Stark: Mets To Get Roberto Hernandez, Oliver Perez
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:
"Mets are closing in on a big deal with the Pirates, for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez. Still haggling about the rest of that deal."
The Mets have been interested in these guys for a while; first I heard of it was back when Jeff Keppinger was dealt.
SI.com now reports that Xavier Nady goes to Pittsburgh in the deal. I’m told that the Mets also have coveted Edwin Jackson as a project for Rick Peterson, but that interest may be on hold with this acquisition.
UPDATE: Word via Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline is that the Mets could spin Perez along with Heath Bell to the Padres for Scott Linebrink. Perez, of course, began his career with San Diego.
Pirates Trade Rumors
Let’s run down all the possible trades Dave Littlefield and the Pirates have brewing.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review still has Oakland as the favorite for Sean Casey, a move that makes little sense to me.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentions a possible swap of John Grabow for Ryan Shealy. That sounds reasonable.
Dejan Kovacevic’s article also indicates that the Mets and Yankees are leading the charge for Kip Wells. The Yankees also want Craig Wilson and Roberto Hernandez. Wilson and Wells seem unlikely at this point, though, as the Abreu deal looks close.
Yanks Set Sights On Roberto Hernandez
Though relievers are always a hot deadline commodity, this year seems different. To hear Buster Olney tell it:
"The value of middle relievers (or set-up men, or whatever you want to call them) is increasing, like oil stock."
That’s no excuse for what Wayne Krivsky did, but bashing him isn’t productive. What is productive is cranking out the trade rumors like there’s no tomorrow.
According to Gotham Baseball, Roberto Hernandez is "the guy the Yankees would like to get." The 41 year-old righty signed a $2.75MM contract with the Bucs this winter. He has somehow managed a 3.10 ERA this season despite allowing more than 1.6 baserunners per inning. Last season with the Mets was Hernandez’s one decent season since 2000.
If Dave Littlefield can spin Hernandez into anything useful, we may see more of this trend. Non-contenders will snap up free agents like Aaron Fultz, Kent Mercker, Darren Oliver, LaTroy Hawkins, and Brian Meadows for a few million bucks and then peddle them come July. Maybe the Cubs should consider trading Bob Howry and Scott Eyre? If there’s another Austin Kearns to be had it’d be foolish not to.
The Gotham report also contains a rundown of various starters on the block and their chances at being dealt.