Mets Pick Up W, Series Win, Game on Braves; Phillies Pick Up Oswalt

So, on a day that the Mets were able to pick up a series win by defeating the Cardinals 4-0 (box/wrap) and pick up a game in the standings on the Braves...The Phillies picked up Roy Oswalt, according to Ken Rosenthal on twitter.

Today R.A. Dickey was awesome, going 8 and 1/3 innings giving up only 4 hits and two walks.  One of those hits and walks, however, were issued in the ninth forcing Manuel to bring in K-Rod to close it for his 22nd save.  Usually I kill Jerry for basically anything he does, but this move was completely necessary.  He gave Dickey a chance to get the complete game, but once he got into ANY trouble, he needed to go to K-Rod, because the Mets NEEDED the win more than they needed the complete game shut out.

On the offensive side, the big story was Ike's big three-run homer, which ended up being all the Mets needed.  Also driving in a run for the Mets was Beltran.

This was a HUGE series for the Mets to take, but now they CANNOT allow a let down and they need to take 2 of 3 from the D'backs, IF NOT A SWEEP.  Today is July 29th, and tomorrow now becomes a big day/game for the Mets.  I'm not saying if they win tomorrow they will/should make a move, but there could be a little extra motivation if they do and the Braves lose.  In general, the Mets need to look for ways to make their team better for this season and the future, so while I would want to bring in a starter, I don't want to do it by risking the future.  It's the trade deadline, and being SMART should be the move...also, if they can dump Ollie or Cashstealo that wouldn't hurt...

As for the playoff hunt...

The Braves are a very good team, and obviously, the Phillies just got better.  Plus, the Mets are trailing a bunch of teams in the wild card race including the Giants and that stellar pitching staff.  But if the Mets get hot right NOW and win the next three series...that would go a long way towards them making a run this season, especially considering two of their next three series are against the Braves and Phillies...

Tomorrow the Mets look to build on this series win by starting off a three game set against the D'Backs with Pelfrey on the hill.  He's set to face Ian Kennedy at 7:10 tomorrow night.

Let's Go Mets

Phillies Working on Big Deal?

Jayson Stark on twitter, here, tweeted that "Indications Phillies are working on major deal for starting pitcher & would move Jayson Werth in a companion trade."

This report is supported by Buster Olney on twitter, who then took it a step further and tweeted, " Jayson Stark and I hearing a whole lot about the Phillies working hard on a deal for a frontline pitcher. Don't know for sure, but Oswalt fits in a lot of ways. They could make the dollars work by moving Jayson Werth's contract -- and they'd have Oswalt for 2011."


Wow, wow, and please GOD NO!


I mean isn't it bad enough the Mets are playing like crap right now, and the Braves are having a great season...Now the Phillies need to go out and get ANOTHER frontline pitcher.  The ONLY positive about this potential story is that Werth could end up somewhere else, which is great because I can't stand that guy.  BUT, a series against the Phillies where you would have to face Halladay and Oswalt does not make me feel good as a Mets fan...


If this happens, it sure as hell better kick Omar in the ass and get him to make SOMETHING happen.  BUT, he needs to be smart about it.  Either way, this isn't looking good...

You can read more in an article by Stark on ESPN.com, here. 

Yankees Close To Lee, I'm Close To Pissed

According to Matt Cerrone of Metsblog, here, it looks like the Yankees will be landing Cliff Lee. Cerrone basically cites any and all of the usual suspects in his report (Sherman, Rosenthal, Olney, Price, Davidoff, etc.).  The most recent update lays out the three prospects the Yankees would be giving up, Jesus Montero, David Adams and Zach McCallister.  And I'm pissed...

First off, I hate that the Yankees are getting him.  It's just an embarassment of riches at this point, and honestly, DO THEY EVEN NEED HIM?  The Yankee rotation, should this deal be finalized would be Sabathia, Lee, Hughes, Vazquez, Burnett and Pettite.  That is remarkable.  This would most likely have to involve another move, as I don't think even the Yankees need 6 starters of that caliber.  I mean, this is ridiculous...

As far as the Yankees offer, outside of Montero I know very little about the players involved.  Although Baseball America has Montero as the number 4 rated prospect in baseball, he's having a tough year at the plater hitting only .253 in Triple-A, but does have six homers.  In regards to the other pieces: McCallister has a mid-4 ERA in Triple-A, while David Adams is currently hitting .309 with 3 homers in Double-A.

I guess, at the end of the day the Mariners wanted to fill their need, and get the best player available.  No one the Mets could have offered, short of Niese or Davis, would have had as high an upside as Montero does, and no one would fill Seattle's need for a catcher in the same way.  So, at the end of the day it looks like Seattle will get the catcher they want, but I wonder if they really got enough other pieces for this trade to really have worked out in their favor.

Anyway, I think I am on the Ted Lilly bandwagon now.  Unless the price for Oswalt drops, I would say Lilly would probably be the best option for the Mets not named Oswalt, who can probably be had at a decent price.  Either way, I hope Omar makes his move soon because as good as Dickey and Takahashi have been this year, it's starting to look like some magic is starting to wear off on that front, especially with Takahashi.

Maine, Carmona and Mets Pitching

According to Adam Rubin, here, John Maine did not feel right after his rehab start in Buffalo.  This will cause the Mets to "re-evaluate" their plans with John Maine.  I think this is basically what everyone else had expected, that the Mets would find a way to not have to activate Maine.  The rotation has been good, the bullpen has been pretty good and it's hard to deny that the team has been better since guys like Maine, Perez and Cashstealo have not been around. 

