float.
Just kidding……
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
then expect me to drive it under a 24′ overpass first chance I get…
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
HAHAHA!!!
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
absolutely not to Vasquez…2 failed trips in NY is enough to pass on…he doesnt have the NY mentality…
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
NY mentality? You really believe that?
I would take him for sure in Queens at the right rpice, regardless of how he did with the yankees.
Which actually was not that bad (his first trip, and even this one after about the first month).
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
Oleo has not been wrong about much in 2010….
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
As Public Enemy once said, There goes the neighborhood…
rustyjr
6/17/2010-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Uh that was body count
GravediggerHebner
6/17/2010-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, P.E. said:
Suckas to the side
I know you hate
My 98
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-5:25pm at 5:25 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe I was thinking “hear the drumma get wicked…”
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
then explain how someone who was so dominant with Atlanta is struggling in NY…its not the AL thing either he was great with the ChiSox
except of course in the postseason where his ERA absolutely balloons…
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
2004 28 NYY AL 14 10 .583 4.91 32 32 0 0 0 0 198.0 195 114 108 33 60 3 150 11 2 12 849 92 1.288 8.9 1.5 2.7 6.8 2.50 AS
2005 29 ARI NL 11 15 .423 4.42 33 33 0 3 1 0 215.2 223 112 106 35 46 4 192 5 0 7 904 101 1.247 9.3 1.5 1.9 8.0 4.17
2006 30 CHW AL 11 12 .478 4.84 33 32 0 1 0 0 202.2 206 116 109 23 56 2 184 15 0 7 872 98 1.293 9.1 1.0 2.5 8.2 3.29
Well, I know that is illegible. Oops.
But, in 2004 (his yankee year) he was 14-10. 4.91 era, and 1.28 whip. 92ERA+.
next 2 years, very, very similar. almost identical numbers in 2006 with the white sox.
Was that an Ariz mentality and a Chicago mentality too?
basically, vazquez has always been wildly inconsistant. Atl was such a huge outlier career year, it is like aliens took over. same for his 2nd year in CHicago. 1st and 3rd mediocre, 2nd damned good.
and 2009? It was like he had Halladay make all his starts for him. expecting that again, with his track record, at age 34 (at least), is taking really low odds.
after his frist 3-4 starts this year, he has pretty much pitched like every other year. OK, not great.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
so then you want a wildly inconsistant pitcher????
no thanks…ill pass…
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
I still suspect that the addition (if there is one) will be more like westbrook/guthrie, and not a big name. ALthough I am still hoping for Haren!
Not that I will be upset to see lee, just might not like the cost.
also, if neise keeps pitching like he belongs for the next month or so (and I don’t expect any of these guys traded before then), I am also not worried about the theoretical playoff rotation.
Neise can be the 2010 version of the 2008 Hamels. A young lefty with very little experience that can carry the team to the WS! The rest of that rotation was pretty underwhelming too (blanton, moyer, myers I think?)
Oh yeah, get Myers if he can be had cheap. Could also fill in as the set up man Oleo so badly wants.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
the phillies also had statistically the best bullpen ever (mostly luck though) as well as a great lineup
johan4cy
6/17/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
I say trade mejia, F-Mart, and holt for Lee if it’s possible. The only one of those guys who I can see making some kind of impact in the Major leagues is mejia, and it’s well worth trading him for Lee. Imagine a playoff rotation of Lee, Johan, and Pelfrey. That would guarantee us a spot in the NLCS!
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:13pm at 2:13 pm (UTC -4)
mejia and f amrt is too much for a rental.
and there are no guarantees in baseball.
certainly no guarantee that Lee doesn’t come over, and get hurt again (those muscle issues can be nasty things)
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
and what if Mejia never becomes a good pitcher?
johan4cy
6/17/2010-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
With one top of the line pitcher, this team has a legitimate chance to win the World Series. I am fully willing to risk trading a future number 3 starter and an injury prone outfielder who hasn’t proven anything for that opportunity.
johan4cy
6/17/2010-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
And I say that number 3 starter is probably an overstatement.
