This is 500 Baseball

The Mets have had every opportunity to jump back into this race, and at every turn they choose to slam the door shut. The Mets should have swept the Houston Astros this week giving them a much needed boost of confidence and setting them on the right track as they head into another winnable series in Pittsburgh.

Instead, the Mets leave Houston splitting the series because of their inability to get any type of run support. The starting pitching has been unbelievable although recently the long ball has been the Achilles heel for Santana, Dickey and now Misch.

We were fooled earlier this year into believing this was a pennant worthy team. We soon forgot about the depression that hit us during the winter and how bad we expected this year to be. Well, it turns out we're soon to forget, but the Mets are here to remind us. They are a .500 ball club. Nothing better.

This team needs some serious retooling in almost every facet of its makeup. Coaching, pitching, hitting, bench. All of it needs work. While the Mets just sent the hype machine that is Fernando Martinez back down to the minors, they should turn his bus around and send him right back.

Put this season in the books. Treat it like spring training. Let's see what the kids can do so we can be prepared for next season and not question whether someone will be able to contribute or not.

It's hard to admit it because you want to have a reason to watch baseball, but this is a mediocre team without an identity and a lack of consistent talent. In other words, it's .500 baseball.

The Forgotten Fernando Martinez

Once upon a time, there was a young talent so coveted in baseball that he was deemed the future savior of the Mets at the meager age of 17. In fact he was so good and so lauded the he was not even worthy to be traded for the best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana.

But then something happened that caused the Mets to lose sight of this phenom and move on without regard to what plans had been set in place many years before. It was called losing.

And so Fernando Martinez finds himself in an odd position...he has none. With the Mets pushing hard for Matt Holliday and the keeping of Jeff Franceour, Martinez will be the 4th or 5th outfielder on the team or will spend another year in the minor leagues honing his skills.

My question is what are the Mets plans for Fernando Martinez? I believe the answer is they don't know or don't have one. If the Mets sign Holliday or Bay they'll have a left fielder locked up for another 5 or 6 years. Beltran has another year left on his contract, and the question mark is how long the Mets will look to hold onto Franceour.

But in the mean time, Martinez is left blowing in the wind. Pagan looks like he'll be the 4th outfielder and I'm not sure you want Martinez riding the bench for a full season.

Do you trade him? If you can get a young starting pitcher like say Felix Hernandez? Than yes. But if it's for a middle of the road guy, I don't think you should.

For a guy that we've been hearing and talking about for at least 3 seasons, you'd think we'd know when we'd see him taking the outfield in Citi Field on a regular basis. For now, he's just trying to recover from injury and find his way back to the ballclub. In another 6 months, who knows where he might be.

Mets Blow Deal For Roy Halladay

This is idiotic.

Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that the Mets turned down (that's right, the Mets turned it down) a deal for Roy Halladay (that Halladay; you know, the second best pitcher in baseball?).

Want to hear who the Blue Jays were asking for? The Blue Jays wanted Fernando Martinez (injured), Bobby Parnell (okay, sure), Jon Niese (reasonable), and 17-year old SS Ruben Tejada (who?).

FMart, Parnell & Niese are all reasonable requests for the current leading contender for the Cy Young. Tejada is a kid everyone hopes becomes great, but he's 17 years old and still a long ways from getting an answer to that one.

The Mets and Omar Minaya haven't confirmed or denied this rumor, but if it's true this will be possibly the worst move of the season.

Why?

Because the Blue Jays are going to head down the parkway and go trade Halladay to the Phillies who will then sign him to a 5-year deal and we'll have to face this guy five times a year for the next half decade.

This trade would have energized the fan base. The fans would have forgiven the Mets for this season's debacle and start looking forward to next year with a healthy lineup and the most devastating tandem in baseball.

I don't even care that the Mets won last night. I'm so infuriated that the Mets had the potential to get Roy Halladay and didn't do it. Where are all those "experts" who said the Mets didn't have the pieces to get Halladay?

Omar, hit redial on the bat phone and get the Blue Jays GM. Get this done and you'll save your job.

