(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
In my initial installment of the Halladay Sweepstakes, I analyzed the major players competing for the potential acquisition of Toronto’s ace. Then, in my second piece, I took a look at the entire NL Central as possible landing spots for the coveted pitcher.
To complete the series, I’ll discuss teams that maybe aren’t currently considered viable trading partners with the Blue Jays but should at least entertain the thought of turning the tide in their respective divisions with a high impact acquisition.
New York Metropolitans
Decimated by injuries and awful fundamentals, the Mets just flat out haven’t been very good this season. Yet somehow, they’re still within striking distance of both the NL East and Wildcard.
The Mets were mentioned early on as potential suitors for Roy Halladay, but for some reason those rumors seemed to have cooled. Despite the Mets probably being the team that needs him the most simply to stay in contention, I just haven’t heard many people list the Mets among the potential top bidders in the Halladay auction.
Oliver Perez has been awful, Livan Hernandez is a workhorse but calling him a No. 4 pitcher is stretching it, and Johan Santana hasn’t been quite as unhittable as in previous seasons.
The Mets are going nowhere fast this season without a major shakeup to their rotation and/or everyday lineup. That’s where Halladay can step in and form a deadly front end combination with Santana to give the Mets a fighting chance.
As far as trade bait goes, the Mets have some pieces to offer, but their current stance regarding pitchers Brad Holt and Bobby Parnell as near untouchables has to be altered if they are to acquire a difference maker a la Halladay.
Fernando Martinez, the young outfielder who made his debut this season with mixed results, has long been the apple of Mets’ fans (and the organization’s) eye as the crown jewel of the farm system. Personally, I think he is overrated and overhyped by the New York media and fans, much like former Yankee top prospect Jose Tabata, who was traded to Pittsburgh in the Damaso Marte/Xavier Nady trade of 2008.
The Mets should have held onto speedster Carlos Gomez instead of F-Mart in the Santana deal two winters ago. John Maine or Mike Pelfrey, younger but more established players than any prospects, could be bargaining chips for a rotation upgrade, as could 2008 first round picks Reese Havens (SS) and Ike Davis (1B/OF), both of whom have underperformed at the plate since turning pro.
The problem the Mets face is selling low on their prospects after holding onto them throughout the peak of their hype, and thus having to overpay (in their opinion) to get a player like Halladay. This is true for Martinez, Nick Evans, and Jenrry Mejia (who has been battling injuries all year).
Trade Proposal: It will cost a ton for the Mets, and that’s assuming they can get Halladay to waive his no-trade clause to come to a floundering team on the brink of being out of contention.
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