After losing out on the absolute insanity that was the Barry Zito albatross contract, and - to a lesser extent - the Jeff Suppan albatross-lite consolation prize, the Mets rotation currently reads Tom Glavine, El Duque, John Maine, Oliver Perez, and a fifth-spot option of youngsters Mike Pelfrey (raw, but still needing an effective breaking pitch) or Philip Humber (raw as well, but left early from the Arizona Fall League with arm trouble). Pedro won't be available until mid-year or later depending on which back page you read. Now, they can still score eight runs a game, but do they really want to gamble on the front three or four listed above holding up all season and into the playoffs (those guys didn't step up for them last year).
With all the myriad of trade rumors that are "almost a done deal" (give me a break Pirates blogs), you never hear the Mets mentioned as possible trading partners with the Braves. And I know, I know, they're inter-division rivals, but if they are clamoring for starting pitching (and if Minaya listens to the radio like Sabean does) then perhaps they would like a guy like Tim Hudson. Hey, it's the same positives that they were saying about Zito - being reunited with former Oakland pitching coach Rick Peterson. Perhaps the Mets brass believes that a reunion like that could heighten the value of Hudson to the point where they would trade some of their top prospects. In the long run, Melkey Cabrera and Lastings Milledge are similarly projectable, and Hayden Penn and either Pelfrey and Humber are also of equal value.
Milledge would satisfy our left field/replacement-for-Andruw-in-center-next-year need, and one of their young pitchers (even Aaron Heilman) would satisfy our desire to get younger in the rotation. Now I know that we usually don't want to make trades with teams within our division (especially the Mets), but if we are itching to get some pieces in return for one of our high-priced guys then this type of trade might get us several lower cost options which we desire.
Pretty much, I'm just throwing it out there thinking that the Mets might be scrambling after losing out on all the top and middle tier free agent pitchers (save for Glavine and El Duque, which were really resigns).
In other Zito related news:
Have a happy New Year's!
0 recs | 8 comments
Zito was the Mets' Fourth Strike.
Not only did they make a run at Zito and Suppan in free agency (they really should be glad that those two signed elsewhere) they also took a stab at both of the star Japanese pitchers posted this offseason... to no avail.There's A LOT of speculation about possible trades that the Mets will pursue now that their other options have been exhausted, but the only team that they've traded offers with so far has been the A's (offering Milledge and Heilman for Harden or maybe Haren) and Oakland is asking for more.
I just don't see how Hudson could net a pair of players that the Mets think are worth Harden/Haren. Moreover, count me as one of the fans that does not like the idea of trading with a divisional rival, especially not the team with the most potential to dominate.
ejruiz - December 30, 2006
Goodbye Z!
I for one am actually a Zito fan and in terms of Zito or Schmidt, I would go Schmidt definately, but it's obvious that his last few years hurt any way of signing for more than 3 or 4 years.I know alot of people want to move Hudson and with his back loaded contract and underachieving performance it's obvious why. Although I think he will come around to his old self this season, maybe not the 2003 Hudson, but atleast 15 wins and a sub 3 era. The only interest I would have in Milledge would be as trade bait. He seems to be a bad clubhouse guy and I think he's really overated, however maybe he just needs more games (hence LaRoche being given more at bats against lefties this year.)
JS says he's not done, but if he had to make due with his team he's satisfied right now for opening day. I think he's bluffing and is really trying hard to make something happen. I think if the deal is right, anyone is up for grabs, minus Frenchy and McCann, but the deal would have to be sweet. The only impact players I see him trying to trade are LaRoche and AJ (lets be honest, there's no way we are going to resign AJ next year). I don't see AJ going to the Mets with their outfield, maybe next year to replace the aging Alou or Green. I think JS will strike to move him now, and I don't think the mets will be able to take action. They would probably hope the braves hang on to them, like many other teams, then jump into a huge bidding war.
All and all, I don't want the mets to gain anymore momentum, especially not from us. If the package is right though, it might not be bad idea. A good saying is "You have to trade talent to get talent", however I feel sometimes JS is so backed against the wall, he pull's the trigger prematurely and gives the talent then gets less in return.
surge - December 30, 2006
Hell No!
