So Many Choices, But Only One Is Right

Not that anyone wants to hear what I would do, but I have firmly made up my mind. With Heath Bell doing well at AAA and Henry Owens making batters look silly at AA, the Mets have some interesting options. Right now, Owens has sat down 79% of his outs via the strikeout after striking out all four batters yesterday. Right now, the Mets bullpen is working strong one through seven and that includes Jorge Julio who has not give up a run in his last five outings. If I had may way, Julio would not be in the equation junk time or not. The guy is not trusted by the club in tough situations and I would rather junk time at least go to Heath Bell who at least has the potential to be trusted more high leverage situations. However, Julio will be in the mix whether we like it or not.

So, knowing Jorge is staying put and everyone else in the bullpen is doing great, I would move Henry Owens up to AAA and have him and Heath Bell continue to pitch well there. They can make room on the AAA roster with demoting one of the retreads up there or moving Blake McGinley into the rotation for Iriki or the player who will sit in for Bannister's replacement. As for Bannister's replacement, this should be a no brainer and should go the guy who will be turning 25 soon and has big league stuff and not an over 30 big league retread.

John Maine has four legitimate pitches. He has low 90's fastball that has movement and he changes speed on it, a curveball, a changeup, and a slider. He's not afraid to work inside and in a few ways, seems similar to Brian Bannister, but with a little more velocity. Bannster's stint to the DL could end up being a positive if the Mets get a good look at Maine in two or three starts to see if there is anything there. He may not be considered to have a large upside, but he still certainly can profile as mid-rotation starter at this point in his career and that is not a bad thing.

As for Ownes and Bell, they should stay at AAA until an opportunity presents itself on the big league level whether it be by injury or someone shitting the bed, they both need to be ready. If someone can step up from the minor leagues like Heilman did last year, the Mets bullpen could become even more devastating than it is now and they could also possibly allow Aaron Heilman and opportunity to start should disaster strike without significantly weakening the pen and the Mets should absolutely be prepared for that and not get caught with their pants down.

Yeah, it's not rocket science and it all seems obvious, but that is my two cents with how I know management want to structure this team.

* * *

Mike Pelfrey speaks.

"I try not to worry about any of that other stuff," Pelfrey said Wednesday night after joining the Binghamton Mets following his call-up from Single-A St. Lucie. "Those are things I can't control."

Bannister gets DL'd and it seems the Mets have learned from Carlos Beltran's situation.

"Hamstrings are very mysterious injuries. Feasibly, there was no way he'd be ready."

Mysterious indeed.

Hey, at least the Mets save money.

Iriki was suspended for 50 games, effective yesterday, for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The pitcher reportedly is the first player on a major-league 40-man roster to suffer the stiffer penalties that were agreed upon over the winter.

The first? That has to count for something, no?

It was a good win last night.

Pedro Martinez = Ace
David Wright = Stud

Kaz even got into the action with a good offensive night and made a great play on a David Wright throw to catch a one that almost got away.



Wagner made it interesting, but he got the job done.

"What are you trying to say? That was textbook right there, man," Wagner kidded. "That was like 1-2-3 . . . with a couple of extras. You've got to get your work in when you can."

"We have come back from nine-game deficits late in years in pennant races before," Braves GM John Schuerholz said. "But I'd rather not make my living doing that."

So the All-Star Ballots are out and I'm going to make some predictions.

1) Carlos Delgado will make the team.
2) David Wright will lead all third baseman in the NL in votes with the increased media exposure.
3) Jose Reyes will lead all shortstops in the NL in votes, not that he will particularly deserve to.
4) Paul LoDuca will make the team.
5) Pedro Martinez will make the team.
6) Tom Glavine will make the team.
7) ...and Mr. Billy Wagner will make the team.

Steve Howe dies as his pickup trucked rolled over in California. He was best know for his drug abuse during his time in the big leagues.

Kevin Mench homered for the seventh straight game in a row.

He became the first right-handed batter ever to reach the plateau, joining Jim Thome, Don Mattingly, Dale Long and Ken Griffey Jr.

"When you say 'ever' in our game, that better get your attention," Texas manager Buck Showalter said.

One more to go for the record and his slow start seems like a distant memory at this point.

Thanks to Jake for pointing out this gem of film.



Any time A-Rod is being made fun of, The Metropolitans will be there. It is out civic duty and we recognize that.