One of our more recent topics over at the Facebook group, and around the Mets blogosphere has been the possibility of the Mets trading young outfield prospect Lastings Milledge to the White Sox for Lefty Starter Mark Buehrle.

The White Sox are having a horrific season in which their hitting has been virtually non-existent, and their pitching has been dreadful (aside from an early season no hitter from Buehrle). Oh how the mighty 2005 World Series Champs have fallen. Can you say fire sale?

With Buehrle's contract up at the end of the 2007 season, he is a perfect candidate for a deadline deal that would land the White Sox with some young prospects, and some championship caliber team with a lefty ace who could have a huge impact in the pennant race or in the playoffs.

Buehrle is a 28 year old lefty with above average stuff, his arsenal includes; a fastball, curveball, changeup, slider and cutter. He won at least 16 games every year from 2001 to 2005. He won 12 games in 2006, and pitched a no hitter earlier this season in which he is 4-3 with a 3.45 ERA.

The Mets have talked about the possibility of building a trade around young outfielder Lastings Milledge who has thus far shown some immaturity, and an inability to handle the pressure of the New York Media. Despite this, scouts were still very high on him until an injury sidelined him earlier this season.

The downside to a trade like this for the Mets is that Buerhle is expected to be a short term renal, meaning he will most likely sign with a new team after the season, most analysts believe the Missouri native wants to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals.

I personally would be against a trade like this. While Buerhle would provide us with some help in the starting rotation, I feel as if Milledge may be too high a price to pay for a 3 month rental. Especially considering the Mets anticipate the return of Pedro Martinez, who almost certainly will be a part of the Mets rotation in September and October. If we were looking to trade milledge for some help before the trade deadline, it should probably to to a player the mets are more likely to sign long term, or someone who could provide us with some immediate bullpen relief, an area which the mets have struggled as of late. (did I hear someone say Eric Gagne or Brad Lidge?)

Discuss...