Dan Perry, Pulitzer Prize Winner?

Dan Perry certainly may deserve a Pulitzer Prize for his recent column

I anticipate that the Mets won't tolerate Mientkiewicz's bat much longer, and the sooner they take steps to replace him, the better off they'll be. The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way. The positive run differential in tandem with injuries to the Braves and a fairly rough schedule ahead for the Marlins will likely mean a division title for the Mets.

Wait, what?

The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way.

I'm sorry, can you say that again?

The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way.

One more time because it sounds nice….

The schedule is marginally tougher the rest of the way, but all factors considered, this is probably the team to beat the rest of the way.

Perry is dead on. The fact is, the NL East has five teams that have flaws and not one is head and shoulders above the rest. The Mets might not have the best offense or bullpen in the division, but whatever team beats them in one or two areas does not beat them in others. When you factor in the rotation, bench, bullpen, and offense, the Mets are simply the most well rounded team. Throw on top of that, they have the pieces to make this team play even better. Once Willie figures out what 99% of us already know, the Mets can add a bigger bat to the meat of the order to produce runs and if he can find a way to plug Diaz or Floyd at first, the Mets can potentially add another solid bat.

I like their chances as good as any other team's in the division.

* * *

How fitting is it that Danny Graves has a tattoo that says Shea?

Minor update:

• Hagerstown beat Lake County 6-5. Matt Durkin got the nod and went 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out two and got the no decision. His ERA is up to 4.22 and has been pretty much killed by walks. He has given up 37 walks to 37 hits. That's ugly.
  
• St. Lucie beat Brevard County in pitcher's duel 9-8 and scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to win it. Lastings went 1 for 5 with two runs scored and one double. Shawn Bowman went deep for his sixth homerun of the year and went 2 for 4 with four RBIs.
  
• Altoona beat Binghamton behind x-Met prospect Matt Peterson. Peterson pitched a gem going six innings, giving up three hits, one earned run, three walks, and struck out six. He is 5-3 with a 6.35 ERA.
  
• Norfolk beat Durham 4-3 by scoring two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning. BJ Upton went 3 for 4 for Durham and Angel Pagan went 4 for 6 with a run scored for the Tides. Jae Seo was solid yet again by going seven innings and giving up seven hits, one earned run, three walks, and striking out seven. What is really impressive for Seo is his 9.15 K/9 and his 3.50 K/BB. He has brought his ERA down to 3.34 after it was sky high to start the season. Note to Omar: See what you can get for him ASAP.

Lookout NL East...

The Mets signed free agent infielder Jose Offerman to a minor league contract. The 36-year-old infielder will report to Port St. Lucie to join the Mets' extended spring training program and then will head to Norfolk. He was with the Phillies earlier this year, but hit just .182 in 33 games.

Say high to Ice when you get to Norfolk. Some people collect baseball cards, some people collect hookers to tie up and stash in the basement, and others collect aging ball players that are no longer good or were never actually good.

Mets brass made a strong push for Ugueth Urbina, who was shipped from Detroit to Philadelphia yesterday for INF Placido Polanco. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski acknowledged he nearly traded Urbina to a different NL East team, which two Mets insiders said they believed was theirs, though Florida also expressed interest. The delay in officially signing Danny Graves was unrelated to the Urbina pursuit, according to a Mets official.

I wonder what was offered?

I'm all for Diaz to first, but he was not too good in the infield before, so it will be interesting to watch. He certainly will not look like Piazza at first, but why not try Floyd? I have already mentioned it before, he at least was a first baseman before. Either way, something has to be attempted.

Ryan Zimmerman is the highest draft pick to ink this year by accepting a $2.975 million bonus and Mark Pawelek received a $1.75 million bonus and inked before the draft ended on the first day. Maybe things are starting to come back down to reality?