Francisco Rodriguez out for season, contract could be voided

Francisco Rodriguez is once again in the headlines.

A few days after being arrested for punching his father-in-law in the face, Rodriguez is now suffering the karma of his actions.

He could be placed on the disabled list today and will have season ending surgery on a torn ligament in his right thumb (his pitching hand), which he suffered in the altercation with the 53 year-old Carlos Pena. "K-Rod," will most likely go under the knife sometime this week.

The fight, in which Rodriguez was charged with second-degree harassment and third-degree assault, resulted in jail time for K-Rod, as well as a two-game suspension by the Mets which fined Rodriguez $125,000 and indefinite anger-management counseling. ESPN reports that Rodriguez, 28, "could be in line to forfeit the salary for the remainder of the season if a non-baseball event resulted in the injury, as is alleged."

On Saturday, Rodriguez made his first pitching appearance since the altercation during a 4-0 loss to the arch-rival Philadelphia Phillies. He was booed mercilessly by the Mets fans, who, along with suffering from another disappointing and underachieving season, now had to deal with the embarrassment of their star-closer. After the game, Rodriguez reported to the medical staff that he felt discomfort in his right hand.

According to Ed Coleman of WFAN 660 in New York, the Mets may try to void K-Rod's contract.

This season, Rodriguez posted a 2.20 ERA with 25 saves.

Yeesh, just when it couldn't get any worse for Mets fans.

UPDATE, 6:37 PM: MLBTradeRumors is reporting that the Mets are looking into voiding Rodriguez's contract.

Making the case for Alex Cora

Before the trade deadline, the New York Yankees were reportedly looking for some infield bench help. Throughout the final weeks prior to the deadline they were linked to names such as Ty Wigginton, Jhonny Peralta, Ryan Theriot, and even attempted to re-acquire Jerry Hairston Jr. They desperately searched for an upgrade over "all-defense-no-bat" Ramiro Pena, but the Yankees failed to execute a trade for a bench infielder. However, last week a move was made, and now the Yankees could acquire a proven veteran infielder for the major league minimum salary: Alex Cora.


Last week the New York Mets released infielder Alex Cora, a move that was somewhat surprising, but also unsurprising.

A longtime bench player and middle infielder who broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998 (he started for the Dodgers from 2000-2004), Cora has played second base, shortstop, third base, first base, and left field in his career over 13 seasons spent with the Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Mets. While versatile to say the least, Cora, 34, was in the midst of one of his worst seasons, hitting just .207/.265/.278 through 62 games, without a home run. Always known to be a reliable defense player, he only made two errors this season while playing second base, shortstop and first base. In his career, he has a career fielding percentage of .971, committing just 102 errors in 8044.0 innings over 13 seasons.

While not known to be a power hitter or high-average contact hitter, Cora will occasionally hit some homers, belting a career-high 10 in 2004 while playing second base everyday for the Dodgers. He has a career batting average of .244, attributing to a career-season average of .244/5/39. After 2004, he signed with the Indians and was later traded to the Red Sox, where he defined his role as a middle infield bench player, hitting a career .256 while playing stellar defense. Cora was part of the 2007 Red Sox World Championship team.

Cora has playoff experience, taking part in the '04, '05, '06, '07, and '08 playoff series but has just a career average of .154, which is respectable, since has been playing off of the bench during games and had not been playing everyday. Cora has also experienced pressure: playing in the World Series, Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS, and in the powerful American League East.

Cora's playoff experience, defense, and ability to hit at about .240 (despite having an off-year) could help his case if the Yankees were to sign him, which I would support. As well, having played in the AL East has proved to be a challenge to some players who can't handle the pressure, but Cora has dealt with the pressures and produced in the division, which shows he wouldn't feel pressured when playing close games against the Red Sox and Rays.

Since Cora had been released by the Mets, and not designated for assignment, that means that he is a free agent and that a team could sign him for the major league minimum salary of $400K. There's always some suspicion when a below .500 team releases a player, but Cora, simply put, was not having a good season.

While Pena is younger (24), and also makes some great plays on defense (4 errors this season), he isn't as reliable with the bat as Cora is, which is why I would feel more comfortable with Cora at the plate. While Cora's line isn't much better than Pena's .204/.240/.214, I think that Cora would insure a greater chance to produce at the plate given his history. Pena's inability to hit and lack of playoff experience are his only true cons, as he and Cora are basically the same player (seriously, look: Pena / Cora). While I like Pena a lot because he's a good kid and Yankee farmhand who is getting a shot to play in the majors (which is a rarity), I do, however, like Cora's bat more off of the bench, as well as his versatility and defense. Getting a player like Cora for practically nothing is a pure depth move.

So have at it, should the Yankees sign Alex Cora?

Mets notes: Francoeur, Cordero, Oswalt

- According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets are trying to trade right fielder and now fourth outfielder, Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur, 26, has been the Mets' starting right fielder since coming over in a trade from the Atlanta Braves in 2009 and was the starter this year. However, a starting outfielder his whole career, Francoeur has lost substantial amounts of playing time to sit on the bench in favor of Carlos Beltran, the Mets' highest paid player and star center fielder, who returned from arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday.

Angel Pagan, who was acquired before the 2008 season in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, replaced Beltran in center field until his return and now has taken over everyday duties in right field due to his breakout season and strong play. In 2010, Francoeur is hitting a measly .243/.295/.378 and has an OPS of just .673 (the second lowest of his career) with 8 home runs (he hit 29 in 2006, but hasn't hit 20 since) and 42 RBIs while striking out 56 times in 336 plate appearances compared to the 28 year-old Pagan's line of .311/.367/.480, .847 OPS, with also 8 home runs, 44 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and just 50 strikeouts in 359 plate appearances while also playing better defense with a .991 fielding percentage compared to a .984 %. Francoeur strikes out an average of 117 times per season.

Mets' Manager Jerry Manuel has also shown a greater liking to playing Pagan. Pagan is a better defensive player who is also faster on the base paths as well as in the outfield. He's also a better selective hitter than the free swinging Francoeur. Francoeur is also a good defensive player who has a Roberto Clemente-esque type arm, meaning it's a cannon. "Frenchy" started the season on a tear, but cooled off in May and has slumped since.

According to Puma, "the team is trying to trade the right fielder, and could have a deal in place by the time the Mets finish their series in Los Angeles this weekend.

Francoeur would welcome a trade, according to a person friendly with the right fielder, if it gave him a chance to play every day."

Francoeur makes $5 million this season, with just $2 million remaining for the season. He's a eligible to be tendered a contract through arbitration, but most think that he could be a non-tender candidate if he continues to struggle. Once a promising top prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization (and he's from Georgia, how much better could it get? Can you say Jason Heyward?), a first round draft pick who went 23rd overall, Francoeur showed flashes of potential early in his career from 2005-2007, his best years, but he lost his power to try to improve his plate discipline and has been a below 20 home run hitter with a poor average ever since.

2005, his rookie year, he hit .300 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 70 games, impressing scouts and finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting after being named the Braves best prospect before the season by Baseball America. 2006, his first full season, he hit .260 with a career-high 29 home runs while driving in 103 RBIs, living up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of the minors. It looked like the best of Frenchy was to come. In 2007, Francoeur's average rose to .293, but the home run total went down to 19 and his RBI total was finalized at 105 for the season. For the 2008 season, many thought it would be the season that Francoeur would put average, power and driving in runs all together for a monster season. However, Francoeur struggled in 2008, hitting just .239 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs. 2009 wouldn't get any better for Frenchy, as he struggled early and hit .250 with 5 home runs and 35 RBIs for the Braves before being traded to the Mets for Ryan Church on July 11. New York was where he improved, hitting .311 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs putting his season total at .280, 15 home runs and 76 RBIs. Francoeur has driven in just an average of 63 RBI since 2008 and hasn't driven in 100 or more RBI since 2007, when he drove in a career-best 105.

