Reader Todd used the fancy new contact box (linked from the tab at the top right of this page) to send in a question:

Ted, I have to ask, why does the media always tries to perpetuate this notion that it will take the Mets’ best prospect to acquire anyone of note?

Everyone’s busily discussing whether or not they’d part with Mejia, however, a look at recent history suggests that’d be an overpayment.

Todd went on to reiterate (in greater detail) a point I made last week: the hauls for Lee in the recent past have never been overwhelming, and have never included a prospect of Mejia’s caliber.

I should note that this may all be a moot discussion if Mejia’s shoulder injury keeps him out for any extended period of time. But my response to Todd was similar to the point Tim Dierkes made at MLBTradeRumors.com this morning: It might not take a prospect of Mejia’s caliber to land Lee, but the dropoff between Mejia and the Mets’ next-best movable prospect is big enough that some other team would be able to land Lee if the Mets didn’t include Mejia.

Fernando Martinez has been injured for some parts of the season and struggled for the other parts. Reese Havens is injured. Brad Holt has been terrible. Ike Davis, Ruben Tejada and Jon Niese are important contributors to the Major League team. The Mets would have to build a deal around a prospect with less perceived upside, like Josh Thole, or a prospect who is further from the big leagues, like Wilmer Flores.

Since Lee isn’t owed a lot of money this season and comes with the draft picks for any acquiring team (assuming it doesn’t re-sign him), every contender can afford to make a play for him. And I find it difficult to believe that another MLB club wouldn’t better any package the Mets offered that didn’t include Mejia.

Of course, the trade market is a weird and fickle thing, and I didn’t think the Mets had the horses to land Johan Santana way back when.