According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are focused on getting Dan Haren or Joe Blanton from the A’s. Lennon admits they probably don’t have the chips to get Johan Santana, which makes me wonder how they’d have enough to get Blanton or Haren.
Omar Minaya and Billy Beane discussed these guys a year ago, and couldn’t come to an agreement. Now Beane’s price has risen – Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman won’t cut it (not sure if it would’ve last year anyway). I’m not sure if adding any Mets pitching prospect to that pair would be enough to get Blanton, who would have a lesser price tag than Haren. Add Carlos Gomez to the package and you might have something.
I honestly can’t see how the Mets would present the best package for Haren, but maybe they have a shot at getting Blanton. Lennon notes that the A’s are more eager to trade Blanton, since he’s arbitration-eligible for the first time.