Insult to Injury for Mets Fans: Mets Reject Jays' Offer For Halladay

As if this 2009 season wasn't bad enough...I nearly jumped through the screen when I saw that John Heyman reported that the Mets rejected the Jay's offer for Roy Halladay. I can't even believe Halladay was a possiblity for the Mets let alone, they turned down a proposal for him. According to Heyman's report, which apparently was not denied by Omar Minaya, the Blue Jays asked for Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and SS Ruben Tejada. If I'm Minaya, I'm like, where do I sign? I can't beleive we have the chance to get the best right hander in the sport and we're just gonna pass on him. For what? So he can go to the Phillies? Somehow, some way, Minaya and the Mets need to get back on the phone and make this happen. I don't care what it takes, just get it done.

Having Santana and Halladay at the front of the rotation might possibly be the greatest 1-2 punch in the history of the game, let alone in 2009/2010. And listen, I'm not thinking this move would get us back in the race this year, but I no doubt would be dreaming about the 2010 season like tonight if they pulled this off. The Mets could tank the rest of the games this year for all I care, I'd still be fired up knowing we have Halladay going into next season.

I never actually thought the Mets would even be at the table so I never really considered Halladay as a real option. I know Dave has been pulling for a deal and rightfully so, I just can't believe Minaya said 'no.'

Look, with Santana and Halladay pitching 40% of the Mets' games next season, we can realistically have a chance at winning 33% of our games with just two guys. Think about that! Plus, if we ever find a way to get back to the post season, and how could they not get in (I know, they are the Mets), think about those two guys in a short series? It would be ridiculous. We all know pitching wins games. Go get him! What are we really giving up anyway? Prospects? Come on, the fact is, this organization produces just about 2 good ball players a generation. I want to win a championship and I want to win now (or next year). Guys like Halladay don't come around often, and when he's made available to you, you go get him. Period.

I mean what are we really talking about? Niese? Let's face it, he's not a can't miss prosepect, he's projected probably as a #3 at best - in fact, we'd probably sign for him to be just that and be happy about it. F. Mart? He looked pretty overmatched this year, I know he's still young, but come on, he hasn't exactly lit it up in the minors either. Besides, you can always find an outfield bat. Ruben Tejada? 17 years old. 17! He's at least 3 years away from the big leagues and...well...he's only 17. Oh, and by the way, we do have Jose Reyes at short, one of the two really good players this franchise has produced in a generation. Parnell? I like him, he throws gas, and I do think he'll be a good major leaguer. In fact, he might be the toughest one for me to give up in the deal. He has the potential to be a good closer but, we already have one, a very good one actually. Look, I'm a huge fan of letting the kids come up and develop into good home-grown NY Mets, but it so rarely happens, and I'm so tired of losing, that I, like Dave, would do whatever it takes to make this happen.

Again, Omar has to pull the trigger on this deal. He cannot let this go. If Halladay ends up going to Philly, the backlash would be so harsh on this franchise, that I truly believe it will take a long time to recover. Plus, if we can't beat the Phillies now, and the last two season for the matter without Halladay, then how are we going to beat them with him? Tell me, just how are we going to get to the post season with Roy Halladay on the Phillies?

And I really hope this isn't about money. Delgado and Wagner come off the books after this year. That's $24 million right there. Halladay I believe is due to make $14 million in 2010. That gives them $10 million to work with. If they don't do this, I will lose all faith in the future of this organization. If they don't know enough about the game, and the business for that matter, to get Roy Halladay when he's right there in front of you, then I don't know that they'll ever get anything. Memo to the Wilpons: Halladay is not Victor Zambrano.

Let's hope the movement becomes so big on this deal, much like the Mike Piazza trade in '98. We cannot let this die down. Blogs, the media, Boomer & Carton, even Francessa have to get on the horn and force the Wilpons' hand on this. Please make this happen!

Hope vs Reality: The Mets Sworn Enemies

Hope: The Mets can hang on until at least one of their All Star bats can return from injury.
Reality: The Mets won't win a series before that happens.

Hope: David Wright can be more consistent.
Reality: David Wright will never be consistent this season with all the turmoil around this team.

