A blog dedicated to the New York Mets with some other baseball thrown in.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Round Up The Troops, The Target Has Been Identified

The rumors are out there and really, there has to be some truth behind them.

Execs think the Devil Rays would trade either Carl Crawford or Rocco Baldelli but would insist on young pitching studs in return. Teams love the contract Baldelli negotiated for himself. But he's one player who'd really be wise, if traded, to abandon his deal. This is why you need to hire agents, fellas.

Facts:
  • Rocco Baldelli is signed through 2008. He receives $.75 million in 2007 and $2.25 in 2008 with kickers that can push both figures up to $2.5 and $4.5 million in each respective year. Then he has a team option in 2009, a dual option in 2010, and a team option in 2011. Basically, he can be under control for another five years at bargain prices although he would most likley opt out in 2010 or ask to renegotiate (honestly, I have no idea how a guy that is traded mid-contract but is signed through their arbitration years is treated in terms of being able to opt out). Besides, the guy fired Scott Boras and did the contract himself so he earns some bonus points there.
  • Carl Crawford is signed through 2010 with team options included. He is due to earn $4 million in 2007 and 5.25M in 2008. Then there is a team option for 2009 worth $8.25 million and a team option for 2010 worth $10 million with incentives that could escalate his salary.
  • The Devil Rays have Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford, Johnny Gomes, and Delmon Young ready to play the outfield opening day in 2007. Throw into the mix the extremely talented and highly insane Elijah Dukes. You could call that a log jam.
  • Both Baldelli and Crawford might be gone by the time the Rays are competitive. They are clearly still a few years away while they wait for their young arms to step up and will most likley be out of their price range when their contracts are up. The Devil Rays are looking more for pitching depth than outfield depth anyway.
  • With Joel Guzman and BJ Upton both slated to be ready in 2007 added to big club's roster, this Devil Ray team has plenty of firepower. They want arms, so while it looked like posturing and shit-talking in the past in regards to freeing up their log jam, it really makes sense for them to act on this and move one of them.
Really, I'll take either one. Both will be extremely costly, but Omar needs to look at this. Sure, the Angels could slap together a better package, but they have been reluctant to part with one of their middle infield studs in Wood and Kendrick and are looking to add firepower if they deal Ervin Santana, but it would most likely cost more than just Santana to get either one of those two.

The Mets have some blue chip prospects in their stable to deal. If either one of those guys is brought in, Lastings Milledge is completely expendable. He can be dealt for more chips to give to the Devil Rays and package whatever they get back for Milledge with likes of Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber, whomever the Mets prefer to deal (I'd stick with Humber). My gut tells me that Crawford should be more costly than Baldelli. Crawford has more raw talent, but Baldelli balances out the lineup better being a righty and hits lefties and righties very well. However, Crawford hits lefties very well for a left-handed batter so I'm torn between the two. It's a win/win situation between the two players.

I know the focus for the Mets is starting pitching and they would be giving away some of their pitching depth, but if given the chance, the Mets need to explore getting these guys at all costs. They can still add a stud pitcher via free agency because these two players are so affordable. Either of these guys would really enable the Mets to upgrade their team appreciably and much more than anyone could have imagined. An ace in the form of Zito/Schmidt/Daisuke and a 25 year old tabbed to be a perennial All-Star? Coop predicted something big. She might have been thinking about a trade involving pitching, but Crawford or Baldelli could be that huge trade with the Mets flexing their financial muscle to bring in their ace. If it can be done, it must be done. Bottom line.


* * *

  • Baseball America goes over the National League East's 2006 draft and gives a nice retrospective look at how it turned out.

