With the annual trading period expiring in roughly three hours, the prevailing scuttlebutt in league circles is that the Patriots want a first-round pick or a high second-round pick for guard Logan Mankins.
And we’re hearing Mankins wants a contract worth $8 million per year.
As a result, we’d be shocked if Mankins is traded today. With only 11 weeks remaining in the 2010 regular season and Mankins on track to become an unrestricted free agent in 2011 (unless the Pats use the franchise tag to keep him in place), why would anyone give up a first-round or second-round pick for a guy who wants way too much money at a time when it will be difficult for him to have a major impact?
Of course, now that we’ve said we’re shocked he’ll be traded today, look for him to be traded today.