Hope: That replacement pitchers like Redding and Nieve can keep the Mets in games.
Reality: Replacement pitchers like Redding and Nieve can't be relied upon.

Hope: Johan Santana will save us from having this losing streak continue.
Reality: The Mets will struggle to score one run for him today.

Hope: Omar Minaya can make a trade to help this team immediately.
Reality: The Mets need a fantasy baseball league draft to help this team immediately.

Hope: Oliver Perez can return to his old self and win some games.
Reality: Oliver Perez will return to his old self and win some games, but get absolutely destroyed in others.

Hope: The Mets can stay at .500 until the All Star Break.
Reality: The Mets will be games under .500 by the All Star Break.

Hope: The Mets can turn this around with a good series against Philadelphia.
Reality: The Mets might still be under .500 even if they sweep the Phillies.

Hope: Fernando Tatis will break out of this season long slump.
Reality: Fernando Tatis will lead the league in double plays.

Hope: Nick Evans can get a chance to play.
Reality: The Mets hate Nick Evans.

Hope: Fernando Martinez turns out to be the CF everyone's been talking about.
Reality: Fernando Martinez will need to see a sports psychologist before the end of July.

Hope: I need to watch the game tonight because the Mets just might win this one.
Reality: I don't need to watch the game tonight because torture is just not as enjoyable as it once was.

Why Tatis? Why?

Last night's loss is one of those games that's just bound to happen in the course of a season.

Feliciano had been pitching very well of late, but has thrown in almost every game of the past week. He just didn't have his stuff and gave up a moon shot to Aubrey Huff that ultimately decided the game.

But in typical Mets fashion, there was one moment that just left me baffled. In the 7th inning last night with the bases loaded and 1 out, Jerry Manuel pinch hit Fernando Tatis for Fernando Martinez.

Normally I understand this move. Get the veteran in there instead of the rookie to come through in a pressure situation. Understood.

But Martinez was hitting the ball all over the place last night and hitting the ball hard. It's possibly the best I've seen Martinez at the plate all year. So why pinch hit for him in the 7th inning?

Martinez is also the one guy in the lineup who would be most difficult to double up. The kid flies. And late in a game why would you want Tatis in the outfield when Martinez is the much better defensive player?

It just doesn't add up.

Add that to the fact that the pitcher just walked in a run, Tatis gets thrown two straight balls and then swings on 2-0 grounding into a tailor made double play.

Tatis has been just retched of late. Martinez may have popped out, but he wouldn't have been doubled up. That brings Beltran up and could have been a much bigger inning.

That move just doesn't make sense, but things rarely do with the Mets.

I'm Telling You for the Last Time! No Nick Johnson!

What is the last thing that a team with injury problems needs? Answer: Another player prone to injury (a.k.a. Nick Johnson)

Now Ken Rosenthal is spouting off about how the Mets are interested and need Nick Johnson. Ahem, no they don't.

Nick Johnson is on swing away from being on the DL. He's always on the DL. His middle name is Injured.

I know Omar likes to make moves to replace holes on the team, but Nick Johnson, though round enough to fill the hole, is not the right fit. I'm not arguing that he isn't a good hitter, because he is. I'm not arguing that he wouldn't be a good player at first base for the Mets, because he probably would do well. But at what cost?

I'm fine with Murphy at 1B for this season. Let's see if he's the first baseman of the future for the Mets and leave Pagan and Sheffield in the outfield on a platoon.

The loss of Alex Cora is actually a bigger hole to fill because the guy can play pretty much any position and gives you some versatility at the plate.

I'd rather the Mets go get another utility infielder with some experience who can backup 2B or SS and offer a kick from off the bench. Then save your prospects and your big deal makers for getting another starter to support Santana.

Let's no blow our minor leagues on Nick Johnson. Bring up FMart if Church goes on the DL. We don't need to go "all in" just quite yet. Let's see where the cards fall with what we have and make our big move for the pieces that are most important.

Is Bobby Jenks Worth Fernando Martinez?

Oh, the hot stove is heating up.

Today, Newsday had an article about the Mets interest in closers and cited that Omar Minaya is shying away from K-Rod and liking Bobby Jenks instead. Omar, you sly negotiator you. Is this a little ploy to get K-Rod's bid down to a more reasonable level?

