MLB Trade Deadline Roundup: Mets Are Buyers, but Not in 'Big' Way

July 31 is fast approaching, and the MLB FanHouse staff has its ear to the ground for all the latest buzz on who might be moved, where, and when. Get the latest tidbits in our MLB Trade Deadline Roundup.

The Mets are still buyers, but general manager Omar Minaya is reluctant to give in to an anxious fanbase and attempt a major move. Minaya's thought process, one team official said, is not to panic, because the last time the Mets panicked, they traded Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano.

The front office believes the Mets -- who have lost 12 of 15 to fall 7 1/2 games out in the NL East and six back in the wild card -- have the talent to make a run at the playoffs but the players simply need to play better.

The Mets could use a back-end starter, a reliever and some bench help, but they seem unwilling to add payroll or depart with top prospects, so any additions would be relatively minor.

"He's not going to do anything big," one source said of Minaya.

The rumored deal with the Royals, in which Kansas City would take Oliver Perez, appears to be a no-go. The Mets would like to find a taker for Perez and Jeff Francoeur.

The Mets are interested in buying low on relievers, including Arizona's Chad Qualls and the Angels' Scot Shields, both of whom have had down seasons. -- Jeff Fletcher and Ed Price



• The Tigers could use a replacement for injured third baseman Brandon Inge, and one possible fit is Cleveland's Jhonny Peralta. -- Ed Price

• A major league source who recently spoke to White Sox general manager Ken Williams said "don't be surprised" if he gets into the Roy Oswalt derby. The White Sox have been putting most of their focus into getting a left-handed bat like Adam Dunn or Prince Fielder, with Williams fixating particularly on Dunn at the moment. Jake Peavy's injury and Daniel Hudson's recent ineffectiveness, however have left them vulnerable in the starting rotation.

The problem may be finding a match with the Astros. The White Sox farm system is not considered very deep, and any team -- the Astros, Brewers or Nationals -- may need to have someone from the 25-man roster (Gordon Beckham?) to make a deal work. -- Jeff Fletcher and Steve Phillips

• The Dodgers remain in the running for Oswalt, and are willing to include any prospects from their minor-league system in a deal so long as it buys the cash-strapped club some salary relief on the pricey Houston right-hander. -- Steve Phillips

• One big-league scout said he believed the Diamondbacks did well in the Dan Haren trade. He said the prospects the Angels gave up were good, and that Arizona had to deal Haren because he had little value on an otherwise lousy team. But an official from an NL team didn't like the return on Haren, saying Joe Saunders will wind up overpriced for his talent level through arbitration, that Patrick Corbin projects as no more than a No. 4 starter and that reported player to be named Tyler Skaggs is only "OK." -- Jeff Fletcher and Ed Price

• Speaking of the Diamondbacks, they may not be done dealing. The club is still looking to move catcher Chris Snyder and second baseman Kelly Johnson in addition to the aforementioned Qualls. -- Steve Phillips

• The Marlins have won nine of their past 13 games to get to .500, which has put general manager Larry Beinfest in an awkward spot. The Marlins could add, subtract or stand pat.

Beinfest told FanHouse it's possible the Marlins could make a deal to add some short-term help, as they did last year with the Nick Johnson trade. They were six games out, in second place, when they made that deal. Now they are in fourth place, but only eight games out.

"This team is capable of winning," Beinfest said. "It hasn't won to the level we've hoped, but we have of late, and they've put themselves in position to where if they get hot and stay hot, they can stay in this thing."

Beinfest would not comment on reports that the Marlins were deep in negotiations to trade Jorge Cantu, with the Rangers and Rockies being the two reported destinations for the Marlins infielder. A knee injury to Chris Coghlan, who would go to third if Cantu were traded, could affect Beinfest's plans. -- Jeff Fletcher