Jeff is a great clubhouse guy, is very durable (he played 162 games, two full seasons, back to back years in 2006/2007 which were his best seasons), and could still be a great player. He's still just 26 and is still loaded with the potential that he had earlier in his career. I could see him going back to being a 30 HR and 100 RBI guy if he can fix up his swing and his plate discipline. Always one of my favorite Mets (I don't have a lot), I hope he does well elsewhere and gets to start if he is traded. I also hope he proves the Mets wrong. A contending team could definitely use him.

The Bleacher Report suggests that a trade of Francoeur to the New York Yankees makes the most sense in that Francoeur, who could greatly help the Yankees improve their bench, can rotate with center fielder Curtis Granderson and start against lefties, Granderson's weakness, while Granderson starts against right handers, Francoeur's weakness. In essence, if it were to happen, Francoeur would play left field on days lefties would pitch, pushing Brett Gardner to center field on those days. Frenchy, according to the article, would be filling an Eric Hinske-type role for the Yankees. He would come cheaply and would be a great clubhouse guy to go along with Nick Swisher to form great chemistry in the Yankees' clubhouse.

- In other news, the Mets signed right handed relief pitcher and former Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals stellar closer Chad Cordero to a minor league contract. He will head to Triple-AAA Buffalo. Cordero, 28, had labrum surgery two years ago after the start of the 2008 season. The rehab time and uncertainty of his effectiveness led to his release from the Nationals. Cordero, who was one of the top National League closers before the surgery, saved 128 games for the Nats/Expos, including 47 saves in 2005 as a 23 year-old with a 1.82 ERA, his best season. Cordero missed the entire 2009 season rehabbing and was signed by the Seattle Mariners prior to the start of the 2010 season. In nine games with Seattle, Cordero-as most pitchers who have shoulder surgery do-struggled, posting a 6.52 ERA while allowing 10 hits, 7 earned runs, 5 walks, 1 home run, and getting 6 strike outs in 9.2 innings before being optioned back to Triple-AAA on July 15th. Rather an accept another minor league assignment, Cordero opted for free agency and the Mets pounced, hoping Cordero would be the missing piece to improve their bullpen. Omar Minaya, former Expos' GM and now Mets' GM, drafted Cordero 20th overall in 2003 and always liked Cordero. The Mets expect a short-term minor league assignment before Cordero joins the team's bullpen.

- According to multiple sources over the past few days, the Philadelphia Phillies, who sit just a half game back of the Mets in the NL East standings at 48-46, have inquired on Houston Astros' pitching ace Roy Oswalt to try to trade for him to improve their rotation. Oswalt however, recently expressed his preference to play in St. Louis for the Cardinals, who, reportedly, are in talks to acquire the right hander built around a package that includes top pitching prospect Shelby Miller. Talks are currently at an impasse over salary, but officials suggest that a deal could get done. The Phillies are still monitoring the talks and are actively involved in trying to trade for Oswalt. If acquired by the Phillies, Oswalt joins a potentially threatening rotation that includes Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and now J.A. Happ/Vance Worley. The Mets would need to trade for another top flight pitcher if Oswalt were to be acquired by the Phillies (it looks more like he's going to St. Louis) in order to maintain second place. Around The Horn Baseball thinks that Francoeur, along with top pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia, could be headed to Houston soon so that the Mets could acquire Oswalt.

All-Star Game News

On an evening where Cliff Lee is getting rocked by the Orioles in his Rangers debut...

- Nick Swisher was asked by Major League Baseball to participate in the State Farm Home Run Derby for the All-Star Game. After New York Yankees teammate Robinson Cano pulled out due to a minor back injury, Swisher, who made the team on the final vote, was asked to participate. Before agreeing, Swisher first called GM Brian Cashman, Manager Joe Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long to ask them for permission. The Home Run Derby has been long known to mess and tire a hitter's swing, resulting in a poor performance in the second half of the season. However, the higher powers gave Swish the green light to participate. From ESPN:

"I'm already nervous," Swisher said.

The Yankees are a tad anxious as well. Long said that Swisher guaranteed him he will not change his swing.

"He promised he won't add on," Long said.

Does Long believe him?

"Do you believe half the stuff he comes up with?" Long said, laughing.

"It seems like everything he has touched has turned to gold," Long said. "So maybe he'll win the thing."

Swisher is certainly hoping, as he thinks the spotlight may shine even brighter for the Derby than the actual game.

"It is like the slam dunk contest," Swisher said.

Girardi wants him to be careful, but gave him the green light.

"I said, 'Go ahead, have fun with it,'" Girardi said.

Swisher, of the New York Yankees, will join Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox and Vernon Wells of the Toronto Blue Jays as the American League participants while Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals, Corey Hart of the Milwaukee Brewers, Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins and the recently added Chris Young of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Derby. Should make for an exciting night! I'll be pulling for Swish!

- Due to a concussion suffered in a collision with the Toronto Blue Jays' John McDonald on Wednesday, Minnesota Twins' first baseman, and voted in starting first baseman, will not participate in the All-Star Game due to the advice of a doctor. Morneau, a four-time All-Star was hitting .345 with 18 home runs, and 56 RBIs this season. He will be replaced on the roster by Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who will start for Morneau. Konerko, also a four-time All-Star is hitting .298, with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs this season. Konerko finished in third place behind Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox and Nick Swisher of the Yankees in the Final Vote. "If I can't play for my team, I'm not going to be playing for the American League," said Morneau.

- During today's New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves game, Mets' shortstop Jose Reyes was pulled from the game in the seventh inning after wincing in reaction to throwing the ball from the outfield to first base. Reyes, who has been dealing with the lingering effects of a strained right oblique injury, has withdrawn himself from the National League All-Star Team. Nonetheless, Reyes is still committed to traveling to the All-Star Game to appear as a Mets' representative.

"It's been bothering me [in] everything that I do," he said of the injury. "I'll just try to back off a little bit and try to rest a little bit and see what happens in the next few days."

He will be replaced on the roster by Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Rafael Furcal. Many analysts felt as though Furcal was snubbed from the All-Star team, due to his .333, 6 home runs, 35 RBIs line compared to Reyes' .275, 6 home runs, 33 RBIs line. Furcal will be taking over Reyes' role as a reserve.

- Atlanta Braves' rookie outfield phenom Jason Heyward will not participate in the All-Star Game and will not start for the National League All-Star Team. Heyward, who has been nursing a deep bone bruise in his left thumb for the past two months, was voted in to start for the National League. His replacement has not yet been announced.

The Latest on Cliff Lee, Updates

With only a few weeks to go until the July 31st trading deadline, trade talk is poised to heat up. Cliff Lee, the most prized and sought after trade target, is on the block and has been coveted by every team. The rumors about a Lee trade are starting to heat up. We'll be monitoring how it goes today and we'll provide all rumors heard.

• Yesterday, the Twins offered the Mariners a package of prized catching prospect Wilson Ramos and 2008 first-rounder, outfielder Aaron Hicks. Ramos, who debuted this year and was hitting .296 in the majors, is hitting .208 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI at Triple-AAA Rochester through 52 games. Hicks is hitting .260 with 5 home runs, 34 RBI, and 11 stolen bases at Single-A Beloit. Both Hicks and Ramos were ranked one and two respectively, on Baseball America's Twins' Top 10 Prospects List. Various reports have said that both sides are still far from a deal. It's very unorthodox for the Twins to trade their top prospects, especially since their team is made up of homegrown players. The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Rangers and Reds are among other teams interested in acquiring the ace left-hander.

• Via MLBTradeRumors and Twitter, Peter Gammons is reporting that rumors of a B.J. Upton - Cliff Lee deal are going around and that a third team could be involved with the Tampa Bay Rays and Mariners.

