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…if you haven’t noticed, the Mets are dealing with a lot of injuries, which is 
actually putting it mildly…
In fact, for a list of each injury, check out this graphic from the Daily News, which breaks down each player, their injury and recovery time.
In the New York Post, Joel Sherman compares the Mets to the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, adding:
“The organization is becoming expert in downplaying players going down…But this is the Mets now, acting as if the bizarre is commonplace.”
Sherman writes more about age and baseball at his blog for the New York Post as well.
…frankly, sherman is making me depressed…because every single word he writes, and the reason he is writing them, make sense…
In a similar report for the Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch points out that Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders and Preston Wilson are still free agents.
…ummm, maybe…pass…and pass…i have no interest in wilson or sanders…however, lofton intrigues me…
On the flip side, in a report for FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal writes that there is still plenty of time for the Mets to get healthy and make some moves, such as Tigers OF Marcus Thames, O’s OF Jay Payton or Pirates 1B-OF Xavier Nady, who would certainly cost major-league ready prospects.
…i really, really like the idea of bringing back nady…he can play outfield, first base, he hits from the right side, hits lefties, he runs well, plays decent defense, and he was popular with the players and fans during his last stint…i mean, what’s not to like…but, from what i recall during the off-season, a deal for nady would require a pitcher like, say, Joe Smith and Jon Niese, or maybe less if a team is also willing to eat Matt Morriss’s contract in the process…the thing is, the Pirates had ample time to move nady during the off-season, during which they were not short on suitors, and it never happened…so, my sense is that he is more difficult to attain than we think…
Of course, in Rosenthal’s opinion, the Mets should explore trading a starting pitcher to the White Sox for 1B Paul Konerko.
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Barry Bonds fixes everything….Just sign Bonds, keep all our players, and ensure that we win…like we belong doing. It even fixes trading Milledge. I still can’t BELIEVE THAT INCONCEIVABLE FILTH!!!! HOW DARE OMAR TRADE MILLEDGE FOR THAT!?!??! FOR THAT!?!?! I want to see Omar kicked in the balls. For real. Hard, and when he’s not expecting it. I want to see someone, preferably a soccer player, or punter, or place kicker…a professional kicker just kick one right between the up rights when he’s not looking. That’s really what he deserves….and then some. SIGN BONDS!!!!
We appreciate your enthusiasm, Jeff Borriss, but you’ll get nowhere with Omar by threatening him with bodily harm.
I’m neither Jeff Borris or a professional kicker….to my great dismay….
What did you want to trade milledge for?? just because you think he has some sort of potential doesn’t mean that anyone else did. the guy sucks and every scout and gm in baseball agrees. I feel that Omar got far more in return for him than he should have. Church is awesome… almost 60 extra base hits last year? that’s pretty good. Millege is just a slightly below average baseball player with no instincts.
Can we stop this “let’s sign Bonds” fiasco? Are you people insane? Bonds would turn this whole team into a traveling circus. He would totally negate the positive vibe from the Santana acquisition with all the baggage that he will bring to Shea. NO BONDS!
I would have NEVER traded Milledge. I’m aware that there was some clubhouse turmoil, but you know what? They’re all grown men, and professionals at that. Throw a stink bomb in his locker every now and again, call him stinky, and be done with it….come on with that WEAK excuse.
Milledge I see hitting .300+ 20+ HR and depending on what team he’s on and where he bats…he can knock in 100, and will do so in his career at some point in a single season…..while stealing 20+ bases per….and he’s got Gold glove potential in Center, and was becoming/would have achieved above average in the corners…it’s totally disgraceful he was traded…It was of Kazmir-ic amplitude. Disgrazia….
Wow, I am sure glad you aren’t in charge of this team. Gold-glove callibur in CF?? What on earth can you be basing that on? Because you want that happen? It certainly can’t be based on any sort of past performance. Is this based on his 24 errors in the minor leagues? I see… Also, 4 SB and 4 CS in his 2 big leage seasons. Where is he coming up with 20? He isn’t good. Why do you insist on saying that he is? If milz had 59 extra base hits last year and the mets traded him for some clubhouse cancer who can’t play D, steal bases, or make consistant contact, you would be killing omar.
I think both you guys are going too far with your exaggerations.
Milledge will play a good CF, certainly not gold glove, you are right – but I would surely put him into an above-average category. Problem is, he’s way too young and will probably fill in and bulk up over the next few years, so his range may drop. Mackey is right about the steals – I don’t know where Kherubnym is getting the idea that this guy will swipe 20 bags…although he could, he’ll just get thrown out 20 times as well…or just swipe them in times when it doesn’t make a difference – he certainly does come off as a stat padder. Kherubnym, don’t kid yourself, Milledge will NOT hit .300. He was never projected to hit for that high an average, and he still hasn’t learned to hit breaking stuff enough. Plus, he’s playing on a team where he has little protection in the batting order and will not see too many fastballs down the middle. A .275 or .280 avg seems more likely – which would be pretty good for him since he’s supposed to be a power hitter…He’ll definitely hit 25 hr if he plays the entire year, I have no doubt in that. Don’t know about driving in 100, although he can get close…85-90 rbi mayb?
