eMailbag: Quick Qs, Quick As
Dyer 18: Is it possible that if the Mets continue to struggle, and find themselves in third or even fourth place in the division, will Omar decide to trade one of the core players in order to acquire some young talent?
Matthew Cerrone: Well, they’d have to tank hard in the next two weeks or so, because the trade deadline is 27 games away, and I don’t see that happening. Of course, they could put players like Livan Hernandez on waivers, and probably get a low-level player in return.
That said, as frustrated as I am right now, today, I still believe this team is capable of reeling off a hot streak, especially in September, especially if Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Billy Wagner, J.J. Putz, John Maine and Oliver Perez return, and hopefully Jose Reyes. I mean, think about that? Why give up if you can remain in striking distance, get those players back and get hot at the end? There is still more than half of a season left to be played. Believe me, I am as frustrated as the next guy, but it would be foolish to suggest the season is over in late June, especially considering how poor the rest of the division is, and how many 
players could still return to play a big chunk of games.
Bill Meakem: Jerry Manuel correctly said late last week that if you produce you will play. Can someone please then explain to me why it is that when Ryan Church is scratched due to flu symptoms that double-play machine Fernando Tatis and not Nick Evans replaces him as the left field starter?
Matthew Cerrone: I have no idea, Bill. I really don’t. I don’t understand why Manuel repeatedly says one thing, than does something else. Tatis was a great story last season. But, he’s batting .223 in his last 109 at bats, and has just three extra base hits. What’s worse, at this point, even I know to pitch him inside, because it’s essentially an automatic ground ball. Now, Evans is just 4 for 10, but at least he’s 4 for 10. So, play him. Play him, Murphy, Ryan Church and Gary Sheffield, and be done with Fernando Martinez and Tatis for now, because these guys need every drop of offense they can find.
Jaime D: Why do you love Bobby Parnell so much and refuse to include him in trades? Just because he throw 96 mph does not make him a great pitcher. He needs secondary pitches, as we have seen in 
the last couple of weeks. If a team wanted Parnell and player X, I would do that in a minute for the right guy. There are a lot of guys who can throw hard and become 8th inning guys.
Matthew Cerrone: A) I do not love Parnell, I like him, and B) I too would trade Parnell and Player X for the right guy. The question is: Who is the right guy? To me, it’s not Mark DeRosa. It’s not Adam Dunn. Look, I like Dunn, and think he’s a perfect fit, but I do not think he alone will make much of a difference on this current roster. And so, trading away a young pitcher with Parnell’s potential, to me, in this situation, to plug one hole when so many others remaining, would be a foolish move.
