We Have Reached DEFCON 1

Wednesday, August 31st: DEFCON 4 - Normal, increased intelligence and strengthened security measures : The Mets were riding high after closing in on the Wild Card lead after a tremendous comeback win and were only out .5 games and had to be feeling pretty good with their position in the race.

Thursday, September 1st: DEFCON 3 - Increase in force readiness above normal readiness: The Mets had lost with their ace on the mound, but they were still only 1.5 games out and could close back to within a .5 games out with a win in the finale. It was a big loss, but they could erase that with a win on Thursday.

Friday, September 2nd: DEFCON 2 Further Increase in force readiness, but less than maximum readiness: The Mets had dropped the final two games of perhaps their biggest series of the year after winning feel good opener and the Mets pretty much were backed in the corner and needed to respond to keep pace with the other streaking teams in the Wild Card race.

Saturday, September 3rd: DEFCON 1 - Maximum force readiness: After dropping yet another huge divisional game you have to wonder how many lives the Mets have. With 23 games left after today and in danger of falling 4.5 games out with another loss, the Mets have to have someone step up today and take a game back.

When I feel there are big games, I tend to get a little trigger happy when it comes to the bullpen. Victor Zambrano looked really bad from the first pitch he had thrown. With Dontrelle Willis on the mound and the Mets supreme inability to hit him, the Mets had little room for error and could not fall behind by very much if they were to have a shot at winning. With the expanded rosters and the increased number of arms in the bullpen, I was for pulling Zambrano way earlier than Willie did. I'm not Monday morning quarterbacking this situation because I truly felt that way at the time.

The bad part of the equation is that Zambrano had a quiet 4th and 5th innings to prolong his outing into the sixth when the critical runs crossed the plate. With such a huge game and Zambrano looking like he did, I was for pulling him after the 3rd after the threw 72 pitches. It is not really realistic I guess, but the way the Mets are scoring runs, you got the feeling he was going to bury the game and make it so the Mets had no shot. With no off day until the Monday after next, you would rather not stretch your pen, but what is the use of looking ahead if you fail to win that day? There simply are not enough games left to screw around.

My common sense tells me you do not pull your starter after three with only two runs across the plate, but as soon as the Mets had their six pitch 2nd inning against Willis, you knew it would be an uphill battle. That 2nd inning infuriated me more than anything since the Mets continue to have an inability to try and work the count when they are struggling to make something happen. Instead, they are hacking, hacking, hacking. Right now, there is no margin of error for the Mets and Willie needs to play that way. He was gambling with Zambrano sending him out there every inning when it was clear he did not have it. Call up every pitcher in AAA if you need to, but if a starter is dying on the mound like Zambrano was, he needs to be pulled. Let's see if the Mets can pull out a win and have the Phillies lose to try and make up that game last night and make one last run at things. 4.5 games out with 23 games left is going to be a mighty tough when you have to leapfrog three or four teams and the Mets simply cannot fall that far out.

* * *

Tim Hamulak looked pretty good facing Delgado last night and got his fastball into the low 90's. Of course we need to see more of him, but he looked pretty solid and looked like he possesses some pretty good stuff.

Shake it up.....

Dissatisfied with the results of recent drafts, the Mets began a shakeup of their scouting department Friday. Gary LaRocque, the vice president of player development and scouting for the last two years, will be reassigned to yet-to-be-determined role in the organization. The team also either fired or reassigned a number of amateur scouts.

Sorry Gary. I have no idea if it was your fault or some higher level of ineptness, but the Mets need to get deeper in the Minor Leagues.

Bob Klapisch thinks that Willie's faith in Zambrano may doom the Mets. I'm still behind his decision to start him, he pitched well all year and came into the day with a 4.07 ERA. You do not want to start making knee jerk reactions and pulling Zambrano for Trachsel when we all know Trachsel is no savior. Yes he is well rested, but he is getting his starts and will have his second one this upcoming week. Despite Willie saying there is no six man rotation, he is finding Trachsel some starts.

"Victor, he's been like that off and on during the season," Randolph said. "It wasn't like I was really surprised or anything like that. When he's throwing strikes he's more efficient, obviously. He just didn't seem to be able to locate his pitches. But you've been here all year. It's not anything really new."

That certainly does not sound like a vote of confidence though.

Josh Beckett gets the start for the Marlins today and has a 2.37 ERA against the Mets this year and has a 2-1 record and .188 BAA. From 2002 to 2004, Beckett is 3-1 with a 2.46 ERA and a .210 batting average against. Tomorrow the Mets get AJ Burnett and he is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA against the Mets with a .200 BAA. However, from 2002 to 2004, the Mets have had better luck against him and he owns a 1-3 record with a 3.78 ERA despite a .205 BAA.

The Mets have their work cut out for themselves.

Minor update:

• Yusmerio Petit continues to struggle at AAA and the Tides lost to Durham 11-4. In four innings, Petit gave up six hits, two homers, two walks, seven earned runs, and struck out five. In relief, Danny Graves gave up four earned runs to bring his AAA ERA to 21.60. Angel Pagan went 1 for 3 with a run scored and two walks, Anderson Hernandez went 1 for 5, and Joe Heiptas went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. For anyone worried about Yusmeiro, we cannot forget he is 20 years old. Even if he stays at AAA for two seasons full season in 2006 and 2007 and makes his Major League debut at 23, he'd still be a young, top prospect. He just needs time to adjust and he will be fine.
  
• New Britain beat Binghamton 2-0. Vincent Cordova started and pitched and impressive seven innings and gave up four hits, two earned runs, two walks, and struck out seven. Corey Ragsdale and Bobby Malek both went 1 for 3 with a double.
  
• St. Lucie beat Vero Beach 7-0. Wilson Batista went 2 for 5 with a run scored, Dante Brinkley went 3 for 5 with three runs scored, his sixteenth homer on the year, a triple, two RBIs, and his twenty-ninth stolen base on the year, and Blake Whealy went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI.
  
• Hagerstown beat Lexington 8-7. Carlos Gomez went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, a triple, and his sixty-fourth stolen base on the year, Jose Coronado went 3 for 4 with a run scored, a double, and a triple, Ambiorix Concepcion went 1 for 4 with his fifteenth homer and two RBIs, Grant Psomas went 2 for 4 with a run scored, two doubles, and an RBI, Kyle Brown, went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a triple, and Matthew Fisher went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, his second homer, and two RBIs. Jose Sanchez got the start and went six innings and gave up six hits, five earned runs, one homer, and struck out four to walk away with the no decision. Matt Durkin got the win in three innings of relief and gave up no earned runs, walked four, and struck out four. Matt Durkin has now given up as many walks as he he has given up hits at fifty-four. Rafael Cova picked up his first save in one inning of relief.
  