    Best Pro Debut: RP Joe Smith & SP Tobi Stoner
    Best Athlete: OF Daniel Stegall
    Best Pure Hitter: OF Dustin Martin
    Best Raw Power: C Bradley Hubbert & OF Jeremy Barfield (not signed yet)
    Fastest Runner: OF Will Bashelor
    Best Defensive Player: SS/SB Ritchie Price
    Best Fastball: SP Kevin Mulvey & RP John Holdzkum
    Best Breaking Ball: RP Joe Smith
    Closest to the Majors: SP Kevin Mulvey & RP Joe Smith
    Best Late Round Pick: SP Josh Stinson
    already works at 89-92 mph and touches 94, with a lot of projection remaining in his 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. He also has the best curveball in New York's draft, though it's not as consistent as Smith's slider. He posted a 1.35 ERA in three low Class A starts at age 18.
    The One Who Got Away: Justin Woodall
    Assessment: Rudy Terrassas didn't have a first-round pick in his first draft as Mets scouting director, but his first two choices already have advanced to Double-A. New York focused on pitching, with Stegall the only position player signed out of the first 11 rounds.

    Overall, the draft is bad. Mulvey looks better than expected after mediocre numbers out of a weak school for baseball and Joe Smith looks like Chad Bradford on steroids as he kept righties to a .104 BAA, but lefties hit him at a .306 clip and the rumor was he can get lefties out too. However, if at worst he is another Bradford, they could have done worse because Bradford was huge for the Mets this season.

    There were some nice surprises in terms of pitching a la Jon Neise in 2005 in the last draft, but not having a first rounder really hurt them. In the Mets 18th spot in the draft, the Phillies nabbed Kyle Drabek. If the Mets had a chance to nab a blue chipper of that ilk in addition to what they picked they up, it would have changed the outlook of the draft, but it is what it is. The Mets did get value for that first round pick in Billy Wagner, but it is vital to get that top tier talent in the system. Luckily, the Mets have managed to pull of some nice late round picks in addition to their international signings to help fray the damage of not having a first round pick, but the draft left a lot to be desired.

  • Erik Walker, who was a pitching prospect for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, died in a canoeing accident on Saturday. His body was found yesterday after days of searching.

    Walker and his girlfriend, Charlotte softball player Christy Murray, were on a five-hour trip on the New River when their canoe got stuck on a group of rocks. The pair was able to get out of the boat and free it and were trying to wade downstream when Walker reportedly stepped into a trough and was pulled underwater by the current, forcing him to lose his grip on the canoe. Murray was able to get ashore and run to call for help.

  • Mesa lost to Peoria 7-3. Fernando Martinez was moved up into the two hole and responded by going 0 for 4 with a walk and run scored.

  • Jim Callis speaks to an issue that a lot of people thought about. With the new CBA in place, teams that fail to sign their first round pick will no longer get a supplemental pick, but that same pick the next year. The thought was, if a team with the first pick likes next years crop better, they can pick a top prospect, low-ball him, and get to pick again next year in the 2nd slot to try and get they guy they really want.

    I don't see teams playing chicken with the Millers, spending early-first-rounders on them and trying to sign them for slot money. That's going to result in not signing the player and then waiting an extra year to sign a talent comparable to what they could have drafted. In 2000, the Marlins made Gonzalez the No. 1 choice in large part because he took a below-market bonus, and it's unlikely they would have given Mauer or Prior well above slot money in 2001. Same thing with the Padres taking Matt Bush No. 1 in 2004: If they weren't going to give Stephen Drew $6 million dollars, why should we think they'd give it to Justin Upton a year later?

    With the unpredictability of the draft, injuries, the need to develop talent, etc., that would be a dangerous game for teams to play especially teams that value their picks highly. Also, the teams that are not going to spend big for big talent one year will most likely not be doing it the next year as Jim had said. Might teams do it? Sure, but it would be rare. Furthermore, that worry particularly would be aimed at the earlier part of the round. I do not envision teams pulling any funny business for latter first round picks in the next season. Is the risk there is a team that thinks a once in a lifetime talent will be there next season? Of course. But even if they were the first pick, they will not be the first pick the following season, but the second pick. I do not think there should be much concern about this.

  • What happend to the NL not having a chance? Really, sports is so unpredictable it is comical. How could a team with 83 wins beat the Mets? The same way they are beating the unstoppable AL team. So if the Cardinals beat the Mets and the Tigers beat the Yankees, then by transitive property, if the Cardinals beat the Tigers are the Mets better than the Yankees?

