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."

Everyone saw this one coming: Moises Alou has a torn hamstring

The always-injured Moises Alou was just served another blow. Alou has a torn hamstring, suffered when diving for a ball in minor league play.

Well there is your first mistake: diving for a ball in the minors. You're old, chronically injured, and rehabbing another injury, why in the world are you diving for balls? It's the minors, the results really don't matter. All that mattered was you getting healthy, so you have to let that ball drop.

Either way, Alou is likely done for the season, done for the Mets, and probably done for his career.

Happy trails, Moises.

Let me clear things up: The outfield is not OK; Endy Chavez has been great; The Mets need someone

I'm seeing a bunch of comments arguing my point I made early this morning, and I feel the need to defend my points.

1. Moises Alou is old, gets hurt way too much, and I am going to hold out no hope of him returning and helping the team for more than 16.2 seconds.

2. Endy Chavez has played very well in Alou's and Ryan Church's absence. He can easily continue to start in the OF with no problem. He has a great glove and is perfect hitting behind Jose Reyes.

3. The Mets still need another OF. I don't think the platoon of Fernando Tatis, Marlon Anderson, Chris Aguila, Trot Nixon, Angel Pagan, etc. etc., will be enough to carry this team into postseason play.

4. I don't want Omar Minaya to sell the farm to pick up trade bait. Matt Holliday would be awesome, but I'm almost 100 percent sure Aaron Heilman, Fernando Martinez, and probably two other top flight minor leaguers would have to head west to land him. I don't feel comfortable watching all that young talent leave the already depleted farm system.

Yes, the Mets need another outfielder. Yes, Minaya will probably have to give up a blue chip prospect to land that guy. Yes, I'm confident that the guy he lands will help this team through the season.

So that's that. Thoughts??

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.

The Mets bats stink

Another excellent Johan Santana start wasted.

Santana gave up only two runs, and the Mets lost again. This reminds me of when Roger Clemens pitched with the Astros. He would dominate the other team, but the 'Stros simply did not score for him.

I sort of feel bad for Santana, because he's doing pretty much all that he can do, and his team still can't manage to win. He may not be the best pitcher in the league anymore, but he's pitching very, very well and the Mets are now 0-6 in his last six starts.

This team always seems to fail horribly with timely hitting. The Mets had the bases loaded and nobody out, and managed to score only two runs. Luckily, at that. Thanks to the speed of Jose Reyes, who beat out a double play ball, and a good eye by David Wright to walk a run in, otherwise the inning could have ended without the Mets pushing any runs across.

I'm not sure if the Mets need to add a bat from elsewhere, but this team needs a jolt. In big games like last night's, the team should be fired up and aggressive, but they still looked flat. Is the team dynamic that different without Ryan Church? Without Moises Alou? Maybe a lineup shakeup will do the trick, but who knows.

Maybe this team really is just a mediocre, .500 team.

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?

Giving up on the Mets?? Not me, not yet

Last night's 7-1 drubbing by the Cardinals could be explained by any one of: terrible, awful, disaster, gross, boring, ugly...so on and so forth.

I've heard many claims for trades to go down, to start selling the farm and some major leaguers in return for prospects with talent and futures.

Not me, not yet. And here's why:

It's the first of July. The Mets are 3.5 games back, and only three in the loss column. The Mets have the talent, but most of them are under-performing.

Here are some reasons the Mets won't make the playoffs:

• Pedro Martinez might be done. He just doesn't seem to have it, tipping pitches or not. His power is gone and he seems to be throwing batting practice on the mound.
• Moises Alou is old and injured. 15 games is all Alou has been able to play this season. He's on his way to returning to the Mets, possibly by next weekend, but how long will it last?
• The bench has been awful. Just...awful.
• Another concussion for Ryan Church and he's really in serious trouble. He has to protect that noggin.

Reasons the Mets will make the playoffs:

• Johan Santana is a second-half pitcher.
• Aaron Heilman is a second-half pitcher.
• David Wright is a second-half player.
• Carlos Delgado's days are numbered. He may not be cut, but his playing time will diminish.
• Omar Minaya will pull off another spectacular trade. I'm just waiting for it. I don't know who it will be for, but it will work in the Mets favor.
• Fernando Martinez will be called up in late August and have a Jacoby Ellsbury type of season.

I still think the Mets will make the playoffs. I know my father wanted me to rip into them, but I'm still confident in this baseball team, and probably will be until they're mathematically eliminated from contention.

