Scott Kazmir will take the mound for the Indians on Friday night in his first career start against the Mets, the team that originally drafted him 15th overall in 2002 and infamously traded him for Victor Zambrano in July 2004. ESPN New York's Adam Rubin talks to Kazmir about the trade, his brief tenure with the Mets and his comeback with Cleveland. Here are some items about the Amazins…
- The Mets heavily scouted other organizations for power-hitting prospects earlier this season, a rival executive tells Newsday's Marc Carig. The Mets will put a priority on obtaining some big bats this winter, as manager Terry Collins admitted the team is lacking in power.
- Some of that power could come from internal options like Lucas Duda, who has hit well since taking over the first base job from the injured Ike Davis. Metsblog.com's Maggie Wiggin thinks Duda could be a cheap and potentially very productive first base option for New York next season. Duda has hit better over his career when playing first, possibly due to being freed from the pressure of playing the outfield, where Duda is a major defensive liability. If nothing else, Wiggin thinks Duda's September audition could make him a trade chip for an AL team looking for first base or DH help.
- The Mets could look across New York for help on the free agent market this winter, as ESPN New York's Mark Simon lists Curtis Granderson, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain as possible fits for the Mets in 2014.
