Jul
30
2012

Mets Rumor Mill: Hairston Drawing Big Interest, Byrdak Not So Much; Soto, Street & More

An article by Clayton Collier

Well ladies and trolls, it’s that time again! It’s July 30th and that means all those last minute wheelings and dealings will get done, maybe with the exception of our New York Mets. Anyway, here’s the latest on your Amazin’s as the deadline approaches:

Quite A Bit Of Last-Minute Interest In Scott Hairston:

Team such as the Tigers, Giants, Braves and Rangers have been linked to Scott Hairston, but as Ken Rosenthal tweets, the Mets may value him more than other teams do. Many teams see him as a right-handed bat off the bench or a platoon guy, while the Mets see the 32-year old as a near-starter over the next two months.

As we saw however last week, the Mets were considering moving Hairtson because they were afraid he would become “too pricey” once he hits free agency this winter. Hairston is making $1.1 million in 2012, but multiple sources indicate that Alderson is leaning towards holding onto him.

Byrdak Market Ice Cold:

According to Andy Martino, there is absolutely no interest in Tim Byrdak. The Mets have expressed that they would be willing to make him available and Alderson was said to be “fielding calls”, however due to his recent struggles leading to his ugly 4.76 ERA, the 38-year old is also more likely to stay in Flushing.

Huston Street Signs Two-Year Extension With Padres:

Two of the big names associated with the Mets early in this trade market were Carlos Quentin and Huston Street, now both have singed extensions with the Padres. Street’s deal will earn him $7 million per year in 2013 and 2014 with a $7 million option for 2015 with no buyout option. The Padres now have Street, Quentin, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal last week, and Cameron Maybin making up roughly 40% of their payroll in 2013.

Murphy Offers Underwhelming:

The Mets have not been impressed by the offers on Murphy says Martino. Apparently, they expected a .300 hitter with 32 doubles capable of playing three infield positions would draw more attention, but silly me!

Martino went on to say that one Mets person told him ”We’re not trading Murphy for a reliever”.

Amazin’s Interested In Brandon League?

Martino is also reporting that the Mets had interest in Mariners closer Brandon League, but interest in him and some of the higher profile relievers has faded for the Mets as of late (as has their win total). Martino expects a quite deadline for the Mets overall.

Mets Had Discussed Geovany Soto:

One final tidbit out of the Martino rumor bin: Andy Martino is reporting the Mets and Cubs had discussed a deal for Geovany Soto, however it isn’t likely to materialize. Soto is batting .195 in 2012 and is making $4.3 million headed into his third year of arbitration should he be tendered.

Ramon Hernandez, Kelly Shoppach and Miguel Olivo were also on the Mets radar, but the asking prices for them appeared too high for their liking.

Basically, unless the Mets are either one, blown away by a deal, or have the chance to acquire someone who is going to make an impact on 2013, they most likely will not make any significant move.

But hey, the Phillies are supposed to be agressively shopping Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence. There is rumored to be ”a deal in place” for Pence to go to the Giants. Can we take their suckitude as a consolation prize?

This has been your Mets trade rumor update!

About the Author: Clayton Collier

Clayton, a Long Island native and die-hard Mets fan, started writing online about three years ago. He is currently a Journalism major with a minor in Broadcasting at Seton Hall University. Although very disappointed with the current state of the team, Clayton remains hopeful that the young prospects in the farm system will bring the Mets back to a respected franchise in baseball once again. Besides writing for MMO, Clayton is also a staff member at 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall's modern active rock radio station. You can contact Clayton by following him on Twitter: @Clayton_Collier or E-mailing him at MaybeNextYearMets@yahoo.com

6 Comments + Add Comment

Met Maniac July 30, 2012 at 8:53 am

Can we take their suckitude as a consolation prize?

With Alderson at the helm, another teams suckitude is all we have to hold onto.

But remember the Phillies did sign one of the best young lefthanders in baseball in Cole Hamels. That ought to count for something.
jessep July 30, 2012 at 9:30 am

I think each and every day, we should all start to understand that the problems of this roster far exceed the frustration we’ve all had with the bullpen.

You can’t fix LF, CF, RF, C, SP, RP over night. Just can’t do it.

Some of our problem and I’m guilty of it also is we over value some of our own players. We look at guys like Kirk, Duda, Spin and think they are the future and such a no brainer OF.

If you look at the Mets OF objectively… take the entire group of 6 guys, Duda-Kirk-Torres-Spin-Bay-Hairston.

Tell me what MLB outfields are you taking the Mets over?

Maybe Seattle but probably not… KC, HOU, and SD would probably be the only 3 teams I’d say “give me the Mets” and you can make at least a serious case for not doing so.

There’s a reason there’s no market for C’s, because the teams that have good ones – don’t let them go anymore. Mike Piazza deals don’t happen anymore.
- Metsie July 30, 2012 at 11:12 am
  
  And you need to come to the realization that you don’t have to fix them ALL in one year but fix one or two and you are not in the mess your currently in!
  
  We fixed nothing! And what we tried to fix we made worse not better!
  
  Duda Kirk and Spin are not the problem here they are merely a symtom of the other failures!
  Like the lack of any power hitting RH bat other than Wright
  Like the insistence of playing Bay and rushing his rehab to get his 0-3 with a GDP into the lineup!
  Like that bullpen that cost us half the games we are behind in the Wildcard!
  Like the lack of preparedness knowing full well that Santana was likely to need to go on the DL coming off surgery at some point in the season.
larman July 30, 2012 at 10:50 am

how can any price be too high when those players make less than 5 million , i mean really the mets can’t afford that, come on you jerk sandy and really stupid jerks the wilpons. That once again shows us fans that they just don’t care period. Please just SELL SELL SELL SO THAT WE CAN WIN WIN WIN.
jdon July 30, 2012 at 11:57 am

You don’t trade Hairston for a couple of meatballs, just so you don’t pay him a third of a season. No prospect, no trade. The guy can help win a few more games for us this season. Not surprised on Byrdak. I have always been amazed at his success here. To me, his stuff is mediocre. As for Murphy, I think they would trade him if they got something good. It has always amazed me how few walks Murphy gets. He looks at a fair number of pitches, but never walks. If I were an opposing GM, that would bother me, and might make me offer less than the mets think he is worth.
chuck July 30, 2012 at 2:17 pm

Hey its just New York. The Padres will probably be more active in buying. Sad!

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	24	18	.571	-
Nationals	23	20	.535	1.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.5
Mets	16	24	.400	7.0
Marlins	11	32	.256	13.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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