Remember me? The missing Mets

Have a good memory? See if you remember these Mets...

from left to right: Moises Alou, Orlando Hernandez, Matt Wise, Ambiorix Burgos, Angel Pagan

Honorable mention: Ryan Church, who returned to the lineup yesterday against the Yankees.

These five players have appeared in a combined 54 games for the New York Mets in 2008. Two of them have not appeared in any games...at any level.

Alou has played in 15 games for the team, and is looking to come off his third DL stint, possibly as early as this weekend. A habitual member of the DL and has appeared in only 102 games for the Mets in two years. Alou is often seen without batting gloves and may or may not be riding around in a Rascal Personal Scooter.

El Duque has appeared in a total of 47 games for the Mets since coming over in a trade from Arizona for Jorge Julio. He has not pitched at all, in any level of professional baseball in 2008 and has been in a protective boot for months. Look for the limp and/or high leg kick.

Wise came to the Mets as a free agent in before the '08 season. Two stops on the DL has limited his playing time to only eight games (seven innings) for the team, sporting a 6.43 ERA. He's lanky, and that's about all the info we have on him.

Burgos has only appeared in 17 games for the Mets since coming over on December 6, 2006 for Brian Bannister. Burgos is often seen wearing lots and lots of bling, if it has not already been stolen.

Pagan, who had a breakout spring training to catch on with the Alou-less Mets, registered 91 AB in 31 games for the team. He went down with a shoulder injury after making a spectacular diving grab into the stands on May 7th. He may need surgery, which would cost him significantly more time off. Pagan can be seen jumping into the stands and hitting one game winning hit for the team.

If seen, please call the New York Mets at 718-507-METS.

Guess what? Alou back to the DL

Surprised?

Moises Alou is back to the disabled list. Robinson Cancel has been recalled to fill his roster spot.

The Mets should always just keep someone at Shea when Alou is "active" just waiting to take him place.

It's almost comical. Almost

Moises Alou is out of the lineup again, as his recently "healed" calf is bothering him again.

Alou is not with the team and will get an MRI on his calf. Again.

It almost makes you laugh, just a little. If you're a masochist.

Early Morning Madness: I had a better title 4 hours ago edition

I woke up in the middle of the night with a snappy title and a lot of good things to write about, but I can't remember any of them now. Figures, the night I leave the computer on my desk instead of next to my bed. I digress.

*****

The Mets are in trouble, and something needs to be done. They have, in my calculations, two distinct routes they can take: sell or buy.

They could start unloading contracts now (Carlos Delgado, Oliver Perez, Moises Alou), get some prospects in return, and start planning for next year and beyond.

Or, they could start buying. Pick up expendable players for their own expendables, hoping the new player has something the other player lacked. If the pieces don't fit, try and trade them for pieces that do.

I cannot see the team admitting defeat and start trading people left and right. It would raise a white flag and spell out that the team is heading in a wrong direction. I just don't think the Wilpons, Omar Minaya, and the rest of the Mets brass is willing to do that just one year before they crack the champagne on a new stadium.

*****

Another day, another early lead, another loss. What is up with that?

The Mets always seem to jump out to an early lead, look like they're ready to take on the world, and by the time the third inning comes along you can almost visibly see that they're not going to score another run the rest of the game. And they don't.

*****

Do the New York Mets become buyers or sellers? How long will Willie Randolph last? Will they ever win another game? All these questions will be answered...eventually?

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.

Johan is doubly good

Johan Santana just hit his fourth double of the year. Here's a little tidbit pointed out by my good friend Ryan P. on Mets Lounge:

Santana has tied the amount of doubles with Luis Castillo.

Santana has 4 doubles in 22 ABs.
Luis Castillo has 4 doubles in 143 ABs.

Santana also has more doubles than Moises Alou (43 ABs).

That's a good sign.

Our Alou preview has ended

Moises Alou is heading to the disabled list, this time with a strain in his left calf.

How long did you really expect him to play? The Mets must enter 25 more cents to get another two weeks of play out of him.

The player being brought up to replace him on the roster is Raul Casanova.

This is one of the most confusing roster shuffles I've ever seen. Adding to the craziness, with Ryan Church still sitting out, Damion Easley is also unavailable tonight, as he is attending his sons high school graduation.

It should be interesting to see how Willie Randolph handles the team tonight.

That didn't take long: Alou heading back to NY

Moises Alou took himself out of the game last night and was diagnosed with a cramp in his calf.

He's now en route back to New York to have an MRI taken on the calf, as it might be more than a cramp, possibly a mild strain.

Alou just cannot stay healthy, and it stinks because he's a professional hitter and this team just can't seem to hit over the last three games. They're going to miss him.