• More from MLBTradeRumors: Olney hears that the Mariners "really like" Brewers prospect Brett Lawrie (Twitter link). The 20-year-old second baseman recently made Baseball America's mid-season All-Star team. Lawrie "still strikes out too often and is a work in progress at second base," but is among the offensive leaders at AA. The Mariners have 2009 first rounder Dustin Ackley, also a second baseman, hitting well in AA, though Ackley's presence doesn't mean they can't pursue Lawrie.

• Morosi hears that talks between the Mets and Mariners have not progressed much (Twitter)
  

• B.J. Upton, now involved in the Lee rumors, tells Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that he doesn't want the Rays to trade him (Twitter link). Joe Maddon also talks to Topkin about the Upton rumors, saying there's "nothing from our end regarding that being true."

• The Yankees believe they could trade for Lee if they wanted to, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter).

• The Yankees are “kicking the tires” on Lee, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The source estimates that the Yanks have less than a 50% chance of obtaining Lee and suggests the Yankees could flip Javier Vazquez to another team if they do acquire Lee.

• The Rays are on the periphery of the Lee sweepstakes, according to Rosenthal’s sources, who confirm that B.J. Upton-Cliff Lee trade talk surfaced amoung scouts last night.

• The Tigers like Lee, but aren't optimistic about acquiring him, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

Yankees Trade Target 2010: Ty Wigginton

Ty Wigginton, INF/OF Baltimore Orioles
2010 season: 74 G, .254/.338/.458, 14 HR, 42 RBI

When any baseball fan hears the name Ty Wigginton, they think one word: versatility. A 17th round draft pick in the 1998 draft by the New York Mets out of UNC Asheville, "Wiggy" has had a very solid major league career. Wiggy made his major league debut in 2002 for the Mets at age 25, posting a line of .302/.354/.526 with 6 HR, and 18 RBI in 116 AB, making his future look bright. Wiggy started at third base for the Mets for the 2003 season, and while he struggled early, finished with a .255 average with 11 HR and 71 RBI in 156 games. However, he struck out 124 times, a career high for Wiggy. The following season, Wiggy started 2004 on a tear. Wigginton hit .285/.334/.487 to go with 12 HR and 23 doubles with 42 RBI through his first 312 at-bats. His hot streak made his stock higher, and the Mets traded Wigginton on June 30, 2004 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a six-player trade for RHP Kris Benson. The trade of Wigginton opened the door for current Mets' third baseman and All-Star, David Wright. For the rest of 2004, Wiggy would cool down, finishing at .266 with just 17 HR, after hitting 12 in his first 312 AB, with 66 RBI. Wigginton was again the starting third baseman for the Pirates in 2005, but, after early struggles, was demoted to the Minor League Triple-AAA team. Wiggy was recalled on August 22, 2005. Despite going on a tear, hitting .365 the final few weeks of the season, the Pirates released Wiggy at the end of the season.

On January 10, 2006 Wiggy signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. 2006 would prove to be the San Diego native's best season, as he batted .275 with 24 HR, a career high, and 79 RBI, also a career high, in 122 games. It would also be the first year that fans would get to see the versatility that is Ty Wigginton. In 2006, Wiggy spent time at first base, second base, third base, and the outfield. His breakout 2006 prompted Tampa to sign him for the 2007 season. Wiggy, 30 at the time, started for the Devil Rays in 98 games, hitting .275 with 16 HR and 49 RBI before being traded to the Houston Astros for RHP Dan Wheeler on July 28, 2007. For the Astros, Wiggy hit .284 with 6 HR and 18 RBI in 50 games as the starting third baseman after Houston designated Morgan Ensberg for assignment. Wiggy finished 2007 at .278 with 22 HR and 67 RBI. Houston would sign Wiggy to another contract at the end of the season, as he would again be the Astros' starting third baseman. However, in August, after LF Carlos Lee broke a finger, Wiggy made a majority of his starts for the season in left field. Wiggy made Astros feel as though Lee was still on the team, posting a .379 BA after Lee's injury. He finished the season hitting .285, a career high, with 23 HR and 58 RBI while playing in 111 games in the infield and outfield. Despite his strong 2008, the Astros did not tender Wiggy a contract, making him a free agent. This upset many Astros' fans.

On February 10, 2009 Wiggy signed two-year for $7 million. In 2009, Wiggy had major drop-offs in home runs and runs batted in, despite playing in 11 more games. He finished 2009 at .273 with 11 HR and 41 RBI. 2010 however, has been a different story. Named a bench player for 2010, Wiggy came into spring training with low expectations since not being named a starter. However, Roberts missed much of spring training with a herniated disk in his back. Regardless, Roberts started the season as Baltimore's starting 2B, before being put on the 15-day DL with a abdominal strain stealing second base. After being placed on the DL, Wiggy became the starting 2B for the O's. Suffice to say, Wiggy has surpassed expectations. Through the first 60 games of this season, Wiggy hit .272 with 13 HR. He currently has 14 HR in his first 264 AB, his third highest career home run rate per at bat ratio in his career, hitting a home run every 18.8 at bats this season, since hitting a home run every 16.7 at bats in 2008 with Houston. Currently, Wiggy's hitting .254/.338/.458, 14 HR, 42 RBI through 74 games at second base, short stop, third base, and the outfield. Wiggy's strong season, as well as his versatility, along with Baltimore's league worst record at 24-55 and doomed last-place finish, has prompted the Orioles to make him available in trade.

Yesterday, via MLBTradeRumors, we heard that the Yankees are interested in acquiring Wiggy. Today we heard that the Yankees want to solidify their bench. A trade for Wigginton would be the best way to improve the bench. The current Yankees' bench consists of all home-grown inexperienced players in Francisco Cervelli, Ramiro Pena, Chad Huffman, and Colin Curtis. The Yankees are still waiting for Marcus Thames to return from injury. Not a very threatening or powerful bench for Joe Girardi to use. If Wigginton, 32, were acquired, he could play all the positions to give the starters days off, and wouldn't be a typical 0-3 bench player. He's had a strong 2010 season, so he'd be treated like a starting player. Doug Rush over at The Bleacher Report, says that "The Yankees need a guy who can play multiple positions and be able to give guys like Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez days off when needed. Wigginton can play all of the infield positions, the DH, and even the outfield if needed."

However, the one issue with acquiring Wigginton is Baltimore's demand: one young shortstop. From The Beacher Report: "Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports called the demand by Baltimore a self-defeating one because any team like the Yankees would be unlikely to deal away a young shortstop to rent Wigginton for a few months." Wiggy is making $3.5 million this season, and is a free agent to-be at the end of the season. No team would want to give up a young shortstop for a guy who will be a bench player on a contending team. Baltimore would most likely ask for top shortstop prospect Eduardo Nunez, 23, who is enjoying a break-out season at Triple-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .312 with 3 HR and 39 RBI in 81 games. If not Nunez, than Baltimore would most likely ask for Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo or minor league SS Reegie Corona. Corona, who was left unprotected in the 2008 Rule-5 Draft and was chosen and returned to the Yankees by the Seattle Mariners, is hitting .231 with 5 HR and 20 RBI, along with 11 stolen bases in 81 games. He's currently on the 40-man roster, meaning if traded, the Yankees would have a spot for Wigginton on the 40-man without releasing any other player. I don't think that the Yankees would be willing to part with a prospect of Nunez's caliber for a rental of Wigginton. While Wiggy isn't a great defensive player, "Wigginton makes up for it as a much better and stronger hitter who can produce runs" says the Bleacher Report. If I'm Brian Cashman, I'm only giving up minimal prospects for Wiggy. A realistic trade could be one that consists of Corona and maybe Double-AA shortstop Luis Nunez. If that's what I can get away with giving up, then I'm making the trade for Wiggy.

