New York Mets: Buyers or Sellers? I Say Neither

As the MLB trade deadline grows near, the debate between Mets fans is over whether the Mets should be buyers or sellers.

With their nine-game winning streak going into the All-Star break, they reside only one-half game out of first place in the division. Most people realize that the Mets are in this thing and want them to be buyers. But I say the Mets should be neither buyers nor sellers.

It's true that both corner-outfield spots have injuries. Alou might be gone for the season, and there's no guarantee Church will return to his early-season form. This has most Mets fans screaming for an outfield addition.

I would love for the Mets to add a veteran bat such as Ibanez from the Mariners, but there are costs to such a move.

I say the Mets should be neither buyers nor sellers, because the cost of adding an Ibanez, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, or Matt Holliday is far to steep for the Mets' farm system at this point.

If we could add one of those prized outfielders, or possibly a Fuentes from the Rockies, for a cheap price—then great. The problem is, I don't think it's possible. All of those trades would start with the Mets sending our top prospect, outfielder Fernando Martinez.

Endy Chavez and Fernando Tatis are playing outstanding right now, probably over their heads, but once Church comes back, I think Chavez and Tatis would make a good combo in left field.

Also, the Mets have other options within the system. Angel Pagan will be back soon, and if he can play the way he did before he got injured, that would give the Mets an added boost. There's also Nick Evans and Val Pascucci, some guys that might surprise given the chance.

I don't think the Mets should be depleting their farm system any more than they have been, just to add a player that might not be with us after the season. If we can add Ibanez, or anyone they desire, without giving up F-Mart and all of our prospects, then by all means, pull the trigger.

Additionally, there are some creative avenues the Mets could try. What about Heilman? His value is starting to gain some momentum—could he be the centerpiece in returning a bat?

If we could package Heilman and some prospects (not named F-Mart) for an outfielder, and somehow get Fuentes from the Rockies, that would be great. Otherwise, I say we go with what we have, what will be returning, and not give up any more of our top prospects.

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