But some think, myself included, that the Mets can find ways to improve their pitching.  And one option, as reported by Buster Olney in this blog post, is Fausto Carmona.  As good as Dickey and Takahashi have been, there are better options out there and Carmona is definitely one of them.  And I would argue after the way Westbrook pitched against the Mets during the week, and considering the prices of both Oswalt and Lee, that Carmona may be the best fit for the Mets. 

Carmona is a guy I have always liked, BUT, I have liked his upside in a similar way to the way I liked Ollie Perez' upside, so take that for what it's worth.  It does seem, however, that Carmona has turned his control issues around and has proven to be a quality starter again this season, which is especially impressive considering how bad the Indians have been this year.  Another interesting bonus to Carmona is that he's under contract, at reasonable prices, for the next few years.

For now, the rotation is fine as it is, BUT if the Mets want to win the division they should make a move.  And whoever they acquire, hopefully will allow either Takahashi or Dickey to move to the bullpen and therefore strengthening both the rotation and the bullpen.

Regardless, this is a good Mets team, much better than last year.  And at some point a move will be made to try to push them over the edge, and when it does, the rest of the NL should watch out...

Olney Discusses Starting Pitching Trade Options For Mets

In an article for ESPN.com, discovered via Metsblog.com, Buster Olney talks about the Mets options as buyers looking for starting pitcher, in this year's buyer's market.

Olney says that the Mets are not thrilled with the idea of trading for Oswalt because of the high price tag, in both talent and money.  Olney also thinks that while the Mets like Lee, they may not match up as well with Seattle as other teams (he mentions the Indians) who have catching prospects, a need position for the Mariners.

Obviously, I would love the Mets acquiring either Lee or Oswalt.  I think that would change the division race a ton...

According to Olney that leaves the Mets bidding for the services of Jake Westbrook, Ben Sheets and Fausto Carmona, although Olney warns that the Mets may be weary of Carmona's past issues.

To me, Sheets should be off the board for two reasons.  One, the A's are in contention and just added Connor Jackson in an effort to compete, so until they fall out of it, I would assume Sheets is staying put.  My other issue with acquiring Sheets is that the Mets SHOULD have just signed him in the off-season.  Now, if they trade for him, not only are they paying the rest of his salary, but they are giving up prospects to do it.  That would be a tough pill for me to swallow considering they could have had Sheets in the off-season if they just paid up.

Carmona and Westbrook, however, are interesting options.  When they were at their best, they were great.  But Westbrook had Tommy John surgery and is still getting back to where he was, while Carmona is recovering from two terrible seasons (but pitching very well this season).

Westbrook is making $11 million this year and will be a free agent after the season.  Carmona, however, will make about $5 million this year, $6 million next year and has affordable club options through 2014.  This makes the decision all the more interesting because of the issue of Carmona's potential value against his club options.  At his best, Carmona is worth more than $6 million, but at his worst, he's another Ollie Perez.

With the way the Mets have been playing this trade deadline could be very interesting.  While I would want the team to go out and get another stud pitcher, I still think they can compete with the way the team is currently constructed (sans Cashstealo and Perez).  So, for me, it's going to come down to asking prices.  If Carmona, Westbrook or Sheets can be had reasonably cheap, then I would go for it.  But, if clubs are asking a lot and it won't be much of a jump for Lee or Oswalt, then I think it's a no-brainer...

Either way, I agree with Olney.  The Mets will be active, and should be able to get someone good, around the trade deadline this year...

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...

Oswalt, Barajas, Murphy: Do the Mets Have Options?

Let's tackle this one at a time...

First, Roy Oswalt has formally requested a trade from the Houston Astros, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.  Once this was reported I think every Met fan had the same reaction...go get him.  The problem with this is that the Mets would have to overcome a bunch of road blocks to get this done.  The first roadblock is Oswalt's full no-trade clause, and his preference to be dealt to the Braves, Cardinals or Rangers, according to mlbtraderumors.  The second roadblock would be getting a package together that the Astros would find acceptable for Oswalt, and that won't be easy.  And the third potential roadblock is Oswalt's contract.  If the Mets have been so hesistant to drop Cashstealo, GMJ, and Perez...what would let anyone believe they would be willing (or even able) to pick up a contract that would include $16 million next season.  From a talent standpoint, and a need standpoint, this is a no-brainer for the Mets.  If Oswalt is willing to come to NY, and the Mets can make the deal without giving up Davis or Mejia, and the team is able to pick up the contract then there is no reason they shouldn't jump on this opportunity.  But that is a whole lot of if's...

In an article by T.J. Sullivan and Chris Cox for MLB.com, the Rangers are looking at Rod Barajas as a possible deadline addition.  The big issue with that is that the Mets would have to be sellers, which I don't think would happen until the possible moment, if it happens at all.  Although, I do like the idea of getting something at the deadline for Barajas, should they fall completely out of it...

And now on the Daniel Murphy front, Metsblog reported here, that he went 2-3 with a homer in his rehab start for St. Lucie.  Murphy was playing first base.  I don't know if this is because the Mets are going to try to use him as trade bait or if it's because they don't want to try him out at second base just yet...but I hope they consider using him at second, or find a place where he can play because I think Murphy has more value than people think.

Interesting stuff...