In any case, there’s no denying that we lost a very good player in Milledge, but Kherubnym, you need to understand that this trade was made to fill in a major hole that we had at catcher using the only commodity we had: outfield depth. One Milledge brought us back 2 major leaguers who are slated to be starters on this club. You can’t blame Omar for going this route.
I’m basing my assessment on Milledge solely from what I’ve seen with my own two eyes. Yeah, I’m sure you’ll attack that, but the truth whether or not you choose to publicly acknowledge it is that I’m right. Willie Randolph entirely hampered the kid’s stats, progression, and ipso facto…performance/trade value.
Not for nothing, but in 20 at-bats this Spring Milledge is batting .350, a .409 OBP, slugging .500, 5 RBI, 3 Doubles, 4 Runs, 2 Stolen Bases(1CS), and a .909 OPS…..That’s the type of player he is…I know it’s only 20 at-bats which I’m sure you’ll harp on, but…that’s the type of player he is.
It’s not just 20 at-bats. It’s 20 at-bats in spring training…Come on, you can’t be projecting his 2008 season numbers on ST….Do you remember the year Benny Agbayani hit like 15 hr’s in spring training?
Milledge will hit close to .320 or even higher at some point in his career….Not this year, but in 4, 5 years….he’s gonna hit around .320 while perennially batting around the .300 mark. I saw what I saw…and you’ll see what I see in time….
As far as the Mets using Outfield depth to address Catcher, give me a frigon break. First of all, if you’re gonna move Milledge you get Saltalamaccia in return. Make it happen. THAT I could have been happy with. Even Jeff Clement I would have been happy with, but no…the Mets go after Brian FN Schneider. BRIAN SCHNEIDER!!!!!!?!?!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!! BRIAN SCHNEIDER!?!???? Miguel Olivo is better defensively, faster, hits for a better average, was a free agent, and costs less money. Cause he fought Reyes? Again…men, professionals…deal with it. Sandy Alomar will wreck shot if he has to….he’s all business…
The truth of it was that the Mets were penny pinching. They traded away Milledge cause while he’s making the minimum this year, down the road he’s gonna get paid, but they also slashed another 4 million off the books by taking Schneider and letting Lo Duca go…they spun the defense angle as a contrast to Lo Duca, but the Mets would have been better with Lo Duca….they were making room for Santana in the budget…..they figured they can pay Church like the scrub he is over the next 5 years….he won’t crack 5 million per….Milledge would have. Know why? Cause he’s mad good. MAD GOOD.
I have a feeling YOU’RE Milledge! Stop tooting your own horn and be a professional! Take your “MADD SKILLZ” up to Washington and stand in front of the mirror saying “I will hit .300, I will hit .300, I will hit .300, I will get paid, I will get paid, I will stay in shape and win a gold glove in CF” Give me a break…Lastings Milledge is not Ken Griffey Jr., get real dude…
Wait, you kill omar for not going after Olivo who would be cheaper and also for the mets penny pinching? which is it?
Perhaps Milledge can hit 20 homers and 40 doubles, but the truth is, Church is much more likely to do it this year, while playing better defense in Right.
Maybe they rid of LoDuca because he is old, not a great hitter, and subpar behind the plate. Schneider is a definite upgrade.
We upgraded in Right and behind the plate while getting rid of a kid who nobody liked. Seems perfect to me.
And the payroll is $140 mil… i don’t think anyone is penny pinching.
If everything breaks right for milledge, his career will be identical to Jay Payton… hype and all.
nice player to have, but nothing special.
Hay guys we got two MAJOR LEAGUERS. Just ignore the fact that one is an automatic out and the other is platoon player at best. They’re MAJOR LEAGUERS.
I can’t wait for Milledge to become a bust so that you people will shut up.
Guy was an overrated piece of trash who couldn’t hit a curveball. No more, no less. Still can’t believe some people are whing about this. HE IS NOT GARY SHEFFIELD. DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE.
Move on already.
I am torn on Bonds. From an honest perspective–if he’d sign for a reasonable amount I think he would absolutely be perfect. He could platoon with Alou and the other OF (don’t worry Ryan, we have a guy who can hit lefties in your place); and would be amazing off the bench. Imagine a pinch hitter who gets on base more than 50% of the time he gets an AB and homer once every 10 or so–he’d be an absolute monster and it would really affect the way teams play us late.
Personally though, if the Mets were to win with Bonds, I can not be sure that I would not feel it was tainted to some degree.
