Hope you enjoyed your cup of coffee, Mr. Collazo

With Pedro Martinez back with the team and off the bereavement list, Willie Collazo was shipped back to AAA New Orleans.

Collazo was up in the bullpen once, but did not appear in a game.

I wonder what it was...vanilla mocha latte? Frappuccino? Decaf, milk and sugar?

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.

The Dark Knight heads to China

Adam Rubin is reporting the Mets have designated Brandon Knight for assignment and will head to Beijing to join Davey Johnson and Team USA. Willie Collazo has been activated to take over the empty roster spot.

So long, Brandon. Not a bad four innings after you shook off the nerves.

Poor Joe Smith

Ed. note: This entire post seems to be moot now.

After striking out the side on Monday night, the Mets rewarded Joe Smith with a demotion.

The Mets sent Smith back to the minors to make room for a spot starter for Wednesday's game, rather than pitch Johan Santana or Mike Pelfrey on short rest.

As I mentioned before, Adam Bostick was pulled from his start in AAA after three scoreless innings. According to Adam Rubin, Willie Collazo's name has also been tossed around.

Rubin also reports that after Wednesday's game, when the spot starter, whoever he is, is sent back to the minors, the Mets will activate Matt Wise from the disabled list.

Really, poor Joe Smith. He's probably been the best pitcher in the entire bullpen, aside from Billy Wagner. Just because he has options, and they don't owe his $2 million (Jorge Sosa), he gets demoted. Hopefully, the Mets realized their mistake and cut Sosa and eat the $2 mil.

They probably make that much off hot dog sales between the 3rd and 5th inning of a Wednesday night game anyway.