Lima Time!™

I just read this quote from and old post and had to shake my head.

"I'm going into spring training definitely very optimistic and I'm just thankful to have the opportunity to start again," Heilman said. "Hopefully, I can go out there and prove again that I deserve the opportunity."

There is something to be said for someone going out there to prove they belong. To prove they can do the job. I'm not saying he wants it more than Brian Bannister, but Bannister could be just happy to be here where as Heilman more or less has a chip on his shoulder. Aaron going out there with a little extra something every five days could have produced big results for the Mets, but what is done is done and now the bullpen needs to rounded out.

The Mets should carry seven relievers. Victor Diaz on the bench as the fourth outfielder makes little sense when there are actually five since Endy Chavez has made the team. With Woodward in there too, I'm not sure I see a need for him at all. As much as I like him and want to see him get a shot, his future with this team is in doubt for sure. Let him pad his numbers in AAA for a possible trade that either creates a job for him with the Mets or involves him. Something will have to give at some point down the line.

The Mets bullpen was pretty much set until Juan Padilla went down. Now, I think we can all agree, that he was not good enough or be the reason the Mets panicked to move Heilman back into the bullpen. Also, it seems absurd that Heath Bell only had six innings up until a few days ago to see if he could be an integral part of the bullpen. There are literally people out there who think he could be better than most of the closers out there, but he needs to actually get a shot.

Some people think the Mets pay too much attention to spring stats, but I say they actually do not pay enough. They seemingly make up their minds before the first pitch is thrown and nothing can change that. The only case of spring performance being a factor for the Mets is in Bannister's case. However, that was aided by the fact they never really wanted Aaron in the rotation. Bannister gave them a great excuse not to put him in there. Keppinger never had a shot at second and that was decided without another at-bats. Diaz never had a shot at right field and that was also decided without any at-bats. Now, Heath Bell looks unlikely to make the bullpen and Jose Lima inexplicably looks like the leading candidate to take the last spot despite them have polar opposite spring performances. Heath Bell is not even mentioned in the article which hints that he is not even on the Mets radar.

Lima is in the lead because he can spot start most likey, but let me be clear, it should never be Lima Time!™. Aaron Heilman is more than capable to spot start if needed. Heath Bell has a 1.13 ERA with a .148 BAA to Jose Lima's 8.59 ERA and .328 BAA. That's right, a .328 BAA in spring against a lot of retreads and minor leaguers. Lima will not be on the team at the end of the year and that is a guarantee. Yet, the Mets once again, seem to make a decision that works against the team. Why not take your best players up north? Why not get it right from the start? Last season the Mets got the right bullpen and the right rotation in August and possibly cost themselves a trip to the playoffs. This year wreaks of the same thing. I seriously wonder why the Mets seem to be incapable of making simple decisions. This one should be a no brainer.

* * *

Oh baby. Anna Benson served Kris divorce papers and says he cheated on her.

"She's completely crushed; she didn't see this coming," said Anna Benson's spokesman, Jules Feiler. "She had no choice but to take this action."

Of course, we all know that she vowed to sleep with the entire team, including the balls boys if Kris was unfaithful.

"I was talking about infidelity. I have to come up with stupid humor to be understood by these idiots who take everything so literally. All these big-time athletes who cheat and get away with it! Why should we put up with that shit? It’s time for us to get back to traditional values!"

Traditional values? Wow. From an x-stripper. Not that have a problem with woman working to pay for school by taking their clothes off and I vehemently support them, but Anna certainly should not be preaching about traditional values.

"When I came to him, I had nothing—two pairs of panties and one bra. Suddenly, I found I was married to a millionaire. It was always in the back of my mind: I’d better not get too comfortable with good things. But Kris took me by the shoulders and put his face close to mine.” She illustrated. "He said, ‘You can choose to live your life happy or you can choose to live your life miserable. I choose to live my life happy, so what are you going to do?’ "She held up her left hand to show a diamond-encrusted Rolex. "t’s got diamonds, but as a watch it’s crap, doesn’t keep time," she said.

When she Met Kris, he was already a millionaire. I think the kids should be taken care of, but I have a hard time thinking she deserves to have money coming out of her ass for the rest of her life because Kris saved her.

"I don’t care that much about baseball. I want to do many other things. I’m a humanitarian and a philanthropist. When I’m in New York, I go out by myself and talk to the homeless on the street. I listen to them. I want to hear their stories. I want to talk about today’s issues."

Riiiiight. Good luck with all of that Kris. You will need it. Godspeed and down with the witch.

Eric Gange's fastball is not scraping the high 90's so far. It will be interesting to see if it comes back and if he can be as dominant without it if it does not come back. I guess getting Danys Baez as insurance/future closer looks like a great deal.

David Wright's boyfriend was traded to the Houston Astros and will start the season off in AAA. McEwing batted .436 this spring but was not able to secure a roster spot.

The Cubs have sold the naming rights to Budweiser for the bleachers. They are now called the "Bud Light Bleachers". Whores.

David Wright gets some revenge on Cornelius.

David Wright tossed a cooler full of ice water on Cliff Floyd as the outfielder emerged from the whirlpool

Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, and Gary Cohen are going to give Mets fans a great commentary team.

"Keith and I are good friends, but we don't agree on everything so that should make for good TV," Darling said.

Mitch Wylie found no takers for his service and signed with the Mets and is headed to Norfolk.

Ken Rosenthal lays his predictions out there. Some interesting picks like the Blue Jays taking the Wild Card and knocking the Red Sox out of the playoff picture while making it all the way to the World Series. He does think the Mets will make the playoffs, but as a Wild Card team with the Braves taking the division yet again. He believes the Mets will lose in the first round and according to Rosenthal, a "compromised rotation with off-season maneuvering" is the culprit.