Wells

NEW YORK -- If the Mets are serious about landing David Wells by Memorial Day, they'd better be prepared to part with outfielder Alex Escobar.

The Mets have talked to the White Sox about trading for Wells, according to a story in Saturday editions of The Record (Bergen, N.J.), but there is a roadblock to the team's attempt to pump life back into its wilting pennant hopes: The White Sox are unimpressed with the Mets' top prospects.

Other than Escobar, there's not one Mets minor-leaguer who could prompt the White Sox to deal their ace left-hander.

And so far, the Mets have no interest in trading Escobar, the five-tool jewel of their system.

Still, the Mets ache to add Wells' presence before their first encounter with the Phillies on Memorial Day, or at least in time to face the Yankees (June 15) and Braves (June 22).

An industry source close to the situation told The Record that the Mets and White Sox discussed a Wells-for-Jay Payton trade earlier this month. But Payton's hamstring injury (he's out for six weeks, and possibly two months) killed those talks.

Most recently, the Mets offered Chicago a list of about five prospects to formulate a trade package. But the White Sox have hesitated, believing they can get better big-league-ready help from another contender.

Publicly, White Sox general manager Ken Williams has stated the club is not pursuing a deal involving Wells. Technically, he's correct, as the Mets have been the aggressor.

But there's reason to believe a deal for Wells could be worked out soon, according to the newspaper. This year, Wells is being paid $8.5 million, with an additional $750,000 in incentives. There's a club option at $9 million next year, or a $1.25 million buyout.

The Mets won't comment about deals that are in the works.

Entering Friday night, the Mets had the third-worst ERA (5.21) and starters' average innings pitched (5.5) in the league. They had allowed the most hits (403) and highest opponent's batting average (.285) in the NL.

In nine starts this season, Wells has a 3-4 record with a 3.97 ERA. He's thrown 68 innings and one complete game.

Phillips believed he had a deal for Wells in mid-January, only to receive a call from Toronto Blue Jays GM Gord Ash that stunned the Mets. But the Jays were equally stunned when they learned left-hander Mike Sirotka -- the key man they acquired in the deal from the White Sox -- turned up with a season-ending shoulder injury.

After the deal, a Blue Jays source told the Mets that Wells' back problems could shorten his season. Wells has a troublesome disc, but he's made great strides with an improved stretching and strengthening program.

The Mets had agreed to send pitchers Glendon Rusch and Grant Roberts to Toronto for Wells. Now, Rusch is virtually an untouchable. And Roberts' value has plummeted with another poor start in Triple-A, prompting his demotion to Norfolk's bullpen.

Further, a White Sox source said the club is not high on the Mets' current top pitching prospect, Pat Strange, due to the potential for arm problems from his delivery.

Hard-throwing Nick Maness is the next-best pitching jewel, but it'll take a lot more to sway the White Sox.

Further down in the system, last year's No. 1 pick, Billy Traber, is pitching in his first full pro season. He had an elbow scare last year. Promising right-hander Jae Weong Seo is pitching after missing all of last year due to reconstructive elbow surgery.

If the Wells talks abate, the Mets could turn their attention to Tampa Bay's Albie Lopez. But this is a time for dramatic action, and Phillips has struck at this time of year before, acquiring Mike Piazza in late May 1998, and firing three coaches in early June 1999.