The Yankees could use Wiggy anywhere on the field. One idea I had was to make Wiggy the alternating third baseman with Alex Rodriguez. This would push A-Rod to the DH role on some days in order to rest his ailing hip, and would allow Wiggy, and his crazy 2010 season, to start and help the team's dreadful offense of late. Therefore, New York would have both A-Rod's and Wiggy's bats in the lineup. On the other hand, the Yankees could use Wiggy on the bench, which is what has been seen as their mindset. I think having Wiggy start would be a much better idea due to his strong season so far. I think he's deserved the right to start and alternating DH and 3B with A-Rod would be a great way. As well, the Yankees bench would drastically increase by having Wiggy. By September, the Yankees bench would consist of Wigginton, Nick Johnson, Thames, Cervelli, and possibly Colin Curtis if the Yankees decide to use Wiggy as a starter. Having Wiggy in the lineup would really increase and hopefully wake up the Yankees' offense. I'm not saying Wiggy is Albert Pujols, but all I'm saying is that he's having a great season and it would help the offense.

If I'm the Yankees, and it seems as though they already have, I'd be on the phone right now with the Orioles trying to work out a trade for Wiggy. Wiggy would be a great addition to an already strong Yankees team, and would help the bench become stronger and the offense become slightly better. It seems as though a deal could be reached soon.

Brian Cashman, Yankees GM: "The bench is the area of priority as of right now," Cashman said. "That doesn't mean we're not open to anything else. But if you ask me what's the priority? What's the area of weakness? It's the bench."

More on the Cliff Lee front

The Cliff Lee Sweepstakes are beginning to take form.

During last night's Yankees-Mariners game in which Lee pitched, scouts from the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, and Phillies were in attendance, but not scouts from the Twins or Dodgers reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

He pitched a complete game against the Yankees, going 9 IP while giving up 4 runs, 2 being home runs by Yankees' right fielder Nick Swisher. Scouts are wondering if he's being overused by Seattle, seeing as his velocity dropped from 94-95 mph in his previous start, to topping out at just 92 mph last night. However, the lack of scouts hardly means that their a lack of interest in the ace left-hander.

It's been reported that Seattle would require a blue-chip prospect from what ever team they trade with. That means either C Jesus Montero from the Yankees or SS Wilmer Flores from the Mets. I wrote yesterday that Seattle wants a catcher in whatever deal they make, so for the Mets, building a deal around Flores and Josh Thole would surely net them Lee. It's known that the Mets need Lee, while the Yankees are are just interested.

The Mariners have been said to like Yankees' 2B top prospect David Adams, who is in Double-AA Trenton. Adams is currently blocked at the major league level by some guy who's leading the league in batting, I think his name is like Cano or something? Adams' future is best in another organization. Initially the Yankees would have to package Adams with a catcher, such as Montero or Austin Romine. Many would prefer the latter, as Montero is ranked as one of the top prospects in baseball, but Romine is not far off. If it's me, it's gonna hurt either way, but I'm giving up Romine. He just can't hit as well as Jesus.

So it seems as though the most likely destinations for Lee are Queens and the Bronx, we'll just have to see. I'll keep you updated.

I know you're all so unhappy that these Cliff Lee rumors are keeping me from writing my Ty Wigginton post (sarcasm).

In other news, NBA free agency kicks off tonight at midnight. Most of the buzz surrounds the big three: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. They met in Miami the other day to discuss their futures together, so we'll just have to see how that all plays out.

Mike Axisa over at RiverAveBlues has a column up about why the Yankees should go after Cliff Lee. It's a good read so have at it.

Mariners have set parameter to Lee trade with Mets

Geoff Baker, who covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times, has heard a new rumor involving the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. I dissected the sweet spots of the article:

- "And today, as Lee gets set to face the Yankees in the Big Apple, the buzz about a possible deal with the crosstown Mets is growing louder and louder."

- "There had been talk that a shoulder injury to Mejia two days ago may thwart New York's bid to land Lee. Mejia is expected to start throwing again within a couple of weeks and as colleague Larry Stone wrote this morning, Mets GM Omar Minaya is reminding folks that his team has other prospects to deal. And there's growing pressure on him to make that deal. The Philadelphia Phillies are not the offensive juggernaut they were expected to be and a Lee acquisition could give the Mets just enough to hold them off and win the NL East. And possibly advance to a World Series."

- "Yes, the Cards offering up the 19th overall pick in last year's draft, pitcher Shelby Miller, is intriguing if true. But he's still a few years away and, if anything, the M's could be better off leveraging those rumors in order to squeeze a better package out of other suitors. As good as Miller could be, he might never be as good as Mejia is right now at a level much closer to the big leagues. And if Mejia is off the table because of the injury, or the M's want a position player instead? Then, you make the deal about catcher Josh Thole, 23, (Photo Credit: AP) a prospect who already posted a .356 OBP in his first 56 plate appearances in the big leagues last season. Throw Thole and Pagan together and you've likely upgraded your catching -- at least offensively --and left field spot for this year and beyond."

- "Word out of New York is that the Mariners have set a Thole-Pagan-pitching prospect trio as the parameters to any Lee deal. It doesn't surprise me the M's would be looking at Pagan as the deal's secondary piece, since he's a better major leaguer right now than any left fielder the Mariners could put out there. At worst, if Michael Saunders were to develop, Pagan would make an excellent fourth outfielder on a championship caliber club. Not a last-place club, a championship caliber club. And there's a huge difference."

- "Asking for top players means you have to maximize what other teams are going to get. That means a full half-season of Lee. If the M's truly want something along the Thole-Pagan-prospect lines -- a fantastic haul, in my opinion -- then they can't dither for another few weeks and wait for the deadline to approach. You likely won't get a much better package than that, even from the Twins.

While Wilson Ramos might be a slightly better catcher than Thole, you're talking about a position where the M's still have a good prospect in Adam Moore and it's only one position out of nine being addressed in the trade return, along with a fourth starter type like Kevin Slowey being acquired as well. This team already has a bunch of fourth and fifth starters. Deal with the Mets, and you're filling two holes at once. Pagan is a good left fielder who can field, get on-base and put up an .800 OPS, which would instantly make him one of the better all-around guys on this Seattle team.

Even if Thole is slightly worse as a catcher than Ramos, as long as he gives you a chance at upgrading what the team already has, you still come out ahead in that deal because you've filled two lineup spots. And filled them effectively, not just with junk."

Also, I got this from Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest:

- "We all know the Mets interest in Cliff Lee, but to date all we have heard is what they don’t want to give up in a deal.

Yesterday, NYBD talked to a league source that indicated parameters of a deal would include Josh Thole, Angel Pagan, and a prospect for Cliff Lee. At this point I don’t have an idea what kind of prospect they would be looking for, but I would have to assume it would be pitching."

- "It should be obvious why Lee isn’t in Queens yet since Pagan is one of the players, along with Ike Davis, Jenrry Mejia and Jonathon Niese, the Mets are rumored to not want to part with.Again, I don’t believe the Mets should have to overpay for what essentially will be a rental. Thole and a pitching prospect (i.e. Jeurys Familia) should be more than enough."

Wow.

It seems as though Seattle definitely wants OF Angel Pagan and C Josh Thole, but they also want an additional pitching prospect. I agree with Silva that the Mets should offer Pagan, Thole and Familia. That would be a steal if the Mets would be willing to part with those players. Can you imagine a 1-2-3 of Santana-Lee-Pelfrey? Oh my goodness, there's your NL East Champs and NL Champs right there.

It seems Cliff Lee may be making his final start for the Mariners tonight, and what better way to close it out and up your stock than by beating the New York Yankees?

It seems as though the "Cliff Lee to the Mets" rumors keep heating up. We'll be updating all day, making sure to bring you everything that's heard and whispered. Keep it here, because it seems like a deal could be done tonight.