I don't want Milledge one bit. All he showed when he came up was horrible defense, a huge hole in his swing, bad power, horrible baserunning, and a horrible attitude as well as not working on those problems in winter ball. He is a bum and I would not take him for free on my team. He is a bust prospect, we see tons of themwas385 - December 31, 2006
Agreed
For those of you that have read JS' book, I get the impression that he would not go after Milledge - as he is not a "Braves" guy, ie. low character.On another note - I hope JS does get something done - gives us fans some hope of change or improvement.
Hizilla - December 31, 2006
Gond
Make something happen, things have been boring.yondaime4 - January 1, 2007
comon people.
Justbecause we are braves fans doesnt mean we need to hate on Milledge. Milledge has the talent to be a superstar. The guy who said he played awful defense. WRONG. Sure he made some mistakes, he was in the bigs for the first time and he was p[laying out of position. You conveniently left out the guys he nailed trying to advance the extra base. He has an amazingly quick bat, and is already being compared by top analysts like ken rosenthal and gammons to guys like sheffield. He has enormous power, for the guy who said no power, not a terrible baserunner by any stretch. I dnt kno why u people feel u need to make up bad things about rival players. If they were true it would be one thing, but their not. Milledge is an absolute stud, and hes only 21, and u guys are talking about him like u actually know what your talking about! I watch tons of mets games, and those guys are good, as much as i hate to say it. Theyre staff aint great, but its deep, and their line up is amazing. Milledge is probably going to turn out to be better then Francouer. I would deal them for eachother right now if i Was JS. I also dont see any reason why the Mets would pursue Andruw, when they already have the best CF in baseball on their team and 3 huge OF prospects waiting. There were talks about them going after Vernon Wells, hogwash, besides, do you really think Andruw would be willing to move to RF for beltran. No. and Beltran is the better CF, as much as i hate to say it. Andruw is getting older and losing a step, he is also not in the physical shape beltran is, doesnt have beltrans speed. They are both superb OFs however. Beltran switch hits and has as much power, with better contct and OBP, more speed, can bunt, can steal bases. The guy who said the Pelfrey and Penn and Milledge and Cabrera are similar, come on now. Pass that blunt this way, your joking right? Pelfrey is 23, 6'7 tops out at 98, and is working on a hard slider that is coming along well acording to scouting reports. Hayden Penn is a number 4 starter at best, Pelfrey cam be an ace one day. I dont get why people say milledge has no power, the ball explodes off his bat harder then any young player in baseball. Its not like he wont fill out more, hes only a kid, he will get bigger and stronger. Within 5 years, I see Milledge hitting275/350/450 29 HR 108 Rbi 23 SB 100 R
I hope im wrong people, but dont talk stupid about other teams players, it only makes braves fans look ignorant.
nrkilla88 - January 2, 2007
Wrong
I also watch a ton of mets games being that I live in CT, he didn't show any power, he had a huge hole in his swing, he played god awful defense with terrible routes to the ball and the only reason that he threw out people is because he was a rookie and the scouting report on his arm hasnt gotten around (Look at Melky, Frenchy, and most other rook OFs with good arms). He has terrible attitude problems and the skills of Milton Bradley who could have been a 30/30 guy but didnt care enough to work hard enough just like Milledge.I am sorry to tell you this, but you are wrongwas385 - January 2, 2007
Milledge may vary
A 21 year old kid with a .384 OBP in 1,100 minor leage AB's is nothing to sneeze at. Power typically develops later for hitters, so the .473 SLG% is actually encouraging.If Billy Beane is sporting Lasting wood, he must have some serious talent. Charles Thomas aside, Oakland has a good track record of judging young hitters.
The attitude concerns are probably valid. But his minor league numbers are superior to Milton Bradley in every way. Bradley's career has been stalled by the injury bug as much as his assholiness.
If the Mets have a shot at Haren or Harden, I doubt Tim Hudson would hold much appeal. Though adding another starting pitcher in decline seems to be the Mets MO these days. You know Pedro, Glavine, Hudson, El Duke and Rick Reuschel would be Omar's dream staff.
If the Braves are trying to pinch quarters, moving Huddy now is not a bad move, if he can net them good young talent. He is paid well below market value, which only increases his trade value in a market where Jason Marquis is making Tim Hudson money. Hudson's peripherals all point to him being a third starter/innings eater than the ace the Braves thought they acquired.
Give me a huge upside a-hole like Milledge over a seriously over hyped nice guy named Melky any day. Talent should always trump attitude.
Herb Urban - January 5, 2007
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