Although Parnell says it’s “over thinking” there may be more to it. This is a young pitcher, the Mets are very high on and when he sits around all week, the pressure mounts.

“It’s something I have to do with myself,” Parnell said. “I need to go out there and have some fun. Over the past few weeks, the game hasn’t been fun for me.”

Tonight, though, Parnell had fun with the Cubs, as he was able to pitch out of jams, while maintaining a very fragile 1-0 lead thanks to Corey Sullivan’s second inning homer. He was getting his breaking pitches over, while able to spot his 97 m.p.h. Fastball. That’s what he needs to be successful.

Hopefully, this is the start of something big for Parnell, who really has struggled over the past month. Right now, the Mets are in a situation where they can evaluate their players. Next season, they probably  will need two starters if John Maine, who could be looking at $4 million to $5 million in arbitration is non-tendered. That means, Parnell may be right in line for a spot before even football betting is even started.

Also, as we saw this season, pitching is fragile, and there’s always going to be room for a starter. If Parnell can make it through these final weeks not looking like a batting practice pitcher, then we might have something here, otherwise, he may pitch his way out of the Mets plans.

With today’s post-Madoff Mets, MLB Bets say there’s probably going to be room for a rookie in the rotation next year. Besides Parnell, they Mets will also look at Jon Niese, who is coming back from his hamstring injury, and Brad Holt will also get a long look in Spring Training. But it’s probably unlikely the team will carry two rookies on the staff as they will probably try to either sign or trade for a veteran presence to go with Johan Santana.

So Parnell has some work to do. These next four or five starts of his could be the key for him to secure a spot in 2010. If the young righthander, who says he prefers starting, doesn’t come through, it might mean back to the bullpen or worse – a trip to Buffalo.

First he has his next start – probably on Thursday against the Marlins. There Parnell can prove he can pitch to end a homestand, not just to open one.

Sorry for the lack of recent posts, but can you really blame me. Aside from Johan Santana, this season basically picked up where last season left off. They’re hitting, just not with guys in scoring position. That juggernaut of 2006 seems like a dream it happened so long ago. I don’t think we’ve seen this current incarnation of Mets play as a team since.

The Mets needed a big bat in the offseason and didn’t want to pay for it. Pay on the cheap and this is what happens. Sheffield doesn’t even fit that bill. Other than the hopes that Sheff brings the crazy to break the monotony of another mediocre summer, I could care less that he’s on the team.

Wright is moving to the five slot, Beltran to hit third. Might as well, nothing else works. Maybe we could draw the lineup out of a hat and see what works. Who knows.

Also, Manuel wants Beltran to steal more bases. I’m glad Jerry’s been paying attention because we all know how well Beltran excels when he has a minor leg injury.

Ditch Castillo. I know he’s got that ridiculous contract, so what. Offload him somewhere. The Mets will have to pay the lion’s share of the freight, so what. He’s not getting any younger or healthier and New York isn’t going to be any easier a place to play in the next few years. This guy could be the next Kaz Matsui except with more trips to the DL. And don’t whine about the economy, use the money you were going to give Bernie Madoff and pay his way out of town.

Give Murphy secondbase to lose Let the guy compete for the deuce in Port St. Lucie. Is Dan Murphy the next piece of the Mets long term core? Hellifiknow. Let’s find out. It beats the hell out of watching Castillo flail at outside pitches all year.

Trade for Nady I may have already written a thousand articles advocating a trade for Nady but since he’s no longer under control of the Pirates and rumored to be shopped by the Yanks, make the deal now. We know Nady. Nady works in New York; sign him now.

Bring Uncle Cliff Back. I have railed against the Mets signing aging players and expecting results many, many times in the past. This is different. Cliffy Floyd won’t be expected to play everyday, shoot, he only played in 80 games last year. Cliff is respected as a veteran leader and clubhouse presence and it isn’t like he’s say, oh I don’t know, a 42 year old player who pees on his hands. I always felt that Cliff’s departure took away some of the great chemistry the Mets had in 2006. Omar is going to bring in some aging has been anyway, might as well be someone we already love.

Sure these moves aren’t as sexy as signing Manny Ramirez. Let’s face it; that is never going to happen. The above moves can allow Omar to concentrate on shoring up the rotation when and if Boras ever decides to let one of his clients sign.

The conjecture of the past two days and, more accurately, of the past two months, reportedly has turned into something substantial. The Mets have agreed to terms with free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, according to published reports.

Terms of the deal are reported to be three years and $37 million. There is a vesting option for a fourth year at $14 million that would make the deal worth $51 million

Contract details have to be worked out and the deal is contingent on Rodriguez passing a physical. The Mets have not confirmed that an agreement has been reached.

