Early Morning Madness: The final edition

Jack Curry of the New York Times presents a very sobering statistic this morning: The ERA of five members of the bullpen since the All Star Break...

Scott Schoeneweis, 5.14.
Duaner Sanchez, 5.40.
Pedro Feliciano, 8.10.
Joe Smith, 9.53.
Aaron Heilman, 11.32.

Wow. 11.32?! And he's still in the majors? I thought it was bad, but I didn't think it was this bad. Something needs to be done.

** * **

Church service ran long yesterday. A day after I discussed the idea of not getting Ryan Church back at all this season, the concussed spent nearly four hours under examination.

The Mets should learn the results of the tests today.

** * **

This is the final edition of Early Morning Madness. My internship runs up today.

I know some folks from work stop by once in a while, so I'd just like to thank them for everything this summer. It's been an amazing experience.

What this means for the blog: Real game recaps will return, with a slight twist. They should debut on Monday. Also, posting time will be shifted back a bit. I'll be posting more in the late morning to late at night.

Early Morning Madness: Aaron Heilman at closer is a bad idea

Don't ever make the fans sit through that again. When he came into the inning, was there anyone who has watched this team over the last few years that he would make it through the inning unscathed?

Please, Jerry Manuel, Mets brass, and to anyone who will listen, never ever allow Aaron Heilman to attempt to close out a game ever again. If it was an experiment, then fine, we now know the results and they are not pretty.

Next time around, I'd like to see Eddie Kunz get a shot. If he struggles, just move to the next available arm in the bullpen. But no, not Heilman.

He gives up runs like they're candy when he's not closing, so what in the world would make anyone think in a higher pressure situation he would prosper??

Jerry, you could make every Mets fan happy if you just come out and say "Heilman will never close again. Ever."

Early Morning Madness: Trouble brewing edition

Uh-oh. Here come the San Diego Padres, again.

Last time the Mets and Padres tangoed, the Mets were swept out of San Diego. That was part of a five game losing streak, and the next week the manager was fired in the dead of night. They managed only nine runs over four games, losing three straight 2-1 games.

Let's hope they fare slightly better this time around.

** * **

Billy Wagner goes for an MRI on his left forearm this morning, but it seems the New York Post has jumped the gun and already destined him for the DL.

** * **

This is supposed to be an easy stretch of the schedule the next few weeks for the Mets. Yes, they do match up against the Phillies and the Marlins, but the rest of the games come against the Pirates, Nationals, Braves, Astros, and Padres.

Well, we saw how the team played against the Astros last weekend, and we've seen what they can do against the Padres (if you need a refresher from 15 seconds ago, the Mets were swept by both teams).

To me, it always seem like the Mets play down to their opponents level. Instead of truly beating up on teams that they should trounce, they seem to want to make it interesting and play a close game and/or lose. If the Mets want to contend this season, these are games they need to win.

Early Morning Madness: Jon Niese's performance makes last night bareable edition

Jon Niese's first start with AAA New Orleans: 7 IP, 3 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 7 strike outs, 96 pitches, 65 for strikes.

Now that is quality. Depending on how Pedro Martinez does against the Astros on Friday and beyond and how Carlos Muniz or Joe Smith fares in the bullpen over the next few weeks, I am absolutely convinced we will see Niese making a few appearances for the Mets in the near future.

The 21 year old continues to impress, as he was recently promoted to AAA. A few more starts like these, and he'll be up in no time.

** * **

A 0.5 game out at the end of July. If you had told me that's where the Mets would be two months ago, I would have scoffed at you, called you crazy, and called up a mental institution. Now, I would be asking what tomorrow's lottery numbers will be.

I will take it. The Mets, Phillies, and Marlins are all in contention, and it's going to be a very exciting two months of baseball. With the way the NL Centra is playing, it looks like if one of these teams wants to make it to the postseason, they're going to have to win the division. No fallback to the wildcard for the NL East.

If Ryan Church could return to form, the Mets will be in great shape. The bullpen has struggled lately, but I'd rather them sift through their troubles now than in late September. It's going to be a dogfight.

Early Morning Madness: I need some Eddie Kunz in my life edition

And I need it now.

