Trade Talk Heats Up

The Cubs and Mets met for a second time over the GM meetings to discuss a possible Sosa trade.

The fact that the teams met again demonstrates an increased level of seriousness, because the first confab between teams here at the general managers' meetings usually involves tossing out trial balloons. The second meeting indicates a player match and a mutual willingness to pursue a deal.

Again the talks are supposedly centered around Cliff Floyd. The only way I would be happy with Sosa for Floyd trade is if this player was involved...

As for Soriano, the Mets are hoping they can acquire him without giving up Jose Reyes. The hope is that Texas would be willing to take Floyd in a rehash of a trade first discussed last July before the trade deadline.

But the Mets would still be willing to consider trading Reyes, picking up Soriano to play right field, and then signing free agent Orlando Cabrera, who is a favorite of Minaya's. However, Texas is also interested in Cabrera because it wants to move Michael Young back to second base, sign Cabrera and let Soriano go.

I doubt the Mets will even consider trading Reyes. He is 21 and raw but has speed to burn. If the Cubs were to get him I could forgive them for not going after a Renteria or Garciaparra. But hey if some of you are upset that Sosa has been injured to much the last couple of years you wont be happy with Cliff Floyd. Every single season the man misses a month or more for various injuries. Only 3 out of 12 seasons has he even come remotely close to playing 162 games. Floyd is an extremly old 31 year old player.

And I wish I would see the Cubs expressing interest in the free agent class beyond Nomar.

Another outfield possibility is Magglio Ordonez, who is represented by Boras. Minaya and Duquette met with Boras yesterday and discussed Ordonez, Carlos Beltran, J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe. The Mets came away with three books compiled by Boras on his players, and are expecting one more.

Thats nice, I havent seen the Cubs express interest in a free agent in 2-3 years. I tell ya Beltran, Ordonez, Drew are so far off the Cubs radar its not even funny.