Reports suggest Mets may be frontrunner for Cliff Lee

We've heard the Mets interested in Cliff Lee, but never before like this.

On Sunday, Jenrry Mejia suffered a posterier cuff strain during his second start in Double-AA. Now, analysts are saying that it could be possible for the Mets to acquire Lee without sacrificing Mejia. From MLBTradeRumors:

"Will Jenrry Mejia's posterior cuff strain prevent the Mets from trading for Mariners ace Cliff Lee? GM Omar Minaya obviously could not talk specifically about Lee when asked by Kevin Kernan of the New York Post "if the Mejia setback is a setback to trade possibilities." But Minaya kept a brave face and replied, "I don’t think so because I think we have other very good possibilities." At least one of Minaya's current players does think the team lost its chance to acquire Lee with Mejia's injury, according to Kernan."

The post goes on to say that the Mariners would have interest in Ike Davis, the Mets' star rookie sensation, but that the Mets would bluff at trading him. Instead, the consensus is that Seattle wants young hitters, and their best bet is to go by the Double-AA route. Tim Dierkes' believes that the Mets could not acquire Lee with Fernando Martinez as the center piece, seeing as how his stock has considerably falling, just hitting a robust .248/.299/.397 at Triple-AAA Buffalo.

Mark Hale of the New York Post suggests that the Mets could afford to trade for Lee if they would sacrifice a package of prospects including: INF Ruben Tejada, OF Fernando Martinez, SS Wilmer Flores, RHP Jeurys Familia, INF Reese Havens and C Josh Thole. In my opinion, that is too much to give talent to give for Cliff Lee. Maybe I'd package Tejada, Thole, and Familia with some lower level guys, but that's all the top talent I'm giving. Giving all that talent would wipe out the Mets' farm. It's reported that in any trade for Lee, Seattle wants a catcher, which explains why they have looked so thoroughly at the Yankees' minor league system and scouted Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, J.R. Murphy, Gary Sanchez, and Kyle Higashioka.

However, contrary to MLBTradeRumors last report, the Mets may be interested in trading Mejia to Seattle if Lee gives the Mets a negotiating window to sign to an extension. It's unlikely and it's been said that the Mets would not give up Mejia, Jonathon Niese, and Davis for Lee.

To me, I think that Davis is untouchable, he's the first baseman of the future. Niese is going to be a #3 starter for the Mets for years to come behind Santana and Pelfrey. I'd be comfortable giving up Mejia. Why? Well for starters, you don't have to worry about him hurting you if he becomes good. He'll be in a different league and division, the American League West. Also, he's just a prospect and that's that. Davis and Niese have proved that they can handle the majors, while Mejia, who did come up, was only used as a reliever. If I'm the Mets, I would give up Mejia, but I'd like to find an alternate route to acquiring Lee, even if it means giving up 2 or 3 of my Double-AA prospects.

Mets Trade Target 2010: Kevin Millwood

Kevin Millwood, RHP Baltimore Orioles
2010 season: 2-8, 5.22, 101.2 IP, 1.51 WHIP

An 11th round draft pick in 1993 by the Atlanta Braves, Kevin Millwood has been a pleasant surprise throughout his career. After his rookie season with Atlanta in 1997, a 23-year old Millwood won 17 games in his first full season in 1998, finishing 17-8 with a 4.08 ERA. However, the best of Millwood was yet to come. In 1999, arguably his best season, he finished 18-7 with a 2.68 ERA and made the National League All-Star Team for the first and only time in this career. His next two seasons were disappointing, as Millwood failed to have an above .500 record. He found his groove again in 2002 however, going 18-8 with a 3.24 ERA. The 2002 season would be Millwood's last with Atlanta, as he was traded prior to 2003 to the Philadelphia Phillies. During his first year in Philadelphia, the North Carolina native went 14-12 with a 4.02 ERA, while also pitching a no-hitter on April 27, 2003 against the San Francisco Giants. He was granted free agency following the 2004 season, and signed a 1-year contract with the Cleveland Indians. He finished with a 9-11 record in Cleveland due to poor run support, but also had a 2.86 ERA, which ultimately boosted his value and helped him cash in. Following 2005, Millwood was a free agent again, and on December 26, 2005 signed a five-year $60 million contract with the Texas Rangers. His years in Texas have led some to believe that he was overpaid. He finished 16-12 in 2006, but had a 4.02 ERA and had a sub .500 record with ERAs over 5.00 until 2009, where even then he went just 13-10. Millwood was traded to Baltimore following the 2009 season for Chris Ray and Ben Snyder. He is currently 2-8 this season with a 5.22 ERA. During his 14-year career, Millwood is 157-129 with a career 4.08 ERA.

The 2010 season could not be any more harsh for Kevin Millwood, 35, than it has been. Pitching on a Baltimore team that has the worst record in baseball at 20-52, and is projected to be historically one of the worst teams ever, Millwood has gone through the bad of the 2010 season. Through his first 14 starts this season, Millwood was 0-8. He won for the first time this season on June 19th against the San Diego Padres. His last two starts have resulted at wins, pushing his record to 2-8 on the season. Millwood has made 16 starts this season, with some wins being lost due to the weak Baltimore offense and terrible bullpen. Recently the Orioles have stated that they are open for trade and are willing to deal the right-handed Millwood. You can't help but think that Millwood would be thrilled to get out of Baltimore.

Among the interested teams in Millwood: the "pitching-hungry" New York Mets.

We've heard the Mets connected to Millwood in trade rumors this season. Many feel as though Millwood would come cheap due to his age and performance this season. As well as age and performance, his $12 million salary also presents a reason for him to come cheap, especially if the acquiring team, in this case the Mets, has to pay it. The other reason that many feel he would cost low prospects is because Millwood's contract runs out at the end of the season, making him a free agent.

There's always the issue of what to give up as far as prospects go. Due to his age, effectiveness, and cost, if I'm the Mets I'm not giving more than a B minus or C level prospect. That means a trade of LHP Eric Niesen and RHP Tobi Stoner for Millwood, especially if the Mets are paying his salary. Seeing as the Mets would most likely not sign Millwood to an extension with Cliff Lee as a free agent, that package of prospects seems fair to give especially with Millwood's 2-8 record. While I think that it would be a good rental for the Mets to acquire Millwood, I don't think that it may be the best option to go to, especially with Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Fausto Carmona, and Jake Westbrook available.

Then, there is the question of do the Mets really feel that Millwood will help them out? He's 2-8 with an ERA over 5.00 this season, and has an opponent's avg against of .299. That is scary. He's also given up 31 BB this season. All the while, he's making $12 million. If the Mets are truly making a playoff push, I don't think Millwood is their answer. A rotation that includes Santana-Pelfrey-Millwood-Niese-Dickey would not scare me come a short playoff series.

As for me, I'd rather spend the prospects and money on someone younger and cheaper, such as Fausto Carmona or Cliff Lee. If I'm the Mets, I'm not trading for Millwood. I feel for the guy, pitching in Baltimore and having a harsh season, but he's not the answer to the Mets hopes and hopefully will get traded elsewhere to compete.

Mets 2010 Trade Target: Fausto Carmona

Fausto Carmona, RHP Cleveland Indians
2010 season: 6-5, 3.31 ERA, 92.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP

It wasn't long ago that Fausto Carmona was deemed to be one of the game's best pitchers for the foreseeable future. After all, he went 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007, and, in 2008, was rewarded a four-year $15 million contract. Then it all went downhill for Carmona. Injuries derailed Carmona's 2008 season, as he finished at 8-7 with a 5.44 ERA. 2009 wasn't any better for Carmona, as he again struggled through injuries and finished at an even worse 5-12 with a 6.32 ERA. However, it appears as though this year Carmona, 26, has figured out his groove again, sporting a 6-5 record with a 3.31 ERA through 14 starts this season.

