Mets Trade Rumors: Scott Hairston And Tim Byrdak Likely Going Nowhere

It doesn't make much sense to the Mets to trade Scott Hairston and/or Tim Byrdak to a contending team, especially since most of those clubs are offering mid-to-low level prospects in return. Or at least that's what the New York Daily News is reporting.

The Daily News' Andy Martino reports that while general manager Sandy Alderson is "fielding calls and brainstorming strategies -- and would, of course, like to obtain a legitimate prospect for either veteran --- he is more likely as of Saturday to retain the pair."

That doesn't mean there won't be any moves, since the organization has been in pursuit of a high-profile reliever for a while now. But one executive tells the Daily News to expect a quiet trading season.

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Mets Trade Rumors: Scott Hairston A Tigers Trade Target?

New York Mets outfielder Scott Hairston is reportedly a trade target of the Detroit Tigers (via Jon Morosi). Just days ago, the Mets said they would listen to offers for Hairston, albeit only for players who could help the team as early as the 2013 season (via Joel Sherman). The Tigers are looking for a right-handed bat and Hairston could seemingly provide what Detroit is looking for.

Hairston, 32, is hitting .259 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI this season for the Mets. For his career, he is hitting .279 against left-handed pitching. In 2012, he is hitting .308 against lefties with nine homers and 24 RBI.

However, according to Adam Rubin, while Detroit and New York did speak on Friday, a deal for Hairston does not seem likely. Stay tuned to see if the Mets can make a deal for Hairston with the Tigers or another team by the MLB trade deadline on July 31.

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MLB Trade Deadline: Mets Should Sell (Almost) Everything

We are about a week away from the 2012 MLB non-waiver trade deadline and some major dominoes have already started to fall across the league. Ichiro Suzuki has moved from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Yankees, while the Florida Marlins shipped Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers.

So far there has only been silence from the New York Mets and general manager Sandy Alderson. But make no mistake about it, this struggling team should be one of the more active clubs between now and the end of August, when teams can made waiver trades.

No, Alderson shouldn't make a play for Ryan Dempster, Cole Hamels or any other big time player on the market. He should be doing everything in his power to be a heavy seller at the deadline.

New York overachieved throughout most of the first half, giving the illusion of a potential playoff team, but have shown their true colors over the last three weeks. The Mets are nothing more than an average team that can compete on the fringe of the race when everything goes their way. It's time to realize this season will not end in a playoff birth and start building looking to the future.

In short, the Mets should sell (almost) anything that isn't nailed down.

Take David Wright, Matt Harvey, Jonathan Niese, Ruben Tejada and R.A. Dickey off the table and then take bids for everything else on the major league roster.

That's not to say the likes of Ike Davis and Lucas Duda should be given away, but it doesn't hurt to see if you can score a top prospect for each. The disappointing lefties aren't likely to have much value and should feel comfortable they will be with the Mets going into the offseason, but after taking the temperature around the league for those two they can move onto other potential deals.

Scott Hairston can help almost any team as a potent right-handed bat off the bench and should at the very least fetch a low-level pitcher and the always popular "cash considerations". The same should go for lefty reliever Tim Byrdak, who has been up-and-down for the Mets, but sports a .140 average against lefties. Daniel Murphy has no power, but is hot right now and should be able to help an American League team as a pinch-hitter and DH.

There isn't much with clear value beyond those players, but Alderson needs to do all he can to ship out any player that is not in the plans for the 2013 New York Mets. This might seem like a rash decision by many Mets fans that still hold out hope things can turn around, but Alderson was pretty clear what his approach would be at the deadline.

"I think the results on the field will dictate that," the general manager said. "This will have an impact on us every five days, no question about that."

Anything that has the look of a fire sale will hurt attendance at Citi Field, but Alderson should be able to take back enough cash in deals to offset any losses at the gate.

It's never a fun thing to come to grips with as a fan, but the 2012 New York Mets are done. It's time to move on.

Brett Myers Trade: Reliever Goes To White Sox, Not New York Mets

Cross one name off the list of relief pitchers who might become New York Mets by the July 31 MLB non-waiver trade deadline. The Houston Astros have traded veteran right-hander Brett Myers to the Chicago White Sox.

Here is part of the report from MLB.com:

The Astros continued to restock their farm system on Saturday by trading veteran pitcher Brett Myers and cash considerations to the White Sox in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Heidenreich, left-handed pitcher Blair Walters and a player to be named later.

