Mets Hot Stove

Puneet Singh

Now I'm a diehard Yankee fan and bleeeeeeeeeeed Pinstripe Blue and White. But I respect the Mets, and thoroughly enjoy their youth trident of Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and David Wright. But let's be honest: with the way things are going for the Metropolitans, they need to break down this trio and move one of them to address the issues caused by Omar Minaya's terrible offseason pitching signings and the injury to Carlos Delgado. Now I'm just throwing out some plausible scenario's for the Mets that have been talked about before in the past. Some don't involve the "trio" while some will. The most likely to be moved in Reyes, and the least likely is Beltran(his contract is too big and it would be surprising to find a team what would want that contract and offer too many players for him.)

Mets trade Jose Reyes and Bobby Parnell to the Tampa Bay Rays for Carl Crawford, Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza.

This would help the Mets in every way imagineable. Murphy can now play 1st especially given that Delgado is injured, Crawford replaces Reyes at the top of the order, Bartlett replaces him in the field and Garza helps the Mets rotation. Just think about this for a second: Bartlett's defense is on par if not BETTER than Reyes' and Crawford is a more fundamentality sound hitter with outstanding speed and offers great defense in LF. Garza is a blossoming ace, who can compliment Johan at the top of the rotation. Personally I think Reyes has hit a wall. It almost seems like he doesn't care to give it his all anymore and his temper tantrums and pouty attitude scream childish. It may be time for this marriage to head in a different direction.
Likelihood of this trade happening:
Midseason Trading Deadline: 40%
Winter Meetings: 70%

Mets trade John Niese, Fernado Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Eddie Kunz and Luis Castillo(eating his entire salary) to the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez.

The Mets have a higher likehood of of acquiring just Gonzalez alone, but if the Padres decide that its fully time to rebuild, they'd be hardpressed to find a richer package than this. The Red Sox unlikeliness to part with Lars Anderson Clay Bucholz and Justin Masterson would prevent the Sox from landing the duo. Gonzalez is an amazing left handed hitter and above average and underrated fielder. At age 27, he is just now coming into his own and with 2 consecutive good power season under his belt and now on his way to his 3rd, he'd be a great add to the Mets lineup for short term and longterm, seeing that Delgado's contract is only for this year. Peavy to this deal can't be stressed enough. With Peavy and Johan at the front of the Mets rotation, they would UNDOUBTADELY be the best 1-2 duo in all of the majors, topping Haren-Webb in Arizona, Lackey-Santana in Anaheim, Beckett-DiceK in Boston and Ray's trio of Garza-Shields-Kazmir. By getting Niese, F-Mart, Parnell, and Kunz, the Padres would rebuild their pitching staff heavily and add a Carlos Gomez clone in F-Mart.
Likelihood of this trade happening:
Midseason Trading Deadline: 20%
Winter Meetings: 60%

Mets trade John Niese, Luis Castillo, Eddie Kunz and Fernando Martinez to the Indians for Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez.

Cliff Lee isn't as bad as his numbers persist this year. And Victor Martinez seems to have found his stroke from two years ago. Martinez can play both 1B and Catcher so he holds value to him. Mets can use him until Delgado comes back and then move him behind the plate. Lee is good for 15 to 17 wins which would help this rotation out greatly. If the Mets don't get this done within the coming months, the likelihood of it happening becomes less and less likely.
Likelihood of this trade happening:
Midseason Trading Deadline: 30%
Winter Meetings: 10%

Mets trade John Niese and Luis Castillo(salary eaten again) to the Baltimore Orioles for Aubrey Huff.

Huff plays 1B, 3B and LF/RF. He can be moved around anywhere in the field and offers a great bat to the lineup given Delgado's injury. When and IF Delgado comes back, they could move Huff to one of the corner OF spots or give Wright the occasional dayoff if needed. Another case though like the Indians scenario; aimed more at helping in the immediate future rather than longterm.
Likelihood of this trade happening:
Midseason Trading Deadline: 50%
Winter Meetings: 10%

Mets trade David Wright to the Los Angelas Angels for Brandon Wood, Ervin Santana and Kendry Morales.

The Angels have all the tools necessary to make this trade. A glaring need for the Angels and the parts the Mets would want. Morales plays the corner OF spots and 1B. Brandon Wood is a hot prospect for 3B and SS. Ervin Santana, has cemented his spot as one of the elite pitchers in today's game. This is aimed more towards long term case. IE; if the Mets fail to make the playoffs again and come to the realization that moving Wright could help their future.
Likelihood of this trade happening:
Midseason Trading Deadline: 10%
Winter Meetings: 60%

Mets trade Jose Reyes, David Wright and Ryan Church to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells.

This isn't a joke. It's well know that outside of Johan, the best pitcher out this is the "Doc" Roy Halladay. With the Blue Jays beginning to worry about they will lose him after the next year, you have to believe they will start entertaining offers. This is. I repeat. THIS IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. By that I mean, Met's have an epic meltdown like the last two years and in September both Wright and Reyes have terrible months. You would have the think the Blue Jays would give serious thought to this. They would instantly upgrade their left side of the infield with 2 All-Star players. The Blue Jays also have enough young pitching with Marcum, Ray, Richmond, Cecil all still in their ranks. With Halladay and Johan in the front of the rotation, the Mets could have Livan Hernandez, Orlando Hernandez and Wilson Alvarez and still have a strong pitching staff with those two in the front.
Likelihood of this trade happening:
Midseason Trading Deadline: 0%
Winter Meetings: 40%

and remember: IT AIN'T TRICKIN IF YA GOT IT!