It seems a lot of you want the Mets to trade for Dontrelle Willis. It’s going to take a good package to get him. Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber would have to be in it. Lastings Milledge, too. Maybe a third player. If you’re the Mets, how much would you offer for Willis?
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Here’s the question: Do you project Pelfrey to be as good as Willis is now? Without any secondary pitches, I don’t know.
I would offer Milledge, Pelfrey and just about any young player not named Wright, Reyes, Humber, Gomez or Martinez.
Would you do Milledge and Heilman for Willis?
To BennyAyala …
Honestly, I don’t know how to project Pelfrey. You are right about the secondary pitches, but he’s young enough to learn them.
And yes, I would offer Milledge and Heilman for Willis.
There are so few Number 1 starters out there that I’d pony up just about anything outside of Wright and Reyes. As fans we always think our highly touted prospects will become All-Stars or Cy Young winners but they rarely do, see Gregg Jefferies, or the early 1990’s Generation K.
Willis is a young, left handed Cy Young candidate that could shine in NY. If Omar is serious about pursuing him and not just making smoke, go get him.
John, who would you rather have, Willis or Zito?
To Raincntry …
Willis, without question, but I don’t think the Marlins will deal him. Why should they? Atlanta and Philly aren’t elite, and if the Mets don’t find another pitcher, the Marlins with their young core can compete. The NL East is winnable, so there’s no reason to deal Willis. Not if he can help them win.
But isn’t Willis arbitration-eligible this off-season? The Marlins, you have to remember, fielded a $14-million payroll last year and, based on this winter’s market, Willis might command $10 million in arbitration.
In addition to the financial aspect, there’s also the idea that Josh Johnson is/will be their staff ace, and that Scott Olsen is/will be a formidable front-of-the-rotation lefty. If that’s true, then Willis could project an expensive #3 for a cash-starved franchise.
Finally, there’s probably no other player on their roster who would bring back more talent in return—and could be readily replaced by internal personnel.
I would get Willis if I could. If it takes Pelfrey/Milledge so be it.
Willis is a top of the line pitcher and young. Sign and trade.
None of the young guns are expendable.
I would not trade the minor studs for garbage tho. ( unlike the previous regime – do we want to say Kazmir? ).
Dave
To BennyAyala …
Yes, Willis is arbitration eligible. But even so, it would cost the Marlins less to pay that than to sign him to a long-term deal. The pitchers you mentioned along with Willis give the Marlins the best young staff in NL East. They also have a good young core. Considering that, and dropoff by Braves and Phillies, and assuming the Mets come back to the pack, why should they deal Willis to the best team in their division? Makes no sense.