• Brooklyn beat Staten Island 3-0. Brooklyn can put a pretty formidable outfield out there with Gregory Gonzalez, Joseph Holden, and Caleb Stewart and they have all been hitting well of late. Gregory Gonzalez went 3 for 4 with a run scored, Joseph Holden went 1 for 3 with a run scored, a walk, and his twenty-first stolen base on the year, and Caleb Stewart went 1 for 4 with a run scored, a double and two RBIs. Bobby Parnell had yet another solid start and went 6.2 innings and gave up three hits, no earned runs, two walks, and struck out four but walked away with the no decision. Robert Paulk picked up the win in relief and went 2.1 innings giving up no hits, one walk, and struck out two.

Can They Compete?

The Mets pretty much control their own destiny at this point in the season. They have a winnings record within their division and a winning record against every NL East with the exception of Atlanta and they have seven games left with non-division teams that they have not fared to well against. Realistically, can the Mets make the playoffs? Sure, mathematically it is possible, but given their opponents, can they put together the month needed for the final push?

Team       Games Left  Season Record
Florida         6          8 - 5
Atlanta         6          4 - 9
Washington      6          8 - 5
Philadelphia    3          9 - 6
NL East        21         28 - 25
St Louis        4          1 - 3
Colorado        3          1 - 3
Total          28         30 - 31

Is it really a surprise they are basically .500 which has been the story of the year? The Mets simply cannot repeat their past performances against these teams and need to step it up. The Mets were 8-4 against the Phillies heading into the series and dropped the last two in a must win series. 2.5 games is hardly insurmountable, but it is a problem that has plagued the Mets all season. One step forward, two steps back. For the Mets to make the playoffs, they need to shed whatever it is that plagues them when they get close to making a move.

It seems unrealistic for them to have a revelation now and all of sudden do things more differently than they have all season if nothing changes. Their offense has been way to streaky and Willie needs now more than ever to make the most out of what he has. Fixing the hole in the second spot of the order is of utmost importance to get things going. Their scoring problems are not surprising considering they have a .294 OBP from the leadoff spot (last in the NL) and amazingly the same .294 OBP from the second spot (last in the NL). The Mets batting average in the second spot is also last in the NL with .234 and it is miraculous they are where they are given how important the top two spots in the order are. Without table setters on base at a reasonable clip, how can an offense be expected to function?

It's not too late for the Mets, but if Willie does not shake things up, the Mets will finish out the year with about 83 - 85 wins and win about half of their remaining games and they will not make the playoffs. They can do it, they have played well in the division, but at a time where everyone is playing good, they need to elevate their play and right now, I cannot see that happening. With Piazza back and him being able to be inserted into the five hole and Willie feeling comfortable with him there, the Mets need to slide Beltran, Wright, and Floyd up. The Mets cannot waste anymore games and it needs to start now.

* * *

Minor update:

• Norfolk lost to Durham 8-3. Angel Pagan went 1 for 5 with a stolen base and an outfield assist, Anderson Hernandez went 1 for 5, Eric Valent went 3 for 5 with a run scored, an RBI, and an outfield assist, and Chris Basak went 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI. Eric Junge started the game and took loss. He gave up seven runs in 6.1 innings pitched and gave up eleven hits, one homer, one walk, and struck out six.
  
• Binghamton beat New Hampshire 5-3. Wayne Lydon went 2 for 4 with a run scored, Brett Harper went 1 for 4 with his sixteenth homer and two RBIs, and Yunir Garcia went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a double. Bryan Edwards started the game and got the win in a solid 6.2 innings of work in which he gave up two earned runs, seven hits, one walk, and struck out seven. Anderson Garcia went 2.1 innings for the save and gave up one earned run.
  
• St. Lucie beat Vero Beach 4-3. Dante Brinkley went 2 for 4 with a run scored, Jamar Hill went 2 for 3, Kevin Rios went 1 for 2 with two runs scored, and Blake Whealy went 2 for 4 with a run scored, a double, his tenth homer, and three RBIs. Greg Belson started the game and went five innings of shut out ball and gave up three hits, no walks, and struck out five. Henry Owens got the save in .2 innings of work and gave up no hits or walks. There was a Felix Heredia sighting and he pitched two scoreless innings and struck out two while giving up no hits and no runs.
  
• Hagerstown beat Lakewood 11-4. Carlos Gomez went 2 for 5 with a run scored, a double, his 63rd stolen base, and got caught stealing for the 23rd time, Grant Psomas went 0 for 2 with two runs scored and two walks, and James Burt went 2 for 3 with three runs scored, a double, two RBIs, and a walk. Jonathan Castillo started the game and got the win in five innings of work and gave up two hits, two earned runs, three walks, one homer, and struck out three.
  
• Brooklyn beat Staten Island 8-4. Caleb Stewart continues his hot hitting and went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, a double, and his sixth stolen base, Nick Evans went 4 for 4 with three runs scored, a double, a triple, and two RBIs, Jonel Pacheco went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, his sixth homer, and two RBIs, and Drew Butera went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Ryan Myers started the and got his first win on the year and went five innings and gave up five hits, one earned run, two walks, and struck out one. Kevin Tomasiewicz undeservingly got the save and gave up three runs, seven hits, one walk, and struck out two in three innings of work.

What's going on with Phil Humber? Probably not much, but Baseball America tracks some guys coming back from injury who were in the Minor Leagues and some from Tommy John surgery. Scott Kazmir's old high school teammate Clint Everts is back and throwing in the 90's again. He made seven starts in the GCL league and put up a 3.38 ERA in sixteen innings and put a 3.18 ERA pitching in relief in the New-York Penn League. Dustin McGowan is back and made it to the Majors fifteen months after surgery. It may take time, but Phil will come back like new pumping the ball into the mid 90's. Expect him to be in AA in 2007 after some A ball rehab in 2006. The earliest we will see him is 2008 and it is too bad he will be taking up a forty man roster spot for that entire time, but that is the way things go.

Willie is in a tough spot.

"I understand what Trachs brings to the table," Randolph said. "But he's been out all year. It's almost like if I had a crystal ball, and I could guarantee that, in a pennant race, he's going to pitch for us like he did on Friday, then it would be easy. But you go with what got you here, and the fact is my rotation is solid enough.