For some reason, I just have a feeling that Eddie Kunz will soon be promoted from AA Binghamton. The Mets need a big, burly arm in the bullpen, and this guy fits that role to a T.

Kunz, only 22 years old, is currently closing for the B-Mets. He's notched 26 saves in 42 games. This season, through 46 IP, Kunz is sporting a 2.93 ERA. He's allowed 38 hits, and struggled with walks, handing out 23 free passes. Kunz has also notched 39 strikeouts in that same span.

Standing at 6' 5", and weighing 265 pounds, this righty could take Carlos Muniz's spot on the roster. It'd be nice to give this guy a little bit of major league seasoning, and see what the Mets hopeful future closer has to offer. Kunz is also riding a hot streak, as he hasn't allowed a run in all of July.

Call him up, and quick. If the Mets can ride this hot streak, they can log innings under this guy's belt, benefit from some quality pitching out of the bullpen, and save their other arms for another time. That's a win-win-win situation. If he struggles, just send him back to Binghamton. It's as easy as that.

I want Kunz, and I want him now.

Early Morning Madness: Maybe we need a reliever edition

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Mets seem to be trying to land an everyday left fielder more than anything. I think Omar Minaya needs to step back and look at his bullpen a little bit more.

First of all, Fernando Tatis is hitting better than almost everyone else on the team right now. Obviously, this production isn't going to last, but once Ryan Church returns, the LF spot could see Tatis, Endy Chavez, Damion Easley, and Marlon Anderson all sahring time depending on who is hot, who is pitching, and the like. It will be serviceable enough to work as one left fielder, some with plus bats, others with plus gloves.

I think the Mets real problem here is the bullpen. To put it simply, Carlos Muniz and Willie Collazo are not going to cut it. Muniz hasn't turned in a string of solid performances...ever. He's been riding the shuttle back and forth from New Orleans long enough I'm sure he know each and every flight attendant by now and they throw him an extra bag of peanuts on the flight. He's doing this for a reason, Omar. He's just not good enough to stick around.

Collazo recently came up, but to me, they are the same person with the same sort of stuff. Either way, these two aren't going to help the team. And now I see that Scott Schoeneweis' name is being tossed around in trade rumors. Well who is going to take his spot, I want to know?

Unless Omar is crazy enough to start promoting Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell ASAP, we're going to be stuck with relievers who can't seem to make it out of the minors, and have to depend on them down the stretch to the postseason.

The team doesn't have many chips to trade away, but I think the most pressing need right now is a new bullpen arm. Omar, I trust you and have since you took over. Sure, you've made some crappy moves, but you've also pulled out some gems. And right now, this team needs a gem.

Early Morning Madness: Johan Santana is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't

This is sickening.

When Johan Santana didn't come out for the ninth inning against the Phillies, and the Mets eventually lost, everyone was screaming about "Why didn't Johan demand to come back into the game?!?"

This time around, when it was 9-1, Johan stayed in the game...and he's still getting blasted in the media.

From Filip Bondy, someone I usually enjoy reading, entitled "Johan Santana going nine in rout doesn't make complete sense":

And so the most important and expensive pitcher on the Mets' staff went out and threw some unnecessary fastballs Sunday in the ninth. If you're a message kind of guy, you were applauding his gutsy show. If you're more of a pitch-count realist, you were horrified at the illogic of it all. Manuel only intended to allow Santana to reach 115 pitches, but then there were two outs and the complete game was too close to sabotage.

Well, he only went up to 118, not far off from the 115 tipping point. He started the 8th inning with only 81 pitches. 81! But more importantly, he saved the bullpen that used every pitcher while throwing nine inning of relief nearly 12 hours earlier.

What does Santana have to do in this town to prove himself? Go out, throw a no hitter through seven innings (limiting himself to only three pitches per batter, mind you), hand the ball over to the bullpen and call it a day?

This is getting sad. Johan Santana is damned if he doesn't beg and plead with Jerry Manuel to go out for the ninth inning one day, but when he does, even with an 8 run lead, and the chance to give the bullpen a well needed day off, he's damned again.

