Mets Looking Into Lee, Should Make BEST Move

According to Matt Cerrone of Metsblog, here, the Mets and Mariners are talking Cliff Lee.  Cerrone says the Mets and Mariners are talking "quite a lot" about Lee, but the Mariners seem intent on getting Jon Niese back in any deal.  Cerrone also states that people within the Mets organization think they have the prospects to get Lee, but Omar looks like he's not willing to include Niese in that deal.

I agree with Omar.  Obviously, I would want Lee too, but not at the cost of Niese.  If the Mets were to obtain Lee without giving up Niese, they would be looking at a rotation that includes at least 3 lefties, which would be a nice thing to be able to roll out in a series against the Phillies and Braves, who both have some heavy-hitting lefties (Utley, Howard, Ibanez-Philly and Heyward, McCann - Braves).  That would be a nice rotation and would really put the Mets in a position to do some damage down the stretch, especially considering the success that Lee had with the Phillies last season after the trade deadline.  

I am interested in exactly how much the Mets would have to give up to get Lee and then, on top of that, how much they would need to sign him for in the offseason.  Because IF the report that Oswalt would be willing to come to NY is true, then I think moving for Oswalt might be the better deal.  It seems like the prospect return for Oswalt will not be as much as the return for Lee, because of the report that the Astros are looking more for salary relief.  So, to me, if the Mets have the choice of Lee, without an extention or getting Oswalt for another 3 years at $10 million each at a lesser price to your farm system, then I would do what allows you to keep your more valuable asset, prospects.

Either way, Lee or Oswalt would be a great addition to the Mets.  And I don't think the gap between these two pitchers is big enough to warrant paying a heavier price for one over the another.  Both players have pitched in World Series and both have the ability to shut teams down.  The Mets could use another big time pitcher in their rotation, and either player would be an upgrade.  I just hope they make the move that gets them the most, while giving up the least...