"Now if I throw [Zambrano] out, and put Trachs in there, say Trachs doesn't do as well next time? What do you do, change again and go back to Victor? Now you have a guy that's already messed up because you dogged him, and you're going to ask him to do it for you again? That could be devastating."

I think he is doing the right thing here. Trachs has been a good soldier, but you are not guaranteed a spot when you come back from injury. Rough spot for Trachs, but the Mets are trying to win a playoff berth and cannot please everyone in the process.

Mike Jacobs predictably won the Eastern League MVP award.

"He'll continue to play," Randolph said of Jacobs. "He had some good swings, some good hacks."

Jacobs does not a agree though.

"Not really," Jacobs said when asked if he had good swings. "I'm trying to do too much."

Jacobs has a sweet left handed stroke. He needs to relax if that is the case and just play his game and hopefully add something to the Mets listless offense.

Tim Hamulak has a chance to prove he belongs in the bigs.

For Hamulak, 28, this is his first call-up to the major leagues after 10 years of pro ball.

"It's pretty amazing," Hamulak said. "I've played 10 years, and it's what I always wanted. I hope I can show them that I deserve to be here."

Shingo Takatsu is trying to prove he belongs too.

"He's got an unorthodox delivery and he's from a different league," Randolph said, "So guys aren't used to him."

The thing I like about him is his ability to make people swing and miss. He had a 10.09 K/9 with the White Sox but has a control problem. The skill is there, he just needs to execute and I agree with Willie. Shingo could actually be pretty impressive for a month.

Jon Heyman has some suggestions on how Willie should handle this stretch run.

1. Move Beltran from third to second.
2. Insert Marlon Anderson at second base.
3. Give Steve Trachsel a start next week.
4. Switch Roberto Hernandez and Looper, making Hernandez the closer.

1. Yup. Do it and put Wright 3rd and you have a lineup. The two hole is killing our Mets.
2. This is just a bad situation. Anderson has been used before and has not hit well when he started. Give Woodard a shot or gamble with Anderson Hernandez.
3. He is starting.
4. I do not think anyone would disagree with this one.

Jose Reyes, who ripped his NL-leading 15th triple in the sixth, led the majors with 13 stolen bases in August. David Wright batted an NL high .378 for the month with 27 RBI.

Kris Benson is a good dude. I do not care what all of you say about him.

David Wright answers some questions on Mets.com.

What you think about the new kid, Mike Jacobs?
-- Steven V., Watsonville, Calif.

He put on a show in his first week in the big leagues. He's got unlimited offensive potential from watching the way he swings the bat. He's also getting better and better at first base. He's young and has a very high ceiling. He's got to continue to work and improve, but he's got the tools.

Good stuff. Some questions were good, some were not so good.

Are you concerned about the seemingly increasing number of bats that are shattering and the danger they may pose to pitchers, infielders and fans? What can be done about it?

You've made some great catches this season -- including a barehander and one running into the stands. Do you think players are being more aggressive about diving into the stands ever since Derek Jeter did it last season against Boston?

Way to waste everyone's time.

Fight or Flight

Tuesday's win was huge for so many reasons, but the biggest reason you needed to get game one in your pocket was because you did not want to leave two must win games to finish out the series. Sweeping a team is not easy and sweeping a team like the Phillies is certainly not easy. After having two bad starts by Met starting pitchers, the law of averages says that they are bound to get a good start one of these days, but as I'm writing this, Tom Glavine already decided to put the Mets in a bit of hole.

Pedro got roughed up yesterday, but there is no reason to really worry. It seems like he has been struggling more, he's been pretty good. His start of the season was so amazing we are all kind of waiting for him to do that every time he steps out on the field and that was not going to happen. His strikeouts are down a bit and his walks are up, but he'll be the Pedro the Mets need down the stretch and his four homers he gave up will prove to be an anomaly. He had only given up fifteen homers in twenty-five previous starts and giving up four in one game is very unlike Pedro to say the least. He has given up five earned runs four times this year and that happened twice in August and August was the only month Pedro had an ERA over 3.00 and finished with a 3.46 ERA. Even when Pedro is bad, he is better than most still.

On a side note, is anyone else starting to hate Chase Utley? The dude is hitting .326/.442/.721 with five homers, nine RBIs, and nine walks, in fourty-three at-bats against the Mets this season and is quickly becoming the new Met killer on the Phillies. Ex-Met killer Pat Burrell is only hitting .216/.310/.471 this season and thankfully so. Despite those bad numbers he still managed four homers and eleven RBIs.

* * *

Minor update:

• Norfolk beat Durham by one run for the second game in a row by beating them 3-2. Angel Pagan went 2 for 3 with one run scored, one double, and one walk, Anderson Hernandez went 1 for 4 with a double, Ron Calloway went 1 for 5 with two RBIs, Prentice Redman went 3 for 4 with one double, and Chase Lambin went 1 for 2 with two runs scored, his tenth homer, one RBI, and two walks. Jose Santiago managed to give up only two earned runs in six innings despite walking five batters. Royce Ring got the win in three innings of relief and allowed only one hit while striking out two.
  
• New Hampshire beat Binghamton 7-5. Aarom Baldiris flashed some power by hitting his eleventh homer of the year and went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, one double, and an RBI. Brett Harper went 2 for 4 with a run scored, a walk, and a double, Bobby Malek went 1 for 5 with a run scored, a triple, and two RBIs, Russ Triplett went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a double, and Zachary Clements went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Luz Portobanco took the loss and gave up all seven runs in four innings and gave up eleven hits, three walks, and struck out one.
  
• St. Lucie beat Jupiter 8-7 in ten innings. St. Lucie scored three in the top of the ninth but almost gave it way by letting Jupiter score two in the bottom of the ninth. Very uncharacteristically of any Met team on any level, St. Lucie batters walked eleven times total. Wilson Batista went 2 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk, Doug Mientkiewicz went 0 for 3 with a run scored and three walks, Andy Wilson went 0 for 3 with a run scored and two walks, Derran Watts went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI, and Blake Whealey went 0 for 2 with two RBIs and two walks. Tim Worthington got the start and went five innings giving up three earned runs on five walk and five hits. Ryan Cullen blew the save and Carlos Muniz walked away with the win despite giving up two runs in the bottom of the tenth.
  
