If Mets/Rays trade Heilman/Baez...

[slomo007]

According to the St. Petersburg Times:

The Rays continued trade talks on several fronts but, contrary to a New York Post report, have not offered closer Danys Baez for Mets pitcher Aaron Heilman. Though the Rays have interest, they likely would want more than Heilman for Baez.

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/12/13/Rays/Rays_win_shot_at_Japa.shtml

Wow. The D-Rays are idiots. If i were a GM, there is no reason to even calling them anymore.

Because they won't give you a legit closer for a pitching prospect?

It's bargaining like this which enabled TB to steal Kazmir for Zambrano. Perhaps they trade according to the level of the other trade party? They know they can exploit the Mets so why not try?

They tried to do the same thing with the Red Sox and Braves (2 smart management teams) and they ended up getting stuck with Lugo and losing out on one of the best prospects in baseball.

I agree they screwed up by not trading Lugo, but I think that at this point they could care less about prospects....they have enough of their own. I don't know the offers that were out there exactly, but it did sound like they were asking too much.

[thedude]

Baez is not great, but he is an adequate closer in the toughest division in the league. He has the stuff to move to the NL and have a much improved stat-line, IMO.

And to compare Heilmann to Baez. Both had 5 Win shares above bench player. Considering that Heilmann has higher upside, that is a great trade for TB.

[Amazinz]

And not to mention that Heilman costs next to nothing. Which leads me to believe this trade was never offered. If it was than the Mets are idiots for offering it and the Rays are idiots for declining it.

[raiders_umpire]

And not to mention that Heilman costs next to nothing. Which leads me to believe this trade was never offered. If it was than the Mets are idiots for offering it and the Rays are idiots for declining it.

I agree, I don't think this has been a deal on the table at all either. The Mets would be taking on salary for a 8th inning man when they have Heilman who has shown the ability to be the 8th inning man. If the Mets were in desperate need of a closer, I might could see these talks going on, but with Mr. Wagner in town I just don't think this deal does anything wonderful for the Mets at this time. I think the Drays will hold off on trading Baez until the Braves or a team needing a closer come calling or maybe even til the summer when all playoff teams will be looking to add another pitcher in the bullpen, as Baez's trade value is a bit higher from a closer point of view then from a setup man at this time.

[RocketsDWM]

Baez is not great, but he is an adequate closer in the toughest division in the league. He has the stuff to move to the NL and have a much improved stat-line, IMO.

And to compare Heilmann to Baez. Both had 5 Win shares above bench player. Considering that Heilmann has higher upside, that is a great trade for TB.

win shares