So the All Star Break has come and gone, as have many in the New York Mets organization, including hitting instructor Rick Down and ageless wonder Julio Franco. Replacing the departed are baseball legend Rickey Henderson, who took over as the first base coach, while Howard Johnson was named the Mets new hitting instructor, and OF Lastings Milledge, whose ego and sense of cockiness in his first stints in Queens have rivaled that of Ricky in his prime (Well, at least Milledge isn’t talking in the third person yet).

While the hiring of Rickey is what’s dominating the headlines, it is Milledge that has made the bigger splash since the All Star break. Milledge finally started to show the signs of the great ballplayer that he should be this past weekend as the Mets took three of four from the Cincinnati Reds. His personal high point of the weekend was no doubt his game winning RBI on Saturday, a game which most all of us attended. The clutch performance on Saturday, plus steady performances the rest of the four games has got to have Mets GM Omar Minaya interested in what his top hitting prospect could be capable of…or sent away for.

Now, don’t jump on my back, but Milledge can definitely be considered expendable for the right price; especially with guys like Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez in our system also. Minaya though is smart, and will not make a move unless it is for a stud, especially an ace. The problem is, Omar doesn’t have too many options to choose from in the trade market. It definitely seems like Astros ace Roy Oswalt is generating the most attention on the market, and the Mets are serious contenders for his services. We would basically have to give up the farm for Oswalt though, who is under contract for another four years after this season. If Omar could pull off a move while not giving up too much for Oswalt, it would be one of the more impressive trades in Mets history. Earlier in the season, free agent to be Carlos Zambrano’s name was thrown around in trade rumors, but with the Cubs playing like contenders, I can’t see him being on the market anymore. There are other pitchers out there, but none that is worth our top hitting prospect.

There is also the possibility that we keep Milledge and stick him in one of the corners as a starter next season. I mean I am not against keeping him if he continues to perform, and stay out of “trouble.” The marked improvement in his behavior from his earlier stints with the parent club, has only improved his credibility to the team and fans (yes this club is still credible and classy…even with Ricky and Keith on the same payroll). Plus, if Milledge blossoms into the player he should turn out the be, himself, Gomez, and center fielder Carlos Beltran will be one of the great outfields for a long time. Extra base hits for opponents would be a thing of the past with those three flying around there. And as I said, I cannot wait to see the “positive” influence of Rickey on Lastings.

As you can plainly see, there are pros and cons of putting Milledge on the trading block. A deal for Milledge better bring in some hard-core studs, such as Mr. Oswalt or Mr. Dunn (which I am not 100% in support of), or Mr. Griffey (who is still the man). If not though, it looks like that Milledge can become one of the best in the business if he keeps up the pace he has shown since the All Star Break ended. So let me hear back from ya, do we trade Milledge, keep him, tell him to jump off of a cliff. Let me know what’s up. Have a great day and pleasant yesterday.

JD
Read More...

by Peter J. Pompilio

It was reported Wednesday night that former Met Rickey Henderson, best remembered for playing cards with another player during Game Six of the 1999 NLCS, has been hired as the Mets NEW hitting coach, replacing Rick Down. He began his duties Thursday night when the Mets played the Cincinnati Reds.

To this fan, I find this move atrocious and mind-boggling. Why would you get rid of Rick Down, who has been one of the best hitting coaches in recent memory, and who coached the Yankees back in the early 90's, and hire an out of shape bum like Rickey Henderson? What is Ricky Henderson going to do with the Mets players, play cards with them? Jesus H. Christ, what was Omar Minaya thinking?

I for one HATE this move and I feel that Down got a raw deal. I don't think it was his fault that the bats weren’t on fire. You can’t blame him for Beltran and Delgado not producing the way they did last year. Both guys are in a slump, as Delgado is batting just over .230, and Beltran is hitting around .270. The rest of the lineup though, is still producing. I mean look at what Reyes did in the All Star Game, going 3 for 4 with a run scored. He has really turned it on this season, and in my opinion he is going to steal 70-75 bases (he is at 46 as of today). Others are starting to heat up as well. David Wright seems to be hitting the ball better, Shawn Green is still producing, and hell even Ruben Gotay is getting hits left and right.

In other news…

The Mets do need another bat though. With Milledge coming up he could possibly platoon in left with maybe Easley, or that bum Newhan until Alou comes back (hopefully in early August).

The trade deadline is coming up in 20 days and I see the Mets making some deals. I think they should try to get a deal for White Sox OF Jermaine Dye or another powerful bat (Adam Dunn anyone?). I think both players could be HUGE for this lineup.

They should go after some players in free agency after this season, in particular Eric Byrnes. His defense is spectacular, and he is a decent hitter as well. Omar should invest in him and maybe a new second baseman. Not to say I don’t like Jose Valentin, but I think they should put Easley there next year or try to get a 2B who is a free agent this off-season.

My whole point of this blogpost is this. The Mets need to start hitting the way they were last season or this will be a very LONG summer, and it could prove to be the Mets downfall. I still think Rickey Henderson is not the answer, and Rick Down should still be the hitting coach.

That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

Read More...

The Mets made a number of changes over the All Star Break, starting with the firing of Rick Down and the addition of Rickey Henderson to the coaching staff. Many of us saw this coming, after the Mets’ hitting seemed to disappear during the “June swoon”. With Down out and Henderson in, the most likely scenario would see first base coach Howard Johnson take over the job as hitting instructor. Rickey Henderson would then become the first base coach, a job he will fit into nicely, as he has worked extensively with Jose Reyes and some of the other Mets speedsters during spring training.

Down has done a terrible job as the hitting instructor, I personally am glad to see him go.

Today, the Mets dropped the second bomb of the break by designating the 48 year old Julio Franco for assignment. Again, this was expected, as most fans are sick and tired of seeing Willie Randolph bringing in Julio Franco to pinch hit in a big spot in the 8th inning only to see Franco strikeout or ground out to second. While Franco brought amazing leadership and experience to the clubhouse, it was time to face the facts. Franco just cannot get the bat around anymore, and therefore, he has no place on a potentially championship caliber team. Franco will be looking for a new team in 10 days, as he will become a free agent. If he can’t find a team that wants him, he will most likely retire and become a coach somewhere.

Lastly, Metsblog is reporting that the Mets have signed former Met Marlon Anderson to a minor league contract. Anderson was DFA’d by the Dodgers last month mainly because of the Dodgers plethora of younger infield talent. Anderson could become a viable option for the Mets off the bench this season since we have had trouble in the pinch hitting department.

Could all these changes by Omar be the key to success for the Mets? Only the next 75 games will tell. Read More...