• Hagerstown beat Lakewood 6-5. Carlos Gomez went 1 for 3 with a double, one RBI, and a walk, Joshua Wyrick went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a double, Andy Wilson went 2 for 4, James Burt went 2 for 4 with a run scored, a double, and an RBI, and Kyle Brown went 1 for 4 with a run scored and three RBIs. Michael Devaney started the game and went six innings giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks and finished with the no decision. Brandon Nall picked up the win in his 1.1 innings of relief and did not allow a hit, walked one, and struck out three while Marcelo Perez picked up the save but allowed a run in his one inning of work.
  
• Staten Island beat Brooklyn 12-8. Gregory Gonzalez continues to hit and went 3 for 6 with two runs scored, Joseph Holden went 3 for 5 with two doubles, Caleb Stewart went 1 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI, and two walks, Nick Evans went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, a double, a homer, and two RBIs, Jonel Pacheco went 2 for 4 with a run scored, a double, an RBI, and a walk, and Dirimo Chavez went 1 for 5 with a homer and two RBIs. Jorge Reyes took the loss and started the game but did not make it out of the third inning. He gave up nine hits, one walk, one homer, and six earned runs. The next three Cyclone pitchers game up two runs each and only Jacob Ruckle managed to not give up a run in his .1 innings pitched.

From Wednesday's Daily Dish:

The race for the minor league stolen-base title is heating up. The Mets' Carlos Gomez went 2-for-4 last night with three stolen bases to bring his season total to 62 in 84 attempts for low Class A Hagerstown. The 19-year-old trails the Dodgers’ Todd Donovan, who has 63 in 79 attempts, 60 of which came for Double-A Jacksonville.

Begin laughing...



...end laughing.

Begin crying...

Jeremy Hermedia makes his Major League debut and hits a grand slam in his first at-bat and a pinch hit at-bat no less.

I guess you can keep crying because he'll be around for a while. After Jeff Francoeur coming up and tearing up the league and Hermedia poised too, I kind of feel like the Mets need to try and one up these guys with Milledge. Those two are some talented kids.

Bullpen-banished Steve Trachsel wasn't traded before yesterday's postseason roster-freeze deadline. If the Mets pick up Trachsel's $2.5 million option for next season, he will retain 10-5 rights (10 years in the majors, with at least five with the same team), meaning he'll have the right to veto any trade. One Mets player said Pedro Martinez told Trachsel earlier this week "they should pick up your option and add two more years."

Veto any trade? That's easy to overcome. Steve, you are going to the bullpen or you can accept a trade to any team. Ok? Good. As for Pedro, he is just playing good soldier. There is no way in any universe that it makes sense to tag on two more years to Trachsel's reign in a Mets uniform.

From the Daily News:

First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz (back) will be activated from the disabled list tomorrow, joining the Mets in Florida. Mientkiewicz, out since Aug.4, has been rehabbing with the Class-A St. Lucie Mets.

Mike Jacobs, we hardly knew yee. I hope Willie gives Jacobs a few more games to see if he can keep adding some offense.

T.R. Sullivan from StarTelegam.com takes a look at the playoff picture.

NEW YORK METS

Why they’ll make it:

Pedro Martinez will simply will them to the playoffs. His impact has been tremendous, on and off the field.
Why they won’t make it:

Their schedule is difficult, and with so many young players (David Wright, Jose Reyes, Victor Diaz), the pressure could be hard to handle.
One to watch:

Carlos Beltran. The center fielder has not been what the Mets hoped when they signed him this winter, but he was phenomenal for the Astros late last season.
Which 5 they’d like to repeat:

The Mets went 98-64 in 1985 behind young phenoms Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden.

The kids not able to handle the pressure? The Mets are where they are now thanks to the kids and more specifically David Wright. He's not the problem and won't be the problem. I do not know much, but I do know that.

Is 2 for 16 really slumping?

"I still feel confident," said Jacobs, who started last night and batted sixth. "I know what I'm capable of because I proved it when I got here. I'm still having good at-bats at the plate, I just have to fight through it."

First of all, he's not slumping. Second of all, he's still hitting the ball hard and has good at-bats. Must be a slow news day if that is a topic.

Pessimism abound. The Mets have issues, but they have a more well rounded team than any other vying for the Wild Card in my eyes.

With Matsui and Cairo completely sucking in the number two spot, a vital spot of the order, why will Randolph not try and shake things up? How about moving Beltran up or letting Anderson Hernandez try and continue his season long hot streak in Queens. Something has to be done in some form and the fact that Willie keeps putting out poorly constructed lineup this late in the year is inexcusable. I still prefer Matsui to Cairo, but that is not exactly a favorable pair to choose from. It is way past time for Willie to try and make something happen in that two spot.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

When I have computer problems, I have computer problems. My laptop decided to take the rest of it’s life off and I lost every work email for about five years which is enough to make a grown man cry. However, I strangely am at peace with fact something really, really horrible happened because out Mets have tightened up the Wild Card race and brought themselves to within a half a game with the Marlins and the Phillies and five games off of Atlanta's lead. I got to witness one of the best games while eating a bucket of buffalo wings, drinking lots of beer, and the Yankees happened to get smacked up as a topper. Dare I say last night was the best night in the history of my unexciting life? Could be.

Jae Seo proved that he is in fact human and was not able to throw a ball past anyone but the Mets showed that they belong in this race and came back in Amazin' fashion with a three run bomb in the eight innings courtesy of Ramon Castro. That hit was enough to make a grown man scream like an eleven year old girl at a New Kids on the Block concert. That is the type of win that can ignite a ball club and that is the kind of loss that will send the Phillies reeling. We know the Mets need 2 of 3 this series and starting it off with a loss would have been devastating. Picking up that win with Pedro Martinez on the mound tonight was nothing short of spectacular. The Mets lineup last night looked as good as Willie could possibly write it since he is reluctant to do what needs to be done and it was pretty good one. Big win and now the Mets need to build on that one. That win literally saved my from going nuts and that is ironic since the Mets are usually the source of me losing my sanity.

* * *

Minor update:

• Norfolk beat Durham 4-3 in thirteen innings. Jason Scobie started the game and got the no decision against a solid Durham team that features Delmon Young and BJ Upton. Scobie went six innings and gave up ten hits, three earned runs, one homer, one walk, and struck out one. Then the Tides had a plethora Major League castoffs finish the game off and throw seven combined shutout innings between Danny Graves, Manny Aybar, Shingo Takatsu, and Kaz Ishii. Ishii took the win to bring his record to 2-2. Anderson Hernandez went 2 for 6, Ron Calloway went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a walk, Brian Daubach went 2 for 6, and Chase Lambin was the offensive star of the game going 4 for 6 with a run scored, two doubles, and two RBIs.
  
