Mets Trade Rumors

"Others teams have called the Pirates to inquire about trading for outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, but management is not prepared to move either -- or any primary contributor -- until it rules out contending in 2008. Management is known, however, to be looking at acquisitions through lower-profile trades or waiver claims, with three openings on the 40-man roster."

"Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson has been under fire and mostly out of touch this season. Willie Randolph defended Peterson yesterday while giving the manager's version of why the usually talkative Peterson has been so unavailable to reporters since the end of spring training. Peterson has been criticized for his handling of the staff so far, specifically the Mets' porous collection of middle relievers and inconsistent young starters, Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey. Randolph, though, gave the embattled Peterson a vote of confidence before yesterday's 5-2 win here over the NL-leading Diamondbacks."

"Q: What would you say the odds are that you will not pitch beyond the end of next season? A: I would say somewhere around 99 percent. Q: Why? A: I'm ready to go see my kids play. It's made me enjoy being that dad and feeling the pressure for them instead of going out there having that pressure on me the whole time saying, "Geez, I've got millions of people watching me" . . . Now I can sit back and watch them and explain to them why they don't have to worry about it."

"Church has excelled, but Nady has been the topic of trade speculation for months. Both Mets General Manager Omar Minaya and Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington declined to comment on the possibility of a trade."

"Scott Hatteberg is not one to demand a trade or even complain. But you get the impression he's miserable in his current role of pinch-hitter/occasional starter... ESPN's Peter Gammons floated the idea of the Mets trying to obtain Hatteberg to platoon with Carlos Delgado."

"We know how this ends for Carlos Delgado with the Mets. We might not know the exact date or the exact term, be it designated for assignment or outright release, but we see the bread crumbs now heading toward the exit."

"Carlos Delgado broke an 0-for-14 streak last night but continues to weigh down the Mets offense. With the 35-year-old first baseman hitting just .206 after his fifth-inning single in a 7-1 loss to the Cubs, the Mets are fielding no shortage of questions about Delgado's future. "

"Pedro Martinez continues to upgrade assessments of his strained left hamstring. The ace reportedly told CDN-37 TV in the Dominican Republic that he could even return to the Mets within two weeks."

"An ESPNdeportes.com report quoted a Dominican TV interview with Pedro Martinez (strained hamstring) in which the ace claimed he was hopeful of being back with the Mets prior to May. "

"The Mets have begun trying to fix their rotation shortage. The Post has learned they are on the verge of signing free-agent righty Claudio Vargas to a Triple-A contract. Agent Bean Stringfellow told The Post that Vargas will make his decision today, and four teams are in the hunt. But Stringfellow confirmed that the Mets are the frontrunners. "

"The Mets' patience with the fluctuating health of Orlando Hernandez finally ran out yesterday and the team is on the verge of signing Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract to help fill the void, the pitcher's agent confirmed last night.Bean Stringfellow, who represents Vargas, said that general manager Omar Minaya contacted him yesterday afternoon and his client would pick a team by today"

"Oliver Perez makes his season debut here tonight, and it could very well be the start of his last year as a Met. Already coming off a $6.5 million arbitration victory in February that was nearly $2 million more than the Mets were willing to pay, the young left-hander can become a free agent in the offseason. "

"Claudio Vargas could be a candidate for the Mets' No. 5 starter vacancy. The 29-year-old right hander was released yesterday by the Brewers in a salary dump, and Mets GM Omar Minaya said his club will have a strong interest now that Vargas reportedly has cleared waivers."

"The Mets are interested in newly released outfielder Reed Johnson, although Minaya said the Amazin's "are going to go with our guys right now.''"

"The Blue Jays were described as "aggressive" by several scouts in their attempts to trade Reed Johnson. Though they crave a right-handed hitting complement to Ryan Church, the Mets have been mild at best in their interest. It is possible the Mets also want the righty hitter to be able to play first. But a player who fits that description, the available Xavier Nady of the Pirates, also has drawn almost no interest from the Mets."

"When asked if the deal would be for a relief pitcher, Leyland said it would. The names to which the Tigers have been most frequently linked in the last week are Michael Wuertz of the Cubs and Jorge Sosa of the Mets."

"A rumor started on WFAN-AM, filtered its way through Tradition Field, creating a mystery around Angel Pagan. Would he be dealt to Boston for Coco Crisp? The answer to the rumor was no, as a Mets official quickly squashed it as fantasy."

