Could Cedeno Be Heading Out of New York?

Could the Mets finally have a taker for outfielder Roger Cedeno? All Mets' fans know that Roger Cedeno's play, and more importantly his contract, have been a weight on the team. There might just be a team willing to make a deal for Cedeno.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune the Padres might be looking to trade outfielder Terrence Long and pitcher Kevin Jarvis to the Mets in exchange for Roger Cedeno once they have completed a trade with the A's that will send catcher Ramon Hernandez and outfielder Terrence Long to the Padres for outfielder Mark Kotsay. This could be huge news for the 'Amazins as they would love to rid themselves of Cedeno and the $10 million that is owed to him through 2005.

Long was originally drafted by the Mets with the 20th overall selection in the first round of the 1994 amateur draft out of Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Alabama. He spent 7 seasons in the Mets' farm system, stealing a high of 32 bases for Coumbia in 1996 and hitting a high of 16 home runs for Binghamton in 1997. Long has hit 46 home runs and driven in 242 runs in his three seasons with Oakland while playing a good center field defensively. His play, and his contract, are more to the Mets liking.

The Padres have their centerfielder after trading for the Pirates' Brian Giles this past season. San Diego would be willing to make this deal in order to rid themselve of pitcher Kevin Jarvis, who is slated to earn $4.25 million in 2004. Jarvis has a team option for $5.25 million in 2005, or a buyout of $500,000.

Jarvis went 4-8 this past season with a 5.87 ERA in 16 starts for the Padres. In his Major League career, Jarvis is 33-46 with a 5.85 ERA.

Getting Jarvis is the price the Mets would have to pay to discard Cedeno. But the meat of the trade is getting Terrence Long. Long's contract a little cheaper than Cedeno's. He's due to earn $3.7 million in 2004 and $5,050,000 in 2005 when his contract expires. Long at least would be a more viable solution defensively in the outfield as opposed to Cedeno.