Heilman for Street? Ha!
Joel Sherman’s latest claim is that the Mets offered Aaron Heilman to the Rockies in return for Huston Street, and then refused to make the deal when Colorado insisted on the addition of Pedro Feliciano.
This is so laughable on so many levels I don’t know where to start.
First of all, if the Mets thought another team would think so highly of Aaron Heilman, why didn’t they offer him straight up for Matt Holliday? After all, that’s basically what they were telling the Rockies — since Street was the centerpiece of the Holliday deal with the Athletics. If I was Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd, and Omar Minaya proposed Heilman for Street right after I obtained Street for my franchise player, I’d not only tell Omar to stick it, I’d never take another call from him. Yes, I understand that other players were sent to the Rockies, but Street is the guy who has the most value at this moment.
Even sillier is the idea that the Mets would balk at adding Feliciano to such an unrealistic deal. Are you kidding me? Last I checked, there were about a dozen LOOGYs available on the free-agent market, for cheap, who can do what Pedro Lite does.
While it’s true that Huston Street’s stock has plummeted somewhat, he’s still a 24-year-old with almost 100 big-league saves. No one gives away that type of asset for two middle relievers entering their 30s and coming off their worst seasons. Remember what the Mets received in return for the Turk Wendell / Dennis Cook package? Exactly.
Now, if the Mets offered Heilman plus Jon Niese plus another youngster, I might believe it. Or if they offered Heilman and Ryan Church, I’d consider it realistic.
Personally, you know I think Heilman is much better than what he showed in 2008. But his current street value is nowhere near what Sherman is suggesting.
About the Author
A Mets fan since birth, Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Oh, and he's often a bit cranky.
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This sounds eerily similar to a “rumor” last year that, if memory serves me right, had the Mets balking at a Heilman-for-Fuentes deal because they refused to add Schoeneweis to the package. Why is it that the only person gullible enough to believe such a hogwash rumor is the person who has the job of writing the article? Not only is it insane to believe the Mets thought they could get Street from Colorado for Heilman straight up, but it’s even insaner (yes, that’s an acceptance word for this circumstance) to believe that the Rockies would ask for the Mets to sweeten the deal by throwing in Feliciano, and that the Mets would decline such an offer. And we wonder why so many Met fans overvalue our own players and come up with so many ridiculous trade proposals. Guys like Sherman do nothing but add fuel to the fire.
Good point on the over-valuing. I also vaguely remember that rumor from last year. Not dissimilar to all the old rumors of Lastings Milledge for Manny Ramirez, or for Barry Zito when Zito was in his prime.
Look over on metsblog and read the comments section for the article regarding Sherman’s report. You’ll actually find people defending the Mets for turning down an alledged Heilman/Feliciano for Street deal. Quick – someone post a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge on Ebay and see if someone bites!
At MLB rumors there is a great list of potential non tender candidates. You know i like Beddard. So I am campaigning for him to be that Stashed away front end starter who can emerge late in Aug to boost the rotation. No I dont know how bad his ‘labrum tear’ is but I think his peripherals are good. Apparently he gave up like 70+ hits in 49 innings with significant walks yet had a 3.24 ERA.
Bedard is a nice talent but a labrum tear is more or less career-threatening. People simply don’t come back from them, and if they do, it usually takes over a year at minimum (i.e., Pedro, Freddy Garcia, Mark Mulder, Gil Meche, Mark Prior).
That’s not to say Bedard can’t come back — but the Mets are already paying Billy Wagner to rehab his elbow. Are they willing to shell out money for someone like Bedard, who may or may not pitch in ’09?
I think it depends on the price. If I’m the Mets, I’d gamble on Bedard as well as Ben Sheets — while still acquiring able-bodied options — but history has shown that they’re not likely to sign impact players with questionable health from OUTSIDE the organization. (Mo Vaughn the one exception)
Now, if Bedard or Sheets were property of the Mets, I’d see them getting locked up with three-year deals, under the “Moises-El Duque” plan.