Omar Minaya has expressed that with the likelyhood of Tom Glavine leaving, the Mets are willing to trade top prospect to get a top tier pitcher in return, reports MLB.com

“There’s no doubt, if you’re going to trade for pitching in this market — the way pitching is right now if you look at the free agents — you’re going to have to part with some premium guys,” Minaya said Wednesday.

“There’s no doubt that our premium prospects are very well-liked. The question is whether we’d trade them. We could be players in some of the pitching that might be traded.”

The Mets top prospects, in order of value to the team, are Minor League outfielders Fernando Martinez and Carlos Gomez, Mike Pelfrey and Minor League starter Kevin Mulvey, Lastings Milledge and Philip Humber.

A deal involving Martinez and Gomez is highly unlikely. The Mets might be more willing to deal them if the return was someone like Johan Santana.

The Twins are willing to move 24 year-old Matt Garza, reports who posted a 3.69 ERA this year, according to a report by Joe Christensen in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. 

The Twins are targeting Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, and Carlos Gomez in return.  The Twins covet Upton most, but he appears to be the least likely to be dealt. A report by Marc Topkin in the St. Petersburg Times confirms the Delmon Young rumors.

Christensen also reports that the Twins have not heard back from Carlos Silva or Torii Hunter’s agent on the offers they were made.

According to MLB.com, the Mets are interested in Chad Cordero, while the Nationals seek Carlos Gomez and Mike Pelfrey.

Gomez is also, sought by the Minnosota Twins, and could be part of a deal to land Johan Santana. However in an ESPN poll by Jerry Crasnick, 14 out of 15 baseball executives and GMs polled at the General Managers meeting in Orlando do not believe the Twins will deal Santana this winter.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com believes the Angels have emerged as a most intriguing possibility for Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera to land through a trade. The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees all have interest as well, however the Red Sox are trying to re-sign Mike Lowell and the comments from Yankees’ representative Hank Steinbrenner saying that he would not trade one of the big three young pitchers.

Rosenthal also adds that the Washington Nationals would like to sign CF Andruw Jones but will likely have a tough time chalking up the money it will take to get him. He also notes that he sees the Giants and White Sox as two potential suiters with the Dodgers a possibility. The Padres would be more involved with him if his price dropped.

The Phillies believe that CF Aaron Rowand may command a four-year, $52 million contract. Both the Astros and Mets remain interested in free agent 2B Luis Castillo. The Indians, Padres and Dodgers could also enter the mix pending decisions within their franchise. The Twins are one of the teams attempting to trade for Red Sox CF Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox are demanding too much in return it appears. Teams with too many starting pitchers may look to the trade market to get rid of them. Indians starter LHP Cliff Lee, Brewers RHP Dave Bush and LHP Chris Capuano are amongst the possible choices.

Rosenthal ends on one final note. The Washington Nationals would like to trade for another young major league-ready starter. Mets 2nd-round draft pick in 2006 Kevin Mulvey is among one of the choices that Rosenthal adds, with the other being the Twins Kevin Slowey.

With the Mets in need of bullpen help. Could we be looking at a trade for one of the Nationals relievers? Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch could help this team in the bullpen and the Nationals are looking to get younger. The Nationals reportedly have interest in OF Carlos Gomez as well.

Aside from the injuries to Lastings and Johnson, some might be wondering what else is going on down in the farm system.  So lets take a quick look.

Ricky Leedee, who was kind of briefly a Met last season, had a grand slam earlier in the week as part of a 4 for 5 day that helped the Zephyrs beat the Isotopes (Marlins AAA) 17 to 8.  Leedee followed this up by striking out five times Thursday and twice on Friday.  He's now batting .314, the slam was his sole homerun so far. Just remember, one bad diving catch by Alou, and he'll be in blue and orange.

Victor Diaz had four RBI's, which would be much cooler if he was still with the Met organization.  Now a Redhawk, he helped the Rangers AAA team defeat the Zephyrs 5-1. Mike DiFelice had the sole Zephyr RBI in the game, which took place yesterday.  It was his 8th RBI of the season,  he's now batting .360

Carlos Gomez went 0 for 4, this ended a 21 game streak in which he reached safely.  He's stolen 10 bases so far, getting caught 3 times.  The speedy Gomez has an OBP of .366, including 9 walks.

Robinson Cancel has been moved from the B-Mets to the Zephyrs to replace Lastings on the roster.  I…don't know anything about him.  Anyone?

Ruben Gotay has hit in seven straight, including a 4 for 7 day in Tuesdays romp. He's currently looking like the most likely option should we need second basemen (ie, Stache or Easley gets hurt).  Anderson Hernendez is..well, playing like Anderson Hernendez.

Up on the mound Chan Ho Park continues to survive thanks to the Zephyrs offense.  After Tuesdays win, he's 3-1 with a 7.29 ERA after 21 IP.  He's given up six homeruns and 17 runs total. I think the chances of us seeing Park promoted get smaller and smaller as the season goes on. We'll see Dave Williams first.  Jorge Sosa is the current cream of the crop.  3-0 with a 1.38 ERA.  He's given up just 4 earned runs, while striking out 24. 
should Pelf continue to struggle, I'm guessing Sosa will get the first shot at the 5 spot.

