Ok, that was a shitty headline. Sorry about that.

Today the Mets announced that number 13 won’t be back on the mound anytime soon. I’m not a doctor but and sentence that starts with “increased inflammation in a tendon in Wagner’s left elbow despite rest” is usually accompanied by the phrase “requiring surgery and long term rehab.”

Also, from the same piece:

The Mets would not discount the possibility that Wagner may have suffered structural damage in his elbow, admitting only that they won’t know for sure until the swelling subsides.

Wagner’s season is over. The hope that the pen could hold it together long enough for him to get some rest is gone. What’s worse is there is absolutely no one who is capable of filling the closer’s role. Kunz maybe that man someday, but not today.

Even if the Mets can slug their way to the NL East title, there is no way to succeed in October minus a closer. Let’s have a look at what’s left of the Mets relief corps or as I’ve come to call the them, “Midnight Meat Train; THE MOST TERRIFYING RIDE YOU’LL EVER TAKE”:

Is it just me or does that sound like a title to a gay porn flick?

Aaron Heilman: Bust

Duaner Sanchez: Would have been a great candidate prior to July 31, 2006. Anyone have a time machine?

Pedro Felicano: Specialist

Scott Schoeneweis: Specialist

Joe Smith: Most likely a specialist or mid relief guy.

Brian Stokes: Mop up reliever/long man

Luis Ayala: A fresh arm to eat innings, not even candidate to be an early inning stopper

The Mets have publicly toyed with the idea of moving a starter to the bullpen, but unless we’re moving Johan out there, I don’t see it happening. With Maine’s sore arm, consecutive appearances aren’t sensible or likely. Pelfrey has finally figured out how to be a starter. Ollie is the biggest headcase to pitch for the Mets since Armando Benitez. Pedro might have success, but with his record of injury, a shift to the pen won’t be prudent. Most of that speculation was likely a smokescreen to give Minaya some leverage on what was left of the trade market.

What’s worse, this or Braden Looper circa 05? Hmmmmmm…

If Mets management’s mantra is “we are comfortable with what we have” because they cant make a trade, that’s understandable. If they really believe that, they’re crazy. Forget Manny, he’d be great to have in the lineup, but I doubt the Mets can slug there way to a pennant.

Pitching is going to win the East. Our starting pitching is solid to adequate, depending on Pedro. The bullpen however, is fragile to critical. I would love Houston Street. I don’t know about the price tag Seattle is asking for and supposedly Fuentes is off the market.

If the Mets bullpen stays the same, look for another late August, mid-September melt down.

Just make a deal, Omar. You’ve got 25 minutes

Now Dan Graziano is reporting that the Mets are in contact with the Redsox and willing to part with prospects not available for players like Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez and Randy Winn.

Contrary to the denials that made the rounds Monday, officials from both teams say the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez and are interested in pursuing a deal for him if Boston decides to make him available.

The Red Sox suspect that GM Omar Minaya wants Ramirez more than Mets ownership does. Regardless, the Mets are reluctant to part with top-prospect talent in exchange for outfielders like Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez and Randy Winn, but they (rightly) consider Ramirez a far superior hitter to those in that group, and they would discuss players in a Ramirez deal that they would not discuss in others.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was “totally just jerking Graziano’s chain”, said a deal was probably too complicated to get completed before Thursday’s deadline.
(more…)

Probably not but wouldn’t it be great if he was? If you read the Daily News story, he probably isn’t dating Diana Russini either. I miss the Office. Anyway, you tell me:

I always thought Karen was hotter than Pam. The new HR chick Holly isn’t bad either. I think Jan is the hottest Office girl. Probably because batshit crazy turns me on.

I’m damaged.

Link stolen from The Big Lead

Ok, what fun would it be if I didn’t touch on this A-rod story once? It’s all over the media everywhere so I’m sure you’ve read something. This struck me as odd from the New York Daily News:

When the Yanks played at home - and Cynthia wasn’t around - Rodriguez hit the city’s priciest men’s clubs and spent a fortune ogling the girls.

One of his favorites was Monique [ed:stage name?] - a 5-foot-5 filly with brown hair, brown eyes and a well-toned muscular figure - who specialized in lap dances.

Rodriguez was so enamored with Monique he reportedly took her on a pricey shopping spree at the Versace store on Fifth Ave., the source said.

I hate to defend A-rod here, but those are all lies. A-rod is a creepy guy and sure this is all plausible but it sounds like these sources have never spent an hour much less a paycheck in a quality gentleman’s club.

Are there strippers who don’t “specialize” in lap dances? That’s what they do, man. That and coke. It’s not like they had to go to grad school to do it. It’s like saying a cab driver who specializes in driving cabs.

What am I missing, here? Are there strippers in New York who don’t do lap dances? If so, how do they make any money? If that is indeed the case, New York City is the capital of lousy strip clubs. I don’t care how hot she is, she isn’t making any money dancing on stage; dollar stage tippers are cheapskates.

