Herb G - Beating a Dead Horse?

There is an old saying: "If you can keep your head and remain calm while all those around you are running around making changes and trying new things . . .perhaps you just don't understand the seriousness of your situation."  Many of us keep suggesting trade ideas to upgrade our favorite team's player roster, but the front office seems intent on standng pat.

Well, here I go again, taking out my whip and trying to flog this horse into action.

With Johan Santana likely out for the season and Shaun Marcum's apparent fragility, are our best options for depth in the rotation really Aaron Laffey and Collin McHugh? Jeremy Hefner was slated to replace Johan when it was thought that he would be out for only a few weeks to a month, but is he the right choice to fill in for the season? And they are now saying that Marcum is likely to be able to take his place in the rotation in two weeks when he is actually needed, but can we truly count on that? Yesterday Chris Young was cut by the Nationals after he exercised the opt out clause in his minor league contract. Andy Martino, of the New York Daily News is tweeting that it is unlikely that the Mets will pursue Young. I wonder why not. It looks like he may go to the Angels. He performed well for the Mets last year, and he is another year removed from surgery. He's had a fine spring, making 4 starts with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.125 WHIP. At this point, in my opinion, the Mets should promise Young a spot in the rotation, returning Hefner to the fall back option he was meant to occupy. If he would have us, why not sign Young?

The outfield is still in flux. Now it seems that Captain Kirk (can we continue to call him Captain when David has been annointeed the real Captain?) will make the opening day roster. That leaves us with few options to play center field in Las Vegas, and little depth at the major league level. Two possibilities to add depth are:

Julio Borbon of Texas. With Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry dubbed for CF with Texas, they are shopping Julio Borbon. The speedy Borbon is a natural center fielder, bats lefty (not necessarily an asset) and has stolen as many as 53 bases in 2008. He has a .284/.324/.358 slash line in the majors, and is hitting over .300 in his minor league career.

Casper Wells is on the cusp at Seattle, depending on whether they decide to place Jason Bay (yes, that Jason Bay) on their opening day roster. He could be DFA'd at any time. A slick fielding outfielder, he is primarily a corner outfielder but he can play CF as well. He has some pop, hitting 17 HRs with Seattle in 432 plate appearances, in the least hitter friendly park in the majors.

Come on, Sandy. Make a move.