3. The Mets WANT to steal the Flat-Brimmed Closer from DC.
Montreal Expos GM Omar Minaya was high on Chad Cordero when he drafted the right-handed closer out of Cal State Fullerton with the 20th pick in the 1st Round of the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft and the last two seasons, when the Trade Deadline rolled around, New York Mets GM Omar Minaya has made it clear he's still interested in the twenty-five year old reliever.
In five seasons in Montreal and Washington, Cordero has saved 128 games, and posted a (20-14) record in 316.1 innings in which he's struck out 287, walked 114, given up 39 home runs and 98 earned runs for a 2.79 ERA overall.
The last two seasons the Mets pursuit has been well documented. But reports have differed on what Nationals GM Jim Bowden has sought in return or what the Mets have offered...
Jayson Stark at espn.com on 7/31/06:
Jayson Stark reports(for INSIDERS only) that the Nationals and Mets had offered Philip Humber for Cordero, but Washington wanted more than a straight-up deal.
Bill Ladson at washington.nationals.mlb.com on 7/19/07:
Washington Nationals mlb.com writer Bill Ladson reports that Cordero knows his name is being discussed in trade talks and quotes Cordero as saying, ""It's part of baseball. If it happens, it happens."
Ken Rosenthal at FOXsports.com in late 7/22/07:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7050210
Rosenthal claims the the Mets are interested in Cordero as a set-up man, but the Mets are unwilling to part with outfielder Lastings Milledge, and Jim Bowden's expectations might be, "unrealistic."
...The Nationals have avoided trading Chad Cordero twice now, but his name will continue to pop up in the trade rumors all winter, and of course the Mets want a young closer with their own left-handed closer Billy Wagner turning thirty-six this season and no Major League-ready closer available for them to take from the Florida Marlins.
...But it's up to teams like the Nationals to show Mets fans and Omar Minaya that they can't always get what they want. The fact that Mets fans think Cordero is as good as their's is just another reason, "You Can STILL Hate THE METS!!
(ed.note- "Please check below for one good reason to keep Chad Cordero. Flat-brim analogies.)