• Binghamton beat New Hampshire 6-4. Wayne Lydon went 2 for 4 with a run scored, Aarom Baldiris went 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI, Brett Harper went 1 for 4 with his 35th homer of the year and drove in two runs, and Bobby Malek went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Evan MacLane started the game but got the no decision and got knocked around in his 6.2 innings of work. He gave up seven hits, four earned runs, two homers, and struck out ten. Blake McGinley took the win in one scoreless innings of relief and Tim Lavigne picked up his fifth save of the season and lowered his ERA to 1.04 in his 1.1 innings of shutout baseball.
  
• Jupiter beat St. Lucie 6-4. Wilson Batista went 2 for 5 with a double and a walk, Doug Mientkiewicz went 1 for 4 with a walk, and Kevin Rios went 3 for 5 with an RBI. Chuck Smith got the start and the no decision and went 5.1 innings and gave up six hits, three earned runs, two walks, and one homer. Eddie Camacho took the loss in relief and went .2 innings and gave up two earned runs.
  
• Hagerstown beat Lakeland 6-2. Carlos Gomez went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, three stolen bases, and two RBIs, Ambriorix Concepcion went 1 for 4 with a runs scored, Grant Psomas went 2 for 5 with two RBIs, and James Burt went 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Blake Eager went five innings and gave up two earned runs for his sixth win of the season.
  
• Brooklyn beat Hudson Valley 8-4. Gregory Gonzalez went 1 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk, Caleb Stewart went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a double, his tenth homer on the year, and one RBI, Nick Evans went 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Ivan Naccarata went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Waner Mateo started the game and gave up four unearned runs in four innings for the no decision and Salvador Aguilar took the win in four innings of no run relief to bring his record to 4-0. Wade Townsend took the loss for Hudson Valley after giving up five earned runs in six innings.
  
• Kingsport lost to Bristol 3-2. Paris Austin went 1 for 2 with a triple and an RBI and Jose Mateo went 1 for 4 with an RBI. Daniel Arizmendi took the loss and went five innings and gave up eight hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out seven.

Who's at the Braves heals according to Baseball Prospectus? Yup, the Mets. They are ranked 9th on their Hit List to the Braves 7th and ranked ahead of the Phillies and Marlins. While that is fine and nice actually means nothing, it is still nice to see.

Should He Stay or Should He Go?

The latest Trachsel buzz makes all too much sense.

The Sox inquired about Mets pitcher Steve Trachsel over the weekend but were told he was not available, according to league sources. There was a published report yesterday that a deal might be in the works, but sources said it was highly unlikely. "The Mets would be crazy to move Trachsel," said one league source.

I'm not sure what is so crazy about trading a 34 year old starter who is not in the team's future plans when they currently have seven starting pitchers on their club right now. While moving him makes sense, there may not be anything to move him for right now. The thing is, the Mets do not actually have to trade him and would not be receiving anything back that would make a difference on their Major League club, so it would most likely leave the Mets needing to be overwhelmed with prospects and maybe a Major League throw in.

I was told by someone who actually chooses to waste their life away listening to the Michael Kay show that he mused the deal could be for Kevin Millar, but that deal would make no sense for the Mets in any capacity. Newsday points out that the Padres are also interested, but neither San Diego nor Boston has many players that can help out with the Mets that have passed through waivers. That leaves prospects off the 40-man roster and the Mets would need to get some good ones and not some Adam Seuss type guys. They are far from making a deal just to make it like the Cubs did inexplicably with Matt Lawton when they handed him over to the Yankees for nothing.

Like the Mets were in the driver's seat with Mike Cameron and failed to act on it, they are in the driver's seat with Steve Trachsel, but the options out there for them are few and far between unlike the Mike Cameron situation. Since the Mets are not looking for prospects and top prospects off the 40-man are the only way to extract some real value for the Mets, no deal with the Red Sox or Padres really seems imminent and the Mets would be presumably be looking for help now and Trachsel in the bullpen may be the most help in any possibly situation. Moving him would be ideal, but that may have to wait untinl the off-season.

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From perusing other blogs and checking out some links, Always Amazin' pointed this article out in regards to Manny Ramirez.

A National League general manager who plans to pursue Padres free-agent C Ramon Hernandez already is conceding Hernandez probably will end up with the Mets.

They guy has hit in pitcher's parks his entire career so his numbers figure to stay the same and possibly go up from his time in San Diego, he can handle a staff as good as any catcher, can take a walk now and then, and can play pretty good defense. He would be more than welcome, but what's the cap? Jason Varitek is called the heart and soul of the Red Sox and got a four year $40 million dollar contract despite not really being a top tier defensive catcher and when you factor in their home fields, both can put up similar numbers, though Varitek is having great year this year. How much is Hernandez worth? How important is a guy that can handle a staff great, including young pitchers and go out and be an all around catcher that can do everything?

In my catching up on baseball activities while I was not around, Mike Jacobs, Matt Lindstrom, and Lastings Milledge are the Mets slated to go to the Arizona Fall League this upcoming fall. After attending the Arizona Fall League at 20 years old, David Wright played 91 games between AA and AAA after not playing a AA game previous to that season and made his debut on July 21st with the Mets. Lastings Milledge will be 20 years old when he attends this years Arizona Fall League and will have had played over 50 games at AA. While Wright was a much more refined hitter, he truly came into his own after turning 21. Milledge is a different player and has more athletic ability and is it really unrealistic to envision him around the same time Wright got called up next season with the Mets?

Lastings will be a pretty busy guy after the season. He is also going to represent the US for the Baseball World Cup along with Brian Bannister. With all that is going on, I just have a feeling that Milledge is going to go from über prospect to über über prospect. I see him breaking out in a big way with all five tools.

From the NYPost:

According to Mike Cameron's agent, Mike Nicotera, the injured right fielder will see a doctor this week in New York to get a restraint removed from his jaw. That will permit Cameron to eat solid food again after only being able to ingest liquids.

Solid food is good.

Minor update:

• Norfolk beat Charlotte 9-7. Angel Pagan went 2 for 6 with a run scored and two RBIs, Anderson Hernandez went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, Rodney Nye went 3 for 5 with a double and four RBIs, Ron Calloway went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and a double, and Chase Lambin went 0 for 2 with a run scored and three walks. Neal Musser got the win despite giving up five earned runs in 5.2 innings. Shingo Takatsu gave up a homer in .1 innings of work and Tim Hamulack pitched two innings for his sixth save of the year. Tim has a 1.13 ERA between AA and AAA in 64 innings and has only given up four earned runs at each level and only one homer in total. With his 8.58 K/9 and his 4.07 K/BB he really seems like a prime September call up and one that may actually be able to help out.
  