Well there’s no game in New York, and its storming in the vast majority of the state. So a perfect day to take a quick look around the minor league system.

Chan Ho Park gave up eight runs and ten hits in four innings in a Zephyrs loss yesterday. It was the teams second straight loss to the Nashville Sound, with a final score of 1-14. In Fridays loss, Fernando Tatis went 1-4 with a solo homerun, and Carlos Gomez went 2 for 4. In ten games, Gomez is batting .389 and 4 RBIs. He has stolen 6 bases, and been caught once. Anderson Hernendez continues his struggles at the plate, batting .200, with two doubles and two RBI’s. Since joining New Orleans, Lastings Milledge is 0-7 with 1 walk. He’s struck out four times. Ben Johnson is currently on the DL, after an injury diving for a catch in Thursday’s game.

On the pitching side, his rough outing ups Park (1-1) to a 7.2 ERA. He’s struck out nine, but given up three homeruns. Jorge Sosa (1-0) has yet to give up an earned run in 13 innings, while striking out nine and walking 3. Humber (1-1) leads in strikeouts with 10, and has given up five runs, all earned.

The Zephyrs are now 5-5.

Just a quick one here, the Zephyrs (AAA - Pacific League) took both games of a double header yesterday against the Nashville Sounds.  Jorge Sosa threw six scoreless innings in the first game, and Chan Ho Park added another six scoreless innings in the second, including six strikeouts while allowing just two hits.  Carlos Gomez had the sole RBI of game 2, scoring Anderson Hernendez, who had gotten on base with a double.  The Zephyrs are now 3-1.

Though we have no indication so far of needing them anytime soon, its still nice to see our AAA starters throwing well.  If Burgos or one of the other pen guys starts to struggle though, you have to wonder if a call will be made down to New Orleans to start using Park in the pen to get him ready for a trip North. Granted its early, and we haven't even seen Pellf play yet, but it seemed towards the end of spring training that Park's role might be more relief than starting.  Would it be better to interrupt his schedule, or if needed would it be better if we went with someone within the current N.O. pen?

Ken Rosenthal is at it again. He is reporting that the Mets and OF Moises Alou are discussing a 2-year deal, not the one-year, $8 million deal reported earlier this morning.

Rosenthal notes that this would also mean that if Alou signs with the Mets, OF Lastings Milledge is all but gone by Opening Day 2007.

I've made up my mind and I think I'd rather have the platoon. We have enough offense and we need some defense in the outfield. Alou can't run anything down and Shawn Green can't field anything hit away from him while Milledge and Endy Chavez are both good outfielders (I know what you are thinking, but he had a bad series aganist Boston).

Now, about the 2-year deal. I get it on only one condition. They let Green walk after this season and they start either Milledge or Carlos Gomez in 2008. If thats not the case, then its a bad move signing him to the second season.

Dominican newspaper Listin Diario is reporting that a friend of OF Moises Alou told the paper that he is close to signing a 1-year deal worth $8 million with the M.E.T.S. New York Mets of New York Town.

Here is a translation of the article (note, the translator is off on some words, but you get the picture):

“The Mets of new York are just about to sign al Dominican Moses Alou
by a total reckoned in eight million dollars for the season of the
2007, according to it expressed a close source al gardener.

The
agreement is almost sure that be concluded this weekend and the
assembly will proceed to the confirmation and presentation of the
veteran, who will become a Hispanic one more than passes to form rows
of the subways.

Last night was reported that the player was outside of the Capital city, but people close to were echoed him of the movement.

The
virtual firm of Moses with the Mets would become the gardener the left
of that assembly, being joining with Carlos Beltrán and Shawn Green.
Cliff Floyd, who has performed that position in the last three years,
is an agent free and do not it is expected that the club sign it again.

To be specified the pact with Moses, would join with José Kings,
Pedro Martínez, July Franco, Guillermo Dot, Duaner Sánchez and Anderson
Hernández, as the Dominican ballplayers that act for the assembly that
has as general manager al native Omar Minaya.

Alou would
fortify exceedingly the house to be able of the Metro, that already
counts on Beltrán, the own Green, as well as Carlos Thin and David
Wright.”

I don't have a clue if I like this signing or not. The guy can hit the cover off the ball, but he is just about as injury-plaiged as OF Cliff Floyd. Our defense is sure to be horrible though. I'm sure a platoon of Lastings Milledge and Endy Chavez would be just as good, but I guess Omar Minaya likes Endy coming off the bench more.

Its a one-year deal, so I assume they would let him walk and play OF Carlos Gomez in 2008.

Here is a rundown of yesterday's minor league action, courtesy of the always amazing Toby's Mets Minor League Report….