I was initially against the Mets pursuing KRod because I never thought 37 over 3 was a reasonable expectation of what it would take to sign him. I changed my mind after it was reported that Fuentes was seeking 33 million over 3 years. For the extra 4 million, KRod is the obvious choice.

I’ve also been wary of this delivery and the shoulder problems that could arise from his form. The first time I ever watched KRod pitch, I said to a friend “The Mets will sign him 3 months before he develops a shoulder or arm problem.” I really hope I’m wrong. At 27 I think he should be fine throughout the contract. If this guy develops arm problems, I see it hitting about the time we saw Pedro fall apart health wise.

I have to believe that Hoffman meeting had to be a tactic to get KRod and his agent Paul Riser Kinzer to the table quickly. I can’t see Minaya bringing in another old arm to try and fix a team’s biggest need on a club that got old very quickly since October 2006.

Kudos to Minaya getting this done early. Though I’m not placing the blame at his feet for the sluggish off-season last year, setting the market AND addressing the Mets biggest need in early December gives him plenty of time to find a corner outfielder, possibly a second baseman and finding a viable starter, hopefully before the end of the year.

Alight, the Mets set the market and the signings should start to come in a rapid fire fashion throughout the week and not a moment too soon. I’ll be glad to stop bitching about college football and Lifetime movies and start focusing on the 2009 Mets and important issues like who wears number 57, K-Rod or Santana?

So instead of sparing myself what I’m sure will be another devastating end to a season, I’ll be watching the next week of games. I have determined a formula to help put this new brand of baseball into perspective.

The way I figure (without actually researching each game; too painful), the bullpen gives up two runs for every out recorded. Therefore:

Defensive outs needed when the starting pitcher is removed + 1 = Run lead needed to ensure victory

Meaning, if it’s the top of the seventh inning and no outs, the Mets will need a ten run lead to secure a win. If the starter leaves earlier, like in at the end of the fourth, the Mets will need a sixteen run lead. I will be forwarding this to the Commissioners’ office and petitioning the league to adopt this formula to calculate the new stat MBSV (Mets Bullpen Save)

Kidding aside, this method makes watching this crap less gut wrenching when we cough up a lead. The rationalization that “we weren’t really winning” is about all the comfort I can muster these days.

Almost all the top venues are sold out. The Mets and Yankees have been playing to capacity crowds almost all season. And don’t forget about the Garden, where the Knicks and Rangers still get capacity crowds, despite the fact the teams don’t play up to par.

And let’s not forget football where Giants tickets are on a 25-year waiting list.

But there’s a reason why sports is so popular. Winning teams laced with stars bring the fans out in droves. On the Mets, homegrown players like David Wright and Jose Reyes electrify Queens, while the Yankees sign players like Alex Rodriguez, making games at the Stadium more like Young Frankenstein tickets.

With the Yankees new stadium opening up, they will sign many free agents this offseason, while the Mets have the young players like Dan Murphy and Jon Niese to move into Citi Field, while dipping into the market in order to compliment them.

By keeping with that business model, the baseball teams will be solid over for the foreseeable future.

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…

Goddamn-it this is frustrating. The Mets are in a position to win the freaking game against an opponent whose season is over and they can’t even get nine flipping outs without giving up six runs.

Even if Beltran, Wright, Delgado, Reyes, Murphy and the other Reyes got/stayed hot for the rest of the season and somehow slugged their way to the East title, a playoff caliber team would eat this pen for lunch.

I miss Darren “D.O.” Oliver and Chad Bradford.

This season is a waste of a solid starting rotation.

Forget it, the season’s over.

When does College Football Start?

Guns Up Red Raiders!

The roster moves were likely born out of necessity instead of a shift in team philosophy. With Ryan Church’s return uncertain, Moises Alou out for the season, John Maine and Billy Wagner both struggling with injury and no help to be found at the deadline, what else are they going to do? Bring up the young kids, why not?

Although the Mets offense has been failing lately, they should be able to compensate for Church’s extended absence. The most pressing concern is the state of the bullpen which will require a intense off-season overhaul. None of the current arms are capable of closing in Wagner’s place, and the odds of a 23 year old rookie closing in a pennant race aren’t in the Mets’ favor.

But take heart, the Mets don’t figure to be in the pennant race much longer. Of course a quick and early end to the season might prove refreshing than another August/September swoon and slow death of a team that is less than the sum of its parts.

So what the hell, lets all sit back and watch these four prospects who, depending on who you believe are either highly talented or overvalued. The July surge was nice, but likely an anomaly in another high expectation, also-ran Mets season plagued once again by a stagnant offense and poor bullpen performance.

2009 isn’t that far away.