Lay off this guy, please. Sure, he has the biggest contract of any pitcher to date, but his last two starts have been simply spectacular. His ERA is 2.93, good for 6th in the league, he's #3 in the league for innings pitched, and he's top 10 or close in nearly every other pitching category.

He's the ace of this staff. He's a stud pitcher, and there is no denying that. Let him go out, earn his money, and help this team as much as possible. He can do it, he's a veteran, one of the best in the league.

Give me a break.

Early Morning Madness: Brandon Knight is having a pretty good couple of months edition

Brandon Knight was playing baseball this season with the Somerset Patriots. Then, he got picked up by the Mets, and moved into their farm system. A pretty good day.

Recently, he was named to the US Olympic baseball team, and will travel to China to compete for a gold medal. An awesome day.

Now, Knight might get another shot at the bigs.

With Pedro Martinez home after his father's death, the Mets need a starter for Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It looks like Knight might be that guy.

Knight has tasted the show before, pitching in 11 games with the Yankees, amassing an ERA of 10.71. But at AAA New Orleans this year, through 11 games, he is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.60. In 39 1-3 innings for the Zephyrs, has surrendered 23 hits and seven earned runs. He's walked 10, but struck out 49 batters.

Here's the quandary in my mind: Where would you rather be? Experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity, going to China for the Olympics and participating in something so grand? Or getting possibly just one shot at showing the Mets what you have to offer in a spot start in Major League Baseball?

Honestly, that is a tough choice. This could all be moot if the Mets tab Brian Stokes or someone else as their starter. I'm just glad I don't have to make this decision for the Mets.

Hey, whatever happened to Nelson Figueroa?

Early Morning Madness: Numero uno edition

As a Mets fan, did you feel comfortable at any point during last night's game?

I think maybe during the top of the first inning, I was all right, but after that it was nervous city. John Maine surrendered his early lead very quickly, on back to back home runs. He was handed another lead, but let that one slip away as well. Still, the Mets did not relent, and Jose Reyes vaulted them into the lead for good in the sixth inning.

Maine's start wasn't as bad as I'm describing it. He only allowed six hits, and three earned runs thanks to two solo shots.

However the Mets did it, they're back in a first place tie with the Phillies with today's noon game determining who will land in first after this series.

** * **

Our thoughts go out to Pedro Martinez and his family. Pedro's father lost his long battle with cancer last night.

Pedro lefts the team in the seventh inning to tend to his family. Martinez will miss his scheduled start on Friday. Mike Pelfrey will pitch that game, with Johan Santana going on Sunday. The Saturday pitcher is still yet to be determined.

R.I.P. Mr. Martinez.

** * **

This is just stupid.

Bob Raissman has quotes from Fred Wilpon where he admits to screwing up the Willie Randolph firing.

From Raissman:

Fred Wilpon said he learned something from firing Willie Randolph. And it is this: The next time he fires a manager he'll do it in the light of day, when reporters are not sleeping.
---
"I said (to Omar Minaya) 'When are you going to do this?' He said 'After the game (Mets-Angels, June 16).' I wasn't smart enough to say, 'And cut the New York press out of it?' I didn't even think of it," Wilpon said. "I screwed up."

Great. Wonderful. Super. It took two months for this?

I think this just makes the team look even worse than before. We knew you handled it poorly, you knew you handled it poorly, so coming out and saying it two months later makes you look like even bigger buffoons than before.

Early Morning Madness: Jerry pulled a Willie edition

There are two sides to every coin. On one hand, I leave Johan Santana out there for the 9th inning to work his magic. That's why he's getting the big bucks. On the flip-side, I can see why you don't want to run your "ace" out there and run up his pitch count, especially with Pedro Martinez ailing.

But, your closer is unavailable, and no one has really shone through as a viable replacement. Why not give Santana a shot? Maybe you keep him on a very short least, if he gives up a hit or two, you yank him. Easy as that. Just have the bullpen ready to go as soon as possible.

And again, on the other side of the coin, you should trust your bullpen enough to hold a three run lead with only three outs to get.

Jerry Manuel did his best Willie Randolph impression, and it only took one inning. When Manuel didn't send out Santana for the 9th, he made his first mistake. When Duaner Sanchez came in and gave up not one, not two, but three straight hits, he made his second. Again, without your closer, these players should be on a short leash in their attempt to fill his role. The first single should have been a huge warning sign, and the second one should have been enough to get him out of the game.

