http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/3611812
The Padres expressed interest in Mets right fielder Mike Cameron earlier this week, but the teams agreed to table the discussions. The Mets currently have no interest in trading Cameron, who is 10-for-21 with two homers since returning from wrist surgery.
Cameron, 32, ultimately could be a piece that brings the Mets bullpen help, but the Padres also are in no hurry to act — they're reluctant to break up their pen, which entered Thursday's play ranked third in the NL in ERA.
The Orioles, another team deep in relief pitching, also could emerge as a suitor for Cameron, as their center fielder, Luis Matos, and right fielder, Sammy Sosa, both went on the disabled list this week.
The Padres, who were outbid by the Mets for Cameron when he was a free agent in the 2003-04 off-season, continue to value the outfielder's right-handed bat and defensive ability.
All three Padres outfielders — Dave Roberts, Ryan Klesko and Brian Giles — are left-handed hitters, and Cameron is the type of athletic outfielder the Padres covet for spacious Petco Park. They presumably would rotate their outfielders if they added Cameron, or perhaps make another trade.
The Yankees, Rangers and Astros also have shown interest in Cameron.
Coming off a poor season with the Phillies, Pirates closer Jose Mesa generated little interest at the trade deadline last season, even though he converted 22 of 23 save opportunities before the All-Star break.
That could change this season, given the large number of closers who are either struggling or injured.
Mesa, 38, is 12-for-12 in save opportunities, and has converted 22 consecutive saves dating to last season. In two seasons with the Pirates, he's 55-for-60 in save chances, a success rate that ranks him with the game's elite.
Mesa is relatively inexpensive, earning $2 million. And he's still throwing 92 to 96 mph.
"It's not a situation where we're going to just deal for prospects year after year," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield says. "We want to win some more games. Yet, at this point, it hasn't been proven to me that we've got a championship club. We're walking that tightrope.
"We want our players to get something in return if there is value out there. At the same time, (Mesa) is doing a heckuva job for us, helping us win games."
The Rockies could be active traders before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, dangling not only center fielder Preston Wilson and possibly first baseman Todd Helton, but also starting pitchers Jason Jennings, Joe Kennedy and Shawn Chacon.
Jennings, 1-4 with a 6.26 ERA, appears worn down by Coors Field after averaging 13 wins and 189 innings for the Rockies over the past three seasons. He might be worth a shot for a team that is looking for an innings-eater, and he does not become eligible for free agency until after the 2007 season.
Wilson, slowly rounding into form in his return from knee surgery, could be a fit for the Orioles, White Sox, Indians, Rangers, Cubs and Nationals if he starts hitting more consistently.
Cameron, 32, ultimately could be a piece that brings the Mets bullpen help, but the Padres also are in no hurry to act — they're reluctant to break up their pen, which entered Thursday's play ranked third in the NL in ERA.
The Orioles, another team deep in relief pitching, also could emerge as a suitor for Cameron, as their center fielder, Luis Matos, and right fielder, Sammy Sosa, both went on the disabled list this week.
The Padres, who were outbid by the Mets for Cameron when he was a free agent in the 2003-04 off-season, continue to value the outfielder's right-handed bat and defensive ability.
All three Padres outfielders — Dave Roberts, Ryan Klesko and Brian Giles — are left-handed hitters, and Cameron is the type of athletic outfielder the Padres covet for spacious Petco Park. They presumably would rotate their outfielders if they added Cameron, or perhaps make another trade.
The Yankees, Rangers and Astros also have shown interest in Cameron.
Coming off a poor season with the Phillies, Pirates closer Jose Mesa generated little interest at the trade deadline last season, even though he converted 22 of 23 save opportunities before the All-Star break.
That could change this season, given the large number of closers who are either struggling or injured.
Mesa, 38, is 12-for-12 in save opportunities, and has converted 22 consecutive saves dating to last season. In two seasons with the Pirates, he's 55-for-60 in save chances, a success rate that ranks him with the game's elite.
Mesa is relatively inexpensive, earning $2 million. And he's still throwing 92 to 96 mph.
"It's not a situation where we're going to just deal for prospects year after year," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield says. "We want to win some more games. Yet, at this point, it hasn't been proven to me that we've got a championship club. We're walking that tightrope.
"We want our players to get something in return if there is value out there. At the same time, (Mesa) is doing a heckuva job for us, helping us win games."
The Rockies could be active traders before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, dangling not only center fielder Preston Wilson and possibly first baseman Todd Helton, but also starting pitchers Jason Jennings, Joe Kennedy and Shawn Chacon.
Jennings, 1-4 with a 6.26 ERA, appears worn down by Coors Field after averaging 13 wins and 189 innings for the Rockies over the past three seasons. He might be worth a shot for a team that is looking for an innings-eater, and he does not become eligible for free agency until after the 2007 season.
Wilson, slowly rounding into form in his return from knee surgery, could be a fit for the Orioles, White Sox, Indians, Rangers, Cubs and Nationals if he starts hitting more consistently.
