The Early Word. Omar At Minimum Involved in A lot of Discussions

The Backstop Back At Ya: Well that was quick.  I just have a few early rumors to report.  1) Edwin Jackson, though I do not know what players are not being talked about in return.  (If his first name isn't Carlos, David, Jose, Johan, Francisco or Ike, I say it is a good idea.)
Pat Burrel may already be a Met. though the Mets are denying this via one of the NY papers that is not famous for their honesty.
Josh Willingham is being discussed. (Mixed emotions, cheap enough to be low risk, high reward)
Lets see what else?  The return of the X-man may be a possibility.  Love that idea for several reasons.
I know I reported earlier this week that a trade with the Dodgers that involved Oliver Perez and Juan Pierre.  Well now I am hearing that Castillo for Pierre is being discussed.  Either way, if it yields free agent Orlando Hudson I like it.  He is a special player who wants to be Met.
I have to wonder if much of these discussions are an effort to make the team more attractive to Roy Halliday.  We know that he would waive his no-trade clause to go to the Yankees.  This is primarily because the Yankees give him a chance to win a ring and he is supposedly very friendly with A.J. Burnett. I wonder if Omar Minaya & Co, can decorate the walls enough to convince him that there is another team in NY that is poised to re-claim greatness.  Just a thought.  Being part of a 1-2 punch with Johan Santana would presumably be another motivator.  Plus  The Doc Halliday situation has all the earmarks of Johan Santana part II.  If we can stay in the room long enough to make an offer... who knows.
I still think that we will get involved with John Lackey.  That may just take some time.  Lackey would be wise to see how the Halliday market plays out before he begins his decision making.
More to come.  I love winter baseball.