So I made a post a couple days ago outlining a pretty ridiculous trade, and it generated a lot of cool discussion about FIP and xFIP, weighing risks, the value of our prospects, the philosophy of fans about the farm amongst other things. So I thought I'd generate another ridiculous move in aims of getting more commentary for the teams involved.

Check this out:

Mets get RHP James Shields, RHP Matt Garza, C Kelly Shoppach and SS Jason Bartlett

Rays get SS Jose Reyes, 1B Lucas Duda 1B/OF Nick Evans, OF Sean Ratliff

Reasoning for Rays: The Rays just made the playoffs, and despite losing Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena still have a very strong team for 2011. Jose Reyes would help Desmond Jennings in filling the absence of Crawford in the order, and is a significant improvement over Jason Bartlett in a variety of ways. The Rays would have to take on his $11 million salary for 2011, but in losing the four players they do the salary evens out pretty nicely. In addition they receive Lucas Duda, who could be a darkhorse candidate to replace Pena for 2011, Nick Evans, who would be a valuable player in aiding Lucas Duda at 1B and Matt Joyce at DH, and Sean Ratliff, a corner outfield prospect with great power potential. Additionally, they gain two first round draft picks with Reyes' departure.

Reasoning for Mets: Reyes will likely demand a pretty heft extension, but with his main tool in jeopardy this may not be the most attractive option for the Mets, who simply cannot count on him as being an asset. The Mets in this case would have gaps at shortstop and second base. They could either take their chance with Bartlett or non-tender him and head after the 2010 Twins double play combo in J.J. Hardy and Orlando Hudson, while developing Reese Havens and Ruben Tejada in the minors, and having Justin Turner be a valuable MLB backup. They'd gain two very good pitchers to fill out their rotation in the absence of Santana without paying too steep a cost, and gain a good backup catcher and platoon partner for Josh Thole. Kelly Shoppach has hit at a career .286/.381/.568 clip against AL left-handers. Lucas Duda, Sean Ratliff and Nick Evans would all be a minimal loss to the Mets, who have a wealth of corner position hitting prospects.