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One of the burning questions this off season is should Mike Jacobs be given the opportunity at first base or should the Mets take a stab at Paul Konerko or make a trade to fill the void. People that should be smarter than me have attacked this question....

But the Mets still must wonder, why was he at 24 years old playing at Class AA Binghamton, hardly the place for a top prospect? In a trade market that could include Lyle Overbay or Sean Casey, do the Mets keep the faith in Jacobs?

I like Steve Popper, but what the hell is he saying right now? (Bear with me...I have not read anything related to the Mets outside of Metsgeek.com and Metstradamus in about a month and a half so you may see outdated links.....)

Overall, it's a good read, but why would the Mets be wondering why Jacobs is 24 and playing in AA? That's like punching yourself in the face and asking why you have a black and blue eye ten minutes later. The answer of course to both questions because you put him/it there. Jacbos killed AA at 22, which is about right for a guy who may not be considered a tremendous can't miss prospect. 22 in AA is a very logical progression and he is still at the right age. At 23 he got injured and was inexplicably demoted at 24 despite not being given a chance to fail at AAA. So, after ripping up AA yet again, he failed to get a promotion to AAA again! He did of course excel on the big stage, though he was almost not given the chance too.

The basic argument with him is that the Mets would be taking on a considerable risk by placing an unknown quantity at first when they need to add some more relative knowns to the equation. With the need for offense, they cannot have one more underperforming offensive player on the field. However, at what point does your track record dictate that you are somewhat of a more known quantity? How many countless other top prospects has he outperformed in his last two full seasons of baseball? When a player gets tabbed as a guy without a position, it is the kiss of death when it comes to your prospect status. You are automatically tabbed for the bench in the future much like Victor Diaz is. However, if a guy as touted Lastings Millege put up the numbers that Jacobs put up at AA in 2003 and 2005, he would be given the RF job next season if the Mets could move Cameron. However, for some reason, it is perceived that Jacobs is still an unknown quantity.

I am not naive enough to say that he does not present any risk, but I do think he is much less of a risk offensively than many people peg him. His glove seems to be slightly below average, but he is no Mike Piazza at first either and has not exactly worked exclusively there. With the current options via free agency and trade and when you compound that with dollar figures and the team's other voids, Mike Jacobs actually seems like a logical choice at this point. Let us not forget that Brett Harper could represent some sort of an option later in the year for a possible platoon or should Jacobs fall on his face and assist whatever veteran presence they get as an insurance policy for Jacobs should they choose to go in that direction. We know the Mets and their reluctance to trust young guys, but you do not win championships by not taking risks and this is a risk that seems a bit more calculated and less risky than others. Besides, if Wright, Reyes, Heilman, and Seo have taught the Mets anything this year, it is that older is not always better.

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Remember what I said about outdated links?

What's with NBC breaking in during my second favorite show The Office with Chuck Scarborough's ugly face (sorry to any relatives reading this) just to tell me what I already knew in that John Corizine was going win? There are not many things in this world that please me and interrupting once of those things makes Michael a dull boy....and that is never good.

No whammy, no whammy, no whammy....NO WHAMMY!!! At least one spot is gone that Fran Healy can not occupy. Much to Met fans delight and some people's dismay that he'll be off the radio, Gary Cohen will be calling the games for the new Mets network. The Mets are also looking at Al Leiter, Keith Hernandez, and David Cone in what could be the foundation to a very, very solid broadcaster corps. Just please, no Fran Healy. If you want credibility in any fashion, you must stay away from him.

The Mets are not surprisingly interested in every free agent closer out there. I think they'll fill this void adequately enough for a playoff push next year, I am not sweating it at all despite the rumors of the Phillies desire to retain Wagner's services. They'll get someone worlds better than Looper and isn't that all that matters?

Also mentioned on the article is the Mets interest in every free agent catcher. At least they are being thorough.