• St. Lucie beat Jupiter 6-2. Andy Wilson went 2 for 5, the offensive juggernaut known as Aaron Hathaway went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, Jamar Hill went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and a double, and Derran Watts went 2 for 4 with a run scored, two RBIs, and a walk. More importantly, Gaby Hernandez went five innings and gave up only one earned run. He gave up three hits and struck out six and brought his ERA at St. Lucie down to 6.18. Carlos Muniz picked up the win relief to bring his record to 5-4 and he went two innings and gave up no hits or walks and struck out two.
  
• Lakewood beat Hagerstown 3-2. Carlos Gomez went 1 for 3, Grant Psomas went 1 for 3 with a walk and his 20th homer in low A and his 21st homer overall, and Joshua Wyrick went 2 for 3. Orlando Rengel started the game but got the no decision. He went 6.2 innings and gave up seven hits, two earned runs, two walks, one homer, and struck out five. Edgar Alfonzo took the loss in his .2 innings of work and gave up one earned run.
  
• Brooklyn beat Hudson Valley 3-1. Gregory Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and a double, Caleb Stewart went 2 for 3 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk, and Nick Evans went 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Jeffrey Landing continued his solid pitching for the Cyclones and took the win to bring his record to 5-6 and lower his ERA to 2.97. He went five innings giving up five hits, no earned runs, one walk, and struck out one. Robert Paulk got the save went two innings giving up two hits, one walk, no earned runs and struck out two.
  
• Bristol beat Kingsport 5-0. David Wabick went 2 for 4 and Parris Austin went 2 for 3 with two doubles. Kingsport pitchers had some bad luck and Jeramy Simmons and Jim Wladyka combined for eight innings of six hit ball and gave up only one earned run and four unearned runs while striking out nine and walking four.

Steve Popper has a good article on David Wright and Jose Reyes.

On the outfield wall at Shea Stadium there are only three retired numbers. Of those, just one - Tom Seaver's No. 41 - commemorates a player who made a contribution on the field for the Mets.....

But after 43 years, the Mets placed not one, but two players on the field who carry those same hopes. Standing next to each other on the field and assigned adjacent lockers on the road, David Wright and Jose Reyes are in their first full seasons, spawning visions of a pairing that could be a foundation for the next 15 years.

Peter Abraham asks, "At what point does a slow transition to a new team and city become simply a bad season"?

I can answer that. Two months ago. Ask Carlos Lee how his transition went? Sure New York is tougher and Carlos Beltran has more pressure because of the dollars being paid to him blah, blah, blah. The guy is one of the five best talents in the league and there is no doubt that I am focused towards next year with him and this year on the Mets as a whole. I am done focusing on Beltran and what he is or is not doing. I do not care. He will not be a factor in 2005 at the plate so it is up to everyone else to get it done.

Shaun Powell thinks it is perfect time for redemption.

The Mets have the pitching to compete with Florida and Houston and more quality arms than the Phillies, who play at Shea tonight. But as they showed last weekend in San Francisco, their offense doesn't always suit up. They can only rely so much on David Wright. A nasty outfield collision with Mike Cameron gave Beltran another out, much the way his earlier leg injuries bought him time, but he must do better than .263 in the No. 3 spot.

Willie Randolph indicated the Mets have pledged to bring back Danny Graves from Triple-A Norfolk as early as Sept. 5. The reliever allowed eight runs in his first two innings with the Tides.

Is this team committed to winning? Sometimes it really just does not seem like it.

Eli Gelman has a great farm report and plenty of quotes from Gary LaRoque. They have some nice quick blurbs a bunch of players and is a good all around read.

Tom Boswell is an ass.

Before anyone disparages the chances of the humble Nats, read on. The Marlins, Phillies and Mets are probably already dead. They just don't know it yet....

What the Mets face may be just as bad. Their next 28 games are against teams with winning records, including 10 against the Braves and Cards! Most are also on the road. New York closes with four games at home against the pathetic Rockies. But will the Mets still be breathing by then? They've been coasting in a soft schedule since the all-star break -- only two of 12 series against currently winning teams. The Mets, like the Marlins, should have made a move. Instead, they just stayed in the pack. Now, they've lost Mike Cameron for the year and Mike Piazza is still on the disabled list. Can Pedro Martinez pitch every day?

Yeah, 28 of their next 32 games are against above .500 teams, but they play 24 NL East games and since the entire NL East is over .500, that would make sense. The entire NL East is in it because they all get to beat each other up over the final month and yes, the Mets have lost two key cogs, but have made their run without them. Not with them. That deserves to be looked at the Mets have one thing that no other team can boast, seven starting pitchers. The Mets have depth where they need it the most. Are they really dead already you dumb shit? The Nationals are the only team in the NL East that would qualify as dead. What's their second half record again?

I still think this was a big loss by the Mets not getting this guy.

But the hottest bat remains first baseman Kendry Morales, who is a remarkable 17-for-23 (.739) in his last five games, to go along with monthly totals of .389-9-21 in 25 games.

After getting Alay Soler and then recently getting Fernando Martinez, Omar could have pulled up the international hat trick to supplant a weak draft. Alas, I'll just be resigned to complaining about this once every two months or so.

Best Foot Forward

There are thirty-two games between now and the end of the Mets regular season. The Mets had a disappointing loss in which one inning buried them, but the Phillies fortunately are on a two game losing streak of their own and the Mets are sitting in the same place there were before the game started. 1.5 games out on August 29th is something I'm sure everyone is ecstatic about. The lineup on Sunday featured Jose Reyes, Miguel Cairo, Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Chris Woodward, Victor Diaz, Ramon Castro, and Kaz Matsui and that is not a lineup that will get the Mets to the Promised Land.

Cliff sat yesterday partly because he needed a rest for the final push and partly because the Mets were facing a lefty and Jacobs sat for some reason and I'm not sure. Maybe Randolph wanted to give him a rest to let it all sink in or wanted to stack righties in the lineup. Yesterday is irrelevant. Going forward, every capable Met bat needs to be in the lineup. Cairo is batting .071 in his last 28 at-bats since August 18th and would not qualify as one of those capable bats. If Cairo ever steps in the game again as a starter, it should be at second base when Kaz does not start and Matsui has been hitting better of late and should be in the lineup over him.

