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I wouldn't mind Blanton, but I don't want to give up too much for him, and Santana would be great, but I'd like to limit it to 5 prospects (twins want 6 or 7 or Reyes, I think that's too much).


Other guys out there:

Kyle Lohse
Livan Hernandez
Jon Lieber
Freddy Garcia

Another reportedly available arm is that of Matt Morris, who is owed $10 million for 2008


(list from the Blanton article)


Comentary:

Lohse - guy's never been great. a fringe starter at best.

Livan - I like this guy, but he's a few years removed from his good seasons.

Lieber - anyone remember what happened with this guy on the Yanks. I guess he's an OK pickup, not crazy about him.

Garcia - personally, I think Garcia may be the guy to sign. He's the fewest years removed from being a solid starter. And we may need a guy to pitch at 20 plus starts for us, depending on how the health of our top 5 guys. I know Garcia was nothing last year, but if I had to choose,I'd lean towards Garcia

Morris is another guy who's worth a look. I can live with 10 million for 1 season (so can the mets, as they've added essentially no salary this off season), Morris hasn't had an ERA below 4 since 2003 and he hasn't really been dominant since 2002, but he's had some OK seasons.


I guess my choices would be

Blanton - 1 (but I'm not sure I'd offer either OF prospect for him and I'd hesitate to give up Heilman or Pelfrey so I probably wouldn't get the trade done).

Garcia - 2 offer him a 2 or 3 year contract with an opt out after 1 year - don't see the harm.

Morris - 3. - can be had cheap. Pirates probably don't want to pay his 10 million next year.

Mets Keep Eye On A's Blanton
5th January, 2008 - 11:01 am
New York Daily News - With A's General Manager Billy Beane in an all-out rebuilding mode, starting pitcher Joe Blanton could be the next to depart Oakland.

A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday that the Mets remain, "Interested in doing something there" and recently asked Beane, "To keep them in mind, just as it was with (ace Dan) Haren."

In the past month, Beane has extracted six prospects from Arizona for Haren and three more from the White Sox for switch-hitting outfielder Nick Swisher. The A's almost certainly would expect at least three more young players in return for Blanton, who is arbitration-eligible after making $380,000 last season. The 27-year-old righty has made at least 31 starts in each of his first three years. He went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 230 innings in 2007. [READ]

At the end of the day there are no free agent pitchers that can make a impact on this team. Thats why I still want to after Blanton...

SANTANA OR B UST! MAKE EVERYONE BUT REYES AND WRIGHT AVAILABLE!!!!

i would love to try and trade for Blanton, but the trade request was too much before, Mulvey and Gomez in the same deal for an end of the rotation type of pitcher. Minaya said Mulvey could have a shot at the rotation this year and Gomez will be set to take Alou's place after he leaves next year. Maybe Heilman, Muniz, Humber, and lower prospect for Blanton.

yaomac11-1 wrote:i would love to try and trade for Blanton, but the trade request was too much before, Mulvey and Gomez in the same deal for an end of the rotation type of pitcher. Minaya said Mulvey could have a shot at the rotation this year and Gomez will be set to take Alou's place after he leaves next year. Maybe Heilman, Muniz, Humber, and lower prospect for Blanton.

Heilman is hard to give up. I'd like to see what our pen looks like next year before we go there.

As far as Mulvey having a shot - that's pretty cool. The more I think about it, the more I say - no trades Omar. Not at these prices.