"The rumor surfaced around the third inning, that the Mets were talking trade with the Red Sox and would send Angel Pagan to Boston for Coco Crisp in a swap of outfielders. By the bottom of the fourth, the Mets vehemently shot down the radio report, and when Pagan hit a two-run homer in the seventh, a club official said, "That's the guy we just traded to Boston.""

"Barry Bonds. Sammy Sosa. Xavier Nady. Marcus Thames. Kenny Lofton. Juan Rivera. Reed Johnson. Coco Crisp. These are the outfielders that have been linked to the Mets ever since it was learned that Moises Alou would miss at least the first month of the season..."We've still got Endy," said general manager Omar Minaya. Remember Endy Chavez?"

"The Mets have inquired with the Blue Jays about righty-hitting outfielders Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson. It would seem unlikely though Stewart would be a match for the Mets. While they do need someone to sub for the injured Moises Alou in left field, the team also wants to find a righty-hitting caddy for Ryan Church in right field, and Stewart is not suited to play there."

"Yet Randolph does not want to deal in Coughlin comparisons. Not because he is blind, Randolph insists. He certainly sees that the ax is poised for him should his team not distance itself from last year's historic collapse, should these 2008 Mets not honor Fred Wilpon's request for late-October relevance."

"Now it's the New York Mets, and in reality it makes sense that Barry Bonds's return to the game — which appears less far-fetched than, say, four months ago — should come with a big-market team desperate for a postseason boost."

"The Mets have an immediate hole in left field, and a lineup currently devoid of power with multiple sluggers sidelined with nagging injuries. But asked last night if there is any remote merit to stories suggesting a pursuit of controversial slugger Barry Bonds is possible, a high-ranking Mets official insisted there is no interest in taking on the monumental baggage - which includes charges of perjury and obstruction of justice - stemming from the out-of-work home run king's involvement in baseball's ongoing steroids mess."

"Barry Bonds in a Mets uniform? As the team considers its options for leftfield after losing Moises Alou to hernia surgery, the idea of bringing the controversial home run king to Shea Stadium is one that definitely intrigues the front office. Despite all the negatives associated with Bonds, and there are many, the boost to this lineup would be immeasurable. It's just that the Mets simply aren't that desperate - yet."

"Of course the Mets should enlist Barry Bonds. He fits their program perfectly. He is old, injury prone and very likely will not respect the manager."

"Scott Schoeneweis has heard the whispers. It's not the first time the left-handed reliever has been the subject of trade rumors, but never before has it irked him so much. Just a few weeks into spring training, the Mets let it be known that Schoeneweis and reliever Jorge Sosa were available via trade. "

"The New York Mets, in need of a corner outfielder after learning they will be without Moises Alou for two months because of hernia surgery, have contacted the Pirates to inquire about Xavier Nady, a team source said yesterday. But there is no indication anything substantive is afoot or even likely."

"Minaya ruled out pursuing Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa, who are still looking for work...But he did not dismiss the possibility of a trade. “We’ve already identified teams with outfield situations that have surpluses, and we’ll keep an eye on those,” Minaya said. He did not elaborate on who those teams are, but the Tigers, the Cubs, the Rangers and the Pirates would qualify. The Pirates have Xavier Nady, whom the Mets traded to Pittsburgh in 2006 as part of the deal for pitcher Oliver Pérez."

"But if I were the Mets, I'd go a different direction. Kenny Lofton remains unsigned and the still speedy centerfielder has been productive wherever he has been (except that one year with the Yankees, which we wasn't all his fault). Last season Lofton batted .303 with a .380 on-base percentage in 84 games as the Texas Rangers starting centerfielder. He had 16 doubles, 3 triples and 7 home runs. After landing in Cleveland as part of a trade-deadline deal, Lofton's numbers suffered a touch."

"There's no mistaking the crisis that wafts over Mets camp these days -- not now, not after learning that Moises Alou requires surgery to repair a hernia. He'll be out for at least six weeks -- more likely eight, given his age -- which leaves upper management scrambling for Plan B. So far there's little sentiment in favor of signing Barry Bonds. One senior official said, "it's highly, highly unlikely" the Wilpon family would welcome the controversial slugger, given that he's currently under federal indictment for perjury and tax evasion."

