David Wells is willing to come to Shea, now the question is will the Mets be able to snare him.
A friend of Wells said the 37-year-old lefty wouldn’t have a problem playing for manager Bobby Valentine, whom Wells has criticized in the past.
“I can pitch for anybody,” the friend quoted Wells as saying. “Just give me the ball every fifth day.”
If the Blue Jays decide to deal Wells, the names being bandied about heading north are Jay Payton and top prospect Alex Escobar, according to sources.
The pitching thin Jays would probably want an arm as well and the Mets would have an extra starting one, so Glendon Rusch could be tossed into the equation.
The Jays still must decide if they want to trade the 37-year-old Wells, who is only going to make $8.25 million. If traded, Wells is going to want his $9 million option for 2002 picked up plus at least a one-year extension.
Wells wants these improvements from the Jays and they could figure Wells’ attitude will be less than ideal. But at 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA, they might want to deal with any excess Wells may bring.
Wells, who is getting married this weekend, wants a deal to happen now – as in before spring training. He doesn’t want to have the instability of hearing his name in rumor after rumor come the July trade deadline.
Wells’ first preference is to remain a Blue Jay, according to his friend. If available, the Indians are also expected to be among the teams in pursuit of the New York-loving lefty.
Mets GM Steve Phillips would like to pry Wells loose, but Phillips can live with a rotation of Al Leiter, Kevin Appier, Rick Reed, Steve Trachsel and Rusch.
However, if the Mets are going to return to the World Series, they need another marquee starter to team with Leiter. Appier might be solid enough to pick up Mike Hampton’s 15 regular season wins and help garner a third-straight wild card, but in his lone playoff start, this season against the Yankees, he went 61/3, giving up three runs on six hits in a 4-0 loss.
You can’t judge Appier on just one performance, but the Mets’ ability to repeat in the NL would greatly improve with Wells pitching a Game 1 or 2.
The Mets could turn their attention toward another marquee starter such as Pedro Astacio. But the Rockies are going to be less inclined to deal Astacio after being unable to lock up Darren Dreifort. The Mets are also keeping their eye on Johnny Damon, with a deal likely being similar to one for Wells. The Royals want relief help so Rick White’s name could be included.
Phillips, though, might be wise to hold his chips and maybe even wiser to just hold on to Escobar, who by all estimates, is the real deal.
First, Phillips could go into the spring with the current staff and then try to use Escobar, whose value could grow, in a deadline move. Considering, Phillips’ history with prospects, which is a “win-now” philosophy, the chances of Escobar ever seeing Shea seem slim.
Escobar, who was named the best all-around position player by his fellow players in a recent Double-A Eastern League survey, could be the first minor leaguer to come through the Mets system since Payton. Escobar hit .288 with 16 homers and 67 RBIs in 437 at-bats.
There is a feeling among some in the Mets’ front office that Escobar could be ready by sometime this upcoming season. He could be special, which is why he is the Mets biggest trade chip.