Also, lefty/righty match-ups should be tossed out the window. Cliff Floyd can hit lefties just fine and Mike Jacobs should be given the chance to prove he cannot hit lefites. The Mets need offense and Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Floyd, Jacobs, Diaz, Castro, and Matsui should be in the lineup every day. Castro may need a rest and that should be the only day Randolph deviates from that lineup. The Mets simply cannot afford to give any game away from here on out and giving away a game includes putting yesterday's lineup out. The Mets can do this, but they need to keep their strengths in their right places and Woodard, Cairo, Offerman, and Anderson are stronger off the bench and it should be kept that way. Losing Piazza was bad for the reason that when Floyd, Wright, or Beltran sits, not having Piazza there to supplant their production is big problem. There is no more rest for the Mets main cast and they really need to step it up and stay in the lineup.

* * *

In the shit happens category of the day, Steve Trachsel is not happy about getting shifted into the bullpen. You get injured and you come back and see five solid starters in the rotation. Whether or not he has been on the Mets for a few seasons is irrelevant since it is just too important a time to start switching from guys that have been serving you well "just because". Sure he pitched well in his return, but I think he understands it deep down. If you asked Trachsel who should be removed, I'm sure he would not have an answer because no one deserves to be lifted, especially Seo. If anyone, Zambran should be shifted, but would Trachsel really pitch better? Zambrano has been pretty solid the entire season and Steve just looks like a hard luck loser at this point.

Minor update:

• Charlotte beat up Yusmeiro Petit in his second start for Norfolk. Petit got smacked for ten hits and three homers in 4.2 innings and gave up five earned runs while walking one and striking out three. Danny Graves topped that performance, and not in a good way. He had his second horrible outing at AAA out of two and went one inning giving up three hits, five earned runs, three walks, and one homer. He has a tidy 36.00 ERA since being demoted to AAA. Maybe it is time he starts looking for another profession. Angel Pagan went 2 for 4 and Chase Lambin went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, two homers, and three walks.
  
• Trenton beat up the B-Mets 4-0. Aarom Baldiris went 2 for 4 with a double, Bobby Malek went 1 for 4, and Brett Harper went 1 for 3 with a walk. Rafael Lopez took the loss to drop his record down to 2-9 and went six innings and gave up seven hits, four runs, one earned run, one walk, two homers, and struck out two.
  
• Hagerstown beat Delmarva 7-4. Carlos Gomez went 1 for 5 with a run scored, Ambiorix Concepcion went 1 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI, and his 34th stolen base, Grant Psomas went 1 for 4 with a run scored, a double, and an RBI, Joshua Wyrick went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Kyle Brown went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and a walk. Jose Sanchez started the game and got the no decision after four innings of two earned run ball and Matt Durkin took the win in relief. Durkin went 4.1 innings and gave up two hits, one earned run, three walks, and struck out four. Marcelo Perez picked up his twelfth save in .2 innings of relief.
  
• Staten Island beat Brooklyn 3-0. Caleb Stewart got the Cyclones lone hit and went 1 for 3 with a walk. Bobby Parnell took the loss and went five innings giving up seven hits, three earned runs, four walks, and struck out seven. Parnell is now 2-3 with a 2.05 ERA.
  
• Kingsport beat Bristol 6-3. Elvis Cruz went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, his fourth homer, and two RBIs and Jose Mateo went 1 for 5 with a run scored and two RBIs. Jonathan Castillo got the win to bring his record to 2-3 with a 2.04 ERA and went five innings and gave up eight hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out five. German Marte got his fourth save and pitched one scoreless inning.
  
• The GCL Yankees beat up the GCL Mets 10-1. Jonathan Niese started the game for the Mets and did not fare well and went 0.1 innings and gave up four hits, six runs, three earned runs, and walked two. The Mets mustered eight hits, seven of which were singles, and Juan Montero was the only Met to get two hits and went 2 for 4.

Strangely enough, the team that just beat their heads in is providing the D-Backs with some inspiration.

ccording to the Elias Sports Bureau, only three teams have been under .500 at any point after 125 games and still made the playoffs (the NL West winner will be the fourth):

• The 1974 Baltimore Orioles, who were 64-65 after 129 games and finished 91-71.

• The 1984 Kansas City Royals, who were 68-69 after 137 games and finished 84-78.

• And the 1973 New York Mets, who were an under-.500 team later than any other division winner in history. The Mets were 76-77 after 153 games and finished 82-79.

The '73 Mets have the worst record of any division winner, but the Padres, who are 64-65, are on pace to claim that dubious title.

En Fuego

The Mets have been on fire, but unfortunately so has every other team in the NL East. Once looking like a divisoin full of mediocre teams playing in a tightly packed mediocre division everything seems a bit different lately. The Phillies, Marlins, and Los Mets have stepped it up at the time of the year that they need to. Every team is trying to one up each other and though the standings do not look much different, a lot has changed. Mike Jacobs is owned by 93.9% of the ESPN NL only fantasy baseball leagues, Victor Zambrano could demoted to the bullpen or the Mets may use their six starters and try and match them up against teams to give them their best shot to win, Danny Graves was demoted, Steve Trachsel was promoted, the Royals actually won, and Yusmeiro Petit is now one step closer to the Major Leagues.

Houston has cooled off the Mets have closed the gap with the Braves to five and remain 1.5 games off the wildcard lead. The Astros are tied with the Mets and have not looked good lately and the Phillies are sitting atop the Wild Card Standings with the Marlins sitting in second just .5 games out. I will be sure there is no justice in the world and I will lose all faith in humanity if the Marlins win and as much as it has been printed, I'll state it again. The Mets play six games with the Phillies, three at home, six games with Florida, three at home, six games with Atlanta, three at home, and six games with Washington, three at home. That is twenty four out of thirty two games remaining after today with their division rivals, four games with the St. Louis Cardinals who are banged up and in cruise control, and four games with the horrifying Rockies who own the second worst record in the Major Leagues.

