The Revolving Door in Left Field

We all knew Moises Alou was going to get hurt at some point this season although I don't think any of us expected it to be in the first two weeks of spring training.

So now the loss of Carlos Gomez leaves us with a revolving door in left field. Believe me I'm glad we got Santana for Gomez and pitching prospects, but it does reveal a significant hole in the Mets lineup: lack of outfielders.

Fernando Martinez is too young (so the experts say) to be thought of as Alou's replacement. That leaves Endy Chavez as the next best option. I don't mind Endy starting the season in left. I don't think he's an everyday player as he tends to wear down and lose some production when he plays everyday, but he's our best option right now.

Then there's the makeshift outfielder option in Marlon Anderson/Damion Easley. Now Anderson played some left field when we first picked him up last season and was hitting the cover off the ball. But of course left field is neither of these guys natural position and their fielding will be exploited if they were to play every day.

That leaves the "trade" option. Sure Xavier Nady's name is being tossed around, but who are we going to trade? We sold the farm for Santana (rightfully so). Jorge Sosa? Not a bad option, but does Sosa get you Nady straight up? I don't think so.

A guy in spring training who's getting some attention is Angel Pagan. Young guy who plays like he wants to be on the team. He's fighting for a roster spot right now, and I love seeing guys do that. They play with a whole lot more passion because basically they're job is on the line. I'm not sure what Pagan's production level would be in the big leagues, but he'll probably bat in the 8th spot and if you can get a hustle guy who can lay down some bunts and play solid defense, that's not a bad thing to have.

I think we'll end up seeing Chavez in left field on opening day, but I'd like to see Angel Pagan given a shot to be on the roster if he keeps playing like he has been the last few weeks.

Mets Lifer Book Review

I had the pleasure of getting an advanced copy of Richard Grossinger's new book, The New York Mets: Ethnography, Myth, and Subtext. Grossinger's book is really unlike any baseball book I've read.

If Larry King, George Costanza and Peter Gammons were hardcore Mets fans and teamed up to write a book, this would be their end product. The New York Mets is filled with passion for both the Mets as a team and baseball in its purest form while being totally frank and sarcastic about the struggles and sacrifices that are made by lifelong Mets fans (a.k.a. Mets Lifers). The book opens with a fantastic foreword by Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post and an opening chapter that explains what attracts us a Mets Lifers to the Mets when there are so many that cheer for the empire that is the New York Yankees.

The book starts with Endy Chavez's miracle catch in Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS and then reflects back at the ebb and flow of excitement and disappointment that has shaped Mets history. Although I don't always agree with Grossinger's outlook on aspects of baseball and Mets history, I love his passion for the Mets, his enormous hatred for Steve Phillips, and the fact that he, like me, was heart broken when the Mets traded Melvin Mora.

From an insider's look at Terry Leach (who was one of my favorite pitchers to imitate in Little League) to detailing every single boneheaded move the Mets have made, Grossinger has written a book that a Mets Lifer would enjoy.

Click here for more on the book and to order from Amazon.com.

Welcome to Frustration Nation.

Welcome to Frustration Nation, thy capitol is Philadelphia.

The Phillies swept the Mets at Shea just a month ago and it appears they might do the same in Philly this week. This may be the most frustrating series mainly due to the fact that the next stop is Atlanta where the Mets are almost guaranteed to lose two out of three because a) Smoltz is pitching & b) Glavine is pitching in Atlanta.

Marlon Anderson's takeout slide was suspect to say the least, but the frustrating part was why Willie Randolph pinch hit with Shawn Green in the ninth. Green's pinch hit stats are abysmal. Plus with Chavez on third and one out, it is the ultimate situation to lay down a squeeze. Ruben Gotay is the perfect man in that situation. He's got good speed and has been sensational. But Willie Randolph refuses to put down the squeeze even with the fastest of runners on third. I knew Green would hit into a double play, but I didn't envision it would end on that kind of double play.

The good news? Delgado is looking better and the bullpen didn't give up any runs.

Base running killed us tonight and only Oliver Perez could strike out 10 batters and lose a game. Perez pitched well though and I can't complain because he got out of some seriously tough spots.

Tomorrow afternoon is the game of the year to this point. Unfortunately, we'll have Mike DeFelice in the lineup. Say your prayers folks.