The Mets remain intrigued by Kenji Jojima and I must admit, I am too. I know people do not want to touch him with a ten foot pole, but if the guy has been taking English lessons as published and plays excellent defense (I know Kaz was supposed to as well), then can he really be worse than other guys out there? I understand the need for communication as a catcher with the rest of the team, but it is not entirely impossible for him to get a good grasp on the English language and I'm sure that had crossed his mind at some point. I'm sure the guy is intelligent enough to understand he needs to be able to speak English, very, very well and we are not the only ones to think of this revelation as casual fans.

Cam's agent on Cammy:

"He hasn't expressed any displeasure with playing right field," the agent said. "It wasn't even a topic that was discussed."

I think he knows what we all know. He won't be in Shea come opening day. The Mets just have too many other needs.

The yearly courting of Alfonso Soriano is here again. On top of that, similar trades as suggested by many of us will get it done and you better believe neither Milledge nor Petit will be heading their way as when Hart was trying to rip the Mets off at the trade deadline last season. Chalk this idiot up as the dumbest GM now that Chuck LaMar is gone because he could have been saving some money and helping his team as it was dying in the playoff race last season with half a rotation and a prospect or two.

Manny wants out, but we already knew that.

"He has made it clear that he would like us to consider a trade," Larry Lucchino, the Red Sox' president and chief executive, said yesterday.

Pudge for Kaz? That I would have to think long and hard about.

The Mets are looking for a catcher and could turn to Rodriguez if they fail to sign Bengie Molina or Ramon Hernandez as a free agent. The Tigers would ask for pitching in return or, perhaps, for infielder Kazuo Matsui, who would help them reshuffle their infield should Brandon Inge return to catcher. Matsui's $8 million salary in 2006 also would approach the $10 million Rodriguez is scheduled to receive in 2006.

Yes, yes, I know about Pudge's offensive disappearance now that he is off steroids and the fact that he walked less than Jose Reyes, but color me intrigued. Is intrigued a color? He was never a big walker and still hit 14 homers in the spacious Comerica Park (though he hit better at home) and has 33 steals against vs. 35 caught steals for a tidy .515%. If it gets rid of Kaz's salary, who cares? He's on the books for 2007 as well, but unless you like Vance Wilson, the choices for what catchers are available next free agent period are not quite exciting.

Is Plan B, better than Plan A?

Tough call, financially, yes. Danys Baez and Aubrey Huff, who played the majority of his games in right field last season, would cost a tick more than Wagner's salary alone freeing up cash for the Mets to upgrade in other areas and possibly even bring in Soriano if they can pull the trade for Pudge. That's a mouthful, but interesting nonetheless.

Other people do this, so why can't I?

Reyes
Beltran
Wright
Huff
Soriano
Floyd
Jacobs
Pudge

My fantasy lineup from fantasy land certainly looks good enough.

Kris Benson and Steve Trachsel are for sale. Why would Steve agree to go now that he is a 10-5 guy?

"Steve, our apologies, but circumstances being when you got injured we were forced to go in another direction and we decided to stick with youth. We would love to retain your services out of the bullpen, but we can also offer you a chance to start with another team because we do respect you enough to give you you that opportunity."

Classy? Maybe not, but aren't they trying to win games?

It has been brought to my attention that the delightful pictures over the past few days are offensive to some of the loyal readers out there, specifically one person and her boyfriend.

If you want to be taken seriously as a sports blogger then get rid of the 13 year old humor and nekkid women pix.

First off, the last thing I'm trying to do is be taken seriously. Secondly, I do this for fun and no other reason. If I wanted to be serious, not swear, or post pictures, I’d write exclusively on Metsgeek.com, which I also thoroughly enjoy despite having no time to do it.

There are plenty of people who blog about the Mets that manage to do so without being a pig.

Probably, but are they really as fun? But I also would not classify myself as a pig either. Then she goes on to call me moronic and whatnot, but the fact is, I think most of us here do not take things too seriously. If anyone was offended, then you probably get offended way to easily and probably have not appreciated my dedication to the Brazilian volleyball team.

So, the bottom line is, if you were offended by pictures of women that are covered up and not in fact 'nekkid', then I can’t help you and you should probably not let small things like this get to you. If you don’t want to read my site, then you are free not too, but nothing is going to change here until someone wants to pay me. Any offers?