Signed in 2000 as an undrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic by the Indians at age 17, Carmona put himself on the map in 2003, when at Single-A Lake County, he went 17-4. He split time between A, AA, and AAA in 2004-05, going 13-9 in AAA Buffalo in 2005. The Dominican born Carmona made his major league debut in April 2006, earning his first career win over the Detroit Tigers at age 23. It'd be the only win for Carmona that season, as he was later pushed to the bullpen and finished 1-10 with a 5.42 ERA. Carmona made the Indians' rotation as the fifth starter in 2007, with low expectations. Those low expectations helped Carmona take the baseball world by storm. Carmona, along with ace CC Sabathia (who went on to win the Cy Young that season), led the Indians to their first AL Central Title since 2001, posting a 19-8 record with a 3.06 ERA. Carmona pitched his first career post season game that season in the ALDS against the New York Yankees. He pitched 9 innings of 1 run baseball, allowing just 3 hits in an extra inning win. The Indians would go on to the ALCS, where Carmona ended up getting battered by the Boston Red Sox in Game 6, where he left after just two plus innings while giving up seven runs in a game that would eliminate the Indians from the playoffs.

His 2007 season performance rewarded Carmona with a four-year $15 million contract that runs through 2011 and includes three individual club options through 2014, totaling $43 million if the contract runs through, including $5 million in incentives. His 2008 and 2009 seasons made the Indians look foolish for that contract however, as he went 8-7 with a 5.44 ERA in 2008 and 5-12 with a 6.32 ERA in 2009 with opponents batting .295 against him. It seemed as though Carmona's 2007 season was a fluke.


This season however, Carmona has come back stronger than ever for a dismal Indians team. Since trading aces CC Sabathia in 2008 and Cliff Lee in 2009, Carmona was pronounced the ace of the Indians' staff, despite his below .500 records and terrible 2009 (shows you how bad a team Cleveland is). Suffice to say, Carmona has surprised everyone, pitching to a 6-5 record so far with a 3.31 ERA. Due to Cleveland's poor season and rebuilding effort, the Indians are reportedly open to deal the 26 year-old right-hander for the right price. Enter the New York Mets.

This week, we heard that the Mets have had internal discussions regarding a trade for Carmona. The Mets are looking to upgrade their rotation in order to make a playoff-push. I recently posted that they were interested in Jake Westbrook, but a trade for Carmona would be much better for the Mets. Carmona is enjoying a nice season, and placing him behind Mike Pelfrey and Johan Santana would make for a powerful Mets rotation. He's obviously capable of winning 19+ games, as he did in 2007, but he's also struggled the past two seasons, so this could be a high risk, high reward type of trade. The Mets would be more than willing to make that type of trade. They need pitching, and Carmona would help them out greatly. Moving an AL pitcher to the NL is always a smart move. He's only 26, and the Mets would control him through his age 28 2011 season, as well as having the three years of options for 2012, 2013, and 2014. He's owed just $8.9 million through 2011, an average of $4.4 million per season, making him a very cheap effective pitcher. He's also latino, and you all know how much Omar loves latino players.

However, because Carmona's salary is not huge, he's young, he has three option years, and he has so much upside, the Indians would probably require a top level prospect in order to deal Carmona. This means that the Mets would have to offer up a package of at least OF Fernando Martinez, RHP Brad Holt, and OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis in order to land Carmona. I think this would be a fair trade for the Mets, as well as the Indians. Cleveland would acquire a corner outfielder with a high ceiling in Martinez, joining him with Cleveland's other top outfield prospect, CF Michael Brantley, who came over in 2008's CC Sabathia-Brewers trade, and All-Star RF Shin-Soo Choo. This would also allow the Indians to trade CF Grady Sizemore, arguably the best player on their team, for more prospects to rebuild. A future outfield of Martinez-Brantley-Choo would make the Indians' future much brighter. The Indians would also acquire a high potential starting pitcher in Holt, as well as a lower level prospect in Nieuwenhuis. The Mets would acquire themselves a young, inexpensive, high ceiling pitcher who would be inserted into the rotation immediately. If I were Omar Minaya, I would have already made a proposal.

Like all players though, Carmona does have some questions. While the Mets are not worried that Carmona will continue his success this season, they are worried that he may struggle under the pressures of playing in New York. They feel that coming to New York in the middle of a playoff push could make Carmona collapse under the pressure and that he would revert to his 2009 form. This seems however, not to be that great of an issue.

Perhaps the Mets do not feel that Carmona could help them down the stretch. Recently, Mets players have expressed their desire for ownership to acquire an elite starting pitcher with both Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee on the block. Many analysts are skeptical though that the Mets do not have the players that both the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros covet, making Carmona a more likely option.

I think that acquiring Fausto Carmona would make perfect sense for the Mets. They'd acquire a young pitcher with a high ceiling and 20-game win potential. They'd also have three years of option control on Carmona, while only owing him $4.4/season. If I'm the Mets it's a no-brainer. It all depends on if Omar Minaya will offer up the right prospects, and if the Mets truly feel that Carmona is their man.

Mets discussing trade for Indians' RHP Fausto Carmona

It appears as though the Mets have been internally discussing a trade for Westbrook's teammate Fausto Carmona, who I will be writing about on 6/23. It couldn't come at a better time, as I just finished writing the capsule on Jake Westbrook.

According to MLBTradeRumors' Ben Nicholson-Smith:

"The Mets have discussed Fausto Carmona internally, but have not yet approached the Indians about acquiring the right-hander, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. (all Twitter links). Carmona, who is enjoying a resurgent season, makes a guaranteed $8.9MM through 2011 at which point the Indians have three consecutive club options. As Olney notes, the affordable options through 2014 make Carmona appealing as long as he is pitching well.

That has certainly been the case so far in 2010. The former 19-game winner has a 3.31 ERA in 92.1 innings with 5.1 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. Carmona has always been a ground ball pitcher, rather than a strikeout pitcher, and he has a robust 57% ground ball rate that has helped him keep the ball in the park (six homers allowed).

The Mets are looking for top starters, but are unsure that Carmona will adjust smoothly to the pressures of playing in New York, according to an article Olney wrote over the weekend. If they prefer to acquire a veteran on the brink of free agency, they could look to Carmona's teammate, Jake Westbrook, or others such as Kevin Millwood and Ben Sheets."

So it appears as though the Mets are working on putting together a deal for Carmona, but also may trade for Westbrook. The Mets may be looking at Carmona because of his lesser salary of about $4 million to Westbrook's $11 million, his age, 26, as well as his resurgence as a top pitcher. What do you think the Mets should do? Who should they give up? Discuss it in the comments. No matter what happens, we'll have it all here for you!

Mets 2010 Trade Target: Jake Westbrook

Jake Westbrook, RHP Cleveland Indians
2010 season: 4-4, 4.76 ERA, 85 IP, 1.46 WHIP

A year removed from Tommy John Surgery, Jake Westbrook is back in the big leagues. An above average major league pitcher, Westbrook has a career 67-68 record with a 4.34 ERA, while pitching for the New York Yankees (1 season) and Cleveland Indians (9 seasons). A 21st overall pick in the 1996 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies, Westbrook was traded to the Montreal Expos for Mike Lansing and later traded again to the New York Yankees with Ted Lilly for pitcher Hideki Irabu. Westbrook made his major league debut on June 17, 2000 with the Yankees, going 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA for the season. After being sent down, Westbrook, along with Zach Day and Ricky Ledee were traded to Cleveland for Indians' slugger David Justice. In his career, Westbrook has always hovered around .500, having 9 or more losses in each full season that he has pitched, including a career high 15 losses in 2005. Westbrook's best season was in 2004, the year he made the AL All-Star team, when he went 14-9 with a 3.38 ERA. One can make a case for the amount of losses that Westbrook has each season, due to a poor Cleveland bullpen and lack of run support throughout his tenure. Westbrook is in the final year of a 3-year $33 million contract, which runs out after this year making him a free agent.