Kingman 26
6/17/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
I think we have to keep either Mejia or FMart. One of those guys is going to be good. I wish I knew which!
A rotation of Johan, Lee, Pelf, and Niese as the big four is intoxicatingly enticing.
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:18pm at 2:18 pm (UTC -4)
one thing that bugs me about Lee, and all this talk of the mets having to gut the farm for him.
he has been traded twice in the last year, and neither package included top prospects really. even at the time they wre not jaw dropping packages, so it isn’t just hindsight since the guys gotten in return (especailly what Seattle gave up) have pretty much all done nothing.
and now, you are trading for 2-3 months of use, not even a full year, so that should downgrade the return.
I would ba all on board trading them Tejada + gee + campbell say. But not Mejia and F Mart.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
its not gut the farm…its just Mejia and Tejada (who is not in our long term plans) and some fillers
we still have Havens, Flores F-Mart, Niese, Davis, Thole, Nieuwenhuis, Harvey (when he signs)
njstuckintx
6/17/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
I think you’re right. But, I would also think Mejia and Tejada (and if you have to add in holt or the animal or someone) would get you Oswalt for sure, maybe with them picking up some of the tab. Maybe able to hold onto Mejia for Oswalt too. Which is more desireable?
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
gutting the farm was in reposnse to the posters that were saying mejia + f mart + + +.
at some point, you are giving up too much.
and not just hping they all make the Mets, but because once you trade them, you can’t trade them for the next piece you need.
Like a stud set-up man.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think one high prospect plus some fillers is “gutting the farm”.
Still, high is a relative word. Mejia isn’t exactly a top 10 prospect. He’s comparable to the top prospects that the Phillies and Mariners gave to get him.
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t remember all the guys seattle gave up, just that one tall dude that had to get sent back to A ball. But I am pretty sure Mejia is rated higher, but maybe not.
stickguy
6/17/2010-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
couple of idle thoughts:
1) maybe Omar goes back to his old tricks, and pulls off a deal for a guy that no one sees coming? Maybe a package deal to fill a couple of holes (SP + 2B, SP + set up guy say).
2) I am also wondering if Mejia being up was because they had him targetted all along as the chip that could land them a SP mid-season? This way, he is still an enticing young arm, but one that has shown flashes of holding his won already in the majors, as opposed to just being another kid in AA that can get out other kids?
I don’t actually expect him to be traded (but I also don’t expect a super big name to be obtained), but IMO he is stil the best option to trade if you want a top talent back, and don’t want to trade a large number for higher end prospects.
3) I still think he should be packaged to get Haren, since he is signed for 2/3 more years at reasonable numbers. Helps right now (playoff push), and also fills a major hole for 2011-2012/13, at an affordable rate.
santana/haren/pelf/neise for the next 2.5 years, if they all stay healthy, could be huge, and certainly should make them contenders every year.
even better, no need to chase after overpriced pitching in the off season. Just get filler #5/6 guys, and concentrate resources elsewhere.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-3:03pm at 3:03 pm (UTC -4)
thing about Haren is it’ll cost our top 3 or 4 prospects because he is so cheap and has a few years left on the contract. We’d definitely be outbid.
stickguy
6/17/2010-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
don’t really know. I don’t think he will be that bad (not 4 top prospects). He isn’t that cheap!
So hard to do this speculation, since we have no idea what guys will really cost. Just like Santana required reyes+, right?
Mejia + tejada + familia + gee? I really have no idea.
And yes, I send that package over.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
I make that trade in a second for Haren or Lee…
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
Before addressing the SP situation, I truly think the Mets need BP help. It should be much tougher to find a legit 8th inning guy or a reliable BP arm, but I think BP should be the priority over SP.
