Window Shopping

Today we take a look at the NY Mets in our continuing series, "The Trade Winds are Starting to Blow". The Mets are the first BUYER that we'll be delving into. They sit atop the NL East today, a half-game in front of the World Champion/division rival Philadelphia Phillies.

A rash of injuries and ineffective performances have put the Mets into a shopping position. How quickly they pull the trigger, is a completely different story.

Nick Johnson - Mets fans are in love with the former Yankee right now. It's one of the rare times in his career that Johnson isn't on the disabled list. With Carlos Delgado out indefinitely with hip surgery, Johnson would be a great fit. He's hitting .337 with 4 HR and 26 RBI. Imagine how many RBI he could have with a real team around him rather than the 20-games-under-.500 Nationals. He's also a top notch fielder, who could help take away some of David Wright's throwing errors.

Mark DeRosa - Just about on everyone's wish list, DeRosa would be play 1st Base and outfield for the Mets, and occasionally fill in for Wright or 2nd Baseman Luis Castillo.

Bobby Abreu - Abreu's on a one year, $5 million deal with the Angels. At some point, the Angels are going to have to start playing better or fold up the tents. He would be an ideal fit in the Mets outfield.

Jason Marquis, John Garland - The Mets, like everyone else, would like to get Cliff Lee, but don't have the chips to do it. They do need to strengthen their starting rotation, however, and could swing a deal for Marquis, or possibly Garland.

Pedro Martinez - You just get the feeling that this could still be a possibility. The Mets let him walk this past off-season and laughed at the notion of giving Pedro a guaranteed $5 million. He hasn't thrown in a game since this past Winter's WBC, but some team will snatch him up if the price is right., Though we deem this a long shot, we could see Pedro back in Flushing under the right circumstances.

Another Pitcher out of the Running

There's not much hope of a bidding war for the services of Oliver Perez and Ben Sheets, now that Andy Pettitte and Jon Garland are no longer available. Pettitte re-signed with the Yankees on Monday and Garland agreed to terms with the Diamondbacks earlier today.

The Arizona Republic reports that the 29-yr old right-hander took a 1 year deal with a club option for 2010. Salary is thought to be in the $6 - 8 million range. Garland would joining his 3rd team in 3 years once the deal is finalized.

After spending the first 8 seasons of his career with the White Sox, Garland was dealt to the Angels, for shortstop Orlando Cabrera, prior to the 2008 season.

Yankees vs. Angels - July 31

The Yankees begin a tough 4-game series with the Los Angeles Angels and their new slugger, Mark Teixeira, this evening at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees haven't fared well in recent years against the Halos and the addition of Teixeira won't help to change that.

The Yankees will have their new acquisition, Ivan Rodriguez, in the lineup as well. It's not know where he will hit yet, or for that matter what number he wears. I-Rod usually wears number 7, which of course is retired in honor of The Mick.

Here are the pitching probables for the series, which is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Thursday: John Garland vs. Andy Pettitte
Friday: Ervin Santana vs. Sidney Ponson
Saturday: Jered Weaver vs. Mike Mussina
Sunday: John Lackey vs. Darrell Rasner

As you can see, two of the match ups swing very favorably in the Angels direction.

UPDATE 4:20 P.M. EDT

Here is tonight's Yankees lineup with Ivan Rodriguez wearing number 12 and hitting 8th.

Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady LF
P. Rodriguez C
Cabrera CF

As expected, Chad Moeller was designated for assignment. Unexpectedly, Chris Britton has been recalled from Scranton.

Yankees vs. Angels - July 31

The Yankees begin a tough 4-game series with the Los Angeles Angels and their new slugger, Mark Teixeira, this evening at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees haven't fared well in recent years against the Halos and the addition of Teixeira won't help to change that.

The Yankees will have their new acquisition, Ivan Rodriguez, in the lineup as well. It's not know where he will hit yet, or for that matter what number he wears. I-Rod usually wears number 7, which of course is retired in honor of The Mick.

Here are the pitching probables for the series, which is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Thursday: John Garland vs. Andy Pettitte
Friday: Ervin Santana vs. Sidney Ponson
Saturday: Jered Weaver vs. Mike Mussina
Sunday: John Lackey vs. Darrell Rasner

As you can see, two of the match ups swing very favorably in the Angels direction.