Myers spoke exclusively to MLB.com on Saturday about the trade, saying he was excited to be going to a White Sox team that's in first place in the American League Central.

"They're in first place," he said. "I'm pumped about that and to play for a team that's fighting for a championship. That's why I play the game, to win championships."

Myers, who closed for the Phillies in 2007, has saved 19 of 21 games this year for the Astros. He has a $10 million option for 2013 that vests if he finishes 45 games this year. He has finished 29 games so far. There's a $3 million buyout if the option doesn't vest.

The Astros are expected to pick up most of the remainder of Myers' $11 million contract for this year.

Mets Trade Rumors: New York Won't Overpay

The New York Mets have been adamant that they will be buyers leading up to the July 31 MLB non-waiver trade deadline, rather than sellers. Also, however, the Mets are adamant that they will not mortgage their farm system to add pieces in an effort to improve their team for a playoff run.

New York Mets won't overpay in trade despite recent skid - ESPN New York
"We're watching every day the same thing people are," [assistant general manager John] Ricco said Thursday morning. "But you also can't fool yourself into thinking that there's one guy that is going to be the be-all and end-all solution to all of our problems. You can fall into that trap and make some big mistakes. It's one of the good things about having an experienced guy like [GM] Sandy [Alderson]. He's been down this road before."

As for balancing the present versus the future, the Mets seem to be tilted toward the latter.

"It's not even every day; we're constantly weighing both those things and having a lot of discussion about it," Ricco said. "But, at the end of the day, it's not completely in our control. There's the [other] teams. And they see the same thing. They know that, 'OK, we have to make a deal now.' So they're going to try to hold somebody over a barrel. And then it comes down to, 'Do we feel it's close enough that we can make that move?' And so far we haven't hit on it."

The Mets are trying to improve their leaky bullpen and have been rumored to be involved in talks for several potentially available relievers

Omar Quintanilla Trade: New York Mets Send SS To Orioles For Cash Considerations

The New York Mets sent shortstop Omar Quintanilla to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations, according to a report (ESPN NY).

Quintanilla had recently been placed on assignment by the Mets to make room for outfielder Jason Bay on the roster as Bay was returning from the disabled list. Bay returned from the concussion which had put him on the disabled list on Tuesday. Quintanilla was originally signed to a minor league contract by the Mets on Jan. 3. In 29 games with the Mets this season, Quintanilla hit .257 with one home run, eight walks and four RBI. In addition to shortstop, he also played some time at second base this season.

The Orioles will be Quintanilla's fourth MLB team, having previously played for the Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers in addition to the Mets.

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Mets Trade Rumors: New York Pursuing Jonathan Broxton, Grant Balfour, Among Others?

The New York Mets said earlier this week that they are interested in buying bullpen arms as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. Who is still on the Mets radar on that front?

While New York is not close to finalizing any deals, they are reportedly interested in Jonathan Broxton of the Kansas City Royals (via Danny Knobler) and Grant Balfour of the Oakland Athletics (via David Lennon). Broxton has 22 saves and a 2.14 ERA this season for Kansas City. Balfour is 2-2 with seven saves, 11 holds and a 3.07 ERA for Oakland in 2012.

Other targets could include Brewers pitcher Francisco Rodriguez, a former Mets player. However, the Brewers are not certain about where they stand on selling Rodriguez. Brett Myers of the Astros is another possibility although the Mets reportedly haven't expended much effort in their pursuit (via Andy McCullough).

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Mets Trade Rumors: Alderson Says 'We Are Buyers'

The New York Mets are, somewhat surprisingly, still in the thick of the National League playoff race as the July 31 MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaches. GM Sandy Alderson has only one goal at the deadline -- improve the team's woeful bullpen.

"That’s the number one priority," Alderson said of the bullpen. "We’ve looked at other things. Other things could develop. But we’re focused on a long-term plan with the recognition that 2012 is very important, and we want to be as competitive as we can possibly be. Hopefully we don’t have to compromise the vision."

The long-term vision is, of course, that the Mets believe they have a young core and will be better in the future than they are now. They don't want to sacrifice too much young talent. Make no mistake, though, the GM is intent on improving his team. "We are buyers," Alderson said. "Right now, we’re buyers."

