According to Jon Heyman from SI.com, the Mets and Dodgers are at the ‘forefront of talks’ involving Orioles LHP Erik Bedard.

…well, this is interesting, because the Dodgers are also interested in Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera, who will likely cost a similar package as needed to get bedard…damn, this is all connected…

In a post to ESPN.com, Amy Nelson writes that Bedard will cost a ‘superior package of prospects,’ while adding that the O’s are telling clubs they already have four teams with ‘very promising packages.’

…thanks to birkhead for the tip…

…as i noted earlier, the word from Nashville is that Mets GM Omar Minaya and a few of his assistants either met with, or are set to meet with, representatives from the Orioles in baltimore’s hotel suite following this morning’s State of the GMs get-together…

…the buzz from baltimore, not Nashville, but from baltimore, continues to suggest that the O’s still don’t really want to trade Erik Bedard, and so he may cost a team more than the Twins get for Johan Santana…they are debating whether to trade him for talent that can help next season or keep him, allow more time for an extension and if it can’t work out they can always trade him next off-season, after which he will still be under control by his new team through the following season…however, it’s quite clear that they’re working hard to determine his value, and will not hesitate to pull the trigger if the right deal comes along…

…frankly, i keep sensing that, while they’re totally focused on bedard right now, as they should be, the Mets also have interest in A’s RHP Joe Blanton, more than they do in his teammate, Dan Haren…also, there is some indication that the Mets could have interest in LHP Noah Lowry, should he be available…

In 26 starts this past season for the Giants, the 27–year-old, left-handed Lowry was 14–8 with a 3.92 ERA, during which opponents hit .265 against him.

However, he had been 9–6 with a 3.33 ERA at the All-Star break. He missed all of September with a sore elbow, on which an MRI revealed a mild strain and no structural damage.

Lowry will earn $2.25 million in 2008, and $4.5 million in 2009, after which he can be a free agent.

…while in Nashville, our on-site eyes and ears, Joel Lipsky, talked with Susan Slusser, who covers the A’s for the San Francisco Chronicle, who said that, from what she understands, A’s GM Billy Beane is very prepared to move Dan Haren and Joe Blanton, but that the Mets fit better for blanton…however, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney told joel that the Mets do not fit well for blanton, or haren, because beane is not impressed by Mike Pelfrey and Phil Humber, and he must bring back two, young starting pitchers in a trade…

Beane, as recently quoted by USA Today, when asked about Haren and Blanton…

“If somebody offers you everything west of the Mississippi, you have to listen. If Thomas Jefferson didn’t listen to offers, half of the U.S. would be French. Some people thought it was a bad deal at the time, but I think he proved to be right.”

Meanwhile, in his post to SI, Heyman also reports that the Mets are among teams who are pursuing free-agent RHP Freddy Garcia, who will not be able to pitch until June, ‘at the earliest.’

…to be honest, i recall hearing yesterday that the Mets may be the front runners for garcia, but are holding back until they know how best to proceed in the trade market…

Lastly, according to MLB.com, citing ‘a source,’ the Nationals may be willing to give Livan Hernandez a two-year deal.

…if you recall, multiple reports over the last week had suggested the Mets were debating whether to sign hernandez…in fact, ESPN.com made another reference to this today…i dig hernandez, but not at more than two years…no way, no how…

For the sake of argument, so to try and gauge our collective expectations, if the Mets end up acquiring Blanton or Lowry, while also signing, say, Freddie Garcia or Bartolo Colon to a one-year deal, will you be satisfied with Omar Minaya’s efforts to upgrade his team’s starting rotation?

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