I saw this story last night, and it prompted me to fire off an e-mail to a major-league official who would most certainly have interest in Dontrelle Willis _ as would the Mets.
"I still have not heard that Dontrelle is available," the official wrote back.
I hate to pick on this one story. Consider it more an attack on a perception, not completely unlike the Mets fans who keep pining for Roy Oswalt.
Dontrelle's case is a little different. As Fox Sports baseball guru Ken Rosenthal notes here, if the Marlins dealt Willis now, they would be selling low, given the lefty's poor 2007. Better to hang onto Willis and see if he rights himelf in the final two months, which would also help the Marlins' (very) longshot chance at a playoff berth.
It continues to appear as though no top-flight starting pitchers will change hands. As Rosenthal reports, the Braves appear to lead the chase for Mark Teixeira. Perhaps the Mets will jump in the Jermaine Dye hunt more seriously if Carlos Beltran doesn't rebound over the weekend. And on the relief hunt, the only guy guaranteed to be traded, it seems, is Octavio Dotel.
Four and a half shopping days left. But Mets fans should cancel those Dontrelle fantasies right now.
Comments (6)
I don't have any Dontrelle fantasies, would be hard pressed to give up much. Looks like Doc all over again, no? Any Met fan thinking Oswalt is coming probably expects the Kazmir trade to be voided anyday now...
I never heard Arnold use "are."
Excellent point, Chris. I'll change it.
Why aren't the Mets making a run at Teixeira? This team has a lot of old parts and they don't need another Dye or Contreras or Livan Hernandez to make them even older. They should be concerned about their hitting. Do they think Gotay is going to keep hitting .330? Delgado has been on a big decline the past two years, with a brief great awakening in the playoffs. He hasn't done the job in the fifth hole. And LoDuca and Green have not been producing runs. Minaya is missing the boat on this one; the Mets need to upgrade and get younger, which is why Teixeira would be a great fit. To Texas: Delgado with a bundle of cash to pay for next year, a young pitcher (Pelfrey?) and either Millege the pinhead or someone like Heilman whom Texas would use as a starter. Of course the Mets would have to get more than Teixeira in this type of deal, but they should go all out for this one.
Teixeira would be interesting but: surrendering Milledge and Heilman probably won't satisfy Texas GM Jon Daniels considering what other teams reportedly are prepared to offer. And, would the Wilpons go for the cash it would take?
Agree that Delgado has been a huge disappointment: a dud as a stud.
Doubt Minaya has given more thought to Contreras and Livan, so no worries there.
There was once a time where new york had the finest baseball writers. No more. writers such as wallace matthews wear their personal views about teams on their sleeves and give slanted articles.His disdain for the mets is seen throughout any articles he writes regarding them. New York once had dick young, phil pepe, maury allen, jack lang,etc. when a team lost, they offered criticism. when teams won, respect and fairness. You no longer see this in the pages of nyc newspapers such as newsday. Wallace matthews and others have NO pulse or understanding whatsoever for the games, choosing instead to be gossip columnists and new york yankee worshipers. I beg you,newsday. Begin a legacy of solid baseball reporting,and start by releasing wallace matthews from your sports beat. Let him and others like him find work at the yes network