UPDATE 4:20 P.M. EDT

Here is tonight's Yankees lineup with Ivan Rodriguez wearing number 12 and hitting 8th.

Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A. Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady LF
P. Rodriguez C
Cabrera CF

As expected, Chad Moeller was designated for assignment. Unexpectedly, Chris Britton has been recalled from Scranton.

Around the Horn - 5/27

Willie Randolph survived a Monday meeting with management, but for how long?. The verdict, "he's still manager, for now". That's not a rave. Then the Mets went out and looked flat against the NL East leading Marlins and lost 7-3. Luis Gonzalez drove in 3 runs to out do Jose Reyes who hit a pair of solo home runs. Mike Pelfrey was awful yet again in taking the loss. Perhaps he's been vastly overrated by Mets management.

Another manager hanging by a thread is Mariners skipper John McLaren. And you can understand how the front office would be upset with him after his handling of young gun Felix Hernandez yesterday. Hernandez and Bartolo Colon were locked in a great pitchers duel as the Mariners and Red Sox met. The game was tied 1-1 in the 8th when The King rang into trouble.

Sean Casey singled before Hernandez got 2 quick ground outs. It appeared he might escape trouble and maybe that's why McLaren left him in so long. Dustin Pedroia's ground rule double scored pinch-runner Julio Lugo to put the Sox up 2-1. The Mariners elected to walk David Ortiz and pitch to Manny Ramirez. That backfired when Ramirez singled to right. 3-1 Sox. Maybe a good time to take Hernandez out. No? An infield single by Mike Lowell made it 4-1. Okay, pull him now. No? A J.D. Drew single loaded the bases. You have to take him out now. NO???

McLaren finally pulled Hernandez after he walked Jason Varitek to force in a run. Great job taking a kid's great game and turning it into a fiasco. The Mariners scored twice in the bottom of the 9th, but it was too little too late at that point. Perhaps it might not have been had McLaren had the smarts to go to the bullpen about 4 batters earlier.

Clint Hurdle and the Rockies front office must be wondering what happened to their playoff team from a year ago. Granted the Rockies weren't much better at this time last year, just 3 games ahead of their current (20-31) pace. But the great pitching they got in '07 has not been there. Yesterday they were pounded by the Phillies 20-5. Chase Utley homered and drove in 6 runs and Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz knocked in 4 runs each. Jamie Moyer picked up career win #235.

No such outburst in Anaheim, where it took 12 innings before anyone scored. The Angels pulled out a 1-0 win over the Tigers when Garrett Anderson drew a bases loaded walk. Jose Arredondo picked up his first major league victory. Starters Kenny Rogers and John Garland both threw 7 scoreless innings. Gary Sheffield had to leave the game with an oblique injury and will be re-evaluated today.

Eric Hinske belted a 3-run home run to help boost the Rays to a 7-3 win over the Rangers. The victory moved the Rays to 11 games over .500. Scott Kazmir was dealing- 3 hits and 10 Ks over 7 innings. Meanwhile Sidney Ponson crashed back to earth with a 5 inning, 5 run, 12 hit performance.

Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez homered and Ryan Dempster improved to 6-2 in the Cubs 3-1 win over the Dodgers. Kerry Wood picked up his 11th save.

Team meetings don't always work. Royals manager Trey Hillman tried it before yesterday's game with the Blue Jays. But a few hours later the Royals had lost their 8th straight, 7-2. Marco Scutaro and Greg Zaun homered to help Shaun Marcum improve to 5-3, 2.64.

Gabe Kapler's 11th inning single gave the Brewers a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

The Indians and White Sox went 12 innings before the Chisox scored 3 times for a 6-3 win. Starters Javier Vazquez and Paul Byrd each allowed 3 runs in 6 innings. The Indians had to know they were in trouble when they put Scott Elarton into the game to start the 12th.

The Braves beat the Diamondbacks 7-3 to hand Brandon Webb his second consecutive loss. The right-hander allowed 7 runs, 4 of them earned, in just 4.1 innings pitched. Jair Jurrjens couldn't go 5 to get the win, but the Braves bullpen did an excellent job over the final 4.1 innings. Mark Texeira lead the offense with 4 RBI and Brian McCann homered.

News and Notes

Mets outfielder Ryan Church will be examined by a neurologist today due to lingering effects from the concussion he suffered last week.