What do you guys think of Farnsworth? I know his stint with the Yanks wasn’t all that great, but looks like he’s doing well this season.
saltygary
6/17/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
ARGHHHH no Farnsworth NOOOOO
metsfan4decades
6/17/2010-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
Uh, Heilman is doing well this season too but I don’t want to see him either.
stickguy
6/17/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
BP arms are fungible. If they can get someone cheap (talent wise), give it a shot.
More likely they use the current bunch, and mix acosta and parnell back in.
Although I would be fine if a deal brought back a legit set-up guy too.
maybe a SP deal, where we take an overpirced but still good pen arm back as a salary dump component?
saltygary
6/17/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t normally be one to part with the prospects but I would bundle Mejia with a FMART cherry on top for Lee. Mejia can go either way and still a little too early to tell and FMART can’t stay on the field. Go for it! Lee plus another strong bullpen guy and the Mets will be strong.
As for Neise, they need to hold on to him. He has been a very serviceable pitcher and is showing there is still a lot of upside.
I would be very happy with Westbrook and want to stay away from Oswalt. Have always been a big fan of Oswalt but he is on a decline, and has made it clear he is not about NYC. He also has a ton of money still owed. AND him and Uncle Cliff had a big fued and if someone has a problem with Cliff then they have a problem with ME.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-3:17pm at 3:17 pm (UTC -4)
Mariners don’t need OFers, so no F-Mart.
stickguy
6/17/2010-3:17pm at 3:17 pm (UTC -4)
I leave the (media driven) personality issues out of it. Just look at the talent level.
I also would love for them to snag Myers. His wife forgave him, so I think it is OK for us to give him a 2nd chance.
Westbrook for a AA scrub (taking on his salary) would be fine by me too. Hopefully the mets don’t beat him up too bad!
Guthrie would work also.
get a solid guy that can pitch respectable games and a lot of innings, letting Taka go help the pen (I honestly don’t think he will survive the summer in the rotation), and it will be a big help.
Oh, Myers could also slide over to the back end of the pen if needed. He was pretty solid in his term as a closer, and seemed to actually like that type of work.
screw it, get them both.
stickguy
6/17/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
oh, and please, spend money like Olney says, and conserve prospects, if possible.
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-3:18pm at 3:18 pm (UTC -4)
So you like Maya and Pedro?
stickguy
6/17/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
oh yeah, sign Maya if he looked legit.
consider that to be the money they didn’t spend on the draft of IFAs last year.
Pedro? No thanks.
stickguy
6/17/2010-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
well, my #1 target would be haren.
same as when Teixera was available, I wanted to grab him (and deal with Delgado later), since he was a help right away + the future. And I care about the future!
next would be Lee, but only if the price comes somewhere into reality.
Oswalt, only if it is salary releif + no more than 1 kinda prospect. Send them Tejada + stoner maybe. His potential to blow up still scares me.
stepping down, the 2nd tier guys (for not a lot of prospects back, jsut take on money Fred).
Myers (I wanted him signed in the off season, especially when he was going cheap)
Guthrie
Carmona
westbrook
Probably in that order.
tkfj2
6/17/2010-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
No.
No Mejia for Lee.
No Niese for Lee.
More pitchers on the wrong side of 30. No thanks, and there shouldnt be any other answer.
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-5:09pm at 5:09 pm (UTC -4)
since when is 32 old for a pitcher?
Lee is a top 10 pitcher in all of baseball and a rotation of Santana, Pelfrey, Lee, Niese and Dickey is the best in baseball hands down and unless the prospect is a cant miss superstar like Strasburg or Lincecum you make the trade without blinking.
and lets say Lee decides to sign elsewhere, we get 2 top 60 picks in next years draft that will replace Mejia (overhyped) and Tejada (who isnt even in our long term plans) plus the financial flexibility to sign the next best alternative…
CaseStreet
6/17/2010-5:50pm at 5:50 pm (UTC -4)
really, you wouldn’t trade for Halladay, Santana, Oswalt or Carpernter?
oleosmirf
6/17/2010-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
or Hudson
DNDJohan aka kistics
6/17/2010-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
I think Reds are going to be in on Lee race too.