  • John Maine playing for MLB's All-Stars in Japan? I like the kid, but is he the best MLB is offering? Clay Hensley was also added and similarly, he had a nice rookie campaign, but it is hard to believe the MLB is putting their best foot forward pitching-wise.

  • Rumblings on the farm:

    Ken Oberkfell is expected to remain the manager of the Mets' Triple-A team as it move to New Orleans, with Howard Johnson as his hitting coach, unless either gets a major league job elsewhere. HoJo is up for the Rockies' hitting coach post, as is Gary Carter, who has been offered the AA Binghamton managing job. ... Agent Gregg Clifton said Tom Glavine will wait before evaluating whether to return to the Mets or go back to Atlanta.

    The Mets would be silly to let those guys get away. I am pulling for Acta to move on to create an opening for one of those two.

  • Looks like my prediction of Barry Zito will not come to fruition.

    Two big names - Barry Zito and Alfonso Soriano - will be free agents this fall, and a third big name, Manny Ramirez, could available in a trade. But right now, according to a source familiar with the situation, the Mets are not interested in pursuing any of them.

    The Mets' agenda this off-season still can change, as the team will have organizational meetings shortly. But the strong initial indication, according to the source, is that the Mets are not targeting any specific position player unlike last year when they went after closer Billy Wagner.


    I have a friend who says Omar always says the exact opposite of what he intends to do, but it is hard to believe that Zito would be out of their price range.
  • 31 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hey, this is the second shout-out in a week I've had! Although this shout-out didn't include a marriage proposal (I'm not kidding).

    I'm still not - like you said - about this being the "big move." I did believe it would be a big pitching move, but to give up Pelf or Humber or both would be a mistake. That's just my gut right there. Of course I've been wrong before, but you all know that I don't doubt Omar...but I would find it hard to believe that even if that trade happened, Zito would NOT be wearing a Mets uniform on Opening Day. If Carl Crawford is the best he can do, I think I might sit the season out LOL. No serious, that's something to jump on, but I think he'd also take no prisoners in the Zito sweepstakes. He hasn't let us down in that respect.

    Anyhoo...
    In other news, the Cards beating the Tigers...I guess I'm OK with it. At least I won't hear about how the NL is the "weak" league (although, I'm sure to hear from some Yankee blowhard fans about how they only beat the Wild Card team...meanwhile the YANKEES couldn't even freakin beat them). But the sooner the Series is over, the sooner I can get on with my life and the offseason and the wonderful trades that I've been predicting. Check ya later

    11:29 AM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    If the Angels are willing to move Santana (I was always under the impression the dude was untouchable...whatever)...then Omar should jump on it!

    11:51 AM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    cccrrrraaaawwwwffffoooorrrrrdddd.

    that's the sound of me pissing myself.

    11:54 AM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Coop, you are getting hitched?

    They would not give up Pelf or Humber, but the fact is, they have a bunch of young guns ready now or soon to make one expendable and I like Humber more anyway.

    If Carl Crawford is the best he can do, he did pretty good. Hands down, better than anyone on the free agent market in terms of talent. Easily.

    Chris, Humber/Pelf, Bell, & Bannister is not enough for that guy. I think they want two studs. I'd throw Milledge in there, but that does not help the logjam in the outfield.

    If they can pull off Crawford and keep Milledge, then yes, by all means go after Santana. Problem is they want offense not in the form of a rookie, but you never know. The deal you have above is pretty serious with Milledge and Hieilman, who they might veiw as a starter anyway.

    Lots of possibilities!

    Jake, piss away man. It's swellicious.

    12:23 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Well, then, I trust you guys. I thought he was a head case but if he's that good, then we'll be OK I guess.

    No, not getting hitched. Someone proposed to me on their blog LOL. The whole time though, he thought I was a guy till I corrected him

    1:04 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I think moving Heilman might be they way to go, for either Rocco or Crawford.

