Gary Matthews Jr is a Lame Duck

Goodbye Mike Jacobs. So long Frank Catalanatto. Now it's time to just count the moments until Gary Matthews, Jr. follows in their footsteps.

The Mets recent struggles at the plate are in no way the sole fault of the depleted bench (ahem, David Wright/Jason Bay), but they're not helping much either. Frank Catalanatto hasn't hit a ball out of the infield since spring training, and I'm not sure when was the last time Matthews actually hit a ball.

The sad part of all this is the Mets decision makers seem to be a day late and a dollar short when it comes to these roster moves. Think about it. Everyone is calling for Ike Davis to be on the team out of spring training. Mets don't make a move until a month later, and the kid is performing unbelievably well. Mets fans are saying Chris Carter is a way better bench option than Catalanatto. Mets ignore the outcries until Catalantto is batting .085.

So it's only a matter of time before Mets management wise up and get rid of the Gary Matthews Jr. experiment. I hope they don't wait too long before realizing Oliver Perez is dead weight as well. Why is there such loyalty to mediocre players? I don't understand it.

The Mets Opening Day Lineup

According to SNY's Kevin Burkhardt, the opening day lineup for the Mets will be as follows:

1. Alex Cora - SS
2. Luis Castillo - 2B
3. David Wright - 3B
4. Mike Jacobs - 1B
5. Jason Bay - LF
6. Gary Matthews, Jr. - CF
7. Jeff Franceour - RF
8. Rod Barajas - C
9. Johan Santana - P

Yes, it's a formidable lineup if you're the Royals but not exactly the one Mets fans wanted to see. Even with the players that are on the DL I'm baffled at just how bad this lineup is. There are ways to improve this lineup even with players the Mets already have on their bench.

I don't get why this isn't the real lineup:
1. Angel Pagan - CF
2. Luis Castillo - 2B
3. David Wright - 3B
4. Jason Bay - LF
5. Mike Jacobs - 1B
6. Jeff Franceour - RF
7. Rod Barajas - C
8. Alex Cora - SS
9. Johan Santana - P

I think Angel Pagan has done enough to deserve the opening day start and batting Cora leadoff is just absurd. At least with Pagan, or even Matthews for that matter, you have the potential for some early game doubles or triples.

Matt Cerrone at Metsblog.com made an assessment which I also uphold and that is why on earth or you giving Jacobs the potential for more at bats than Jason Bay? Sure Bay batted fifth with Boston but he is a more than capable clean up hitter who definitely deserves more AB's than a guy who probably shouldn't have even made the team.

It is what it is though and maybe I'm over thinking things. I'm anxious for the season to start though and see if Bay's and Wright's spring performance are sign of things to come.