The Jose Reyes goof at second base on a ground ball induced from Joe Smith, can't be pinned on Manuel. That blame falls solely on Reyes.

When Manuel left Pedro Feliciano in after he gave up the tying hit, he was pulling a classic Willie. Not trusting your pitcher at all at times, and trusting others way too much. It seems like Randolph would always leave a pitcher in just a little too long, even though the common sense thing would be to pull him. It's as if he didn't want to hurt their feelings. Sometimes the pitchers just don't have it on a certain day, and unfortunately for the Mets, no one seemed to have it in the bullpen last night.

This was Manuel's first big mistake as the Mets manager. Unfortunately for everyone involved, it came against the Phillies, in a battle for first place, with the teams ace in line for a win (a dominant one at that), but things just did not go as planned.

"After seeing that, you can't help but . . . You hate not being out there," said Billy Wagner. I couldn't agree more.

Early Morning Madness: Remember what I said yesterday? Forget it edition

Yesterday, I reported that Billy Wagner was going to have an MRI on his shoulder. Then I reported that the MRI was scrapped because he felt all right.

Now, I am reporting that he will have that MRI done on his shoulder.

He did see a doctor yesterday, and the Mets are stressing that this is a "precautionary" MRI.

The Mets have seemed to learn a valuable lesson from their handling on Ryan Church. "If it hurts a little bit, go see a doctor." It looks like they're going to handle each and every ache and pain a player suffers with the utmost care.

I'm still unsure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

** * **

If Wagner was to ever go down, the Mets would take a huge blow to the make up of their bullpen. It seems the Mets have that in mind, and rumors are linking the Mets, among other teams, to Oakland closer Huston Street.

I put no credibility into trade rumors unless they are reported by more than a few sources. Otherwise it just seems like something written to appease the fans. I think, as a journalist, that one shouldn't have to do that. You should have enough in your arsenal to write about fact, not rumors.

If you hear rumors, mark them as what they are. Don't say, "The Mets have joined the list of teams expressing interest in Oakland closer Huston Street." But rather, "There are rumors that the Mets might have interest in Huston Street from Oakland." Unless someone comes out and says "Yup! We're pursuing Street," I don't much care.

** * **

It's one way or the other...make up your minds.

Early Morning Madness: Billy Wagner should have a cramp in his shoulder more often edition

It's the bottom of the tenth inning on Sunday. The Mets are up by two, bringing in their closer Billy Wagner. Two pitches in, both Jerry Manuel and trainer Rey Ramirez begin trotting out to the mound to check on Wagner, for an injury they think he has.

Billy shrugs them off, and flashes a smile as they walk away. He proceeds to strike out the side, in order, and seal up a win for his team.

He does all this with a cramp in his pitching shoulder. More cramps, I say!

But seriously, Wagner will have an MRI on the shoulder today, just to see if everything is all right. It was ridiculously hot yesterday, so a little dehydration is my expert opinion of what went wrong. Not too worried.

Update: I wasn't worried, and now either are the Mets. The scheduled MRI has been cancelled.

** * **

Congratulations are in order for Jose Reyes, who is now the franchise leader in triples.

Reyes passed Mookie Wilson's, notching his 63rd triple in a Mets uniform yesterday at Cincy.

To many more, Reyes. Many, many more.

** * **

Mets minor league prospect Dan Murphy, a third baseman by trade, has shifted to second base in hopes of making it to the big leagues with the Mets.

Obviously, Murphy is blocked by David Wright at third, and will be for a very long time. Second base is a bit more crowded, but things are very up in the air with that position.

Luis Castillo is unfortunately signed for the next three years at that position, pulling in $6 million a year. Damion Easley has filled in amazingly well while Castillo is on the DL. And now Argenis Reyes has come up and made things look easy, contributing key pinch hits and playing well in the field to spell Easley.

Well, if Murphy has his way, you should add his name to the list.

