thephan wrote:The GM's first test is to put some lipstick on Kyle Kendrick and sell him as a ground ball making machine perfect for Colorado's park. Nothing against KK, I wish him well, especially if he can bring some value here.

The Mets, their 2008 playoff hopes destroyed by a profoundly inept bullpen, want to completely remake their relief corps. So much so that they spent some of their time at the general managers' meetings gauging the value of their own veteran relievers.

Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis are available for the taking. The Mets hope to either clear payroll to make a run at free-agent relievers or trade some of their own relievers for other teams' bullpen guys.

Heilman, the lightning rod for fan discontent, has long had admirers around the industry. Among the teams that could be interested are Oakland, Tampa Bay and Texas. The Mets have interest in the Rays' Edwin Jackson.

Just spoke with Amaro and got a better sense for the division of responsibilities in the new front office. Looper essentially will replace Arbuckle, while LaMar will, in Amaro's words, "run our minor-league department," with assistance from Noworyta. Amaro plans to hire another assistant GM, likely from outside the organization, within the next 10 days. That person will be responsible for handling Amaro's old responsibilities, namely negotiating contracts and preparing arbitration cases.

ReadingPhilly wrote: That person will be responsible for handling Amaro's old responsibilities, namely negotiating contracts and preparing arbitration cases.

The Rockies have had extensive dialogue with the Phillies over the last year, and are interested in pitchers Carlos Carrasco, J.A. Happ and Rawlings Gold Glove center fielder Shane Victorino, though it's unclear if Philadelphia would make him available as they did last July.

The Cardinals came to these meetings on a fact-finding mission about Holliday. Once it became apparent that the Rockies would consider moving the three-time All-Star without getting pitching in return, the Cardinals increased their pursuit.

O'Dowd dropped a single hint Wednesday that he might be able to get an All-Star in exchange for Holliday. Turns out that is outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who hit 37 home runs last season.

"I am not going to speculate on who we are talking to, but we are looking at all scenarios," O'Dowd said Thursday as he left the annual GM meetings. "It's hard to tell how it's going to turn out."

The trade scenarios emerging are dividing into two distinct patterns: projectable pitching vs. immediate offensive help.

Carrasco is considered the Phillies' top prospect. He went 9-9 last season in Double-A and Triple-A stops, but posted a 1.72 ERA in Triple-A.

His career marred by injuries, the 30-year-old Ludwick found a home with Cardinals, his third organization. After showing flashes in 2007, Ludwick batted .299 with 137 RBIs last season.

Holliday understands that the Rockies are likely to trade him, bracing for his exit in the coming weeks. Because pitching isn't a prerequisite in a deal, there are other teams that can't be discounted in the Holliday sweepstakes, including the Rays, A's, and Yankees.

JFLNYC wrote:

"I am not going to speculate on who we are talking to, but we are looking at all scenarios," O'Dowd said Thursday as he left the annual GM meetings.

Warszawa wrote:Could we throw Atkins and Feliz into the mix?

thephan wrote:dajafi... I thought you had some Mets leanings in you. Was that just for survival, or is my memory completely faulty?

Uncle Milty wrote:

Warszawa wrote:Could we throw Atkins and Feliz into the mix?

Considering cost of acquisition I'd prefer Atkins to Holliday.

Trent Steele wrote:

Uncle Milty wrote:

Warszawa wrote:Could we throw Atkins and Feliz into the mix?

Considering cost of acquisition I'd prefer Atkins to Holliday.

Atkins basically stinks. I wouldn't give up JA Happ for him. He's an A-W-F-U-L 3B and had the 5th worst road OPS in the NL last year.

He's had the exact opposite career track from Holiday. Unlike Holiday, whose BB rate has almost doubled since 2006, Atkins' BB rate has been cut in half while his Ks have gone up and his power has gone down.

Factoring in defense, I bet you he's not more than a 1-2 win upgrade over Feliz.

Pass.