The rotation name who will be most associated with the Mets, and any contender eyeing elite rotation help, is Oakland's Barry Zito. But Minaya likes Jose Contreras, as well, and don't discount the possibility of Minaya working to pry Contreras from the White Sox. For now, Oakland GM Billy Beane is telling suitors he is not interested in dealing Zito. But Zito is a free agent after the season, the A's are unlikely to be able to retain him, and Beane has shown a willingness to unload key players during the season even while his team is in contention. Like Zito, Contreras is entering his walk year and plays for a GM, Kenny Williams, with as much of a wheeler-dealer gene as Beane or Minaya. The White Sox recently traded for Javier Vazquez (whom Minaya tried to obtain, as well) and re-signed potential free agent Jon Garland long-term. Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia also are locked up through next year. The quartet of Garland, Vazquez, Buehrle and Garcia are due $40 million in 2007, so the White Sox may not be budgeted to add at least another $10 million for Contreras, especially because they have a ready-now piece, well-regarded prospect Brandon McCarthy.