Mets' Minaya talks trade

Mets GM Omar Minaya was on WFAN Radio in New York Tuesday afternoon (I was watching the simulcast on the YES Network) and admitted the stretch of injuries that has befallen the Amazins' is unlike anything he's ever seen in baseball.

The Mets have nine players on the DL, including three-fourths of their big-ticket core (Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran). It's caused plenty of shuffling in the minor leagues and plenty of callups from a Buffalo team that has been the worst in the International League most of the season.

Said Minaya: "We're going to have go out and play perfect baseball because when you look at the lineup right now, some of them were not even backups. They were the third line of defense. Fans should be expecting us to be considering a move. We should be talking to clubs but fans should expect us to make a move that makes sense. It's not one player, one issue that we have. It's a couple of issues. ... Right now, these guys are going to have to get the job done for us up until we get our reinforcements."

I'm still thinking there's going to be a deal soon that may involve the Bisons in some way. But the only real young prospects left in Buffalo that I figure teams are asking about are pitchers Jonathon Niese and Eddie Kunz. Doesn't sound like Minaya is too interested in parting with them.

"Teams are looking for premium chips right now but we have to be savvy and try to find a trade like a [Gary] Sheffield. Is there something we can bring in and hold beyond when the other guys are coming? If you're trading young players to try to catch up, that's kind of dangerous. I'm going to be aggressive but it just has to make sense. Right now, the way we look at it is...if you tell me my reinforcement is going to be Beltran, Reyes and Delgado, that's pretty good reinforcement."

Chimed in host Mike Francesa: "If you're still standing when they come back."

Replied Minaya: "The key is to try to stay standing. We're going to look for guys that may help us. If you play that game where you're going to bring in guys who are better, you better be sure they're better."

Francesa ended the chat by asking Minaya pointedly if he was going to go trade for a big bat. Minaya's answer: "The reality is right now I couldn't tell you there's a big bat on the market."

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Mike]

I just been hearing alot of talk about jose reyes being put on the trading block when he return from the DL just wondering if any 1 else heard the same

[Ralph from Amherst]

Mike:

The Mets could trade some of their low A prospects such as #2 Wilmer Flores (SS) , #6 Jefry Marte (3B), or #8 Reese Havens (SS), along with Nick Evans (#9) and maybe Eddie Kunz (#10). Adam Dunn might be available. The players named are at positions that the Mets are solid in at the ML level, Reyes at SS and Wright at 3B. Mets don’t seem real interested in Kunz now that they have Putz and K Rod. In any event, what a mess, with or without the injuries. Dessens finally got the call. He deserves it. Stay tuned.