Mets Pitchers Chime in on Trade Deadline, Mejia Demotion

In this article for the New York Post, written by Dan Martin, "Mets fans aren't the only ones clamoring at the prospects of the team trading for a top of the line starter like Seattle's Cliff Lee or Houston's Roy Oswalt."

In the article Martin goes on to quote Pelfrey, Santana and K-Rod as all saying that improving the team's pitching with either Oswalt or Lee would definitely be a welcome addition and would help the team make a push for the post-season.  Although, it is important to note that the players were also careful to mention that they feel they can win with the team's pitching as is, BUT, cannot deny that an improvement would be a good thing for the team's chances.

Also in the article K-Rod is quoted as saying he isn't a fan of the Mets sending Mejia down to the minors.  His concern seems to be it being "tough to prepare when you don't know if you have to get one or two outs in the eighth. It's a lot easier when you know which guy is gonna be in front of you and who's in what role."

Overall I think the Mets pitchers quoted in this article about the possibility of adding a top starter were honest and respectful in their answers.  Yes, the team could absolutely use another top-starter, but at the same time they did a good job of acknowledging that the team can win as currently constructed.

BUT...

K-Rod should be less worried about who is pitching before him and should be more concerned about NOT making every game a nail-biter.  Lately, he's made EVERY game a little too exciting for my taste.  Maybe that's because he's too concerned with who is pitching the eighth to prepare himself properly for the ninth...

Looking Forward to a Strong Weekend of Baseball

Tonight the Mets open a three game set against the Phillies in the "Illa-delph".  I'm not saying this is any sort of turning point for the season, because it's too early for that stuff, BUT winning this series would be a nice confidence boost for a team (and fan base) on the rise.

Mets fans didn't REALLY know what to expect this year because of the lack of impact free agent additions  this offseason, injuries from last season, and zero faith in the front office and manager.  However, this Mets team is showing some real signs of life and is starting to look a little bit like Omar knew what he was doing this offseason by laying off of a big first base signing (with Davis waiting in the wings), thinking that some of Pelfrey/Maine/ Perez could rebound, believing Niese was ready and that the bullpen could come together.  Although this team is far from great, they do look good, and most importantly are watchable.  This season has been exponentially more fun than last season, but it is only April 30th...

Regardless of the big picture stuff, tonight the Mets have an early season test against the Phillies.  The pitching match ups for the weekend series starts with Jon Niese taking the hill against Kyle Kendrick, to be followed tomorrow by Pelfrey/Halladay, and then another Sunday Night game with Johan Santana facing Jamie Moyer.

I'm not going to get too hung up on this because we know that Phillies line up can really hit...BUT...to me, it looks like the Mets have the advantage in two of the three pitching match ups, with the Halladay/Pelfrey game being the only advantage I see the Phillies having.  I'm just saying this looks promising for the Mets because a weekend series with your three best pitchers going against a top team in the league is not a bad position to be in.

Should be some good baseball, hopefully the weekend will end with the Mets taking the series, gaining some more credibility and, most importantly, putting some life back into the Mets/Phillies rivalry...