Strubel" Pitching In: Prelude to a bigger, better deal
Written by John Strubel
Friday, 30 November 2007
When the news broke at lunchtime Friday that the New York Mets traded Lastings Milledge, it was no surprise.
Expecting to hear Dan Haren, Erik Bedard or Johan Santana next, Mets
fans were disappointed and frustrated when it was revealed that
Milledge was traded for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan
Church.
And, for obvious reasons.
Two years ago the Mets were rumored to have turning down the Boston Red Sox offer of Manny Ramirez for Milledge, followed by the Barry Zito-for-Milledge rumors.
Now, two years and 115 games later, the 22-year old Milledge (.272 BA, 7 HR, 29 RBI in 59 games in 2007) is traded for a 31-year old catcher with a lifetime .252 batting average and a fourth outfielder in Church.
What gives?
Before you get too distressed and start shipping nastygrams and Christmas stockings full of coal off to Mets GM Omar Minaya, let’s see what happens next.
Consider the options:
1. The Mets won’t carry three catchers into Spring 2008. For the sake of argument Johnny Estrada, Brian Schneider or Ramon Castro is headed elsewhere.
2. Is Ryan Church in the Mets 2008 plans? Maybe … maybe not. But let’s look at the Mets outfield today: Moises Alou, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Gomez, Endy Chavez, Ryan Church and Fernando Martinez (maybe). Someone is going. One of latter names could be a piece of a bigger, better move in the near future.
Let’s let the ingredients simmer for a few weeks. Watch, wait and see what transpires at next week’s Winter Meetings and the immediate days after. If nothing changes by New Year’s Day, then let Minaya have it.
Some MLB players may get X-Mas surprise
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno made some intriguing comments to the Los Angeles Times Wednesday.
When asked about the Mitchell report, expected to be released soon, Moreno told The Times:
"The names of players will come out that people will be mad about. Some of my information is second-hand, but I know there's going to be names ... If you've got dirty laundry, get it out there and get rid of it. I blame the owners for not sticking up for too many years for what's right." The Times reported, Moreno described himself as a "squeaky wheel" who has urged the commissioner's office to be "proactive in cleaning up" the sport of performance-enhancing drugs and said that "anyone who tries to cheat the system shouldn't be in baseball." Coincidence or not, Paul Byrd (2005), Troy Glaus (1998-2004) and Gary Matthews Jr. (current) have all played been tied to the Angels organization. Other names include Jay Gibbons, Jason Giambi and Rick Ankiel. All of those players have allegedly received HGH shipments. Matthews insists he never used HGH.
End the Reyes trade rumors
Let me say first, I like Adam Rubin. I've talked to him a number of times and respect his work a great deal. I guess he was just "thinking out loud" when he wrote about rumors that the Mets may swing a Jose Reyes-Johan Santana deal in today's NY Daily News. Mets GM Omar Minaya told the New York Post, “I like going after the big fish, but I can't rob Peter to pay Paul. I'm not getting rid of Jose Reyes."
Let's be honest for a minute. The Mets don't have the bluechip prospects the Twins will demand for Santana. Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber don't have the same "shine" they did in 2006. In Pelfrey's case it's because he's off too a rocky start. Down the road that may actually benefit the Mets. If they don't move him, and he makes some adjustments, he can be a fine starter. And Humber, it's arm trouble and lack of experience. Lastings Milledge is going to be an excellent player. He showed major improvements from 2006 to 2007. He is maturing personally and professionally, and given the chance to play everyday, he will perform. Carlos Gomez may be the fastest player in the game today. He needs more discipline at the plate, but he's a kid (22 years old on December 4).
I'm hopeful Minaya won't give up on the small core of young talent he's developing. I would rather see the Mets dangle Carlos Delgado, Billy Wagner, Johnny Estrada or Aaron Heilman to interested suitors.
Minaya, in a rare interview for this time of the year, also told Joel Sherman at The Post:
“I have two 15-game winners (John Maine, Oliver Perez) that other teams gave up on," Minaya said. “If young guys have high-end arms and good deliveries, you have to ignore the stats on occasion. Pitching goes up and down. (Matt) Garza took a step back this year in some people's eyes, and Tampa just traded for him (as part of the Young trade) ... I continue to like our young pitchers, and I think a lot of people in the industry like them, too ... I do hate to give up young players. I would prefer doing major league player for major league player in a trade. That might not be possible. But you know me, if I had to pay a little more to get a premium guy, I would. But I won't go crazy, though."
Haren ready to re-locate
Dan Haren is ready to move. He told ESPN baseball reporter Buster Olney in a text message:
"I read a lot of the stuff that's written on the Internet about me getting traded and it's definitely something I'm prepared for. When I was traded from the Cardinals [following the 2004 World Series] I was Christmas shopping, and it's getting to be that time of year now. From what I have read, I think [GM Billy Beane] is trying to figure out if Oakland is going to rebuild. Our team is good enough to win now if we were healthy, but that hasn't been the case lately. I am not hoping I get traded because I love the Bay area. My home is here and I'm close to my family. But if it happens, it happens. I understand baseball."
When the news broke at lunchtime Friday that the New York Mets traded Lastings Milledge, it was no surprise.