16
2012
Garza, Hamels, Dempster, Willingham, Liriano Drawing Heavy Interest As Trade Deadline Nears
An article by 72MetsFan
Ramon Hernandez, Colorado Rockies
It’s no secret that the Mets primary (yes, I said primary) is Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez. But getting him is not going to be as easy as you think according to Ken Rosenthal. Sometimes, veteran players have more value to their present club than they would in a trade, he says, and Hernandez is one such player as he is helping rookie Wilin Rosario with his game-calling and receiving. So, while the idea of trading Hernandez to say, the Mets, seems logical enough, the Rockies aren’t sure it would be best for Rosario. They would move Hernandez, but only at their price.
Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are still hoping to get a nice package for right-hander Matt Garza although they’ve lowered their expectations a great deal from last year when they sought a Gio Gonzalez type return. Rosenthal believes the Cubs still could get a significant return because of he’s still under contract for 2013 and the acquiring team would be eligible for a draft pick at the end of that season. The Mets have yet to show any interest, but that might change if Matt Harvey fails to impress today.
Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs
Buster Olney of ESPN says that with a little more than two weeks until baseball’s trade deadline, 10 teams have shown legitimate interest in acquiring Dempster’s services for the remainder of the season, according to industry sources. Those clubs include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. Yep, no Mets among the suitors. Dempster is 5-3 with a league leading 1.86 ERA and his 1.02 WHIP is the NL’s third best. If the Braves get him, meaningful games in September may be just a fantasy for the Mets.
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies still think they can get Hamels to sign an extensaion, but for now they are the only ones who believe that will happen. The Yankees are breathing hard down their necks and are very tuned into the situation and they are expected to make a huge play for Hamels according to the New York Post. The Yanks will most likely keep Hamels from bolting for free agency if they do end up landing the 28-year old left-hander. The Angels, Dodgers, Rangers, Pirates, Tigers, Marlins, and Giants are also interested and have scouts following Hamels’ starts. The Yankees are also very interested in Justin Upton which will scare off any potential interest from the Mets on that front.
Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins
Francisco Liriano is drawing lots of attention and scouts from the Yankees, Blue Jays, Braves, Reds, Padres, Nationals and even the Mets have all been in attendance at Target Field in recent weeks on days Liriano has pitched. Seems like the Nationals want everybody these days. Mets aren’t the type of team that likes competition in the market place so don’t expect anything to come out of this except a ticket for a plane ride home to flushing for the scout.
Josh Willingham, Minnesota Twins
According to Phil Mackey of ESPN, one high-ranking American League front office executive said Josh Willingham is “definitely” the Minnesota Twins’ most valuable trade chip should they choose to move him. Willingham entered Sunday hitting .268/.382/.567 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. The Twins have not made Willingham “off-limits” to potential suitors, but they are not actively shopping him either. The 33-year-old slugger will earn $7 million per year through 2014.
About the Author: Drew Staley
On June 1, 2012 Johan Santana officially became my favorite current Met! I'm a Queens native who grew up in the shadows of Big Shea. I was a huge Ron Darling, Dave Magadan and John Olerud fan. Honored to be a part of such a great site for Mets fans. Ya Gotta Believe!
12 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
Recent Comments
- Corporal Klegg: on Last Night We Saw A Big Chunk Of “The Plan”: I will try my man Alex, I will...
- Corporal Klegg: on Last Night We Saw A Big Chunk Of “The Plan”: That all sounds very good in theory...
- Donal: on Last Night We Saw A Big Chunk Of “The Plan”: "Why are Travis D’arnaud, Wilmer Flores, and...
- Dan: on Last Night We Saw A Big Chunk Of “The Plan”: Why are Travis D'arnaud, Wilmer Flores, and...
- Joey D.: on Where Does Wheeler Rank Among Best Mets Pitching Debuts?: Hi USMF, Exactly. Being cautious is not denying that...
Latest From Mets Minors
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1333 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
I think Willingham is a righty? If he is available I’d be on him like white on rice if I were the Mets. He’d be a lot cheaper than Upton and probably better suited to our needs. I dont really want to trade for starting pitching with our best prospects so close to being promoted. But if we could add a right handed reliever who could pitch crossover innings sign me up.
If Hernandez is their Primary target I hope they get the LAST guy on thier list!
He might actually be worth getting!
why the F would they be looking for a catcher?? They have no significant issue at Catcher! They NEED a Bullpen!!! and another descent bat! THAT is alllllll
isn’t the goal to get one of the better bats from the RH catcher spot though?
Because both their catchers right now suck ass?
“The Yankees are also very interested in Justin Upton which will scare off any potential interest from the Mets on that front.”
The Yankees are on Upton’s no-trade list. Even so, the Mets shouldn’t be shaken off by interest of Upton by the Yanks. As far as Hernandez goes, Shoppach should be the primary target. They’ve discussed him as a potential catching option and if I were them, I’d move in.
“Sometimes, veteran players have more value to their present club than they would in a trade, he says, and Hernandez is one such player as he is helping rookie Wilin Rosario with his game-calling and receiving. So, while the idea of trading Hernandez to say, the Mets, seems logical enough, the Rockies aren’t sure it would be best for Rosario.”
Hi Drew,
Quite interesting comment for last season could Carlos Beltran, while patrolling right field, have also helped nurture Lucas Duda in both playing right and with his bat? I do not know if being a center fielder all his career would disqualify Carlos from teaching him the specifics about right, but could he have still helped him with his outfield play in general? If so, what better a mentor icould Duda have had than Carlos?
Just a thought and in the case of Duda perhaps impracticable but it does show there are many ways in successfully rebuilding than just getting rid of the old. I know – KRod would have given the young kids boxing lessons.
wouldn’t it have been kind of crowded out there in RF with Beltran and Duda?
Nope!
Beltran in RF, Duda in LF Kirk in CF Bye Bye Torres and Bay!
Hi Metsie,
We know that wasn’t going to happen unless the front office decided to eat a good portion of Bay’s contract in exchange for some promising hopefuls.
I would have preferred starting the season with Beltran-Bay-Duda myself for as we know when the decisions regarding the status of Beltran and Torres was made, the front office didn’t even bring Kirk into the equation. So for now, I would want Bay-Kirk-Duda as a regular tandem so, if nothing more, Kirk can learn the ropes in center and how to handle pitching from both sides of the mound.
If Bay still flops, I wonder if Sandy will just eat the contract and release him like he did Perez and Castillo.
Hi Stick,
That was why I mentioned with Beltran still patrolling right, he would be more a mentor with Duda – working with him before and after the games for two months. Again, I don’t know if a career center fielder patrolling right for the first time in his career can apply his fielding savvy to the rigors of right field. If nothing more, the batted ball would be coming from a different angle and direction.
It’s just that to keep Hernandez to help Rosario does raise the point about how it might be in the best interest of any club to hold onto an experienced veteran for another month or two rather than dumping him. Often, that point is overlooked.
The Mets NEED to do something at this point!