Anyway, the point here is: strippers lie.

Jose Reyes and Keith Hernandez had to be separated on the Mets’ charter plane Sunday night after a tense confrontation over Hernandez’s critical comments about the All-Star shortstop.

Wha, wha, what?

First off, I’m sure Bart Hubbuch is blowing this way out of proportion. I would guess Jose Bristled at something Keith said. I doubt how the shortstop feels about an announcer is relevant to team play, even if it is Keith.

Regardless, is Jose batshit crazy? I mean like Milton Bradley or Carl Everett crazy. Seriously, something is wrong with Jose. Every player goes through a funk, but this one’s spanned two seasons already. How is it possible to regress like this?

Send David to the Mid Summer Classic

Ok, I’ve said time and again I could care less about the All Star Game this year. The Mets aren’t really earning my support in the balloting. However, I have chosen to suspend my apathy for the “final vote” to send David Wright to the All Star Game. He is narrowly trailing Corey Hart who doesn’t deserve a nomination due to his stupid name. I know many of you are supremely disappointed with the Mets of 2008 and last year’s collapse, but it isn’t really David’s fault. You know you’ll miss him if he isn’t there.

More Good News

With the Mets finally on a roll, despite Wag’s best efforts, if the Mets can take this last game, the Mets might be on a role for the first time in a long time. So of course, another injury had to pop up. According to Adam Rubin, Ryan Church is not on the DL but rather in New York being examined.

The Big Show

Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann are uniting again to host Football Night in America which will probably suck. Honestly, I used to love those two on Sportscenter, I think it even inspired an Aaron Sorkin TV show, but I’ve tried listening to Patrick’s radio show and it’s as boring as Sporting News Radio. Olbermann’s douchiness factor is through the roof and they are going to be on the same show with Bob Costas so there’s like a .0000000001% chance this will be tolerable. I think I’ve had the TV on during “Football Night in America” last season and I remember being confused as to what the hell was going on. I couldn’t figure out if it was a highlight show or some kind of pregame show. Then I changed the channel to the Simpsons. Olbermann and Patrick should have never left the “Big Show” in the first place. If they hadn’t, Stuart Scott might be selling used cars today. In an unrelated note, Kilborn should have never left the Daily Show.

With the Mets on a mini-roll, a win tonight might do something to energize the fan base. The way this season’s been going the Mets will lose 13-1 or something ridiculous. I think every Mets fan has come to terms with the fact that the Mets aren’t the team to beat. Climbing to 2.5 games back might stir the ashes of this so far failed season. Hand Pedro the ball. Give me a reason to be excited again.

I know the Willie Randolph thing has been done to death but something’s been bothering me ever since I read it. Bob Klapisch posted this on Tuesday regarding Willie:

This was in early May, long before Willie Randolph’s administration came crashing down. The manager summoned one of his veterans into his office for a closed-door meeting, challenging him to focus more on baseball.
It was a rare, line-in-the-sand moment for Randolph, who avoided confrontation with his players. But the manager’s attempt to assert his authority failed miserably, as the two men raised their voices at each other.
As he walked out the door, the elder Met taunted Randolph, “I’m going to be here longer than you.”

I am going to assume the veteran Met in question is Carlos Beltran. I don’t know Carlos personally, only from what I see through the TV camera. Maybe he is a firey person behind close doors, whatever.

What bothers me is that this event supposedly occurred in early May and it surfaces on June 17th. That is not to suggest that Mr. Klapisch is lying or just making stuff up (he’s no Alfano) rather I think this is that ugly part of out franchise that lurks in the front office. I would be willing to bet all the money in my pocket against all the money in Bob Kapisch’s pocket that this closed door story was either fabricated or leaked by Tony Bernazard or someone close to him.

This thing’s gotta happen every five years or so - ten years - helps to get rid of the bad blood.

I’ve never really understood how a baseball franchise could have such a disjointed front office. One organization trying to move in different directions is counterproductive. Why is there this eternal power struggle inside Shea Stadium that peaks with the infighting spilling into the public? Why do grown men, professional baseball men so called, act like high school girls? None of this backstabbing and agenda advancing can possibly help the team win anything.

Why this franchise can’t ever rid itself of these factions is beyond me. Something tells me Willie has to have a sense of relief to be done with this nonsense.

Anyway, on to actual baseball.

I had a look at the standings this morning after my local team, the Rangers took two of three from Atlanta. I was shocked to see:

PHI 42 32 –-
FLA 39 33 2.0
NYM 35 36 5.5
ATL 36 38 6.0
WSH 29 45 13.0

Did we just creep back into this thing? I mean, they’re not in striking distance but five and a half before the break isn’t insurmountable.

Wow, I just had a 2004 flashback

All forms of 2008 optimism have been met with utter frustration and disappointment. I’m setting myself up for further heartbreak by even writing this, but goddamn it, I refuse to give up on the Mets before the flipping All Star Break. This team can’t possibly be as bad as it’s played.

