Trade Partner: Astros

by ror0071619 on Jun 14, 2010 12:55 PM EDT

With the Astros not competing this year and in need of a rebuilding phase and the Mets looking to get the final pieces to the puzzle, they could be ideal trade partners.

Here's a few players who could suit the Mets needs:

Roy Oswalt: a great SP who is turning 33 this summer and is owed $15M this season, $16M next with a $16M option for 2012. He is having a fantastic year so far with a 3.44 xFIP and the highest K/9 (8.65) since his rookie year. He would likely cost a boatload of prospects although taking on most if not all of the contract will likely reduce the cost of prospects. A friend recently told reporters that he would accept a trade to the Mets.
Wandy Rodriguez: a talented 31 year old who is having a down year assisted by a high BABIP (4.48 xFIP with lower K/9 and higher BB/9) after his 4.0 WAR year last year. He could be a good buy low candidate.
Matt Lindstrom: 30 year old former Met who is currently closing for the Astros and doing a decent job with a 3.72 xFIP. He is talented, fairly young, and has experience closing.
Brett Myers: a talented 30 year old wife beater. He is having a good year (3.86 xFIP) and is only under contract for the rest of the year although I would not want him on the Mets as I really support a wife beating former Phillie.
Lance Berkman: a 34 year old 1B/OF who has a $15M option for next year. He is having a down year but had two good previous years (162 and 140 wRC+ in '08 and '09).

I would try trading for Lindstrom and either Oswalt or Wandy depending on the cost. In the unlikely scenario they were willing to accept a package of anyone outside of Wright/Reyes/Pelf/Davis/Niese/F!/Mejia/Flores for Oswalt/Lindstrom because of the amount of $ on Oswalt's contract I would make the trade. Oswalt (or Wandy) and Lindstrom would allow the Mets to move Takahashi (or Dickey) back to the bullpen which would allow the Mets to send Mejia and someone else to the minors.

This FanPost was contributed by a member of the community and was not subject to any vetting or approval process. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions, reasoning skills, or attention to grammar and usage rules held by the editors of this site.

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Comments

I dont want to trade prospects

and assume oswalts salary. Lindstrom is making the minimum and is still in arbitration for a few more years, so i’m not sure if they’d be keen on trading him. and as far as value, wandy is probably the best deal they have on that team. i hate bret myers, and i think lance berkman is in the twilight of his career. i’d pass on the astros.

"I only wanted a few things out of life -- a wife, children, to play baseball and to hunt deer." - Turk Wendell

by Rey-O on Jun 14, 2010 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

disagree about Oswalt, but Berkman has no where to play on our team

davis is our 1B

by Rickfansince76 on Jun 14, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

And Berkman doesn't play outfield

Gas prices today are a lot like a pitcher's ERA. Anything under 3 is amazing, under 4 is pretty good and anything 5 and up is something you want to avoid.

by Bobby Baseball on Jun 14, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

i dont know if he could now

but he has before

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 14, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Give me some time to think about Myers.

Ok, thought about it…NO!

The following should definitely appear on Jeopardy...
ANSWER: They were invented in Philadelphia by the city's favorite icon Benjamin Franklin. However, they are very rarely used by people in the city and its surrounding areas.
QUESTIONS: What are logic, reason, and rational thought?

2010: Year of the Grission

by R_Adragna on Jun 14, 2010 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

I llike Wandy Rodriguez as buy-low candidate too

The problem is, there’s not really any reason for the Astros to trade him. With his 5.60 ERA in 2010, he’s not going to fetch that much in return. And as Rey-O says, Wandy’s still a good value – making only $5 million this year, & under team control until after 2011. If Wandy continues to underperform his peripherals, he might be a good guy to go after in the offseason, but, logically, it makes sense for the Astros to hold onto him for the rest of 2010.

Of course, this is Ed Wade we’re talking about, so you never know….

by PeterFH on Jun 14, 2010 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

I’d make an offer, but the Astros have no reason to sell low.

by Jack Str on Jun 14, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions

don't want to trade Kirk

or Thole

by astromets on Jun 14, 2010 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

want to know what's funny?

i honestly don’t want to trade any prospects with cool nicknames over skill… for the most part

And... It's outta here!!!

by SuperSantana on Jun 14, 2010 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

Oswalt's the ideal candidate for the Mets.