Alou leaves game

Moises Alou took a long, slow walk in from left field, taking himself out of the game.

He was not limping, so it might just be a stomach issue or something to that effect. Hopefully.

Update: It's a cramp in his left leg, per SNY.

That makes me breath a little easier.

Game Recap: Dodgers 5 -- Mets 4

First off, this was probably the most maddening game of the year, so if you didn't stay up until 1:32 a.m., you were probably better off.

The Mets had an early lead and forced the Dodgers to go to their bullpen in the fourth inning, but just couldn't hold on to the lead as they dropped the second game of the series to the Dodgers by a score of 5-4.

Nelson Figueroa was on the bump for the Mets, only lasting five innings. Figueroa allowed five earned runs on eight hits and four walks. Figueroa struck out three. He needed 104 pitches to get through the five innings.

Not good, not terrible. The Mets starters need to pitch more innings or the coaching staff is going to have no choice but to go to the bullpen. Something needs to be done, but I don't think Rick Peterson is the problem.

Ryan Church put the Mets on the board early, crushing a solo home run to deep center field as the second batter of the game.

The Mets didn't take any time off, and in the second added two runs on RBI singles from Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes. The Mets failed to score any more runs, as they had the bases loaded with nobody out, but Church grounded into a double play, 1-2-3, followed by a David Wright called strike three.

The Mets were 2-14 with runners in scoring position tonight. They absolutely cannot buy a hit with runners on base. They absolutely could have won this game, as they pounded out 11 hits and walked four times. Terrible.

The Dodgers got on the board in the second, as Juan Pierre singled in Blake DeWitt with two outs for LA's first run.

Pay attention to the two outs.

The best inning of the game was the fourth, even if the Mets only scored once. Leading off the inning, Moises Alou reached on a dribbler to third that DeWitt couldn't handle. Carlos Delgado then singled up the middle, and Alou took an aggressive turn at second, catching Andruw Jones flat footed. Alou slid into third, which would set up a coming play. Angel Pagan, starting in center for Carlos Beltran who was out with flu-like symptoms, grounded into a fielders choice, erasing Delgado at second.

With Brian Schneider batting, Pagan broke for second. Russel Martin popped up and made the strong throw to second, and as soon as Alou saw this, he broke for home. Pagan slid in safely at second and the throw home wasn't even close as Alou stole home for the fourth time in his career.

Just great, aggressive stuff on the basepath from Alou this inning. He's trying to make up for lost time, and thankfully so. This team needs some fire.

The third inning saw the Dodgers scratch back, as DeWitt knocked a two out single to right field, driving in both Jeff Kent and James Loney.

Again, two outs. DeWitt wasn't done for the day either.

In the fourth, the Mets knocked out LA starter Hiroki Kuroda as he was replaced with Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo was the Dodgers savior, as he pitched 3 2-3 innings of scoreless and hitless baseball, walking only one while striking out eight.

He was absolutely nasty. The Mets didn't even have a shot while he was on the bump. Dominant performance.

The game breaker came in the fifth inning with one on and, of course, two out. Martin singled with two outs. DeWitt came up and crushed a ball to deep right field. Church went back to the wall and made a leaping attempt at the ball. It hit off the top of the wall, barely catching the edge of his glove. Church fell to the warning track as the ball bounced back onto the field, still in play.

Church lay there, either expecting Pagan to come over and back him up on the play and pick up the ball, or he thought the ball was already called a home run, but he paused for a second, which allowed DeWitt to chug around the bases. By the time Church got up and fielded the ball, DeWitt had rounded third and headed home for his second career home run, an inside the park job.

And from there, the Mets looked defeated. I believe it should have been Pagan's ball to field as he should be backing up Church on a play like that, but I can't be 100 percent sure. Just an unlucky bounce and chain of events. Only the Mets...

Aaron Heilman turned in two innings of scoreless baseball, only allowing one hit while striking out two. Pedro Feliciano and Joe Smith combined for one inning, with Feliciano allowing one hit and Smith recording one strike out.

Well, the bullpen looked good, especially Heilman. These scoreless innings have to be huge boosts to his confidence.

The Mets threatened in the ninth, getting consecutive two out singles before Castillo was called out on strikes to end the game.

Honestly, the strike zone was terrible, all night. I don't want to blame it on the ump because the Mets had a TON of chances to get hits and drive in runs, but I was screaming and throwing things on some of those strikes.

Game Ball: Alou. The team needs more hustle like that.

Resulting move

To make room for Moises Alou, Gustavo Molina was optioned back to AAA. Brian Schneider will be available to catch if needed.