    Heilman wants to start, Willie says he best suits to be a RP. Heilman was fairly quiet this year about the gig, but you know with the uncertainity of some spots on the staff, he'll want another crack at it. Plus as Mike (or someone else) has said before Heilman's vaule is at an all time hi right now. And you figure you bring back the BP plus a healthy Dirty Sanchez that gives the Mets some free play.

    Figure Heilman and Bannister(?) for Rocco. As much as I love Crawford, yet another lefty in the line up is a bit much. Plug Rocco in left, Hans Moleman in center and platoon Green w/L-Mill (if he doesnt get traded).

    Word.

    - Nokes

    1:06 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I wouldn't mind trading Pelfrey and other young talent to Tampa bay but I'm not totally sure we match up that well in a trade. They have probably 0 interest in young talented outfielders (something we say have 3 of?) and I'm not totally sure it is in our best interest to give up both Pelfrey and Humber as we could use to get a little younger in the rotation. I know I know but we have Maine and Perez! Don' trust Perez yet (as I'm sure you guys don't).

    Perhaps we could spin Milledge to another team which spins the prospects to Tampa (assuming the team itself didn't want Crawford and did want Lastings which seems unlikely but not impossible).

    Fuck the World Series, bring on the Winter Meetings!!!!

    1:12 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Coop, let me get this straight. I guy proposed to you, but thought you were a guy? Just want to make sure everyone is on the same page here.

    Heilman is assuredly expendable. And like I said, if someone views him as a starter, all the better. Him and Kazmir can sit there and rip the Mets and horrible they are.

    Heilman and Bannister to get it done? Maybe another piece too, but it is something to work off of giving them two ML starters and one with considerable upside in my opinion and has proven himself in some role on the big stage.

    Brian B...The Mets can use Milledge in getting a piece to send to the D-Rays. Maybe Brandon McCarthy can be moved for a CFer + something else and can be spun with another prospect to Tampa? The possibilities are endless, but the Mets will not be trade Pelf & Humber. It's one or the other.

    I second that. Fuck the World Series and all those smug bastards like enjoy the smell of their farts.

    1:22 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    OK to clear things up - he only proposed to me after he realized I was a CHICK. Until then, I guess he just thought I was a really cool guy LOL

    2:36 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Well, in my defense, your story was mildy confusing.

    Glad to hear you are hot property though! I'm guessing you turned him down though. Not sure your bo-hunk would approve of you accepting strange men's marriage proposals online.

    2:51 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I'm not totally excited about Delgado trying to exercise a little leverage and get his option picked up. i say pay 3/4 of his contract and ship him to KC just to make him miserable. Cut off the nose to spite the face!

    Of course that would leave a giant gaping hole in our lineup and probably hurt team chemistry....

    Is crawford worth Pelfrey, Heilman, Lastings (assuming he goes to another team for another prospect then that prospect to Tampa Bay). I mean, that is a LOT of talent to give up, but Crawford is pretty good and under contract for quit a while with a pretty nice contract. Rocco is probably the better choice here although clearly in my opinion he is not in the same class as Crawfish.

    Also heard through the grapevine that the Mets are interested in Pettite? Say it aint so. Gimmie that crazy gyroballin jap.

    2:55 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

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    2:58 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Cut off the nose to spite the face!

    That's my mantra man, but in this case, I must disagree. Would it so bad to have Delgado for three more years? He got his elbow all fixed, he should be much better in '07.

    Now way he costs that much. That is silly talk. Pelf and Milledge would have gotten it done, but they do not need Milledge.

    Fuck Pettite man. He is useless.

    That was a serious brawl.

    3:33 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Oh i have no problem with having Delgado here 3 years, i think he is a quality player. He is a serious presence in both the lineup and the club house. I'm just worried that his play will decline a bit in that third year and that 16 million will loom on the payroll and maybe prevent us from getting something we really need (although considering management has allowed the payroll to flex a bit maybe that isn't such a problem).

    I'd rather the mets choose to pick it up themselves then have him threaten to request a trade.

    On a side note, I really am not thrilled at all to see SGreens ugly mug attempting to field baseballs again next season.

