Trade Targets for the Mets – Angels
By Adam Martini
I wrote in this space a few days ago that the New York Mets’ bullpen will be the death of them. New York’s ‘pen has 18 losses and the worst earned run average in Major League Baseball at 4.86.
Ironically, general manager Sandy Alderson thought he had bolstered the bullpen prior to the 2012 season with the additions of Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco. But Ramirez and Rauch have been huge letdowns and Francisco, who has struggled at times as the closer, is on the disabled list. So where do the Mets go from here? Here are five possible trade targets.
Grant Balfour, Oakland Athletics – Normally, the Athletics gladly would take a prospect or draft pick in a trade. But Oakland need offense, so what if the Mets were willing to eat most of Jason Bay’s contract? It’s just a thought and probably not going to happen. Balfour has limited closing experience, so he’d probably fill a set-up role in Queens.
More Rumors
The Bleacher reports,Grant Balfour’s strong start in 2012 has been a positive for the Oakland Athletics. He has seven saves in 43 appearances and an ERA of 3.12.He’ll likely be one of the more sought-after options this summer for teams considering an addition to their bullpen, with the Los Angeles Angels emerging as a suitor for Balfour (via the Boston Globe).
