If Jenks was going to set up for a free agent signing and Dye was basically a throw-in, maybe it’d make some sense from the Mets’ POV to trade Fernando+, but there’s no way that’s a realistic scenario.

Other than that, I like Wood’s stuff, mentality and the chance to get him at a lower overall cost ($ & Picks). He’s been through a lot in a very tough city as well and never really makes a stink about it. He goes about his business as a true professional. Rodriguez has been in slight decline over the past few years. Granted a change of scenery to the lesser offensive National League with players unfamiliar with his stuff would probably benefit him.

Fuentes, in my opinion, is the only an option if the other two decide to go else where.

I don’t want to think about trading away more minor league talent in order to get a closer. If they are already establishing themselves as prospects then they’ve done more than most Met top draft picks have done. The only way we’ll be able to re-ignite this team with youth is through our own farm. The more viable major league options we develop in the minors means more money that can be spent on free agents. Remember last year Brian Schneider made about the same amount of money as Reyes or Wright did.

Granted if the topic of trading away minor leaguers comes up about getting a stud then I’m all for it. Not Putz or Street who have had elbow problems in the past.

How is he doing defensively?

In my opinion, the rankings should be Rodriguez, Wood and Fuentes.

1. I think Rodriguez is the best closer on the market. He’s proven he can close in a big market (or, at least, semi-big market as Anaheim is not Los Angeles).

2. I am not sold on Fuentes as all. I think that if the Mets sign Fuentes they will regret it by July. The man lost his closer’s job twice in two years.

3. Wood is a health risk, but let’s say you can get him on a two-year deal then the choice might be a toss up between K-Rod and Wood.

4. I really don’t think the value of the 1st round pick matters because the Mets always go for players that sign at slot value and the Mets are slated to pick near the bottom of the 1st round. That said, the value of the 1st pick would not matter if the Mets gave up draft picks if they just WENT ABOVE SLOT! This way they could give up a 1st and 2nd round pick and still find a way to get a player of similar talent in the 3rd and 4th rounds that may have slipped (like this year’s Tim Melville).

http://nybornnybred.blogspot.com/

looks like he is going to be the only met prospect in the top 50, right?

that’s a pretty sobering commentary on the state of the mets farm.

on fernando i think the thing to hang the hat on is that sweet swing. he had some ABs in spring training that made him look like a 10 year vet. Ralph Kiner in the booth was extremely impressed, and that guy had seen it all.

he is so fluid to the ball that kind of movement cannot be taught.

everything else will come together.

1. He’s younger.
2. He’s more talented
3. He K’s way more
4. He wasn’t removed twice from being the closer in stretch runs because he was ineffective.

I would much rather sign Wood then Fuentes in the first place, and now not losing any draft picks makes it even sweeter. Depending on the Price that K-Rod signs for, I might think Wood over him as well. But if it’s a 2 or 3 million dollar a deal difference i’d rather Rodriguez. If it’s a difference of 5 million a year. I might lean towards Wood.

BTW Toby, any info on Carlos Avellones? All I can seem to dig up is that he’s 17, RHP, can touch 90 mph, Venezuelan, and signed with the Mets recently. I figure if anyone could dig up a scouting report, it’d be you, but even a dollar amount would be nice just as some sort of indication as to whether there was any competition. I’d even just take height and weight really. Something to indicate whether this is just another “teenage lottery ticket” as a poster on another board put it, or someone to keep an eye on in rookie ball next year.