Castillo to the DL

Luis Castillo is heading to the disabled list, and no one is surprised.

I would expect to see either Argenis Reyes or Abraham Nunez to replace him. I'd love to see Reyes get his shot. Hopefully can't-hit Anderson Hernandez stays down in New Orleans.

Roster rumors: Chris Aguila, Argenis Reyes, and Abraham Nunez

Players being considered for Carlos Muniz's spot, and possibly another spot if Luis Castillo needs to go on the DL:

Chris Aguila: Sure, that's fine. He's been up before and wasn't terrible. The Mets do need an outfielder for the next few days as Moises Alou continues to rehab.

Argenis Reyes: Great! This 25 year old performed pretty well in spring training, and is now batting .290/.353/.333/.686 (AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS). Not super special, but worth a look-see. He also has a pretty slick glove, making only four errors in 78 games (76 of which were played at second base). Why not?

And I'd love to hear "Ground ball to Reyes, flips it to Reyes, and on to Delgado! A 6-4-3 inning ending double play!"

Abraham Nunez: Ugh! Are you kidding? Why is this man even still in the Mets system?

Our second short tri-state nightmare is over

Andy Phillips, we hardly knew ye.

Phillips was DFA as the Mets called up Tony Armas Jr. to make Tuesday's start against the Cardinals.

Our first tri-state nightmare came when the Mets tested Abraham Nunez out to the tune of two AB's. Phillips was lucky enough to score five at bats with the Metropolitans, making me half right. Last Thursday, I predicted Phillips' tenure with the Mets would last ten at bats.

Good luck, Armas. Find some way to right this Mets ship.

Aguila called up

Adam Rubin reports that Chris Aguila has been called up to the major leagues to take the roster spot recently vacated by Abraham Nunez.

Aguila was recently the focus of a guest blog on this very site. Here's an excerpt:

In 2008, Aguila is hitting .297 with 15 home runs and 31 RBI. However, in the past 10 games, Aguila is batting a hefty, .457 with 6 home runs and 12 RBI. He has 16 hits in 35 at-bats. These 10 games also included a hitting streak of 8 games which ended last night. His performance even gave him PCL Hitter of the Week.

This is Aguila's 12th professional year of playing, the majority while in the Minors. But he's shown poise and maturity. Aguila can play any outfield position, and is ready for a spot. If any of the current Met gets hurt, Aguila can easily take the spot on the bench. With a struggling Endy Chavez and a not so healthy Ryan Church, Aguila may make an appearance if Abraham Nunez and Fernando Tatis can't get the job done.

Foreshadowing much? Good call, Ryan!

Aguila should get the call in the field tonight, so I'm pretty excited to see if he can keep up his hot streak/season and carry it to the majors. It's time to turn this team around, faulty piece by faulty piece.

Our short tri-state area nightmare is over

Abraham Nunez has been designated for assignment.

A sign of one of two things:
1. The Mets finally realized he had absolutely no business on the New York Mets bench. Heck, if he can play, I can play.

2. It's a sign of the beginning of the end. An entire overhaul of the team, starting with the weakest link.

I'll roll the dice and say it's the first, but a man can dream.

Someone decent better get a call-up this time around. And if that "decent" person is Jose Valentin, I am going to cry.

More roster moves

Raul Casanova, it's been nice knowing you.

Casanova has been designated for assignment as both Marlon Anderson and Moises Alou have been activated from the disabled list.

One roster spot was opened when Ryan Church was finally put on the DL.

Almost back to normal. Alou, please stay healthy, the team needs you. It's about time they dropped that third catcher.

And if anyone can figure out why the Mets still have Abraham Nunez, please fill me in. I'd love to know the reasoning behind that move.

Early Morning Madness: Medical edition

I'll be out for the majority of the day today, but I'll be back some time in the mid-afternoon. I have to get a ton of medical tests done, but everything should be all right.

*****

One of Marlon Anderson or Moises Alou should return from the DL, if not both. Someone has to come back to replace Ryan Church, or a minor league promotion will be made.

They'll both work out at the stadium, and whom ever the team feels is further along will be activated. Again, it's possible they're both activated and Abraham Nunez finally goes away.

*****

My father keeps muttering to me that he thinks Church's career is over. I don't think he's right, but it would be a terrible reality if he never really recovers from these head injuries.

Concussions are tough. I've had a few in my time, and it just feels like you're in a fog and you just can't shake it. The headaches and nausea don't really help either. I think Church will be just fine with a bit of R&R, but it's a sobering thought to think his now blossoming career might be over.

Something drastic must be done to save the Mets

The Mets have exactly 100 games left to play (barring a one-game playoff for a berth into the postseason (don't count on it)).

Right now, the Mets are two games under .500, staring up at three teams ahead of them in their own division. Uninspired play continues, as they dropped all four games to the San Diego Padres who climbed out of the cellar with those wins.

Something needs to happen with this New York team. Omar Minaya needs to strike fear into the hearts of these complacent veterans. A shakeup is needed.

A few suggestions:

• Cut Moises Alou. Sure he's a great hitter, but he can not stay healthy long enough to truly contribute to the team.
• If Jose Reyes pops the ball up, and it doesn't make it out of the infield, he must do 25 pushups Willie Mays Hayes style from Major League.
• Trade/Cut/Demote Oliver Perez to anyone that will take him/the bargain rack/to ball boy.
• Bring up young talent. Instead of Abraham Nunez and Robinson Cancel taking up space, bring up some youth. Give Mike Carp a shot. Take a look at Dan Murphy. Let Jon Niese get some reps.

Just a few suggestions for the Mets. Maybe one of these will happen, or something to the same degree and it just might help the Mets turn it around.

100 games left to play. The season needs to start...now.

Guest blog: Minor League Player of the Week

Another guest post from Ryan Punzalan. You can guest post too! Just send what you want to TheRopolitans@gmail.com!

He was selected in the third round of the 1997 First-Year Player Draft. Christopher Louis Aguila graduated from McQueen High School (NV) in 1997. While in McQueen, he set the single-season home run record. Although Aguila may not be a prospect, he is showing signs he belongs with the big club. The 29-year-old outfielder played for the Marlins from 2004-2006 and the Pirates minor leagues in 2007. The Mets signed him in March has been playing with the New Orleans Zephyrs ever since.

In 2008, Aguila is hitting .297 with 15 home runs and 31 RBI. However, in the past 10 games, Aguila is batting a hefty, .457 with 6 home runs and 12 RBI. He has 16 hits in 35 at-bats. These 10 games also included a hitting streak of 8 games which ended last night. His performance even gave him PCL Hitter of the Week.

This is Aguila's 12th professional year of playing, the majority while in the Minors. But he's shown poise and maturity. Aguila can play any outfield position, and is ready for a spot. If any of the current Met gets hurt, Aguila can easily take the spot on the bench. With a struggling Endy Chavez and a not so healthy Ryan Church, Aguila may make an appearance if Abraham Nunez and Fernando Tatis can't get the job done.

Evans down, Nunez up

From the Mets:

The New York Mets announced today that they have purchased the contract of infielder Abraham Nuñez from New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and have optioned infielder / outfielder Nick Evans to Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League.

Oh. Great.

Bye, Evans. See you soon, I hope.