• Yusaku Iriki won and threw six shutout frames. 
  He struck out four.
• Edgardo
  Alfonzo launched a HR, his third for Norfolk,
  and two doubles while driving home three.  
• Rashad Eldridge, had one of
  his better nights in Norfolk
  going 3-5 with a HR and 4 RBI.  
• Lastings Milledge had a
  couple of hits at the top of the order.
• Rueben Gotay (.235/.286/.375 in 37 G) added
  a 2-5 evening with two RBI.
• Brian Bannister throws Wednesday.

Carlos Gomez has been gracing the pages of Hot Foot for many months now, and The New York Post has finally caught on to the emerging outfielder in the Mets minor league system, Carlos Gomez.

Kevin Kernan profiles the young centerfielder as well as comparing him to Willie Mays.

Gomez smiled when it was brought up. He said, “I think scouts [saw] me catch a couple balls like Willie Mays.”

Gomez turned his back and mimicked catching a ball over his shoulder, a la Mays. The language of baseball speaks volumes.

Binghamton Mets manager Juan Samuel thinks Gomez has a bright future ahead of him.

Check out the article in todays New York Post.

The Daily News jumps on the bandwagon as well, citing the revival of the Binghamton Mets driven by Gomez.

One major key has been the maturing of 20-year-old center fielder
Carlos Gomez, who is held in nearly the same regard as Lastings
Milledge. Gomez - the organization's sixth-rated prospect, according to
Baseball America - started slowly after making a big jump from low-A
Hagerstown. But he hit .406 in July and enjoyed an 18-game hitting
streak. Gomez was hitting only .225 before that streak.

Similarly, 23-year-old righthander Miguel Pinango has hit his stride
after making the jump from St. Lucie. After a 1-6 start, Pinango has
been the B-Mets' best pitcher during the past six weeks, despite
bigger-name starters on the staff. He's won seven straight decisions.

Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez make the list of Baseball America's top centerfield prospects in the minor leagues…

5. Fernando Martinez, Mets

Age: 17.8 Hitting: .333/.386/.532 in 51 G (1
R/45 A-/5 A+)

Martinez was the big prize in last year's international
signing period, as the Mets won a bidding war for his services with a $1.4
million bonus. Point No. 1: 17-year-old players are not supposed to be ready
for full-season leagues. Point No. 2: 17-year-old players are certainly not
supposed to be good enough to earn a promotion to High Class A by getting a hit
in every three at-bats. Martinez is a ridiculous offensive talent with ability
well beyond his years, but he still has room for improvement. He's coming
into his power, which should at least be average, and while he's a free
swinger, he gets away with it because of tremendous plate coverage. The only
knock against him is his defense. A slightly above-average runner now, his
instincts in center are lacking, and he'll almost assuredly need to move to a
corner in the not-so-distant future. This is a still remarkable season for
such a young player, and over the next couple of years we will figure out if he
develops into an ideal number two hitter, or a middle-of-the-order power
threat.

9. Carlos Gomez, Mets

Age: 20.7 Hitting: .287/.347/.431 in 93 G (AA)

The Mets don't have just one toolsy outfielder moving
quickly through their system, they have two. The organization has always loved
Gomez's long body and outstanding tools, but strating him this year at
Double-A seemed curious, if not downright wrong. Only 20 years old at the
start of the year and coming off an uninspiring .275/.331/.376 campaign at Low
Class A Hagerstown, his performance didn't merit skipping a level, and he was
overmatched in the first half of the season, with his batting average sitting at
.211 at the end of May when he hit the disabled list with a back injury.
Whatever happened during that time off changed everything, as Gomez now has
pretty respectable numbers thanks to a nifty .406 (41-for-101) average in
July. While Gomez hasn't shown much power, scouts believe it's in him, and
he's very close to establishing new career highs in doubles, triples and home
runs with almost a month still to go in the season. He's a plus-plus runner with 95
stolen bases in the last two years, and he covers a ton of ground in the
outfield while featuring a strong, accurate arm. Gomez still needs to refine
his approach, as with 73 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 344 at-bats, he
doesn't work well at the top of the order, and his speed has less value at the
bottom. The Mets can afford to slow him down a little, and he might repeat
Double-A next year.

Here's some highlights from yesterday's minor league action courtesy of Toby's Mets Minor League Report…

Dave Williams struck out seven in five scoreless innings Tuesday in his second start for the Rookie GCL Mets.

Williams
was placed on Triple-A Norfolk's DL in mid-June with a strained
shoulder. He seems ready to rejoin Norfolk's rotation now, but the
injury has left him with little chance of a callup to the Mets before
September.

AA

A+

A-

Here's a few highlights of last nights minor league action courtesy of Toby's Mets Minor League Report…

AAA

• Edgardo Alfonzo had a pair of hits, including a double and an RBI.
• Chris Basak had three hits and
  an RBI.

AA

• Chase Lambin, who was demoted in place of Edgardo Alfonzo, doubled and homered to drive in a pair
  of runs.
• Carlos Gomez had three hits
• Ambio Concepcion had four hits 
• Henry
  Owens collected the save.

A+

• Mike Carp
  continued his hot hitting with two hits, including a double.
• Corey Coles had three hits to raise his
  average to .337.