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December 3, 2008 Rumors Joe Janish

F-Mart for Jenks?

John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus suggests that the White Sox and Mets are talking about a blockbuster trade that would send Fernando Martinez to Chicago in return for Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye.

Strange, as Jermaine Dye — who has a no-trade clause — has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in going to a New York team. Maybe he can be persuaded after all.

If the rumor is true, the only problem I have is that Ken Williams — like Billy Beane — seems to have a brilliant knack for trading away pitchers at just the right time and acquiring pitchers at just the right time. My guess is that Aaron Heilman would also be part of the deal.

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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. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
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  1. Micalpalyn December 3, 2008 at 6:12 pm
    Top prospect for closer……hmmm
  2. isuzudude December 4, 2008 at 6:32 am
    Think of all the chances Omar supposedly had to trade FMart over the past few years but did not pull the trigger. Johan. Street. Manny. Bay. Holliday. I’m sure the list goes on. So suddenly now Omar is so desperate as to trade his ultimate “untouchable” prospect…and for a closer entering his arbitration eligible years (with decreased velocity, as well) or a 30-something year old corner OF who could be rapidly approaching his period of decline? I don’t buy it. Especially considering the plethora of closers and corner OFs that are available via free agency this winter that would cost the Mets only money and draft picks to obtain. And rest assured it would cost more than just FMart to get Jenks and/or Dye. If all the hype surrounding FMart over the years was isolely intended to drive up his market value, then I guess a return of Jenks or Dye would be adequate. But if FMart is really supposed to be the real deal, then this shouldn’t even be a discussion. Sign Krod and Ibanez and let the ChiSox find another trading partner.
  3. joe December 4, 2008 at 11:04 am
    As I mentioned, I don’t like the idea of getting a pitcher from Ken Williams. Why is he so eager to deal him? The same reason he knew it was time to swap Freddy Garcia, Brandon McCarthy, and Jon Garland (who is still winning, but pitching less effectively)?

    I like Jenks’ tools, age, and contract, but his availability makes me wonder about his health — and whatever else the White Sox know that we don’t.

    More and more I’m thinking the Mets should wait it out and sign K-Rod to a 3-year deal around $35M. He may not get a better offer in a market full of closers and devoid of deep-pocketed suitors.

  4. isuzudude December 4, 2008 at 11:18 am
    I wonder, if the Mets play their card right this winter, could they end up with KRod (closing), Street (setting up), AND Hoffman (mentoring/setting up)? Overkill?…perhaps. But, on paper at least, that’s one fine bullpen. And if KRod’s price comes down (which it is likely to do), and Street *only* costs a package of Parnell/Carp, and Hoffman can be had on a 1-year incentive laiden contract, it really wouldn’t cost Omar that much to assemble. And if any of those pieces fall through, know that Wood, Fuentes, Putz, Jenks, and Cruz are all potentially available as well. Perhaps by playing the waiting game (i.e. with the Johan sweepstakes last offseason) Omar can find himself with a lot of able-bodied arms looking for employment and willing to take a lesser purse.
  5. joe December 4, 2008 at 11:35 am
    It’s possible, and far as I’m concerned you can’t have overkill with pitching.

    The key is Hoffman, and 1.) whether he’d be OK with setting up; and 2.) whether Uncle Jerry would insert him to start the 8th inning and leave him in to finish it, regardless of what transpires.

    What I see is Hoffman coming into the 8th, pulling his usual routine of allowing some baserunners, Manuel panicking and putting in Street or someone else.

    I would have liked to have seen how much more effective Feliciano, Heilman, and others would have been if they’d been allowed to finish what they started. I sincerely believe the bullpen’s lack of effectiveness down the stretch had at least something to do with the fact they were conditioned to know they had to be PERFECT or else get pulled from the game. Few people can pitch well under that kind of expectation.

  6. Micalpalyn December 4, 2008 at 5:01 pm
    Isuzu is right. Furthermore NO WAY Fmart leaves after dealing away Millz AND Gomez. Wilmer, Marte, Tejada, Ike Davis Reese Havens are all infielders and there are NO gold chip OFers left in the system. I WOULD trade Church though and have Tatis/Murph rotate on one corner and have Casey Blake in LF.
  7. Micalpalyn December 4, 2008 at 5:02 pm
    NB what about Kerry Wood setting up K-Rod?
  8. joe December 4, 2008 at 10:07 pm
    Unfortunately, the Mets have no interest in Casey Blake. He’s too “gamey” I guess …. you know, like venison, or pheasant. 🙂

    I don’t know that Wood would take a deal that is something other than closing, since there are opps for him to close. But hey you never know. I’d take Wood and K-Rod to handle 8-9 in a heartbeat.

    Actually, I have this weird feeling that the Yankees give Wood too much money to setup for Mo. A rerun of their Farnsworth signing.