They need a top starter, he shouldn’t fetch much in the way of prospects given his salary, and the Mets are effectively taking on a short deal that both helps them this year and next while dramatically improving their chances of succeeding in the postseason if they get there.

by Jack Str on Jun 14, 2010 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

the problem is Houston has no money problems

and doesn’t really want to move him, in fact they might lose out more in revenue by moving him. So they don’t really need to treat him like a salary dump they can hold out for top prospects and then tell him they tried and no one was offering fair value.

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 14, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Fans always overrate their own team's prospects.

History and probability tell us that most of the Mets’ prospects listed in the diary and the comments are unlikely to make much of an impact in the majors. If you can turn 2-3 of them into Oswalt, you have a team that can win the division and present a killer playoff rotation in Santana-Pelfrey-Oswalt.

by madisonmetsfan on Jun 14, 2010 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

If we could turn 3-5 of them into Haren I'd be all over it

oswalt just gives us another declining expensive over 30 pitcher

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 14, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

You sold me on Haren in the other thread

but Oswalt isn’t declining, certainly not noticeably. His contract is short, and if he’s overpaid it’s not by much. He’s what the Mets need in the postseason, and if he’s expensive it’s because he’s a number one starter. While pitchers over 30 aren’t without risk there’s nothing in Oswalt’s trend lines or injury profile that suggest he’ll be going off a cliff in the next two years, AND if the Astros are actually willing to part with him it shouldn’t take Mejia to get him. I think you’re right that Haren would be preferable to Oswalt, but the Mets biggest need is a top starter and Oswalt is certainly a top starter, and is very likely to remain one for the next two years.

by Jack Str on Jun 15, 2010 5:08 AM EDT up reply actions

So you think

Oswalt (who has a fairly substantial history of shoulder/back problems) isn’t a injury concern, but Niese (who has had one hamstring injury and a re-aggravation) is?

Not trying to be confrontational, just understand your reasoning.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jun 15, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Oswalt has always pitched through his injuries, and at a HOF level.

Niese has nothing like that history.

Oswalt has thrown 30 or more starts every year for the last six years, whereas Niese hasn’t been able to stay healthy through a season since 2008, when he threw 178 innings (his best, a figure Oswalt has exceeded every year since 2003). Niese hadn’t pitched 140 innings in a year before that, and hasn’t pitched 125 innings in a season since. Last month Niese reaggravated the season-ending injury he suffered in 2009. It’s essential to go as slow as possible with him.

Oswalt’s xFIP hasn’t declined overall since 2003, neither has his FIP, both of which are the best they’ve been since 2006. Oswalt’s drop in WAR is a result of chance, and only that. He is, admittedly, slightly less durable these days, but that’s all I need to concede). His component stats are as solid as they ever were. His H/9 and WHIP are the BEST they’ve ever been. Oswalt’s headed for the Hall of Fame. If he’s declining, his decline is minimal. He’s still one hell of a pitcher and, won-loss record aside, is still putting up Hall of Fame seasons.

I still want to see him in a Mets uniform. He would go a long way towards getting the Mets into the postseason, and a postseason rotation of Oswalt/Santana/Pelfrey is as good as any team in the majors. Sentiment aside, that’s how you’d set them up.

by Jack Str on Jun 15, 2010 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt Oswalt has been, and still is still a great pitcher.

I just don’t get how a 23 year old with 1 injury in his career (which, granted he re-aggravated) can be labeled as a durability concern, but a hard-throwing 32 year old who’s had multiple shoulder/back injuries (which have cost him playing time) in his career shouldn’t be.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jun 15, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Oswalt isn't declining

he’s been steadily declining for 5 years. In 05 he was worth 6.1 WAR, 06 he was worth 5.7, last year 3.1. That’s a major drop off, and considering, like Ogre mentions below, his history of shoulder/back problems and his age I’d say he’s as good of a breakdown candidate as Santana is, and he’s already falling back down to earth from the numbers he was putting up to begin the season.

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Buy high! /thumbs up.

/pull trigger

In lobby campaign for Chris Carter.

by Michkin on Jun 15, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He is in a eerily similar stage in his career to Santana

except Oswalt’s out-pitch is a fastball/slider combo, not a nasty change.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jun 15, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah we'd basically be looking at paying

about 40 million.

For pitchers with combined 6-7 WAR upside.

not exactly getting the bang for your buck.

