We’ve reached that point folks. Rumors surrounding a potential deal for Chicago Cubs started Ted Lilly are such that I, like you, am obsessed. Thus, it’s the first Obsessive Trade Watch of the 2010 season.
This installment finds the New York Mets to be everyone’s expected landing spot for Lilly – if he’s traded at all, that is. Even though other teams have surfaced in recent days, including the Twins, White Sox, and Tigers, several GMs believe the Mets make the most sense for a Lilly deal.
ESPN’s Buster Olney doesn’t dispute that the Mets are taking a hard look at Lilly, but he posits that they will not actually make a move unless the pitcher they get is a clear upgrade over R.A. Dickey, who has fluked his way into a 2.63 ERA this year as a knuckleballer. It’s hard to imagine any pitcher being a clear upgrade over that ERA, but assuredly they realize that it is unsustainable. His WHIP is a less attractive (but still good) 1.264, and his success has come in just 11 games.