The Reds are reportedly calling up top prospect Jay Bruce today which could mean the end of Scott Hatteberg's days in Cincy.

Around the Horn - 5/27

Willie Randolph survived a Monday meeting with management, but for how long?. The verdict, "he's still manager, for now". That's not a rave. Then the Mets went out and looked flat against the NL East leading Marlins and lost 7-3. Luis Gonzalez drove in 3 runs to out do Jose Reyes who hit a pair of solo home runs. Mike Pelfrey was awful yet again in taking the loss. Perhaps he's been vastly overrated by Mets management.

Another manager hanging by a thread is Mariners skipper John McLaren. And you can understand how the front office would be upset with him after his handling of young gun Felix Hernandez yesterday. Hernandez and Bartolo Colon were locked in a great pitchers duel as the Mariners and Red Sox met. The game was tied 1-1 in the 8th when The King rang into trouble.

Sean Casey singled before Hernandez got 2 quick ground outs. It appeared he might escape trouble and maybe that's why McLaren left him in so long. Dustin Pedroia's ground rule double scored pinch-runner Julio Lugo to put the Sox up 2-1. The Mariners elected to walk David Ortiz and pitch to Manny Ramirez. That backfired when Ramirez singled to right. 3-1 Sox. Maybe a good time to take Hernandez out. No? An infield single by Mike Lowell made it 4-1. Okay, pull him now. No? A J.D. Drew single loaded the bases. You have to take him out now. NO???

McLaren finally pulled Hernandez after he walked Jason Varitek to force in a run. Great job taking a kid's great game and turning it into a fiasco. The Mariners scored twice in the bottom of the 9th, but it was too little too late at that point. Perhaps it might not have been had McLaren had the smarts to go to the bullpen about 4 batters earlier.

Clint Hurdle and the Rockies front office must be wondering what happened to their playoff team from a year ago. Granted the Rockies weren't much better at this time last year, just 3 games ahead of their current (20-31) pace. But the great pitching they got in '07 has not been there. Yesterday they were pounded by the Phillies 20-5. Chase Utley homered and drove in 6 runs and Chris Coste and Pedro Feliz knocked in 4 runs each. Jamie Moyer picked up career win #235.

No such outburst in Anaheim, where it took 12 innings before anyone scored. The Angels pulled out a 1-0 win over the Tigers when Garrett Anderson drew a bases loaded walk. Jose Arredondo picked up his first major league victory. Starters Kenny Rogers and John Garland both threw 7 scoreless innings. Gary Sheffield had to leave the game with an oblique injury and will be re-evaluated today.

Eric Hinske belted a 3-run home run to help boost the Rays to a 7-3 win over the Rangers. The victory moved the Rays to 11 games over .500. Scott Kazmir was dealing- 3 hits and 10 Ks over 7 innings. Meanwhile Sidney Ponson crashed back to earth with a 5 inning, 5 run, 12 hit performance.

Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez homered and Ryan Dempster improved to 6-2 in the Cubs 3-1 win over the Dodgers. Kerry Wood picked up his 11th save.

Team meetings don't always work. Royals manager Trey Hillman tried it before yesterday's game with the Blue Jays. But a few hours later the Royals had lost their 8th straight, 7-2. Marco Scutaro and Greg Zaun homered to help Shaun Marcum improve to 5-3, 2.64.

Gabe Kapler's 11th inning single gave the Brewers a 4-3 win over the Nationals.

The Indians and White Sox went 12 innings before the Chisox scored 3 times for a 6-3 win. Starters Javier Vazquez and Paul Byrd each allowed 3 runs in 6 innings. The Indians had to know they were in trouble when they put Scott Elarton into the game to start the 12th.

The Braves beat the Diamondbacks 7-3 to hand Brandon Webb his second consecutive loss. The right-hander allowed 7 runs, 4 of them earned, in just 4.1 innings pitched. Jair Jurrjens couldn't go 5 to get the win, but the Braves bullpen did an excellent job over the final 4.1 innings. Mark Texeira lead the offense with 4 RBI and Brian McCann homered.

News and Notes

Mets outfielder Ryan Church will be examined by a neurologist today due to lingering effects from the concussion he suffered last week.

The Reds are reportedly calling up top prospect Jay Bruce today which could mean the end of Scott Hatteberg's days in Cincy.