The Mets Need Another Arm

I think Zito is probably the most likely option for the Mets. They would probably love another lefty and the A's would be more likely to trade him top the NL so they don't have to face him. Schmidt may be another possibility, especially if somebody (Dodgers?) pulls away in the NL West. Smoltz or Willis probably won't go to the Mets because the Marlins and Braves play in the same division. The D-Rays probably won't trade Kazmir until he demands a large contract. The Rays usually don't give up their quality players until they have to pay them.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bartolo Colon get traded either. He's struggled with the Angels this year and it may be time for a change of scenery.

The A's won't trade Zito because they will contend for the AL West Title. Atlanta will not want to trade Smoltz to the Mets because he'd still be in the NL East, and a Met. The NL West is up for grabs, so I don't see Schmidt going either.

My first choice would be to trade Milledge for Willis as Willis is controlable for the next three years. However, I think the Marlins will be holding onto him as the face for their franchise.

At the end of the day, the Mets will bring up Pelfrey, which they are doing, and is the right move. He'll get a good 3-4 starts until the trade deadline. If he does well, he's in the rotation for good. If not, that will buy enough time for Bannister to come back and they can deal some second tier minor leaguers (Maine and or Humber) for a servicable back of the end starter like Gil Meche .

First of all, the Royals having a winning record against the NL is not indicative of the weakness of the NL. True, the NL is down this year, but it's not like the entire league is worse than the AL's worst team. It has to do with a little luck and a little timing. Earlier this year, the Royals got swept by the Cardinals. But the second time around, they caught the Cardinals playing the worst baseball they will play all year (something like 9-18 in June), and managed to take two out of three. They also caught the Astros playing the worst baseball they will all season (10-15 in June), and took two out of three. The Astros are also notoriously bad in interleague play. It doesn't speak to their overall ability, just that they stink against AL teams. They benefitted from sweeping the NL's worst team, the Pirates, they took two out of three from the Brewers, and they took two out of three from the quickly fading Reds. So, the Royals beat some teams that are slumping in the worst division in the National League. Not indicative of the NL as a whole.

Secondly, while I agree that the Mets need to get pitching, who do you propose they trade for someone of Willis' or Zito's caliber? Patrick proposed one possible trade for Willis, but presented one problem with it. Another problem that I have with it is that if the Marlins did trade Willis, I think they'd trade him for more pitching prospects. I don't think they need another outfield bat, and I don't think they'd want to get someone who is already beginning to make a name for himself at the major league level, because that's just more money they'll owe in the near future.

Perhaps what the mets need is a way to win the WS without playing the AL...like declaring he winner of the senior circuit world champs...hmm...dear bud,

ok i have a few issues with the previous posts here. 1. the mets recently inquired about livan but the Nats were asking even up milledge for livan? a future prospect stud for a inning eater who doesn't win over 8 million dollar player,nah.

2.i understand you need to Give-to-Get but giving up milledge at this point would be a mistake from what i am seeing Cliff floyd is the player from 2003&2004 barely staying in the line-up he should have saved his great 2005 season for this year where he could command a big contract,the mets need to keep milledge becuase as far as i am concerned Floyd is gone after this year...maybe at the deadline.Kazmir is tampa's stud he is there for good now. as a die-hard mets fan i still hate the interim GM (cannot remember his name) who made that terrible deal.

he should have waited until the mets finished the 4 game series with the braves to see where the team was then made decisions from that, as it goes the mets were 5 games back before the series and 9 games back when it was over!

I heard that the Angels actually approached the Mets offering Jeff Weaver for Lastings Milledge. You kidding me?! I would only trade a top prospect for Willis and maybe Zito if he signs an extension. Pelfrey plays Friday.

The Mets should hold on to Milledge. With that said, the only options would be inside (Pelfrey) or going after a middle tier guy like a Gil Meche. I think they should give Pelfrey a few starts to see how he handles major league hitters and if he's successful, then Omar won't have to even consider giving up Milledge for a bona fide stud. Whatever happens, please Omar, don't bring Jeff Weaver back to New York.

I'd trade Milledge for an arm considering that the Mets lineup is already loaded with young talent.

Another problem the Mets have with trading for an arm is that the Yankees need another starter as well, and a lot of teams will talk to them before they talk to the Mets, because right now the Yanks have more that they'd be willing to part with and that other teams want, it seems to me. But, I don't know a huge amount about the Mets farm system, so I could be very wrong there.

I would keep milledge and trade nady or floyd for pitching, chavez and milledge are good enough to start everyday.