Entering play on Tuesday, the Mets' 4.90 bullpen ERA is the worst in baseball. The latest name to be bandied about in terms of the Mets is Kansas City's Jonathan Broxton. The 28-year-old former Los Angeles Dodger is 1-1 with 22 saves in 33 appearances for the Royals.

Mets Trade Rumors: Huston Street, Brett Myers Potential Targets

If teams performed to their preseason expectations, then the New York Mets would have been a non-factor at Major League Baseball's July 31 trade deadline, resigned to doing nothing or parting with a few veterans in order to receive some low-range prospects. But at July 7, the story is different, as the Mets are 46-39, four-and-a-half games out of the National League East and tied for a Wild Card spot.

From the surface, that makes general manager Sandy Alderson's job a difficult one: he's in the midst of a modest rebuild, his team has turned heads with its play and therefore is in the thick of the race. But it won't be a difficult deadline for Alderson, who won't part with youth or destroy the foundation and will undoubtedly target incremental upgrades.

ESPN's resident general manager Jim Bowden recently penned a column discussing the 10 players most likely to be traded by July 31. His list includes Zack Greinke, SP; Shane Victorino, CF; Ryan Dempster SP; Wandy Rodriguez, SP; Carlos Quentin, OF; Francisco Liriano, SP; Huston Street, RP; Brett Myers, RP; and Marco Scutaro, 2B.

It's plainly obvious, but it must be said, first: every player has a price. The Mets would be interested in most of these players if they could move marginal pieces. But that's not the case, especially in a league where there's more teams in contention because of the two Wild Cards. The market will be pricey.

Every team wants to add an ace and you can never have enough pitching. Greinke fits that profile, but Alderson will not be moving the team's top prospects, which include Zack Wheeler, Matt Harvey, Jeurys Familia or Brandon Nimmo. Garza (to an extent) Dempster and Liriano all are a few notches below Greinke's tier. That being said, the Mets' rotation has been exceptional, ranking third in the majors with a 3.52 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. It's a team strength, but Alderson has to be wary of injury risks, especially to pitchers like Johan Santana and Chris Young. The team could always use more rotation pieces, but it's likely the GM targets depth, especially with the outside the top five so weak, instead of these caliber of players.

The Mets are vulnerable against left-handed pitchers. They sorely need another right-handed bat, and if it's addressed that's likely to come in the outfield. Despite a .245/.311/.454 line, Victorino would be a huge upgrade in centerfield: Kirk Nieuwenhuis can't hit lefties and is not near the defensive player and Andres Torres hasn't proven durable. The Philles won't be parting with Victorino cheaply, though, and the price will likely be higher to division opponents. Quentin is a power bat that Mets could use, but there's a lot of teams that could use him in left field. Even Bowden admits a team will have to "overpay with prospects to get him." That won't be the Mets.

Where New York fits in is the relief market. The front office will be very active in seeking help; the fact the Mets have been so successful with a league-worst bullpen that has a 5.01 ERA and 1.50 WHIP (28th in the league) is amazing. Relievers were pretty much the only position added in the offseason, and the additions have pretty much been busts. Now's the chance to rectify those problems. Bowdown calls the Mets "frontrunners" for Street, the Padres closer. Street had an early disabled-list stint, but he has a 1.17 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 23 innings with 13 saves. Most of all, the 28-year-old, who has been a bit injury prone, has an excellent track record: 3.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 191 saves and 38 blown saves. He has two years left on his deal: $7.5 million this year and $9 in 2013.

Myers is another guy who will be moved, as the Astros are struggling and could get his $11 contract off the books. Of course, they'd have to eat a bit of the money, but the fact he's making so much means he might not command a hefty trade package. Myers has a 3.45 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 19 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings and 18 saves out of 21 opportunities. He's not flashy, but he'd be an upgrade over the arms in the Mets' bullpen now. HIs next team will likely be the one willing to take on the most salary. Mets ownership may be willing to do that because they're in the race.

The Mets will not make the big splash by the deadline, so the big names in Bowden's story are unrealistic options ... but it's a certainty that they'll acquire relief help. Street and Myers would be great fits and it wouldn't be surprising to see at least one of them wearing a Mets uniform in the beginning of August.

