Painful

Ever see in the movies how they have to put a horse out of it's misery when it breaks it's leg or gets injured? The horse is helpless and suffering and cannot get up, so they plug a round of lead in it's head. That is how I feel about the Mets right now. Someone please put them out of their confused misery.

"There ain't no light at the end of the tunnel."
-Cliff Floyd

"I don't know even why you come in here to talk to me," Howe said. "It's the same story."

Some good news:
"[Free agency] is just a backup plan. I've waited six years to go to a team that I would definitely want to be on, and this is it. If it works out, I'm all for it,"
-Kris Benson on re-signing

The Mets dropped another game to the Padres getting swept in a four game series at Shea. During the series they average 2.5 runs per game while surrendering 6.5 runs. That is not too good for the kids keeping score at home. The object of the game is get more runs than the opponent. It would have been worse had it not been for some late inning heroics in yesterday's game (can you even call them that?) by Eric Valent and Mike Cameron. Valent had a solo homerun and Mike Cameron hit is 28th in his quest towards 30. Is anyone else concerned about Traschel? His second half is pretty scary and his ERA is up to 3.96 and barreling down on 4.00. In August he is 1-3 with a 5.46 ERA and a .331 BAA. This is the reason why I thought the Mets should keep their options open in regards to his option. Keep your options open at all times. Do not paint yourself into a corner.

At this point, the Mets are 59-67 and falling fast. Piazza is not expected back for another week and Matsui is not due back until mid-September. The Mets fabled quest towards .500, which has always been the goal for me in regards to this team, looks really bleak. The Mets would have to play eight games over .500 to get there. There just is simply not enough major league caliber starters taking the field on the daily basis to make a run at it. If you ask me if it is possible, I'd say emphatically no. Sure anything is possible, and I can win the lottery, but the Mets getting back to .500 has about the same odds as me winning the lottery.

Mike's attempt at a positive spin:
However, do we really want them to reach .500? It would be nice, but if the season ended today, the Mets would hold the 10th pick in the draft. Why is that good?

Teams are awarded compensation in the form of draft picks based on the type of free agent involved. A team losing a Type A free agent gets the first-round pick of the team that signs the player, as well as a supplemental pick. A team losing a Type B free agent receives only the signing team's top pick. In both cases, a team selecting in the top half of the draft rotation cannot lose its first-round pick. The loss of a Type C free agent provides a team a pick between the second and third rounds.

If the Mets pick in the top half of the draft, they cannot lose their first round pick if they chase a type A free agent that has been offered arbitration. At worst they can lose their 2nd round pick. IF the Mets could manage a run at .500 and actually get there, that may leave them with the 16th pick. At this point there are 16 teams under .500 and 15 is the cut-off for not losing your 1st round pick. It comforts me to know, the Mets have a top half pick pretty much locked up because the likelihood of run is slim to none. So at this point, I'd rather draft the lowest possible pick and make a run at Stephen Drew now that it is apparent that he may not sign with the D-Backs. I do not like a system that does not allow the worst teams to pick up the best talent, but people may pass on him again due to monetary demands. His brother scorned the Phillies and played in the Cape Cod League, and he may do the same if it is not given what he wants. The Mets could certainly afford it and may get lucky as they have in past drafts with Milledge and Kazmir falling into their laps.


* * *

David Wright seems to be settling in more. He went 0-2 in yesterday's game, but still managed to walk twice. Next year we could be looking at a .300 BA, 20 homers, 80 RBIs, 80 runs scored, a .400 OBP, and 15 stolen bases. It's a shame that his arrival is overshadowed by negativity surrounding the team. He is the lone bright spot this year as Reyes was last year.

Who Does not hate Francesa? I sure do, but the funniest thing is this:

"Change the personality of that team," Francesa demanded.

Personality? Francesa has the personality of Eor after a lobotomy on the radio. Maybe it would be easier to talk if Jeter's junk was not in your mouth, but that is just a thought.

This was one bright spot to an otherwise dismal day.

Petit will be headed towards AA-Binghamton. Yes, the Mets have promoted a 19 year old to AA and I like this move alot.

Add Bartolome Fortunato to the list of ailing Mets. The reliever, obtained with injured Victor Zambrano on July 30, experienced shoulder discomfort during an appearance Monday. Fortunato said he had an MRI that revealed inflammation and that he may not pitch this weekend.

The D-Backs have 72 hours to sign Drew.

"If there were classes on Friday, he would be attending," Florida State baseball coach Mike Martin said in an Associated Press report Thursday. "If he and the Diamondbacks do not come to an agreement, he will attend class on Tuesday."

Baseball America says it is more politics than anything.

Lastings Milledge went 2 for 3 with one run scored, a double, a walk, and four RBIs. He is getting a walk a night these days and is batting .342. Cap City bear Columbus 12-11 and continues their torrid play. In that game, Blake Whealy also hit his 21st homerun.

Victor Diaz in center field? Believe it. He played CF for a bit in the last night's Norfolk game. To continue a bizarre trend, he also walked TWICE!!!