"Maine is hoping the Mets will reach out to him with a multi-year offer before he gets to the arbitration process next offseason. A source close to the 26-year-old starter told The Post preliminary talks already have begun."

"Aside from Smith, the Mets also would consider trading Orlando Hernandez , Scott Schoeneweis, Jorge Sosa and Anderson Hernandez. Ruben Gotay, who was out of options and, thus, could not be sent back to the minors without facing waivers, also was on that list before injuring his foot."

"Because Maine has fewer than three years' service time, he has virtually no rights at contract time: no free agency, no arbitration eligibility. Instead, he had to accept the Mets' final offer, regardless of if he agreed with it or not (in this case, he didn't)."

"Mets insiders privately confirmed yesterday's Daily News report that Scott Schoeneweis (owed $7.2 million over two years) and Jorge Sosa ($2 million in '08) are being shopped."

"Mets GM Omar Minaya has let teams know that relievers Scott Schoeneweis and Jorge Sosa can be obtained in trades, according to sources briefed on the players' availability. Schoeneweis has two years and $7.2 million left on his original three-year deal. Sosa will earn $2 million in his final year before free agency."

"The Mets haven't ruled out signing free-agent Kyle Lohse, believing some additional rotation depth would do them some good. But they don't feel there's any hurry to get him into camp. Interest in Lohse around the majors has been light."

"Pedro Martínez knows he has a lot to prove with the Mets this season, knows that the one solid month he had last September has not answered all the questions about whether he can successfully return from rotator cuff surgery almost 17 months ago."

"As much as Pedro Martinez wants to remain a Met beyond this season, the team won't even think about talking contract until at least July. That was the Mets' response yesterday after the three-time Cy Young winner said he would be open to discussing an extension if the club comes to him with a proposal during the season."

"Pedro Martinez won't initiate contract talks with the Mets during the season, although he would be receptive to hammering out an extension if team brass raises the issue."

"Freddy Garcia caused a stir by visiting the Mets' camp yesterday, but the Amazin's aren't interested in the free-agent pitcher."

"The unsigned Freddy Garcia met with GM Omar Minaya at the Mets' complex on Wednesday, but neither side indicated that signing the former Phillie was imminent."

"Oliver Perez should hit the jackpot next winter. It will come at the Mets' expense - either via a big contract the organization will be forced to pay, or because there will be a void in the rotation to fill."

"The Mets continue to negotiate with agent Scott Boras concerning Oliver Perez as Thursday's arbitration hearing looms. Perez has requested $6.5 million, with the team countering at $4.725 million."

"Randolph didn't play the denial card. He knows his job security rests on whether the Mets can erase the grisly collapse that finished their 2007 season."

"Oliver Perez also reported to camp early, arriving Sunday. But he doesn't have a contract. Perez is facing a Feb. 21 salary arbitration hearing and although the Mets have not had to go all the way to a hearing since 1992, they might find themselves faced with hardball tactics by Perez's agent, Scott Boras."

"Reuniting the Hernandez brothers doesn't appear to be in the Mets' immediate plans, and neither does moving El Duque to the bullpen. Omar Minaya indicated yesterday the club isn't likely to sign free-agent right-hander Livan Hernandez, younger half-brother of the Mets' Orlando Hernandez. "

"The Post has learned the Mets have interest in Craig Wilson, someone who could serve as a righty bat and offer defensive versatility. Wilson primarily has played first base and right field in his career, but he's also experienced in left and behind the plate."

"The Phillies and Mets could wind up in a bidding war for Kyle Lohse. He has remained unsigned because he insists on a five-year deal when three appears generous. The Braves aren't encouraged about signing Mark Teixeira to a contract that will keep him off the free-agent market. He would be awfully attractive to several teams, including the Yankees and Orioles, who view him as a hometown hero."

"For decades, the Twins complained privately about George Steinbrenner. The bombastic Yankees owner inflated salaries, campaigned against low-revenue teams and often embarrassed himself and the game. Today, the Twins might miss King George more than they miss Johan Santana."

"The Mets and Johan Santana are going into the final day of their 72-hour negotiating window Friday still working on a contract extension for the ace, but multiple baseball officials expressed confidence that the deal would be completed by the 5 p.m. deadline."