Mets desparate for starting pitching

[colbyjack]

The fact that the New York Mets are desparate for starting pitching, particularly what they view as a staff ace by trying to be involved with every major rumor for the best starters reportedly available (Santana, Bedard, Haren, etc.) is nothing new. Here's some linkage to the Mets homepage in which their very own writer makes this point pretty clear (way to posture Minaya http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif):

 

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2309108&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

 

We've already talked about the possiblity of Ben Sheets going to the Mets, but what about Capuano should the Cardinals rumors fall through? The Mets picked up Ryan Church today, a popular name discussed here and a player that may not be of need to the Mets, and Aaron Heilman would also help continue to bolster the Brewers bullpen (if they can't find a true closer, why not find as many reliable set-up men as possible?). The Mets may be waiting to make a big deal, but I think they're going to find what they have to offer is going to cause them to fall short of what they would like to acquire. Not having bargaining chips like Hughes, Buccholz or Lester will do that.

[TooLiveBrew]

Boy - for a second there I read that as the writer suggesting a swap of both Heileman & Church for Cappy. Then I re-read - guess my goggles slipped off that time. I'd take either one, but I don't think I'd want to get back just Heileman for Cappy.

[PeaveyFury]

I'd be so incredibly thrilled to add Heilman to the pen. What would we have to package with Cappy to get him?

[colbyjack]

Sorry, read the story. Capuano isn't even suggested, it's just me bringing up what could be a potential deal waiting to happen.

[PeaveyFury]

but I don't think I'd want to get back just Heileman for Cappy.

 

And I'd be somewhat stunned if they'd trade him for just Cappy. You never know, I guess.

 

If we could sign Riske and flip and extra SP for Heilman, we've actually stabilized the bullpen pretty well without giving up much of note.

[TooLiveBrew]

Whoops - thanks for the correction, colby. PF, I don't really think we'd have to give up more than a SP like Cappy to land a reliever, would we? If so, I don't know if it'd be worth it. But who knows, maybe they'd have an interest in Gwynn Jr. now that Milledge is no longer around. Wouldn't that combo be enough? After reading the article, though, it doesn't sound like the Mets'd be interested in adding another mid-level quality SP - their club reporter mentioned they feel pretty good about slots 2-5, it's that #1 they seek. Btw, he counted Pedro as one of the 2-5 guys, due to durability questions.

 

EDIT: If we could sign Riske and flip and extra SP for Heilman, we've actually stabilized the bullpen pretty well without giving up much of note.

 

Right on. At this point, there has been enough buzz around guys like Fuentes, Broxton, & Cordero (Chad), that I hope we can still land a high-quality RP via a trade of one of our 'Tradeable Trio' of Cappy, Bush, and Vargas. I'd have to guess that Cappy + TGJ would land us a solid RP - but I'll admit you could replace "guess" with "hope."

[twobrewers]

I am pretty sure I read that Aaron Heilman could be converted into a starter.

[colbyjack]

Heilman wouldn't really need to be converted, he was a starter before being converted into a set-up man. His success as a starter (or lack of) is what prompted the move to the bullpen.

 

Take a peak at his career numbers as a starter vs. a reliever. While he "only" has roughly 130 innings as a starter under his belt, he has been dramatically better coming out of the bullpen:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=heilmaa01&year=00

 

As for the trade value, I don't think Capuano plus something else for Heilman and Church is that big of a stretch. If the Brewers can't get Heilman for Cappy straight up, nevermind.

[dadofandrew]

Most guys do pitch better in relief, as they only face batters once. That said, 3 runs is quite a difference.

 

And lots of luck to the Mets trading for a #1. Sheets might be the only one remotely available, and I'm sure the Crew would have to be overwhelmed.