Hot Off the Stove

It’s getting near that time of the year, the one where general managers across the baseball landscape decide whether they’re buyers or sellers, whether they’re in it to win it or not. We’re still a month away, but baseball’s hot stove is heating up.

July 31st looms.

So let’s examine a few trade rumors that have been swirling around.

Mark Buehrle to the New York Mets for a slew of prospects
I say slew because there have been a lot of names tossed around – Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, and Mike Pelfrey have come up along with Aaron Heilman, who has been offered in every trade since the turn of the millennium. Heilman’s name has come up in potential deals for Ken Griffey, Jr., Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano. And he certainly hasn’t been in good favor with the fans at Shea.

So as it stands, the Chicago White Sox want at least two of those prospects plus Heilman for the left. And quite frankly, I think that’s too much. In two years, Gomez is going to be the starting right fielder for the Mets – he has improved every step of the way in his large cup of coffee with the big club, and I’m not willing to give him up. Nor am I willing to give up Humber of Pelfrey, who are both going to be stars in this league.

Furthermore, this deal is for Nolan Ryan? Oh, no, it’s for Mark Buehrle. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good pitcher. He has a career 3.80 ERA and is 101-70, but he’s not a dominant pitcher, and he’s not worth the plethora of prospects the Mets would have to give up to get him.

Jose Contreras to the New York Mets for a smaller slew
Contreras is not Mark Buehrle, but his asking price is significantly less. A career 53-35 pitcher with a 4.32 ERA, Contreras has tremendous stuff but has had difficulty putting it all together. I’m not sure what the ChiSox’ asking price is or will be, but I’d be more inclined to give up a small package for Contreras then a large package for Buehrle.

Mark Teixeira to the New York Yankees for a price that won’t be cheap
This is completely speculation, but Teixeira, who is currently out until after the All-Star break, may be shipped from Texas (18 games out in the AL West) to the Yankees (11.5 games out in the Al East). The deal makes sense from New York’s perspective – they don’t have a first baseman thanks to Jason Giambi's injury, and it’s unlikely that New York will be satisfied with Miguel Cairo, Andy Phillips, or Johnny Damon playing first.

That being said, it is going to take a lot to get Teixeira. The Yankees will have to part ways with a prospect or two, as well as give up some veterans who can play immediately in Arlington. No packages have been thrown out in the rumor mill, but I’m sure that Texas won’t be left on the short end of this deal, especially if the Boss were to issue an ultimatum to his general manager.