Can Ryan Church help the Mets Offense score runs, Maybe !If Mets Fans have not known by now, Church officially came off the DL and was in the Mets lineup today.
The Mets can surely use another live bat in a wounded lineup.. Not only will his bat help, but his defense will be a welcomed addition..
Today Ryan went 2-5 in his first game back..He also protected Murphy in the lineup batting 6th..
We all know that he is now a impact bat like a Carlos Lee or Matt Holliday, but it's a start...
The Mets can play this out in two ways: 1) See if he can come back to form and help carry this club or 2) Hope that he gets hot and rebuilds his trade value for deals down the line..
It looks as though you can figure that he will be the most likely trade candidate now that Fernando Martinez is up from the minors...Church is only making $2.8 Million this year, so he is affordable as well.
From what Gary and Keith were talking about during the game, it sounds as though the Mets will try to make a push for a deal.. The offense needs another big bopper in their lineup especially if Delgado is done for the year!
On the flip side the Mets can also opt to keep Church because of his experience and try and trade Fernando Martinez.. Again F-Mart has to rebuild his reputation as a five tool ballplayer.. There might be a team ready to unload a contract for some Major League ready talent. F-Mart falls into that category..
Here are 11 teams that might be a match with the Mets to shed salary:
1) Baltimore - 1B - Huff ($8 Million) -With the emergence of Adam Jones, he might be expendable
2) CHW - 1B - Konerko ($12 Million), OF - Dye ($11 Million) - Asked for Dye during offseason, but Kenny Williams asked for too much..
3) Cleveland - SP - Lee ($6 Million), C/1B - V. Martinez ($5.9 Million) - Omar has had relations with the Cleveland's GM Shapiro (See Putz deal), Both Lee and Martinez would be welcomed additions.
4) Seattle - SP - Bedard ($7.75 Million) - Omar has had relations with Seattle GM, But Bedard is a long shot for Mets..
5) Oakland - OF- Holliday ($13 Million), SS - Crosby ($5.3 Million) - Would the Mets be tempted by Holliday after Colorado?? Not!
6) Washington - 1B - N.Johnson ($5.5 Million) - Mets and Nationals have made deals in the past.. Johnson would look good in the Mets lineup..
7) Pittsburgh - SS- Jack Wilson ($7.4 Milion), 1B - LaRoche ($7.05 Million), 2B/IF - Sanchez ($6.25 Million) - Wilson Makes too much, LaRoche already made a war with Beltran and Sanchez would be a expensive utility guy..
8) Houston - OF- Carlos Lee ($19 Million), SP- Oswalt ($14 Million) - Minor Leaguers anybody ! With one of the worst minor league systems in baseball, time to sell...
9) San Diego - SP - Peavy ($11 Million) - I don't think Peavy would come here...
10) Colorado - 3B/1B - Atkins ($7.05 Million) - Odd man out in a rebulding lineup..
11) Arizona - OF - Byrnes ($11.6 Million) - Love Byrnes, but that price is ridiculous
Hey Church had a great start to 2008, before he got hurt...But this year he for some reason has been in Jerry's doghouse. I believe that if there is a deal to be had he will be included in it.. Again it has to be a deal that makes sense for the Mets.. If the Mets can get Reyes back that will solve one problem, which will only make 1B or the Outfield logical spots for a upgrade...Murphy has looked like he has cemented a spot at first base...For Now!
It's going to be a tough call for Omar, Lets see how it all plays out...
Go Mets!!
Original Story:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2009/06/...