Mets Trade Rumors: Ramon Hernandez, Other Catchers Are Targets For New York, According To Sources

The first half of the 2012 MLB season will conclude Sunday, and the surprising New York Mets will enter the dog days of summer ready to make a run at a National League East pennant. That goal, however, may come at a bit of a cost as now the Mets are hunting players who can help them make the postseason.

And according to New York Post's Joel Sherman, sources are telling him the Mets are interested in trading for Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Hernandez is making $3.2 million this year and due $3.2 million next year, and Colorado is in full rebuild mode.

Sherman also lists Boston Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach and Seattle Mariners' Miguel Olivo as options.

Both fit the profile of what the Mets desire — a righty catcher with power to move Mike Nickeas off the roster. The Mets entered the weekend tied for the fewest homers by catchers in the majors (two). Their .618 catching OPS ranked 24th out of 30 teams.

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New York Mets Trade Rumors 2012: Francisco Rodriguez On The List Of Targets, According To Source

The New York Mets have shocked a lot of baseball fans during the first half of the MLB season, and the Amazin's could make a more shocking move by the July 31 trade deadline. According to the New York Post's Ken Davidoff, a source familiar with the club has told him the Mets are interested in bringing back relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez.

Davidoff says the Milwaukee Brewers, who sit in fourth place in the NL Central Division, are still trying to decide if they're going to be buyers or sellers at the deadline, but if they become sellers "K-Rod" is a piece they'd be willing to give up.

The Brewers likely won’t act until after the All-Star break; they start a four-game home series with the Marlins tonight and visit the Astros for the weekend. Attanasio, not one to give up easily, will make the final call.

Of course, the acquisition of Rodriguez would be a tough sell to Mets' fans, who had a rocky relationship with the high-profiled, former closer. Despite the history, Davidoff believes the positives outweigh the negatives:

He might not go down as a great New York success, but K-Rod wouldn’t be surprised by anything in the Mets’ universe. He behaved markedly better last year, upon returning from his 2010 arrest for attempted assault of his children’s grandfather at Citi, and he enjoyed a positive working relationship with Terry Collins.

Rodriguez was a Met from 2009 until he was traded to the Brewers in the middle of the 2011 season. He saved 83 games in his two-plus seasons with the Mets.

New York Mets Trade Rumors 2012: Grant Balfour, Huston Street?

The New York Mets have reportedly been seeking help for their beleaguered bullpen, which has the worst ERA in baseball at 5.00, and a couple of names have emerged as possibilities.

The Mets have reportedly called the San Diego Padres about right-handed closer Huston Street. [via Hardball Talk]

Street, 28, has a 1.42 ERA, a 0.737 whip and is 11-for-11 in save opportunities. He is an eight-year veteran with 189 career saves. He is owed roughly half of his $7.5 million salary for this season and his contract includes a $500,000 buyout on a $9 million mutual option for next season.

Another name that has surfaced is Oakland's Grant Balfour. The 34-year-old right-hander has a 1-2 record, 3.49 ERA and seven saves. Balfour has less closing experience (34 career saves) than Street, having spent most of his career in a setup role.

Balfour might make more sense financially for the Mets. He is in the final year of a two-year, $8.1 million deal. That contract includes a $4.5 million team option for next season with a $350,000 buyout.

The Mets are 42-36, second in the National League East and in position to make at a run at playoff spot. They need to do something to help their bullpen if that is going to happen.

MLB Trade Rumors 2012: New York Mets Seeking Another Bullpen Arm?

The New York Mets are reportedly in the market for another arm in the bullpen and won't try to stock the pen with someone from inside the organization (via New York Post).

Mets vice president and assistant general manager John Ricco said about the situation the team faces, "Our numbers are what they are. We need to find a way to get better production." And, the numbers aren't good. The Mets have the worst bullpen ERA in baseball at 5.21. Ricco also said, "It's not too early to do the research. It's probably too early to make a move, although each year there is several pre-emptive ones. For the seller more than the buyer."

Here are the names that came up in the Post article which the Mets might look into: Huston Street, Brett Myers and possibly Grant Balfour as well.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that New York will also explore pitchers who aren't big names. Ricco referenced the 2006 trade which brought in Guillermo Mota from the Indians. "Sometimes, you try to catch lightning in a bottle. That was a deal when they were just giving him away." Mota posted an ERA of 1.00 in 18 appearances for the Mets in 2006 after being a bust for Cleveland.

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MLB Trade Rumors 2012: New York Mets News, Rumors