The speculation on whether or not Seattle will trade pitcher Cliff Lee – and to which team – is moving to another level.

Both here in the blogosphere and in the mainstream media, I’ve heard Lee would be perfect for the Mets. I’ve heard the Mets have enough prospects to deal for Lee. I’ve heard the system can’t meet what would be the price.

Can the Mets trade for Cliff Lee, and then sign him to make the deal worthwhile? This is America and anything can happen.

First, do the Mets have enough to sign him as a free-agent after the 2010 season?  They play in a pitcher’s  park, would be silly of they didn’t pursue him – even having Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey lead the cheering squad – and could afford him. So the answer here is yes.

Could they trade prospects for him? I try to scour the Mets system every week for highlights, and there have been no shortage of them. Would the deal come with steep cost? Certainly. Can it be done? Absolutely.

It’s like any proposed Mideast Peace deal.  The Mets can do it, but it will take some sacrifice and pain. But, Mets fans, they could do it.

I don’t think the Mets could match what Seattle, according to a report by George A. King III in Wednesday’s New York Post, wants from the Yankees. That report quoted a source noting the Mariners would want Triple-A shortstop Eduardo Nunez and either catcher Austin Romine or fellow backstop Jesus Montero.

The Mets have the infielder – Ruben Tejada. While he is not as good a natural hitter as Nunez, he did bat .294 (50-for-170) at Triple-A Buffalo. Overall he is a better fielder than Nunez, and also has six errors in 51 Triple-A starts, 47 at shortstop.

Since the Mariners appear to be seeking a Triple-A infielder who is basically big-league ready, I would make Tejada the co-centerpiece of any Mets offer.

As far as the catcher is concerned, Seattle probably could use help there right away. Neither Eliezer Alfonzo nor Rob Johnson are impressing anyone. Since the Mets don’t have a use for Omir (Pito) Santos nor Nick Evans, both exiled to Binghamton, put both of them in the deal.

Santos is an upgrade over the two catchers the Mariners have – remember that he performed well in the Yankees system.  I still rate Santos as a catcher who can play in the majors several games at a time. Seattle could send out Alfonso and pair Santos with Johnson. Evans could provide a decent stick off the bench.

Still, Tejada, Santos and Evans would not be enough. Here comes the trump card. Jenrry Mejia would be the chip that clinches the deal.  The youngster, who really should be a starter, has performed acceptably in the Mets bullpen.  He’s 0-2, 2.92 in 26 appearances with a strikeout/walk ratio of 16-13.

The Mets still aren’t sure about Mejia’s being a starter or reliever.  Yet there is that awesome potential in his right arm.  Free yourself of the debate, Omar. Send the kid to Seattle.

So, there’s my Mets trade for Cliff Lee. Top-notch prospects Ruben Tejada and Jenrry Mejia are the centerpieces of the swap, while both Santos and Evans could be useful to Seattle and be in a better situation.

You have to trade something to get something. In Tejada and Mejia, plus Evans and Santos – and cash if needed – maybe the Mets could actually snare Cliff Lee. 

METS FARM SYSTEM REVIEW

BUFFALO (33-27; Triple-A) – Veteran Mike Hessman is hitting .287 (62-for-216) and has an impressive 57 RBIs. Righty Dillon Gee is 6-3, 4.37 with a 65-23 strikeout/walk ratio.

BINGHAMTON (28-30; Double-A) – Outfielder Eric Campbell has given the B-Mets a boost by batting .338 (23-for-68) with 13 RBIs in 18 starts.  Righty Josh Stinson (2-1, 3.12) has helped the starting rotation.

ST. LUCIE (27-29; Single-A) – Infielder Josh Satin is hitting .312 (62-for-199) with a club-leading 31 RBIs. Righty Elvin Ramirez (1-2, 3.89) has not allowed an earned run in his last six relief appearances.

SAVANNAH (35-25; Single-A) – Outfielder Juan Lagares, by hitting .425 (17-for-40), has his average at a season-high .302 (75-for-248). Lefty Marc Cohoon (5-1, 162) has a strikeout/walk ratio of 63-14.

DSL METS I (5-3; Rookie) – Outfielder Eudy Pina is batting .429 (12-for-28) with nine RBIs in the club’s first eight games. Righty Martines Arias (2-0, 0.00) won his first two starts with 11 scoreless innings.

DSL METS II (4-4; Rookie) – Outfielder Joan Decena is batting .267 (8-for-30) with a club that hit .215 (58-for-270) over its first eight games. Righty Jose Farra (1-0, 0.00) had a pair of scoreless relief efforts.

Jed spent 35 years in the newspaper business working as both a writer and editor, in both sports and news under tight deadline pressure. As both sports editor at the Indiana (Pa.) Gazette and a copy editor/columnist at The Times of Trenton, he made daily decisions on overall coverage and designed and produced thousands of pages and special sections. Since accepting a buyout from The Times, he has concentrated on broadening his writing and editing horizons to the medical, academic and business fields. Anyone is welcome to Google Jed to see the different places in print, on the Web and in front of the camera his professional expertise has spread to.

Jed Weisberger

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Tags: Cliff Lee, Jenrry Mejia, New York Mets, Omir Santos, Ruben Tejada, Seattle Mariners