Could Santana be August trade bait?

Let's assume Johan Santana's rehab goes very well and by August 21 he is ready to move to the Majors. The Mets would easily get him through waivers with the money remaining on his contract enough to scare off claims. Teams looking for a legitimate number 2 could very well be interested in him. How about the Yankees? Would they give up Hughes and Montero for Santana and Thole plus cash, maybe $15 million over the balance of his contract. If not the Yankees, what other teams might be interested? Red Sox, Rangers? It's an interesting case. The Mets would free up some money and get controllable assets back, the other team gets the potential of a legitimate ace to slide into the 2 hole. How about a Subway trade? That would really get the tabloids going.

Mets positional needs

The Mets are set at C, 1B, SS, 3B, LF, and CF. I still have some concerns with Carlos Beltran being able to play up to his past standards as well as playing over 120 games in a season. The other hole is 2B, that could possible be filled with Daniel Murphy. I have to admit that I am rooting for Murph to fill the role. If he becomes an adequate 2B, the Mets would have an entirely home grown infield that could potentially grow together. However, on the other hand, the biggest chip the Mets have that they would be willing to part with is Jose Reyes. Trading Jose would require the Mets to combine the goals of getting rid of a bad contract (such as Beltran) or restocking the farm system. Both are worth exploring because I have this vision of the 2010 season playing out, no long term contract for Reyes and out the door he walks for 2011 with nothing to show but a couple of draft picks. Better to try to trade him now.

Move on From Baywatch - sign DeRosa

How about this for a radical solution, forget Bay. He doesn't seem to want to be a Met and who knows what he will be like at the end of a 4 or 5 year deal. Instead, go sign Mark DeRosa and let him start everyday. He can split LF with Angel Pagan and play 1B against lefthanders. DeRosa is looking for a 3 year deal in the 20 million dollar range, maybe he could be had for 2 years at $10 M with a third year option. He will not provide the pop that Bay would bring but he is a better defender and good in the clubhouse. The Mets then could use the extra money to sign Aroldis Chapman, plus another pitcher and another reliever. The Mets have never had a great OF in any championship year, just select great outfielders. This plan would also save the 2nd round draft pick that Bay is going to cost. Plus it still gives the Mets some financial flexibility for the 2011 free agent class.

How About Juan Pierre?

There was an interesting little nugget of information in MLB Trade Rumors regarding Juan Pierre.

"The Dodgers have their own outfielder with an oversized contract: Juan Pierre. The team might try to trade Pierre for an equally overpriced back-of-the-rotation pitcher."

How would Pierre fit in with the Mets? The team has talked about playing to CitiField, athletic and fast. He fits that mold and would add a dynamic element to the lineup. If given 500 AB, Pierre would bat close to .300 and steal about 50 bases. He would be a good fit batting in the number 2 hole. Reyes, Pierre, Beltran, Wright is a good way to start off.

The trade for him could be either Oliver Perez with the Mets eating the difference of about 5.5 million or how about Castillo and the Dodgers chipping in to resolve the difference in salary. Either way, it is addition by subtraction. The Mets get rid of a headache and fill the LF spot.

If it was Perez that went, then the Mets would be in position to go after Lackey, or two of the 2nd tier pitchers. Maybe Pinero and Wolf could both be added. Something to think about.

Be Bad, Be Very Bad

Barring some kind of 20 game win streak, coupled with about 8 teams totally collapsing, the Mets are done as contenders this year. If that is the case then there is no reason to be mediocre. If they are not going to contend, then be bad, really bad. There is so much more upside to being totally awful rather than middle of the pack. The Mets have had a lousy draft position the last 3 years based on their record. Plus, they have been in the category of teams that have to give up a 1st round round draft pick to sign a Type A free agent. The bottom is so much better than the middle in terms of building for the future. A series of great draft positions, imagine having the 4th or 5th pick every round. Add in the bonus of not giving up a number one for signing a top free agent and the rebound can begin. Lets Go Mets, all the way to a top draft pick!

Enough is Enough

It's time for the fat lady to start singing. The Mets are not only a bad Major League team, they are a bad AAA team. Look who is on the field. Other than Wright, K-Rod and Santana, who else on the team is even league average. Time to make some changes. Here is who I would keep for 2010: Wright, Santana, K-Rod, Pagan, Cora, Santos, Green, Feliciano, Pelf, and Parnell, ok maybe Francoeur. The rest can go. Get rid of them and start over. Start tonight or even tomorrow but start cleaning house. If the Mets don't start making some moves then they will be playing to an empty house.

Holliday Trade in the Works?

According to MLB Trade Rumors the A's have acquired Scott Hairston from the Padres. Why would the A's trade for a solid OF unless they were looking to move Holliday? Has Omar seen enough? Pure speculation, but if Omar was interested what would he be giving up? Don't mortgage the farm, but how about Parnell, Evans and Niese for starters. Who else would you throw in? If the A's have added an OF then that would seem to negate the need for a major league ready OF. I have been in the camp of don't mortgage the future. However, there is a chance of keeping Holliday through arbitration, and if he goes then the Mets get 2 first round draft picks. The Mets were 40-41 at the Allstar break last year and went on a run. If they are getting Beltran and Reyes back within the next two weeks then there is still time to get on another run.

Of course, it could be Atlanta making a play for Holliday. They are right back in it and they have the prospects to throw around. How bad would that be for the Amazin's fan base to see Holliday go to the Braves. Stay tuned.