That said, the Mets sorely need a back up OF/IB. Can’t we convince Mr. Green to play one more year in NYC.
Also, with FMart having a good spring, any chance he hits Shea in April to play some LF? I know it would be rushed, but there have been a lot of great players who were thrown in to the majors at a young age and figured it all out there (A Jones, A Rod, M Cabrera).
You think the home run king is going to accept a bench job when he’s still ready to play every day (or at least be the starter who needs the spelling instead of being the guy coming in off the bench). Also, I don’t know if anyone wants to pull up the pinch hit numbers on Bonds, but as I recall, I don’t think they’re very good – he does better as a starter. All that without mentioning the 300 reports who will be running around the dugout and the back covers of him in a Met uniform detailing his steroid-scandal perjury court hearings…
reports=reporters*
I think he’d take a bench job, purely because he’s got zero other offers.
However, there’s a reason he has zero other offers.
He can’t play while he’s in court, or, ultimately, jail.
In the meantime the media circus would be a huge distraction from playing baseball.
wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
never ever should the mets sign a cheater like Barry Bonds, also trading Lastings Milledge was one of the best moves (along with the Mota trade and getting Johan) that Omar made this year. Milledge had no idea how to play the outfield, bals would bounce off his feet, go through his legs and drop easy pop flies. Milldge had no idea how to run the bases. He could be 3/4 of the way home and just stop and turn around and get out. Also we should definitely sign the x-man Xavier Nady.
A little spring time hot stove, coming our way.
Hopefully Omar can get a Nady or Thames for a bullpen arm and a bad contract coming back. So while I’d prefer Nady, I think Thames is more likely.
On that note, these silly stories how the Mets are acting like this is no big deal are idiotic. They know what needs to happen. Does Bill Madden or Joel Sherman want Omar to run around and scream how desperate we are for RH OF-1B? Then the sharks circle. Please NY press, give the guy some credit.
yea i agree would they prefer he call a press conference where he would cry for the first 15 minutes then desperately beg to the camera for a team to help us out. or maybe the press would prefer he just call a conference and say “im the worst general manager of all time, i have no idea what im doing and thats why these injuries are happening”.
You know, half of these morons were apologizing to Omar for how ill they treated him while the Santana sweepstakes were going on in November-December. Omar likes to play things cool and go about them at his own pace. Just sit back and let him work his magic and judge him after…he’s proven that he can make some good baseball decisions…
Excellent point whynot. Sports writers can be absolute idiots sometimes.
I would really like to see Lofton in a Met uniform. Especially because once Alou comes back he can fill in for any of the three starting outfielders.
Other than that though, X-man is the only other one who interests me.
plus i mean we’re probably the only team he hasnt played for so why not.
I mean, what exactly are the Mets to do? Omar has said he has never seen so many injuries. I mean, of course they’re going to down play stuff. What does Sherman expect? The Mets to openly start freaking out like the majority of their fan base is?
Right, they should advertise their desperation to plug holes to the other 29 teams so they can get ripped off in trade proposals.
Idiots like Sherman think the Mets owe them something.
I don’t see how another lefty bat like Lofton helps. If I’m a lefty starter a walk Wright intentionally 4 times and then go celebrate my complete-game shutout.
Paul Konerko? And what, pray tell, do we do with him and Delgado all season? What an idiot.
Everyone’s all giddy over Nady, but the Pirates are not giving him away. i’ts bad enough they dealt away Perez for him, now they are going to just give him back? As for higher-end pitching prospects, we have so few…we should not be trading any for a band-aid in LF.
I like the idea of Thames, and I was always a big Payton fan and would welcome him back as well. Neither should cost a high-prospect…the Sosa-for-Thames rumor makes a ton of sense all around, opening a spot to keep Register in the process, and as for Payton, Baltimore is in such rebuilding mode that they should want to shed any high salary for someone young and under control for a while.
I just can’t believe that Payton is 35 years old already…damn
He didn’t really play in the majors until he was 27. Another reason why all the people forecasting Milledge’s career on a parallel with Payton’s don’t know what they’re talking about.
If you can get Nady for Smith and Niese you do that in a second…..but I think it would cost more than that, and I dont think we have the pieces to get it done…..
To get Nady, or any other solid bat, we would probably have to give up Heilman…
I don’t mean to over-comment…but didn’t we all rejoice over getting a talented lefty arm like Perez for a corner OF like Nady who, as much as I like him, is kind of a dime a dozen? Now we want to reverse it right back?
People are going to ignore the fact that Nady is a pretty pedestrian hitter. I don’t know why they do this but they do.
That’s a horrible trade, and losing Heilman is even worse. What are you, a yankays’ fan?
Now if we trade for Bonds….that would be amazing! (Sarcasm).