Here's a quote, via Adam Rubin:

"My theory is just catch it and get rid of it," said Murphy, who played second base through the 11th grade, about his double-play approach. "If I get hit, I get hit. That's the way it is. I'm pretty sure my pitchers would take something for me. So if they're going to throw a double-play ball and I take a hit, that's just the way it goes."

I wonder if he's willing to take a hit...

Early Morning Madness: Tied for first place edition

Absolutely no one saw this coming. If you told me the Mets would rattle of 10 straight wins, and the tenth would see Johan Santana only last four innings, I would have told you to get away from me, you crazy human being.

Amazin'.

I've been wondering what the reaction is going to be once the Mets lose that fateful game. I'm sure, even though they will have won 10 or more in a row, fans will whine and complain about something and start demanding trades, cuts, and firings.

Just wait.

** * **

Yesterday, the Phillies traded for Joe Blanton from the A's.

I think Blanton will help them a bit, but it seems like a small patch to a much bigger hole. He is 5-12 on the year, with an ERA just below five (4.96). He is a good innings eater, going for 230 last season, but I think the Phillies are going to need more than that to hang tough.

** * **

It's time to put Luis Castillo, Orlando Hernandez, and Moises Alou in an air conditioned bus, send them down the coast, and have them placed into Del Boca Vista Retirement Facility.

Maybe the Mets could even buy them a Cadillac, a tip calculator, and one of those fancy pens that can write upside down.

And when they get there, each would have a card on the kitchen table of his new condo, signed "Love, Jerry...Manuel."

Early Morning Madness: What happens if the Home Run Derby gets rained out? edition

I woke up to pounding rain this morning, so it immediately sparked the question of what happens if it's pouring later tonight for the Home Run Derby?

It looks like it's supposed to pour later tonight. Does it get rained out entirely? Do they play through the rain? Is it moved to Wednesday night?

So many questions, and no answers.

** * **

Mike Pelfrey is amazing.

He won his sixth straight start last night, throwing eight innings and only allowing six hits. He induced 12 ground balls, which went for 15 outs with the help of three double plays turned behind him. Only four of his outs came from fly balls.

It seemed every time Pelfrey would allow a hit, he'd follow it up with a double play ball. In the first, he allowed a lead off single, and the got the very next batter to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. In the fourth with runners on first and third, he got an inning ending double play, third to second, to first. And in the fifth, he allowed another lead off single, and again on the very next batter got a ground ball to short to start a double play.

Amazin'.

** * **

Nick Evans should only play against the Rockies.

In his career, Evans is a sparkling 5-9, with three doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored. Against everyone else, he's 2-21, driving in no runs and scoring only twice.

Early Morning Madness: Sweeeeeeeeeeeep edition

How great does it feel to sweep a team? I know all my Mets friends have been saying all season "The team really needs to put together a five or six game win streak before I start to believe."

Well, ya gotta believe now!

The Mets are looking hot, with players picking each other up. John Maine only lasted 4 2-3 of an inning, but the bullpen came on and threw 4 1-3 innings of one hit baseball.

The only thing I'm worried about is if this team really gets on a roll, say either sweeping or taking two of three from Colorado, they're going to stall with these three games off for the All Star break. It would be terrible if just when the team starts to get hot, they fizzle out from their extended break.

** * **

Is it F-Mart time?

Fernando Martinez is playing baseball again, so is it time to give the kid a shot at the major leagues with the injury to Moises Alou? I'm not too sure the Mets want to rush another outfielder, a la Carlos Gomez.

It'd be great to get the kid up and see what he can do. I mean, heck, if Nick Evans is "ready" to come up and play, why not Martinez? He's been injured often in the minors, and is recently coming back from a hamstring injury. You don't want to bring up a young kid who is used to playing every day and plop him on the bench to play every few days.

It's plausible, but I doubt it will happen.

** * **

Argenis Reyes is looking good. He's batting .308 in seven games so far, going 4-13, scoring three times and driving in one run.

Under the new "Jerry Manuel play well and you'll get playing time" system, Reyes should continue to see time at second, spelling a 38 year old Damion Easley.

As I said on Mets Lounge: As much, or more, than everyone else here, I want this kid to be great. But let's slow down a bit before we make any rash judgments.