The Mets are headed to Colorado then at home for Seattle and the Yanks. A hot streak here and, hey who knows. Maybe second place?

That’s as far up as my hopes are willing to get.

Sorry if this blog has turned into a “bash the Rangers with a Met related angle” lately, but I couldn’t hold off on this one. John Heyman on a deal that almost was with Johan Santana and the Texas Rangers:

Indications are that Texas’ trade discussions with the Twins progressed to the point where there was either agreement or near agreement on the young players going back to Minnesota. At that point, executives involved in the talks believed that the trade was very likely to be consummated if only Santana gave a more enthusiastic response when Twins higher ups quizzed him about whether he’d accept a trade to the Rangers. However, a diplomatic Santana is believed to have told the Twins only that he’d “consider” going to Texas, an answer that was seen as less than enthusiastic.
It was shortly after receiving Santana’s lukewarm response that the Twins stopped pursuing the trade with Texas. People familiar with the talks say they believe Minnesota wanted to avoid agreeing to a trade proposal that could eventually be rejected by Santana, whose full no-trade clause put the power in his hands. Such a scenario could have hurt their leverage in future trade talks.
Word is, Santana actually thought about the Rangers long enough to have quizzed his long-time Twins teammate Torii Hunter, a free agent, about his own intentions. But it appears that when Hunter, a resident of Prosper, Texas, and close friend of Rangers manager Ron Washington, was noncommittal about whether he’d sign with the Rangers (he eventually signed with the Angels), Santana appears to have followed Hunter’s lead.

I’m taking a day off work to attend the “We almost had Santana and Hunter Parade” scheduled in downtown Arlington. Tom Hicks is scheduled to ride the main float posed with his pockets turned out, shrugging his shoulders and sporting a perplexed look on his face.

Tom Hicks also shot and killed Jose Canseco for his role in bringing steroids into the Ranger clubhouse. Hicks didn’t have a gun and Canseco isn’t dead, but Hicks shot him dead just the same. That’s a true story.

Whatever, this is obvious spin out of The Ballpark in Arlington. Every year, the Rangers were hours away from signing or trading for the year’s biggest free agent until some selfish player queered the deal. The Ranger organization never had any intention to put a competitive offer in front of Torii Hunter, let alone trade prospects [read: low-priced talent] and sign Santana to the six to seven year, hundred and fifty-ish million dollar deal required for Santana to waive his no trade clause.

Every year, how do they seem to be in the running, without ever being in the running, for the year’s top free agent? Yet the team that touts its bronze medal in the Zito and Dice K sweepstakes still cries foul over “big market teams” pricing out the poor Rangers? Never mind Dallas Fort Worth is a top five market and the Cowboys and Mavericks seem to have no problem competing for top tier talent. Why the Ranger front office leaks hand-wringing stories of lament like this year after year in a pathetic and feeble attempt to appease an already unreceptive and resentful fan base goes beyond reason. As if Texans sweating out an August day game, watching a last place ball club will take solace that they could have had Santana and Hunter if it wasn’t for those damn Angels and Mets.

Furthermore, the Rangers supposed focus on developing young talent and fortifying the farm system runs counteractive toward trading high ceiling talent in order to sign a high priced free agent and diminishes the organization’s already dismal credibility with both fans and prospective players and trading partners.

Oh, there’s a big surprise. That’s incredible. I think I’m gonna have a heart attack and die of not surprise! – Me, after hearing about Alou’s injury

Alou’s out with an injury until mid-May. Should Alou fall off the toilet and break his hip or strain his oblique playing canasta, he could be out until the All-Star Break or longer. Moises Alou is this year’s Pedro Martinez: He might be back at some point, but don’t count on it. It’s time to find someone else to shoulder the load.

I love Endy Chavez, but he isn’t an everyday corner outfielder. Marlon Anderson and Damien Easley platoon? Yuck. Fernando Martinez might see an August call up, but it will be a cup of coffee, at most a doughnut. The Mets, who have no one in the system to press into immediate service, must look outside the organization.

I would write a long rant about trading a young outfielder with potential for a sub par outfielder who strikes out too much and offensively challenged catcher who’s lucky if he hit his weight, but that would be counterproductive. Instead, let’s see who’s out there…
(more…)

As per usual, Lonestar Mets brought you news before it happened. From the Daily News:

A report in the Rocky Mountain News said the Mets were close to signing Hernandez, but club sources say nothing is close to being done. They say Hernandez and Kyle Lohse have been in the mix for weeks as signees should the club need a veteran starter.

For the moment, however, one baseball person who has spoken to Omar Minaya recently came away with the impression that the Mets GM is still very hopeful about acquiring Santana.

That’s right, Lonestar Mets can smell a lie like a fart in a car*. In related news, it seems the Twins make make a Santana deal within the next ten days. Don’t rush out and buy your Livan Hernandez jerseys quite yet.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: LONESTAR METS CAN ALSO SMELL A FART LIKE A LIE IN A CAR, FOR WHATEVER THAT’S WORTH