I like Bobby Jenks and think he would be a worthwhile closer for the ballclub. The problem is Jenks requires a trade where K-Rod is a free agent. The word is that Jenks would cost a couple of young prospects, including Fernando Martinez.

So is Jenks worth giving up FMart? I don't think so.

With other options out there in free agency or that can be bought for less, I think the Mets are better off going for KRod or Fuentes in free agency than giving away FMart. Save him for when we need a really big deal, like trading for Matt Holliday in July 2009.

Mets Trade Rumors: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Here's a quick recap of Mets trade rumors so far today:

The Good
-Manny Ramirez will not be heading to the Marlins or the Phillies (ahh).
-There have been no significant moves within the NL East.

The Bad
The A's have taken Huston Street off the trade market.
There's not a single bit of reliable news that the Mets are even remotely close to getting some bullpen help.

The Ugly
The Mariners have supposedly asked for some combo of Jon Niese, Fernando Martinez, and Robert Parnell in order for the Mets to get Raul Ibanez. That's just ridiculous.

Omar has very few hours left to put something together. I will officially crown Omar "king of all moves" if he can get something done tonight that brings in some help and also allows us to get rid of any combination of Luis Castillo, Scott Schoenweiss, and Marlon Anderson. That would be magical.

Hold tight Mets Lifers. It looks like the Mets might be taking their chances on the waiver wire.

Bring Me Kenny Lofton

The corner outfielder discussion is heating up and now it appears that the Mets are focused on a "significant" corner outfielder like Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. Well, I guess it's good news that they're not focused on insignificant outfielders.

The problem is the Mets aren't going to give up Fernando Martinez or Jon Niese which is what will be required for either of the outfielders mentioned above. As I mentioned in a previous post the Mets should focus on pitching and not worry about a big name bat.

Instead, I say bring me Kenny Lofton. As long as the guy is in decent shape, he's a great asset to have on the team. I was shocked my Matt Cerrone's comments on Metsblog.com this morning when he said this about the Mets bench, "Right now, Marlon Anderson, Nick Evans and Robinson Cancel are acceptable."

No Matt. They're not.

Anderson is pitiful. Evans is in over his head. And Cancel is a refrigerator. The Mets need some bench help, but if you think sticking Fernando Tatis on the bench will help, I think you're mistaken. Tatis is on a role and as soon as you sit him down he's going to start to lose the rythmn he has going. As long as he's performing you keep him in the lineup.

Now if you bring in Kenny Lofton you have a better hitting outfield option than you currently have with Endy Chavez. You get a guy who can give you spot starts or play on a regular basis if Ryan Church remains injured. On top of that Lofton is an experience playoff contender. He's not afraid of the spotlight and is possibly one of the best defensive replacements for the outfield that you can have late in a game.

Let's save our money and prospects to get a big time player in the offseason or use them to enhance our pitching because if you think Pedro Martinez/Scott Schoenweiss/Carlos Muniz/Duaner Sanchez are going to be key assets to this team down the stretch, you need to get your head examined.

2008 Mets Top Prospects

The always informative TopProspectAlert.com just released their updated mid-season list of the top prospects in the Mets farm system.

We all know #1 is Fernando Martinez, the prize jewel of the Mets farm system, but the rest of the top 10 is a mix of unknowns and once heard. The big surprise to me is that pitching prospect Eddie Kunz, who started the season as the #2 prospect dropped to #7, and was replaced in the 2 spot by little known pitcher Ike Davis.

Evan young Nick Evans cracked the top 10 after his call up this season. Check out the top 10 list and other information on the Mets farm system by visiting TopProspectAlert.com.

Prospects on the Block?

Phillip Humber did not make his scheudled start last night while blue chip prospect, Fernando Martinez, was taken out of the game after one AB.

Could Omar be planning a blockbuster?

I just hope he doesn't give them up for Gagne who I would love to have, but that would be too much. Unless Oswalt is involved, I'd take my chances with what the Mets have and hold on to Martinez. Although, one of the three prized outfielders, Milledge, Gomez and Martinez is certainly expendable at this point.