I'm on Team Argenis right now...but he has to keep his play up to par before I'm ready to anoint him the second coming.

(get it...second coming...second base?)

Early Morning Madness: Moises Alou is old and crippled edition

I have one thought running through my head after the Mets and Johan Santana won 5-0 last night, and it has nothing to do with anything that happened in that game:

Moises Alou got hurt again?!?!

This is not a joke.

Alou was removed from his AA start with a pain in his quad. I think Omar Minaya should give Alou just one more shot. He has one more chance to slowly work himself back into shape and attempt to make it on the team. If he goes on the DL just one more time, it's adios muchacho!

Endy Chavez has been filling in admirably, batting well over .350 as a starter. The season started for him so poorly, but he has really turned a corner when given a chance to start. He also fits beautifully in the #2 hole, right behind Jose Reyes.

I don't feel like the Mets have a pressing need to go out and land a everyday outfielder. I wouldn't mind looking, but I'm sure everything will be costly, and the minor leagues isn't exactly filled with great players right now. Everyone the team has down there, I think they would prefer to keep.

If Minaya could land a quality 3/4 outfielder, I think that would be something plausible and helpful, without giving up too much. I have no specific names for you, but there are some fringe players out there who could be had for cheap, and might be able to add a little something to the squad.

Honestly, Moises, it's about time to hang 'em up. Or at least sign with an AL team so you can DH and not have to play the field. Unbelievable. He gets hurt more than me, and if you know me, it's a lot.

Early Morning Madness: Nearly handing it away edition

I can't freak out and worry about the Mets meltdown and as they nearly served up last night's nine run lead on a silver platter because the bullpen has been extremely dominant as of late.

Aaron Heilman's two runs allowed were his first let up since June 12. Heilman has seemingly turned it on lately, but still has not quieted doubters of his talent and ability. I still hear people calling for him to be traded for Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes.

I don't get that. It would be like trading for the same guy. They have similar build, similar pitching style, similar numbers. What's the point.

Trust the things you know, I say. Heilman has been great for the last month, and is getting better every day. No need to fret.

** * **

Sticking with the bullpen, I'm not worried about Billy Wagner either.

Every pitcher is going to struggle. His fastballs will go flat, his breaking balls won't break, and hitters will just seem to be able to hit everything he throws. It's going to happen.

Wagner is enough of a veteran to shake off bad performances. He seems to always string together his poor starts, so as a fan, you can rely on him to scare you for a few days every few months, and then be practically lights out otherwise.

He's one of the best in the biz, but for the next few days, I'm going to worry if he comes into the game to try and seal it.

** * **

I don't know how much stock I put into this latest quote from Carlos Beltran. His ill-advised throw to third in the ninth, which was trying to nail a meaningless runner at third, sailed wide, and allowed the run to score to bring the Phillies within one, was questioned by a reporter.

Here's how it happened, via Adam Rubin:

Beltran resoundingly disputed any suggestion he made the incorrect decision throwing to the third base trying to catch Eric Bruntlett in the ninth. The throw allowed the potential tying run, Pedro Feliz, to reach second. When the ball got past David Wright, Bruntlett trotted home and made it 10-9. When an MLB.com reporter told Beltran he didn’t think it was a good decision, Beltran replied: “You’re not a baseball player.” Even Jerry Manuel, though, didn’t think it was wise. Beltran kind of threw Wright under the bus, saying he should have made the catch since he had Bruntlett nailed.

Beltran, sans Sunday's game, has been mired in a slump. I'll sort of give him a pass here. He's frustrated at the plate, and now his one constant ability, his fielding prowess is being questioned, it cannot feel good.

His throw seemed to beat Bruntlett, but bounced a few feet left of Wright. It seemed to glance off the tip of Wright's glove as he tried to bring the glove across his body and apply the tag, unfortunately with an empty mitt. The throw had him beat, and I'm almost certain Wright will treat this like water off a duck's back.

Bad idea turned into a run, but the Mets still won. Let's not gripe about it too much.

Mid-Morning Madness: Shoulda, woulda, coulda edition

Boy, did it feel good to sleep in...

Last night's game was one the Mets should have won.

