Mets Looking At Nationals’ Josh Willingham

On the eve of the 2009 Baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, finally a Mets rumor that doesn’t shake my confidence and that I can sink my teeth into.

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Mets are interested in Nationals outfielder, Josh Willingham. 

Add the Mets as one of the teams who have interest in Nationals left fielder Josh Willingham, according to a baseball source. The Giants, Mariners and Braves are the other teams who reportedly are willing to acquire his services. “Willingham is the only player on the Nationals the Mets are interested in,” the source said.

Willingham, 30, had a very solid debut season with the Nationals batting .260 with 24 home runs and 61 RBIs. He had a very solid .367 on-base percentage to go with a robust .863 OPS.

The only knock on Willingham might be his defense, but couple with a defensive caddy like Angel Pagan, this just my be a nice play for the Mets.

Willingham would still be under team control for another two years, and as Ladson mentioned, there are other interested parties so acquiring him may not be that easy. The Mets may have to heavily out maneuver the Giants and mariners to convince the Nationals to trade Willingham within the division. It was easy to give up Brian Schneider and his $10 million dollar contract along with Church for a former number one draft pick, but moving Willingham to the Mets may make them think twice. 

Still, this rumor is definitely a nice surprise compared to some of the sludge that’s been tossed around in the last 24 hours.

Go get him Omar!