OK, so first there were rumors of a three-team deal between the Mets, Cubs and Blue Jays that would send Luis Castillo to the Cubs, Milton Bradley to the Blue Jays, and Lyle Overbay to the Mets.
Then someone bothered asking the Blue Jays and it was shot down.
Then came rumors of a very similar deal, except replacing “Blue Jays” with “Rangers” and “Lyle Overbay” with “Kevin Millwood.”
Then someone asked the Rangers. Again, no dice.
Doesn’t seem too hard to read the tea leaves here: Jim Hendry will gladly take on Luis Castillo if it means he can get rid of Milton Bradley and his contract, but the Mets are unwilling to take on Milton Bradley and his contract.
So they’re looking for a sucker.
Overbay is about as good a hitter as Bradley, plus he can defend at least a little, plus he’s owed way less money for fewer years, plus he hasn’t spent large parts of nearly every season on the disabled list, plus he’s not Milton Bradley. Shouldn’t really be too surprising that the Blue Jays shot that one down.
Kevin Millwood is owed $12 million next year — maybe a bit pricey for his caliber pitcher, but nothing prohibitive — plus he’s a decent pitcher who has started at least 29 games in each of the last five seasons, plus he’s coming off a very good year. He’s probably someone the Rangers could replace for less money, but he’s not someone I imagine they’d be eager to give away in return for a lousy contract.
I have absolutely no inside information to back this up, but it sure sounds like the Mets and Cubs are hoping there’s a third team out there that makes far worse moves than the Mets and Cubs.
Good luck with that.
It’s pretty much unreasonable to expect any team taking on Milton Bradley’s contract to send the Mets something that will actually fill much of a need for 2010.
I doubt this rumored framework goes away anytime soon, but I also doubt the teams involved will be able to get it done unless the Mets substantially lower their asking price.
Tedquarters 
Let’s be honest, even if the Mets and Cubs do find a third team here, the Mets are just going to throw a bad contract at Orlando Hudson and get themselves back in the same bind they’ve been in with Castillo.
Two years for Hudson is reasonable while Reese Havens transitions from SS to second. O.H won this year’s gold glove and would provide some pop out of the 2 hole. Nothing wrrong with getting Hudson who grew up a Mets fan and will play his heart out for us as well as keep the team lose.
If they trade Castillo, I do however prefer they first look to trade for Phillips if available.
O Dog winning the gold glove does not mean that he is the best, or even necessarily a good, second basemen; all it means is that people often vote for the same player over and over again in this award (Hunter and Ichiro have 9 straight, probably deservedly so) and Hudson used to be great so still gets respect. Actually, a lot of statistics point to Hudson being almost just as bad as Castillo in range last year, and not much more useful offensively AND he lost his job to Ronnie Belliard. So while we only need 2 years to wait for Reese Havens, who I do believe will be really good for us someday, neither Hudson nor Castillo is an ideal stopgap for that time. Since for that reason we do not need a longterm solution, I believe we should sign Polanco for two years as he is the best at the position and comes with the least risk of 2B.
LongTimeFan, I didn’t even read that last line at first, we are all dreaming if we think we can get Brandon Phillips for next season.
I would like to see Bradley in NY purely for the comedy. We are not going to the playoffs, so why not spice things up a little? Imagine him storming the SNY booth and getting into a rumble with Keith, Ron and Gary. Or when Manuel inevitably asked him to bunt he might run and tackle the 3rd base coach. Endless possibilities.
And here’s a fact: a team with Pagan, Beltran, Bradley in the OF with Hudson or Polanco at 2nd is better than an outfield of Pagan, Beltran, Frenchy with Castillo at 2nd. It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Ok, maybe it is.
Are you kidding me Dave?It would not be the least bit funny,it would be sad!I’m sick of people writing stuff like “oh we’re not makin’ the playoffs anyway”,How the Hell do you know that when we haven’t seen one move yet?I admit I’m not Optimistic but that doesn’t mean they Won’t sign Holliday or Bay for lf,or that they won’t get Lackey,or Wolf or Sheets Etc.Why Don’t you wait and see what they do before you say They won’t Contend!