MLB Trade Rumors: Next New York Mets Player to Get Dealt Should Be Tim Byrdak

With all the hoopla and hype surrounding the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes, it appears that a trade of the Mets' next most likely player to be dealt may go under the radar. 

According to Andy Martino of the Daily News, that player is left-handed reliever Tim Byrdak. 

Byrdak, who's been used primarily as a late-inning reliever by Mets' manager Terry Collins, has posted a 3.60 ERA in 25 innings pitched thus far in 2011. 

The 37-year-old journeyman reliever is viewed as valuable commodity on the trade block, as the market for left-handed relievers appears rather thin. 

Bullpen help is always a high priority this time of year for contending clubs, and picking up a lefty reliever is even more coveted.

Interestingly enough, Byrdak seems to be high on the New York Yankees' priority list. Mets' General manager Sandy Alderson has already stated that he has no qualms when it comes to dealing with the Yankees, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. 

So, what can the Mets expect to receive for Byrdak?

If you're thinking anything better than a mid-level prospect, then I'm going to have to go ahead and burst your bubble. Byrdak is currently on the "back-nine" of his career, and if you think any team would mortgage its future for a 37-year-old journeyman reliever, well, you're just not thinking rationally. 

The Mets can aptly fill the void that Brydak's departure will leave in the bullpen, as they have left-handed reliever Mike O'Connor currently pitching in Triple-A Buffalo. 

O'Connor made a brief cameo with the Mets in May, and posted a respectable 2.70 ERA in 6.2 innings pitched.