Not only do the Mets have a shot at the Wild Card, but they have a tiny chance at the division. Sitting at seven games over .500, the Mets have never looked better this season and this fabled hot streak that Met organization and their fans have been talking about has finally come. I guess it remains to be seen whether it will as sustained as the A's and the Astros and last throughout the rest of the season or whether this is just a hot streak that just about every team has gone through this year. They are only three games away from equaling last year's win total and some might be satisfied with that and could hang their hats on that as a successful season and turning around their win total by about fourteen games or so when all is said and done, but nothing should be satisfying except the playoffs. This team is better than they have played so far and better than they have been given credit for and with so many teams in the mix and no one besides the Cardinals truly separating themselves, this year is primed for the Mets to sweep in and take it. The only question is, can they sustain the level of play they have been putting out?

* * *

Minor update:

• Charlotte beat Norfolk 6-4. Brian Bannister had another solid start going six innings and giving up nine hits, three earned runs, no walks, and struck out four. He took the no decision as Danny Graves continues to prove he does not belong in baseball by giving up three earned runs in one inning. Eric Valent went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI and Chris Basak went 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.
  
• Binghamton played Trenton in a double header. In game one, Trenton won 7-5. Lastings Milledge went 1 for 5, Aaron Baldiris went 2 for 4 with a run scored, and Bobby Malek went 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Bryan Edwards took the loss and dropped to 5-6 with a 3.71 ERA after going six innings giving up eight hits, five earned runs, four walks, and struck out two. In game two, Binghamton won 9-5. Lastings Milledge went 2 for 4 with a walk, two RBIs, and was caught stealing for the fifth time this year and has eleven stolen bases at AA in total, Wayne Lydon went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, one homer, three RBIs, and a walk, Bobby Malek went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a triple, and an RBI, Russ Triplett went 3 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI, and a walk, and Cory Ragsdale went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, a triple, a homer, and an RBI. Timothy McNab made the start but got the no decision as he left in the fourth inning after giving up four hits, two earned runs, one walk, and struck out six. Anderson Garcia got the win despite giving up two earned runs in 2.2 innings and gave up one hit, walked two, and struck out five.
  
• Daytona beat St. Lucie 9-1. The ever rehabbing Doug Mientkiewicz went 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI, Andy Wilson went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, and Aaron Hathaway went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk. Miguel Pinango was the hard luck loser and only gave up one run in 5.1 innings but took the loss to drop to 2-2.
  
• Delmarva beat Hagerstown 5-4. Carlos Gomez went 0 for 5 with four strikeouts, Ambiorix Concepcion went 2 for 4 with a double and three strikeouts, Grant Psomas went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, one double, one homer, one walk, and one RBI, Joshua Warick went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI, and Kyle Brown went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Kevin Mannix started the game and got the no decision and went five innings and gave up six hits, four earned runs, and struck out three. Brandon Nall took the loss in relief and went three innings, gave up no hits, no earned runs, one unearned run, two walks, and struck out three.
  
• Staten Island beat Brooklyn 7-2. The Cyclones only mustered three hits in the loss and Ryan Meyers took the loss to drop to 0-4 and went 3.1 innings and gave up five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and struck out one. Pulaski beat Kingsport 11-8. David Wabick went 4 for 5 with three runs scored, one double, and one RBI and Riky Oliveros went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, one double, and two RBIs. Jusef Frias tried to top Kris Benson's line from earlier this week and I think he succeeded. He took the loss and went one inning giving up eight hits, eight earned runs, four walks, and give up three homeruns.
  
• In what I can only guess is a three game championship series, the GCL Mets lost game one to the GCL Yankees 3-2. Junior Contreras continues to hit and went 2 for 3 with one double, one RBI, and one walk. Rober Manuel started the game and went six innings giving up five hits, one earned run, two walks, and struck out one but got the no decision. Robert McIntyre took the loss went 0.1 innings and gave up one hit, two runs, one earned run, and one walk.

While radio reports say that ever circulating rumors of Ken Griffey Jr. to the Chicago White Sox are heating up, Griffey says he is not going to Chicago.

“I’m not going to Chicago," he told the Dayton Daily News. “I’m in Pittsburgh with the Cincinnati Reds, and that’s where I’m staying."

Dan O'Dowd continues his reluctance to help his own team out in the long term. Not only would he get a lot of cash back in his hands, but they can pick up some arms too. F-in Ponderous.

Oh baby.

The Rockies will be among the first to call when Padres catcher Ramon Hernandez becomes a free agent. If the price stays about $11 million to $12 million over three years, they will be in the mix. Rod Barajas and Yorvit Torrealba, whom they nearly acquired this season, are also on the radar.

If Ramon's price is going to be that high, that is just scary. He is a good player, but no where near elite. I'd love him on the Mets for the right price, but that is not it.

It is too bad Piazza did not get a proper farewell tour with the Mets if this really is it.

Earlier this week, Piazza was optimistic about returning as soon as he was eligible to come off the disabled list, which is Friday. But after seeing a physical therapist in the Bay Area yesterday, Piazza discovered that not only is the small pisiform bone at the base of his thumb broken, but the ligaments in his left wrist and forearm have been affected.

"It's not feeling any worse, but it's not feeling better," said Piazza, who will seek a second opinion tomorrow in New York. "It's just not responding the way I'd hoped."

Willie Randolph expressed faith in Miguel Cairo, who is in a 2-for-29 slump and did not play yesterday. Kaz Matsui started for the third time on the road trip at second base, going 0-for-4 with an RBI groundout.

Randolph said he wasn't even aware of Cairo's slump - at least the actual .069 average since his final at-bat Aug.17 - because the manager looks at the quality of plate appearances.

Shouldn't he pay attention to that? Hot Hand Willie's trademark is going with the guys who are hitting, but he is selective when he actually does that.

Minaya indicated he will consider OF Eric Valent, 1B Brian Daubach and 2B Anderson Hernandez for promotions when rosters expand Thursday, but none of those players is on the 40-man roster, a major impediment, since their contracts would have to be purchased and someone else would have to be removed from the 40-man roster. Four potential relief call-ups - Shingo Takatsu, Danny Graves, Jose Santiago and Tim Hamulack - also aren't on the roster. The Mets have no lefties in their bullpen, so the 95 mph-throwing Hamulack, Royce Ring and Ishii should get extra scrutiny.

From NJ.com:

Boston has been looking for bullpen help and did contact the Mets about Roberto Hernandez, but the Mets have decided they're too close to a playoff spot to deal from the back end of their bullpen

Dana Brand has a nice feel good editorial today.

No one in the majors has knocked in more runs or scored as many as David Wright since the All-Star Game break.

Over the past six weeks, he has driven in 39 runs and scored 36. He also ranks second in hits (58) and batting average (.382) and fourth in slugging percentage (.664) and on-base percentage (.446).

Niiiiice.