Good morning all and welcome to the other side of Fantasyland.
Yesterday the Met blogosphere was somewhat abuzz about a possible Wheeler-for-Stanton trade. This seems to have been generated by that most reliable and never-wrong source of all facts today, Twitter.
Yes, someone who knows someone at a sports agency Tweeted that this trade was under serious consideration.
By whom exactly? Jeffrey Loria’s gardener? A men’s room attendant at Marlins Park? A mental patient somewhere who likes baseball and has access to the Internet?
The idea of trading one of the very top pitching prospects in the game for a slugging outfielder is questionable, and surely fine and solid arguments can be made either way.
But why do people get caught up in things which are, almost certainly, utterly fabricated non-stories generated to garner attention?
Was this reported by a single serious, reputable media organization?
Anyway, this writer does have it on good authority that the Mets are deep in negotiations with the Nationals, who apparently have their eyes on Frank Francisco as a long-term closer and names being thrown around also include Daniel Murphy, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Felix Millan, Ed Charles, and Frank Howard.
In addition–and this could be a very busy week–talks are also underway with the Angels, who seem very eager to deal Mike Trout and his extra girth for Lucas Duda and a moving van to be named later. Apparently this move will hinge on the Mets’ insistence that the Angels also take back Jim Fregosi.
Stay tuned for more from Internet Fantasyland!
52 comments
SaltyGary
2/27/2013-9:47am at 9:47 am (UTC -4)
I feel that you have been too tough on this hole subject. Part of what people like about baseball is discussing hypotheticals and proposing trades. I don’t really feel people felt this rumor had any legs, it was more of if this is true would you be down for it.
Right now it’s better to dream, then to think about reality with this team right now.
kingman 26
2/27/2013-9:54am at 9:54 am (UTC -4)
But I really like hole subjects.
TX
2/27/2013-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
Probably had the Mets OF on the brain.
TX
2/27/2013-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
Or Duda’s spot in the lineup.
Or Frankie’s closer spot.
Or the body that sits in the uniform of the Mets Pitching Coach.
kingman 26
2/27/2013-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
Or Terry Collins’ overall in-game strategy.
Or the argument against Backman as next Met manager.
Or the validity of Wright deserving the deal he got.
Or what will hopefully soon be in the spot where the Sacramento Kings now play!
TX
2/27/2013-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
And as soon as Columbus BJs follow suit, Seattle will be a big boy town again with all 4 major sports!
And don’t get me started on Collins and his in game calls…
kingman 26
2/27/2013-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
I went to some Seattle Thunderbirds games when they played at Key Arena in the 1990s–really a great time…I guess they play in Kent now?
TX
2/27/2013-10:27am at 10:27 am (UTC -4)
Yup. Hop and a skip from Issaquah.
TRS86
2/27/2013-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
Man went to far on that group as I disagree with two of them.
kingman 26
2/27/2013-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Wild guess–the 2nd and the 3rd?
TRS86
2/27/2013-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Man you do know me.
kingman 26
2/27/2013-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
Sure I do and I am very glad I do.
But we are both going to like Wally as manager…
TRS86
2/27/2013-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
For the Phillies? I disagree. I hate the Phillies. Oh, you mean the Vegas team? Sure why not?
kingman 26
2/27/2013-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
He’ll be great as Vegas manager!
Imagine the publicity when he is drunk at a casino at 4 AM and goes off and it is captured by 461 security cameras!
Seriously though, I will almost definitely be out there for a game this summer and will see if I can weasel an interview…that would be a nice feather for the TRDMB cap.
Stick
2/27/2013-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
I have no desire to see backman and his buntastic ways managing the Mets.
Why can’t they just go get a young star in the making former catcher and call it a day? Someone with a chance of actually making smart in game decisions?
Stick
2/27/2013-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
The phils have there plan in place already. If the team does not rebound to 90+ wins and the playoffs (and I fully expect that they will, so go ahead and book it) Chaallee will be sent out to pasture with Sandberg taking over (he is the 3B or bench coach this year).
srt
2/27/2013-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think Wally will be the next manager here in NY.
