A Deal for Rauch or Cordero Will Happen

According to Mets Fever, some sort of deal involving Chad Cordero and John Rauch will happen before the trade deadline. Whether it will be with the Mets or another ball club is still in question, but it looks like the Nationals are ready to move these guys.

The good news is Mets Fever's source are saying that the Nationals are definitely interested in prospects. Now I wouldn't give the Nats Gomez, Milledge, Martinez, or Gotay, but I would give them Pelfrey, especially for Cordero.

The Mets could easily sign either of these guys after the season and both are pretty young so it's not like you're paying for some burned out arm.

The one thing I don't want to see is either of these guys go to the Braves. That would be a problem as the Mets have historically had trouble against Cordero.

First Castillo, Next Gagne?

So now we have an official, solid, All Star second baseman in Luis Castillo. We welcome Castillo with open arms and an official spot at #2 in the top of the order (I still love you Gotay).

But as any good New Yorker would ask, what's next? Bullpen help should be the answer. The Yanks, Mets, and Red Sox are all pushing for Eric Gagne. What I did not realize until just a few minutes ago thanks to ESPN is that Gagne can block trades to any number of teams, except the Mets and Yankees.

Now I'd much rather have Chad Cordero than Eric Gagne, but the asking price for Cordero is too high in Milledge. Gagne is not the reliever we used to know, but he can still get the job done. The Mets need to pick up some bullpen help. If it's not Chad Bradford or Chad Cordero, I'd like it to be Gagne even over Dotel. That may be because of the bad taste Dotel left in my mouth the last time he was a Met but I have feeling that Gagne can still be a gamer and would thrive in the NY spotlight.

The Mets have more to offer than the Yanks do, but never underestimate George Steinbrenner. On the other hand, we do have Omar Minaya.

As long as we don't give up Milledge, Gomez, Gotay or Martinez, I'm interested in Gagne.

Mets Trade Rumors: Luis Castillo

Bryan and I had a pre-lunch discussion about the current Mets situation including the recent trade rumors about Luis Castillo from the Twins. Castillo is a pesky guy who I've always hated having to face. I remember when the Marlins had Juan Pierre & Luis Castillo at the top of their lineup and them just being a pain in the neck to get out.

If the Mets traded for Castillo they would have that same type of scenario with Reyes & Castillo at the top of the order. Luis Castillo is the ideal #2 hitter. He can get hits, bunt, and plays solid defense. The Twins would probably want a young pitcher and a guy like Gotay or Gomez for Castillo who is only 31.

I hate to give up Gotay, but Castillo is still putting up solid numbers and is a proven hitter/fielder. I'm torn, honestly.

I do think that the Mets needed to add a pitcher rather than a hitter to their lineup. Preferably a relief pitcher. Aaron Selee is wasting space in the bullpen, and I've lost confidence in Guillermo Mota. Don't even get me started about Blowenweiss.

I'm hoping they can do something to get Chad Cordero, but if Luis Castillo is a prospect and a Double A pitcher away from becoming a Met, I think they have to jump on it.

Mets Trade Rumors: Chad Cordero

There is a list of Mets Killers that I have tucked away in the corners of my mind. Terry Pendleton, Mike Soscia, Chipper Jones, Pat Burrell, etc.

Chad Cordero is on the list as well. Although he has spent his career with the bottom dwelling Nationals, it seems he is lights out against the Mets. So if you can't beat him should you have him join you?

Rumors are swirling that the Mets are interested in acquiring Chad Cordero from the Nationals to help secure their bullpen. Now Cordero has been the marquee closer for the Nationals, but if he were with the Mets he'd be an 8th inning guy. The Nationals would want cheap, young talent in return so you're probably looking at a Milledge plus a Pelfrey or Heilman.

I hate Cordero for the sole fact that he doesn't bend the bill of his cap, but his pitching is solid. However, he's never played in anything remotely close to a big game while with the Nationals and he doesn't seem like the "nerves of steel" type of relief pitcher that you'd like to see, especially in the Big Apple.

Heilman teased us with a lights out performance yesterday, but I still need more proof that he's the 8th inning guy we want. If we didn't have to give up Milledge, I'd be more inclined to look at Cordero, but he does have some nasty stuff.