This season, with the Indians again struggling, Westbrook, 33, has been made available. Among the most interested reported teams: The New York Mets.

The Mets have been linked to Westbrook this year in trade rumors. While the Mets rotation of Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese, Hisanori Takahashi, and R.A. Dickey has pitched surprisingly well, the Mets reportedly want to put Takahashi back into the bullpen where he has pitched his whole career. Takahashi, originally just a fill-in while John Maine rehabs, has pitched surprisingly well as a starter, going 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA. However, the Mets feel he is more effective in the bullpen. If the Mets want to put him back in the bullpen, this would open up a spot in their rotation for Westbrook. After disappointing seasons from Oliver Perez and Maine, the Mets look to upgrade their rotation as they make a playoff push. They may feel that a trade for Westbrook could improve their chances.

A rotation of Santana, Pelfrey, Niese, Westbrook and Dickey would be a great rotation for the Mets. With Santana being Santana and Pelfrey having a career year, inserting Westbrook, who has been an AL pitcher his whole career, will improve the rotation. It's been a proven that some AL pitchers who move to the NL become better pitchers because they face weaker hitters (see Roy Halladay). The AL has always been portrayed as the stronger league, and it's been proven. Perhaps putting Westbrook into the NL will help to resurrect his career and he will become a much more effective pitcher.

While Westbrook would be a good fit for the Mets, there are some questions as to if he can stay healthy, especially after coming off Tommy John Surgery, and if the Mets will really need him. One reason why the Mets may not need him is because they sent down top prospect Jenrry Mejia yesterday, in order to stretch him out to be a starting pitcher. Perhaps they envision Mejia coming back up mid-season and taking Takahashi's spot in the rotation, therefore having no need for Westbrook. However, I don't think that the Mets envision R.A. Dickey pitching like Cy Young all season, so perhaps they may look to trade for Westbrook just incase Dickey comes back down to earth. A rotation of Santana, Pelfrey, Niese, Westbrook and Mejia, with Dickey and Takahashi in the bullpen would be incredible for the Mets.

Then there is the issue of what to give for Westbrook. I can't imagine the Indians asking for a King's Ransom for him because he's not on the same level as the last two guys they traded in Cliff Lee or CC Sabathia. I could imagine the Mets giving a B minus-level prospect, with a couple of C-level throw ins. An ideal package could include RHP Jeurys Familia as well as C Josh Thole and RHP Tobi Stoner. The Indians would probably require the Mets to pay his $11 million salary. If the Mets can get away with Cleveland paying full salary or paying half, I do the deal. The Mets didn't want to commit $14 million to John Lackey, so why would they want to commit $11 million to Westbrook, who isn't as good? If the Indians are able to get that much talent back, I'd be surprised. While Omar Minaya is subject to make trades, this would be a great deal for the Mets and would drastically improve the rotation.

I think that a trade for Westbrook would make the Mets an ultimate contender. Moving an AL pitcher who has to face the Red Sox, Rays, Yankees, Twins, and Angels every year to the NL, where he would face the Nationals, Pirates, Astros, and Diamonbacks would improve Westbrook's stats. The best thing that could happen for Westbrook is to get out of Cleveland, where the bullpen and lack of run support will cost him wins. If traded to the Mets, their powerful bullpen and immense run scoring would help him do better and attribute to success. I could see him going 15-6 with an ERA in the 3.60's in the NL. The Mets should make a push to acquire him, as he would make the rotation much better.

Breaking News: Mets option RHP Jenrry Mejia to Double-A Binghamton

As reported by MLBTradeRumors' Steve Adams:

"ESPN's Adam Rubin reports that the Mets have optioned Jenrry Mejia to Double-A Binghamton, where he will make the transition back into a starting pitcher.

Mejia, still just 20 years old, worked exclusively as a starter across two minor league levels last season, posting a 3.14 ERA in 94.2 innings (19 starts) and notching an 8.7 K/9 to go along with a 3.7 BB/9. So far, pitching out of the New York bullpen in 2010, he's held his own, though he hasn't pitched quite as well as his 3.25 ERA following today's game suggests. He's allowed 15 free passes in just 27.2 innings of work, while striking out 17.

Much has been made of the Mets' starting pitching woes. After receiving next to nothing from the combination of Oliver Perez and John Maine, they've turned to Hisanori Takahashi and R.A. Dickey, both of whom have excelled to this point in their respective rotation roles. However, it's likely a tall order to expect those trends to continue.

Mejia certainly has the makings of a successful major league starter. Baseball America ranked him as the Mets' top prospect coming into the 2010 season, and ranked him as the #56 prospect in all of baseball. So far this season, he's averaged 95.1mph on his fastball, and has a 66.7% ground-ball rate."

So there you have it folks. There was discussion on SNY while I watching today's Yankee game, where the broadcasters were debating what the Mets were going to do with Mejia down the stretch. There was much debate as to would he be a starter or a reliever, and with Mejia not getting enough innings in, the team has decided to send him down to stretch out his arm and prepare him as a starter. A good move by the Mets for their future. I doubt this is the last we've seen of Mejia this season.

CC Sabathia & Mark Teixeira = Dominance, win Subway Series Round 2

CC Sabathia had 8 shut-out IP vs the Mets while giving up just 4 hits and getting 6 strike outs. His performance moves the Yankees into sole possession of first place, due to the Tampa's loss to Florida today.
DOMINANCE!























And let's not forget about Mark Teixeira's big grand slam that was the only offense in the game! He's getting hot! 2 HR in the last 2 games!
DOMINANCE!

Targets for the Yankees/Mets at the deadline

It's only six weeks until Major League Baseball's trading deadline and already, we've heard the Yankees and Mets connected to the big names in pitching with the likes of Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt. While pitching is always key to having a winning team, I don't believe the Yankees need to acquire either Lee or Oswalt. The Yankees have had a fantastic rotation all season, led by Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte. Now, with the emergence of Javier Vazquez breaking out of his two month funk, the rotation has become even better, as Vazquez is 5-3 with a 2.93 ERA in his last eight starts. CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are pitching fine as well. All together, the Yankees' rotation has been solid. So, why would the Yankees want to acquire one of Oswalt or Lee when their rotation is already full and is pitching so well? In order for the Yankees to acquire one of the pitchers, someone from the current rotation would have to be traded. While I don't think it's all impossible for the Yankees to trade for Lee or Oswalt, I don't think it's likely, especially when Lee is a free agent at the end of the season. The Mets however, could use either of Lee or Oswalt to bolster their rotation.

What the Yankees really need right now is a bat. In their last 3 games, the Yankees have scored just four runs in their last three games, including yesterday's shut out by the Mets. The Yankees have had their share of offensive woes this year and it's clear they need another bat, especially with Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira struggling for the first three months of this season. It doesn't look like A-Rod or Tex will go back to their 2009 forms this season as they both look lost at the plate, with Teixeira hitting a career low .224 with 10 home runs and Rodriguez with only 8 home runs while battling constant injuries this season. At this point last season, Teixeira had 20 home runs. It's obvious that the Yankees need to acquire a bat, they can't have Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena playing everyday because, no offense to them, but they aren't going to come up with the big hits to help the Yankees win. The Mets, on the other hand, need pitching help if they want to make it to the postseason.

So while it isn't time to wave the white flag, it is time to consider trading for some offensive and pitching help. I've compiled a list together of a few targets that the Yankees and Mets could be after this season to help wake up the offense. Each day, I'll post a new target who the Yankees or Mets could trade for the spark the offense. Keep on the look out!

(We won't be doing spots on Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt, seeing as we have done them already in the last week.)