    Rotoworld.com says the mets are not interseted in soriano or zito, if glavine leaves and pedro is gone for half a year.... who is pitching for us? If i have to see Lima time ever again I swear to god, I'll maim.

    4:17 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Wow, I didn't realise how cheap Baldelli is.
    Dustin Martin is a hitter, he was real good for brooklyn. I look forward to keeping track of his AB's in 2007.

    I read that about Walker yesterday, I was real sad to read that. When I first read the story about the boat flipping, I actually ahd some hope that he somehow landed on an island or found something and stayed alive. Very sad.

    I don't care abotu the World Series and i hate the Cardinals with a passion but to me the sooner its over the better, so with the Cardinals up 3 game to 1, I hope they end it now, let this be over with.
    Time for the damn off-season.

    And about Delgado, his contract may say he's getting paid $16 million but the Mets are only paying $13 million. Thanks Florida Marlins!

    I could deffinitly see Aaron Heilman and Lastings Milledge get traded this off-season and its gonna be a big fuckin' deal when they do.

    4:41 PM

     
    Blogger I.M. Forme said...

    i can do nothing to poop on this party, other than remind yall about "dealing with the devil rays."
    that is all.

    6:02 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I would not trade Pelfrey or Humber but I bet you could get Baldelli for Heilman and and say Bell and Bannister (and let Tampa throw in a minor leaguer)

    Hey Tony LaRusa, why don't you get a tin cup and some pencils to go with those dark glasses you assclown.

    6:54 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Benny, definitely when Milledge and Heilman go, it's not gonna be for a Manny Ramirez washed up type. It's gonna be part of a package for a HUGE deal.

    10:10 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    David Eckstein is about to get WS MVP.....Jeebus Christ.....what is going on?

    10:42 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I said it ten times, i'll say it again, Crawford is Jose Reyes. Have him bat in the two hole behind Reyes. Imagine having 2 Reyes's at the top of the order! Damn it would be chaos for every pitcher! 120 stolen bases between then and 240 runs scored!!!! Holy CARP!!!!

    If we don't take a run at Zito then we have to pick up Mulder and give him a shot.

    Heilman would be a great long man to replace Oliver should he leave but Heilman is expendable. package him and Pelfrey and give us Crawford!

    11:06 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    P.S. I hate the Cardinals. They are the least deserving WS champs ever.

    11:07 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    the mets won the most games in the majors overall this year

    3:57 AM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Completely forgot about the ChiSox in the mix here. There has been talk of moving Crawford to Chi-town. I doubt they would move both. Either Rocco or Crawford goes, not both. I would assume.

    Rocco is coming off two pretty major injuries. I'd rather give up two players than 3.

    - Nokes

    9:27 AM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Both are not going to be moved. It's one or the other and having McCarthy helps things, but it will take more than just McCarthy. There will be pleny of players out there, but the Mets do have blue chips to deal from. It should be interesting Winter Meetings for sure.

    1:04 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I can't see Omar giving up Milledge and/or Heilman without getting a No1/2 back. Personally, I'd like to relieve the Schmindians of Sabathia. They've got LH starters coming out of their anii, and need a pacy corner outfielder and a bullpen anchor. We might even get a RH power guy or Brad Snyder thrown in. Voila.

    2:03 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    C. C Sabathia's inconsistency problems and injury history, along with weight worry me.

    2:41 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    And his crooked hat is just unnacceptable

    10:56 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Benny, don't you wear your hat all crooked like?

    I second Brian b's sentiments though. He's very young to be so..um..bulky. If Milledge is going anywhere packaged up with Heilman, it's going to be for a mid-20's to late 20's stud that projects to be healthy and at the top of his game. Willie figures into that as does Crawford, but as good as CC is, he comes with some more risk.

    9:18 AM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    haha, hell yeah I wear it semi-crooked, it was a joke.

    But its wierd with C.C. because despite all his constant injuries, he's still one of the most winnigest pitchers under 25. Amazing, he got skills.

    8:42 PM

     
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