With trade rumors heating up, and teams like the Mets becoming more desperate for starting pitching, Jose Contreras has done nothing to jack up his trade value over the past week. Getting shellacked by the lowly Royals and Orioles in back to back starts (combined line: 11.1 innings, 12 ER, 17 hits, 5 walks) doesn’t exactly scream to scouts, “Hey! I’m the answer!” especially when the rest of the Sox starters all held the Royals and Orioles in check with borderline dominant outings. His stuff just doesn’t look as sharp as it did when he was the best pitcher in baseball in the second half of ’05 and first half of ’06, and his fastball has lost five to six miles per hour.

Can Ken Williams sell Omar Minaya on a Contreras second half turnaround, aided by a reunion with El Duque?

The Mets seem to be struggling at the right places and right time for the Sox to cash in. The team was just swept by the Rockies, their fifth starter woes continue, starting second baseman/strikeout machine Jose Valentin is struggling (3 for his last 29) and injuries to outfielders Moises Alou and Carlos Gomez have left Ricky Ledee as the starting leftfielder. Maybe a package of Contreras and Tadahito Iguchi or Jermaine Dye could net the Sox a package involving prized pitching prospects Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber or touted outfielders Fernando Martinez and the injured Gomez.

I’d take any two of Pelfrey/Humber/Martinez/Gomez for Contreras and Iguchi/Dye, or maybe one of Mets hotshots plus a B prospect. But please, no Lastings Milledge. We’ve heard about this guy nonstop from the New York media, but I’m not buying the hype. The guy has a lot of tools—good power, high walk rate, good speed—that could make him a solid major league hitter but has enough red flags—sub par defense, lazy reputation, clubhouse questions—that fuel skepticism. The kicker is I don’t think the Mets organization would lose any sleep if he’s dealt away; in fact, I think they’d feel relieved. He could straighten himself out and go on to a Manny Ramirez-like career, but the Sox better ask a lot of questions.

Another team potentially interested in Contreras is the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are contending in the deep NL West and could use a starting pitcher to put them over the top. The Diamondbacks have a plethora of minor league prospects, and word is the Sox would also be interested in second baseman Orlando Hudson, who can really throw some leather. A little competition among perspective buyers could only help the Sox position, but one thing is clear: there won’t be any bidding war until Contreras proves he is healthy and, if not dominant, at least respectable.

He’s got the history and the post-season experience to be a September hero for an NL team and, with two more years on his contract, comes with the added bonus of not being a mere three-month rental. Now if he could only put a few great starts in a row.

With most of the Sox minor league call ups hitting around the Mendoza line, Josh Fields has shown improvement at the plate and in the field, inspiring confidence he could be an everyday third baseman. He has great power, but I’ve been most impressed by his excellent strike zone judgment and plate discipline. He won’t chase pitches out of the zone, even when he’s behind in the count, and will take a walk if you give it to him. If he can keep his average around .270, only ten points higher than he’s hitting right now as a rookie, he’ll post solid OBP and OPS numbers.

The biggest problem he has right now is that he is not ready for a major league fastball no way, no how. Matt Garza dominated him last night with some big time gas. If Fields cuts down on the Ks by shortening his stroke and catching up to the heater, I like his chances.

Super-sub Andy Gonzalez has been a pleasant surprise with his ability to play good defense at several positions, none of which you’d expect from a minor league shortstop. Since being called up to play the Pablo Ozuna role, Gonzalez has seen action at 1B, 2B, 3B, LF, CF and RF, or every position except C and his natural position, SS. Is Juan Uribe really doing that great of a job that Gonzalez can’t get one start at his natural position?

Gavin Floyd- weren’t we supposed to like him because he’s “suited for the Cell”? Isn’t that what Williams kept preaching? His sinker/curveball repertoire was supposed to play better than a Brandon McCarthy by limiting homeruns. Well then, serving up four dingers in his Sox debut was not a good sign. The most annoying part about his start last night was how he adjusted each sleeve on his jersey after every darn pitch. Either get a uniform that fits or lose the nervous tick!

Speaking of young, gopher ball-prone pitchers, John Danks (1.61 HR/9) has actually allowed homers at a higher rate than McCarthy (0.83 HR/9). Still, the Sox seem to have the better end of that swap, as Danks looks poised to be more of a top of the rotation guy while McCarthy looks to be a middle-to-end of the rotation guy. Anything Nick Masset, who should be in Triple-A as a starter right now, contributes will be gravy.

Mike_D@chitowndailynews.org