Here are the lists of trade targets, as well as the date that capsules will be written on them:

Yankees: Adam Dunn - 6/19
Yankees: David DeJesus - 6/20
Mets: Jake Westbrook - 6/21
Yankees: Lance Berkman - 6/22
Mets: Fausto Carmona - 6/23
Yankees: Josh Willingham - 6/24
Mets: Kevin Millwood - 6/25
Yankees: Brandon League - 6/26
Mets: Jeremy Guthrie - 6/27
Mets: Kelly Johnson - 6/28
Yankees & Mets: Ty Wigginton - 6/29

Why the New York Mets will win the NL East

It pains me to say this, being a die-hard Yankee fan, but it must be said:

The New York Mets are going to be champions of the National League East.

No, I haven't drank or smoked anything funny, and no I wasn't recently dropped on my head. The way the Mets have played recently, being eight games over the .500 mark and .5 games out of first place, has proven to me that these are not the same Mets as last season. After two collapses in a row in 2007 & 2008, the 2009 Mets were a disaster. Injuries left and right, running into bad luck, and scrubs taking the place of super stars. This season however, many analysts, including myself, predicted that the Mets would finish in the cellar of the NL East. The way they've played recently though has made us all look foolish.

The Mets entered this season with low expectations, a questionable rotation, and unknowing when two major components, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran, would return or if they would return. Reyes came back earlier than expected, but it seemed to have no effect. With a pitching rotation coming undone with poor starts and injuries by John Maine and Oliver Perez it seemed as though the 2010 Mets would just be another repeat of the '09 disaster. However, not all hope was lost, thanks to the emergence of Mike Pelfrey and rookie phenoms first baseman Ike Davis and RHP Jenrry Mejia.

Since the beginning of the season, Pelfrey has proven to be the Mets' best pitcher. Compiling a 9-1 record with a 2.39 ERA to this point of the season, Pelfrey has proven he is the Mets' big game pitcher. After ending 2009 with a 10-12 record and an ERA of 5.03, Pelfrey seeked redemption going into this year. Many wondered if he would even make it as the Mets' fifth starter due to his poor spring training. To this point of the season, Pelfrey has made each who thought this face-palm themselves.

Then there was the emergence of Ike Davis. The Mets' top prospect made his debut on April 19, and provided a spark plug for this Mets' team. The young first baseman is currently batting .253 with 8 home runs while currently adjusting to major league pitching. Many argued that Davis should have opened the season with the club, to which Jerry Manuel agreed after he was called up. All Davis has done since his call-up is provide the Mets with acrobatic plays and a towering walk off home run. You can't help but think that he will be in the Rookie of the Year discussion. But there's more...

Enter Jenrry Mejia. The Mets' top pitching prospect who skipped AAA, and went straight to the pros. Oh, by the way, he's only 20. He's pitched to an eye-popping 3.04 ERA out of the bullpen for the Mets, who figure him to be a starter down the road. With all the youth on this team, the future looks bright for these Mets.

And then there are the afterthoughts who've stepped up: Angel Pagan, Jon Niese, Rod Barajas, and R.A. Dickey. Pagan, who enjoyed a nice season last year, is currently filling in for Carlos Beltran. However, due to recent setbacks, Pagan may be more than just a fill-in. He's hitting a surprising .281 in a full time role with 4 dingers on the year while playing outstanding defense. Jon Niese, who was always a Mets top prospect and on their radar has really stepped it up this season, pitching to a 3-2 record with a 3.61 ERA while battling some hamstring issues. Then there's Rod Barajas, who the Mets signed to a minor league contract in spring training. He's slugging at a .257 mark with 11, yes 11, home runs on the year. Getting that production out of a minor league signing is a steal. But wait, what about R.A. Dickey, a journeyman who was called up on May 19 to make a spot start? The knuckle baller is 4-0, (4-0!!!) with a 2.78 ERA. In his career, Dickey's lowest ERA was 4.62! What's more impressive? He's pitching better than Red Sox pitcher John Lackey, who Met fans begged ownership to sign. Feels good saving money right? His emergence in the Mets rotation has been a good luck charm for the Mets. Not so much afterthoughts anymore.

Perhaps the most amazing part of the 2010 Mets' season: 36.2 scoreless innings pitched. For a team with a questionable rotation coming into 2010, that's pretty darn amazing. It all started when they swept the Phillies from May 25-27 without allowing the Phillies to score in all 3 games. Remember, these are the Phillies we're talking about here, the 2009 NL Champions, and they got shut out by...the Mets?! However, this streak game to an end in the 9th inning against the Brewers when Corey Hart hit a walk off home run to beat the Mets. Then there was the 20 inning game against the St. Louis Cardinals, which the Mets won in the 20th inning. If there's one thing to say about these 2010 Mets, it is that they grind out at-bats, have great starting pitching and have great team chemistry this year.

No matter how good these Mets have been this year, they are far from a perfect team. Jason Bay isn't hitting at all. The power bat that the Mets signed for $66 million in the off season has hit just 4, that's right 4, home runs this year after hitting 36 for the Red Sox last year. One could argue that spacious Citi Field could be playing into effect, but that hasn't stopped Rod Barajas and David Wright from hitting 11 and 12 home runs respectively. Obviously there is something wrong with Bay's swing. Jose Reyes has not been the same Jose Reyes from 2008. Then there is the uncertainty of Francisco Rodriguez. While the season save record holder has pitched to a 2-1 record with a 2.36 ERA and 14 saves, he has made Mets fans all but confident when the 9th inning comes around. This year, we've seen him give up runs in the 9th allowing other teams to either win or tie a game. Most prominently, we've seen K-Rod give up the long ball, 3 to be exact to go along with 12 walks. Not what you want from a closer. There's also John Maine, the owner of a 6.13 ERA and who's suffered various shoulder setbacks this season. He's already been bumped from the rotation, and will probably remain in the bullpen when he returns. Daniel Murphy, who tore his MCL is done for the season. And do I really have to even mention Oliver Perez? He's been just dreadful and the Mets put him on the DL just to get him off the team. Sheesh.

There's been many bright spots for this Mets team this year. Chemisty, youth, and good pitching has put the Mets at a 36-28 record.

But even with all these good signs that have pointed to the Mets success this season, there's still one more component that can make this team even better, and not only NL East champions, but a World Series contender as well...
The Mets will trade for an elite starting pitcher.

Both Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt, two of baseball's elite pitchers, are available in trade for the price of who-can-give-the-best prospects. Don't think for a second that the Mets haven't already touched base with the Mariners and Astros.

With the Yankees' recent World Championship, the Mets had been an afterthought in New York City, acting the role of the forgotten team. You can imagine that acquiring Lee or Oswalt would take the spot light off the World Champs and put it on the team in Queens. With the Phillies sliding and the Mets only .5 games behind the Braves for first place, acquiring either of the pitchers to go along with a rotation that would include Johan Santana and Pelfrey would make for the best rotation in the NL East. Not just the NL East, but probably it'd be the best rotation in the National League. The Mets have reportedly touched base with both teams and have been discussing a deal with both sides. Roy Oswalt recently said that he would accept a trade to the Mets due to their strong play lately and chance to contend. Personally, as I've stated before, I think Oswalt would be the best fit for the Mets. Acquiring either would make the Mets a powerhouse team and a force to be reckoned with.

Whether it's Lee or Oswalt, one thing is for sure:

It will get done, and you can bet on it, no matter the cost.

The Mets are already a good team, and adding Lee/Oswalt would only make them a better team. It'd make the Mets true World Series contenders. Adding Lee/Oswalt to a core that already includes Jose Reyes, David Wright, Johan Santana, Ike Davis and Mike Pelfrey would make for a truly outstanding team with great potential. We've seen the Amazin's like never before this year, but be prepared because it's only going to get better.

Get ready baseball fans, introducing your 2010 NL East champs:

The New York Mets.

This is no fluke, this is a comeback.

That is why the New York Mets will win the NL East in 2010.