I’d love to see a Kingman interview with him in Vegas. Wally’s always good for speaking what’s on his mind.
kingman 26
2/27/2013-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
SRT–When I plan my summer trip, I am going to try very hard to arrange that…maybe over drinks in the Wynn pool…
SaltyGary
2/27/2013-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
What’s worse my grammar or your duplicated feature image?
kingman 26
2/27/2013-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
Really want an answer?
And PS–I guess I would care more if ONE person aside from James showed the slightest interest in anything appearing here being edited to appear as though it were written by an adult not taught English by the Metsblog staff.
SaltyGary
2/27/2013-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
There was a time when I cared
kingman 26
2/27/2013-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Well, let’s leave it at that before we get soundly scolded here…I was just making a friendly joke about “hole”–absolutely no offense meant.
TX
2/27/2013-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
I miss the Blue Jay picture… kidding!
Agreed, I do like me some hypothetical trades, if nothing better than to pass the day.
And I still think they should have signed Bourn.
TRS86
2/27/2013-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
Well to be fair to Kingman, I too read a lot of comments actually bashing the Mets for NOT making this move. LOL.
SaltyGary
2/27/2013-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
And I’ll be in Fantasy land in 2 months, I can’t wait.
Prismo
2/27/2013-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
And I was there last week!
Stick
2/27/2013-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
I am there most of the time. Without ever leaving my house.
being WFH during the winter, so cooped up in the house with just the dog to talk to, does tend to push your mind over the edge.
TX
2/27/2013-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
While certainly it’s just internet jabber and lacks truth, it is not outside of the world of possibility that Stanton will be moved at some point (be it this year, however unlikely, or in 2+ years). Combine that with a Siberian wasteland of an OF and an actual surplus of trade chips in the minors… Well, ideal hands and minds, as they say.
I’m sure the combo of nothing better to chat about is the big part of our general malaise regarding lack of debatable things.
And not that one spring training appearance is something to pass judgement on, but we’ll all be wishing for my Valdy/Familia/Mejia package that should have been shipped out for a viable OF player. Just saying…
TRS86
2/27/2013-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
I honestly think there’s no chance in hell that he gets traded in the division and my money is on Seattle if a trade ever occurs.
srt
2/27/2013-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
I’m leaning towards he won’t trade him within the division too.
Stick
2/27/2013-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
like i said yesterday, Loria would trade his mother to the Taliban if he came out ahead on the deal. So yes, he would trade Stanton in the division.
of course, I also think the whole (Knog, with a W) stadium /FA shell game he ran was all geared toward cashing out big time and soon. Would not surprise me at all to see him gone in the near future.
along with the bos in the Bronx, cashing out their inheritence.
srt
2/27/2013-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
‘like i said yesterday, Loria would trade his mother to the Taliban if he came out ahead on the deal’
Hard to argue with this as I do think Loria is just that crazy.
But if he’s putting Stanton out there, and gets some very good offers, I think he’ll pass on the Mets (if we jump in) just b/c they’re in the NL east, all other things being equal.
Stick
2/27/2013-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Tex, you forgot to include Murphy in that trade package. You are slipping my man.
TX
2/27/2013-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
Well, I’m waiting for Flores to put the big boy pants on first. He does that and Murph can get traded too. Get De Aza or Vicendo!
Stick
2/27/2013-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
he should me enough already to feel confident that he can reach the high bar set by Murphy in the field. He may have already surpassed it, knowing how to play MI.
I say send him to Vegas and let him play 2B pretty much FT, andit won’t take long to have him ready.
If someone offered a legit IF right now for the Irish Hammer, you cold make do with the spare parts.
so put that all together, and the trade deadline or next blown MCL for drop-kick (whichever comes first) and it will be Flores time.
srt
2/27/2013-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Loria’s gardner….lol
I have to believe 80% of Met fans knew this rumor had no legs to it. But hey, I guess it’s fun to see fans knock their heads against the wall trying to convince other Met fans why it should/should not be done.