Have you ever been to Shea when Bonds played? And you do realize either of us with no MLB experience would be better in right field than Bonds. He runs at a snail’s pace, his knees are done and he is a moron in the club house that would take away all the reporters covering Pedro’s return and Santana’s beginnings as a Met so his entourage section of the locker room can get questioned about him being a steroid user and a cheat.
And don’t start on Milledge, again.
Trade for a free agent! Good idea!
Omar didn’t want to move Niese to get Johan, why would he do so to get Nady? Besides Smith is a good young RP.
horrible trade proposal, i wouldn’t do any of the above
I like the idea, but the price is high as far as the Mets are concerned. Normally, I would be perfectly fine with giving up 2 bullpen guys – neither of whom have proven much of anything in the majors. Yeah, yeah, Smith had that good month or so last year, but in reality, it doesn’t mean all that much. Niese has barely pitched in the minors, so you can’t even say he’s a “high” prospect. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many “high” prospects so for us, these guys are the next in line. Honestly, if I really think about it, I make this trade – simply because the team is built to win now, and Nady would be a perfect fit into our club’s structure: right hander to spell Delgado at 1B and Church in RF as well as play LF along with Endy when Alou is hurt… He might be the piece that we need to go all the way – and you guys think Niese and Smith aren’t worth it? Think again…
if you think Nady is the answer to “go all the way,” you need to think again…
I didn’t say he’s the “answer”‘ to go all the way, I only said that he may be the missing link to the team, as it is structured now. The “answer” to going all the way is a whole bunch of things, including Pedro, Delgado, Beltran and Duaner’s health as well as Reyes’ OBP and good defense. One thing that is really overlooked this year is that Billy Wagner is one year older and doesn’t have the fastball he used to – and that’s why he’s trying to master new offspeed stuff. I think he’s a big a story as any – let’s see if he can make a positive transition to control and location vs. power fastball…
he may not have the fastball he had 3-4 years ago, but the fastball he had last year is good enough, as exemplified by the statistics he put up. Wagner really isn’t someone to worry about, he’s been one of the best relievers in the NL the past couple of years. If his new offspeed stuff works out, great, if not, I think him relying on his fastball/slider combo will do just fine.
“If you can get Nady for Smith and Niese you do that in a second”
Terrible.
One of the papers even quotes one of the Mets higher ups saying that if things dont get better within a wekk to ten days then they could be in trouble. If that doesnt say that the Mets are worried, I dont know then.
Personally, I’m worried but overly. there is a solid three weeks to go and none of the injuries sound that aweful. What it sounds like more to me is that the players are really (painfully) taking their sweet time recovering.
On the same token though I wouldnt trust Del and Alou and go out and get a guy who can play both positions.
Much as I would like to see Nady back in a Mets uniform, I don’t believe that will happen. The price is just too high.
They should focus on getting Mike Carp back into shape in a hurry.
There is a difference between taking some extra time getting into shape at the beginning of ST and being ready to start the season.
If the regualr season started next Monday, quite likely many of the walking wounded would be out there (that is, they are good enough to go now if needed, or real close).
I could see the line up being Reyes, Castillo, DW, Delgado, Pagan, Church, Schneider, F mart by next week. Meaning that you are only waiting on Beltran to feel good enough to play (bumping F Mart), and you have your new, non-Alou opening day line up.
Good read on Pagan being the opening Day LF. Endy is behind him in health and ABs and is better used off the bench. With Angel starting though, who gets that final bench spot. Please don’t say Valentin.
I wonder if they are purposely keeping Beltran away from ST in order to give him more rest so he can pace himself for the season.
The guy has a batting cage at his home and practices everyday except Christmas. How much ST does he need?
Not much at all.
He just needs to build up his quads, then take some fly-ball drills.
Even if most guys are back healthy by opening day, they are missing a large chunk of spring training. Which esentially means that the month of April will be like spring tarining for a large portion of the team….prepare for a slow start guys.
i said it earlier in the week and i’ll say it again, bring back xman!
I like the idea of taking on Morris to lessen the trade demands. Morris would be a perfect #5. Why throw away prospects when you can throw money. Something like Smith and Show for Morris and Nady and cash. That gives them to bullpen arms and a ton of cash flexibility.
I’d jump all over that if they bit. Only problem is… it’s not much of a salary dump for them if we’re handing over Show. Presumably that’s what the cash is for?
The funniest line from Bob Klapisch’s article, “Certainly no one saw Alou’s injury coming.” If everyone replaces no one in that sentence, then it makes sense…
the entire 25 man roster could die in a plane crash and omar would say he’s comfortable with the team we’re putting on the field tomorrow.
it’s so annoying that we’re in this position already. everybody in the world knew we needed a right-handed bat for the outfield but omar did nothing. now somebody is going to fleece us in a trade and we’ll be weaker in another area
now, i hate cheaters. but i also hate losing. and in that spirit i would say, give schoeneweis’s parking spot to barry bonds