AGonz to the Mets?

The Mets recently signed Jason Bay. To me, this makes three things very obvious:

1. Spending $16m a year on a hitter despite the glaring need for pitching means the Mets plan to win a lot of high-scoring ballgames this year.

2. The Mets could care less about developing the farm system. Bay costs them their second round pick in the upcoming Rule 4 Draft. (I guess the thinking is that aside from David Wright and Jose Reyes, their track record of developing prospects has been abysmal so why ever bother.)

3. Money is not short despite the Madoff scandal.

With that in mind, why not attempt to trade for Adrian Gonzalez?

I have to think an offer of Fernando Martinez, Jennry Mejia, Reese Havens and Josh Thole would be enough to get the job done.

Sure, from the Mets' point of view, the cupboard would be empty. However, as mentioned earlier, that doesn't seem to bother them. On the bright side, Gonzalez has proven he can hit with abundant power in a hitter unfriendly environment, Petco Park. Plus, he will only cost $10m over the next two years. Look at the Met lineup with AG in the mix:

SS Reyes
3B Wright
CF Beltran
1B AG
LF Bay
C Bengie Molina (signing inevitable)
RF Francouer
2B Castillo

The pitching would still be a mess, but this lineup is incredible.

From San Diego's perspective, they get 24 years of control over four players that have varying degrees of potential.

Martinez- Met fans are all too familiar with FMart. He has been on the radar for four years now. Still only 21, he has 30-homer potential and projects to be a .300+ hitter with speed. All Star potential.

Mejia- Dominated in the lower levels but struggled in Double A and in the Arizona Fall League. Still, his fastball can play at any level. Once he develops the secondary pitches, he can be a top of the rotation arm. All Star potential.

Havens- Played shortstop last season but probably projects as a second baseman going forward. A patient hitter should add pop. Slightly above average second baseman.

Thole- A Major League-ready catcher (something the Padres would like in any deal)that figures to hit for a high average despite a lack of power. Average Major League catcher.

San Diego won't be competing for the next two years anyway. This haul would be worthwhile for them.