Prismo
2/27/2013-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Right on 4D.
I think most everyone knew this was just a silly rumor and it’d never come to fruition. But I find Spring Training boring, and this stuff is more fun to talk about.
I think more than Wheeler for Stanton, the discussion is a philosophical one about what types of trades the Mets should and shouldn’t be interested in at this point in time.
Stick
2/27/2013-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
this is the dead part of the off season (well, one of them). Especially in a WBC year when ST is extended.
not much to look at other than relatively meaningless ST results, and who gets hurt.
and for the Mets, the only fight for a position that means anything is the OF rotation. Check back in 3 weeks to see how that is going.
the last week of March, that could be interesting, in case Sandy wakes up from his nap to pull off some kind of trade or waiver PU for another OF. Assuming, of course, ST proves that they could use one!
Stick
2/27/2013-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
I did not think people believed it to be “on the table” exactly. I was looking at it as a theoretical (what if/would you do it) debate.
IOW, we could really use Stanton, so what do you think it would take to get him, and would you be willing to pay the price?
darknova306
2/27/2013-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
If the internet went a whole day without flipping it’s sh#t about something stupid, I’d think I was dreaming.
darknova306
2/27/2013-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
This just in: Mets looking to trade Wright, Harvey, Wheeler, and Ike for Bartolo Colon. When called for a comment, Sandy responded with “ju know what I’m sayin?”
srt
2/27/2013-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Damn…Wheeler scratched today with a ‘mild oblique strain’.
He says he’ll make his next start. I’ll count on that when I actually see him on the mound.
Stick
2/27/2013-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
just take him out behind the barn and put him down. It is all over!
J/K. I hope.
I am so excited though. Just discovered this game is on MLB network. Somehow, I think my work productivity for the day (sketchy at best) is taking a serious hit.
just bummed to not see Wheeler, but seeing Gorski will be interesting anyway.
hopefully Flores is at 2B at least.
Stick
2/27/2013-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Oh gross. Turner.
at least Duda and Tejada are back in.
Stick
2/27/2013-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
well, that was an ugly game.
thank goodnees we imported some catchers that can hit for this season. Too bad TDA is not one of them.
srt
2/27/2013-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
Gorski gives up 4 runs…I lost count on how many that Torres kid gave up.
And so glad defense has been a strong showing so far this spring. (rolling my eyes….)
darknova306
2/27/2013-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
Sounds like it’s good I didn’t see this game. It’s also good that ST results don’t predict future results very well. That said, I’d really love to see this defense step their game up for the season. Pitching and defense, baby (I think that’s my personal slogan for 2013, regardless of how bad those aspects of the team are).
Stick
2/27/2013-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
i watched in and out, and had the TV on in the background from the other room, so I did not see a lot of the carnage.
At least the bad parts i did see where from people that are not likely to be on the team. Hicks made the back to back errors in the 9th (2 easy DP balls in a row. parnell still being victimized!). Gorski and Torres got beat up. byrd dropped an easy ball. And that is 4 guys that should not even make the team!
plus side, Cowgill crushed a nice HR, and the 2 catchers did some damage. And that was pretty much it.
darknova306
2/27/2013-4:44pm at 4:44 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, if any of those guys are on the opening day roster, there’s a serious problem.
srt
2/27/2013-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
I have a feeling Bryd makes this team for RF.
TC keeps talking about the veteran presence…..
I thought he was faster than he appears. Was Duda-esq trying to run down balls in right center – not to mention a fly ball he came in on, got in his glove about thigh level and dropped it. Thing is, he should have been a bit faster coming in and caught it easy on the fly.
Stick
2/27/2013-8:18pm at 8:18 pm (UTC -4)
he is old, he is slow, and he sucks.
He should not be anywhere near this team. I would rather see the ABs going to Brown. There is at least a slim chance that he could blossom into something of some value to keep around for a while.
Byrd, will not.
darknova306
2/27/2013-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
Byrd and Duda are both horrific trash. Neither of them has any business whatsoever in the majors.