Pedro Martinez gave up four in the first inning, but the Mets battled back to tie it. Then Pedro gave up a solo home run, and the Mets again battled back to tie it. Then the Mets took the lead for the first time in the game, and Pedro Feliciano let the Cardinals tie it. Carlos Muniz then let the game slip away entirely, serving up a walk-off home run to end the game.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

Sure, the Mets scored seven runs, but they picked up 15 hits. They left 10 runners on base, quickly becoming a terrible habit of the 2008 Mets. The team needs to find some way to start driving those runners in, or the season really will be lost.

** * **

All the time I talk about Carlos Delgado's days being numbered, but now it seems like the clock is running out on Luis Castillo a bit quicker.

Castillo sat out again last night and now the DL is a possibility, again. I just don't think he has enough left in the tank to continue to perform day in and day out as an everyday player.

Easily Omar Minaya's worst contract dished out as the Mets GM. For now, just start Damion Easley and spell him with giving Castillo starts, not the other way around.

** * **

The bench is back?

Tuesday night, Ramon Castro drove in three runs and last night Easley drove in another three. If the Mets are to salvage this season, it might have to come from the play off the bench.

Early Morning Madness: Yadier Molina is a bum edition

Yadier Molina is on a mission to destroy the New York Mets.

First, it was 2006. Now, he's hitting line drives off of the players. As reported last night, Duaner Sanchez took a screamer off the back of his leg, and went to the ground immediately. He should be all right, but it will probably be swollen, black and blue, and causing him a lot of pain for the next few days.

Molina doesn't just want to beat the Mets...he wants to beat them up.

** * **

Carlos Delgado is playing like an engine starts.

When you put the key in the ignition and turn it to get your car started, it starts to turn over. It sputters and churns, heaving itself to get over that hump and kick into motion.

Delgado is showing spurts of power and ability. The 9 RBI game, couple with last nights 3-3 performance, picking up two doubles and scoring once. Unfortunately, these games were the only bright spots in the last few weeks, if not the last few months.

I don't think Delgado is going to have a come back year, as I predicted way back before the start of the season, but he still seems to have something left in the tank.

** * **

Obligitory Early Morning Madness Ryan Church Comment: 2-5, RBI, run scored. The Mets would be in a much different place right now if Church had been able to stay healthy for the whole season up until now.

His bat is powerful, clutch, and it protects the other guys in the lineup. Carlos Beltran doesn't seem to be reaping the benefits just yet, as he's seeing a lot more strikes with Church behind him instead of Delgado. Beltran went 0-5, driving in one run on a ground ball in the fifth inning.

Stay healthy, Ryan Church.

Early Morning Madness: Fatigued arm edition

Each morning, I wake up way too early, sit down in front of my computer, and rattle off the top three (or so) Mets related things that are swimming around in my head. All without coffee:

John Maine may have a dead arm.

Well that's just dandy, ain't it? Maine has struggled mightily for most of this year and while a dead arm can't be the cause of it all, it certainly could be a new wrinkle. Maine has only gone past the seventh inning once this season, and that was when he pitched into the ninth against the Dodgers on May 7.

Hopefully everything is all right. Losing him would be rough.

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I wonder if he'll get paid minimum wage? Luis Castillo has apparently been tabbed as Jose Reyes' babysitter.

For a grown man to have someone around to keep his emotions in check is pretty sad. In the case of Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton, it makes sense, because he's struggled with addictions and it almost cost him his career. With Reyes, it's just that he's still very immature.

As I said before, I like the emotion from him, but instead of him using it to move forward and make the next play, he sulks and mopes around the field.

Castillo is expensive for the caliber of player he is now, but if he can keep Reyes in check and get him to perform at the top of his potential, he'll be worth every penny.

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This article is just bad.

It's attempts at humor and wit are poor, to say the least. It doesn't even read like it was written in New York, for New York.

And for the record, I agree with Jerry Manuel that the Mets are the second team. It's common sense people. Not to get down on my knees and bow to the almighty Yankees, but they're a storied franchise. You can't deny what the Yanks have accomplished. Heck, I've watched them since I was a little kid at my grandma's house.

Some of their fans on the other hand...well, that's a completely different story.