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08:20 AM ET 03.02 | All along the Mets have been thinking, privately at least, that they could be in a position to trade for Matt Holliday in late July, and add the big bat they passed on this winter. As in, you know, Manny Ramirez. Only now they just hope they don't find themselves needing Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays' ace who could be available if Toronto is buried early in the killer AL East. Not that the news on Johan Santana is grim at this point, but in two days the status on his elbow has gone from "a little stiffness" to the ace saying that the problem is with his triceps tendon. The Mets believe they still have enough depth and talent in the farm system to make a significant trade during the season, to the point where people close to the situation say the organization has budgeted money for a trading-deadline deal. By then they will be closer to freeing up some $22 million that will come off the books as the contracts of Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado expire. Even if Delgado puts together another good season, the Mets figure they could re-sign him for significantly less than the $12 million he's making this season.