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

A few other names that wouldn't be so bad:

Paul Maholm, Pittsburgh….doesn’t K a ton of batters, but gets ground balls and keeps his team in games
Brandon Lyon, Houston….good reliever through the years, hard thrower
Fausto Carmona, Cleveland…..I love this guy’s stuff, and he keeps the ball on the ground
Kyle Farnsworth, Kansas City….durable veteran reliever, always good numbers out of the pen
Scott Linebrink, White Sox….high strikeout, durable reliever
Peavy, Buehrle, Floyd or Danks, White Sox…..any of these would be great

all of these teams are out of the race, or just about out of it….it would be worth it to look around a bit – it may not take that much to get some of these guys

My 5-year old daughter even hates the Ravens.

by SundaysWithTroy on Jun 15, 2010 5:54 AM EDT reply actions

I'd like Carmona, but I wouldn't give up much for him.

He doesn’t strike anyone out, and has a history of walking too many batters. I wouldn’t give up anyone significant for him.

And John Danks isn’t going anywhere, he’s 25, is a few years away from arbitration, and is awesome. Gavin Floyd ain’t getting traded either.

by Evan_S on Jun 15, 2010 6:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Few years from free agency

Danks is arb eligible, I believe this will be his second year.

by Evan_S on Jun 15, 2010 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Danks isn't going anywhere.

Peavey or Maholm would be interesting though – both because they should’t cast too much to acquire. Maholm would be a real good #5 and Peavy could be a nice #3-4 (obviously I think he’s lost his “Ace” stuff).

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Jun 15, 2010 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

peavy would be a nice buy low candidate.

I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.

by gbaked on Jun 15, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Peavy's owed way too much money to be a buy low candidate IMOP

unless their giving him away as a salary dump. And even then it’s entirely possible you’ll be paying 16 million for a 2-3 WAR pitcher

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

i meant soly as a talent/production kind of buy low

I wasnt looking at money at all.

his ERA+ has been real solid every year. He is off to a bad start this year, but that could also be based on the fact that the White Sox stink and he is pitching in the AL (he prefers the NL). He never wanted to go there, rejecting the trade originally… so it could be a head trip.

I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.

by gbaked on Jun 15, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah but ERA+

isn’t much more flawed than ERA, especially considering the park Peavy was playing in. He hasn’t been a truly elite pitcher in years.

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

i thought ERA+ was park adjusted?

other then WAR, what is a fair stat to judge pitchers on?

I am a fan of both the mets and knicks... so just kill me now.

by gbaked on Jun 15, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

ERA+ is park adjusted but it's considered "shaky park adjusting"

I couldn’t explain in detail why I just know I’ve read it multiple times. It also doesn’t include BABIP related luck or defense related luck.

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

here's a pretty good thread discussion about issues with era+ and ops+

they probably explain it a lot better than I ever could.

I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.

by Gina on Jun 15, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

God I don't want to see Farnsworth in the pen

by TheKid08 on Jun 15, 2010 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

TROY

All good ideas from Troy. All depends on cost (not $, players) to acquire them. But a great & realistic “wish list”, especially since these teams are going nowhere & might be having fire sales. Evan- you never know with the White Sox- they might be willing to trade just about anyone on their team. Williams is pretty daring & creative.

by MDMETSFAN on Jun 15, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

No to the following:

No: Wandy Rodriguez is too streaky, reminds me of Ollie, perhaps without the ‘tude;
no to Zach Duke and Paul Malholm, they are average at best.
no to kyle farnsworth—are you kidding me? he’s terrible! he is worse than terrible. I want no part of this loser.

maybe for Burehle
yes for Danks (but no way they trade him)
yes for Oswalt (he’s underrated by fans outsideHouston fans)
maybe on Carmona

all these other pitchers mentioned, not named Oswalt, Lee, Peavy, Buerhle, are mediocre at best, I’d rather a) just wait out John Maine and see if he retains half his effectiveness b) ride R.A. Dickey and Taka for as long as possible c) use any of our minor league pitching depth….they won’t cost as much as these other “Veterans” .

if the Mets want to win, this team should go for it all. It’s already “built to win now” anyway.
I believe you can obtain Oswalt for relatively no cost in terms of prospects. Getting Westbrook, Carmona etc costs a lot not just in terms of prospects, but wins. these guys just aren’t that good.

"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"

by feslenraster on Jun 18, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions