Early Morning Madness: I had a better title 4 hours ago edition

I woke up in the middle of the night with a snappy title and a lot of good things to write about, but I can't remember any of them now. Figures, the night I leave the computer on my desk instead of next to my bed. I digress.

*****

The Mets are in trouble, and something needs to be done. They have, in my calculations, two distinct routes they can take: sell or buy.

They could start unloading contracts now (Carlos Delgado, Oliver Perez, Moises Alou), get some prospects in return, and start planning for next year and beyond.

Or, they could start buying. Pick up expendable players for their own expendables, hoping the new player has something the other player lacked. If the pieces don't fit, try and trade them for pieces that do.

I cannot see the team admitting defeat and start trading people left and right. It would raise a white flag and spell out that the team is heading in a wrong direction. I just don't think the Wilpons, Omar Minaya, and the rest of the Mets brass is willing to do that just one year before they crack the champagne on a new stadium.

*****

Another day, another early lead, another loss. What is up with that?

The Mets always seem to jump out to an early lead, look like they're ready to take on the world, and by the time the third inning comes along you can almost visibly see that they're not going to score another run the rest of the game. And they don't.

*****

Do the New York Mets become buyers or sellers? How long will Willie Randolph last? Will they ever win another game? All these questions will be answered...eventually?

TSTDIA: Diamondbacks 9 -- Mets 5

Tick...tock...tick...tock...

Vote for the Mets...sandwich??

That's right. Our Mets have a good sandwich at Shea, and it's now up to you to help it win!

Head here to vote for "Mama’s Italian Special Sandwich" which is detailed in it's own little writeup:

True Mets fans know that when the game gets boring, the place to head isn’t the Nathan’s hot dog stand, but the Mama’s of Corona outpost on the field level. Thinly sliced pepper ham and Genoa salami are piled on an Italian roll, topped off with fresh mozzarella and olive oil. Mini containers of roasted red peppers and mushroom served on the side almost push this one into the “fancy enough for the New York Times” category; you’ll just have to reserve those for throwing at the umpire.

Mama's is up by 9 votes over some disgusting looking slop from the Nationals stadium. It cannot win. It looks disgusting.

More roster moves

Raul Casanova, it's been nice knowing you.

Casanova has been designated for assignment as both Marlon Anderson and Moises Alou have been activated from the disabled list.

One roster spot was opened when Ryan Church was finally put on the DL.

Almost back to normal. Alou, please stay healthy, the team needs you. It's about time they dropped that third catcher.

And if anyone can figure out why the Mets still have Abraham Nunez, please fill me in. I'd love to know the reasoning behind that move.

Ike Davis doesn't like his teammates very much

Hope he can deal with his fellow Mets minor leaguers better than his college squad.

Apparently, the fight was a "joke." Right. Just like most military accidents happen during "training exercises."

Early Morning Madness: Medical edition

I'll be out for the majority of the day today, but I'll be back some time in the mid-afternoon. I have to get a ton of medical tests done, but everything should be all right.

*****

One of Marlon Anderson or Moises Alou should return from the DL, if not both. Someone has to come back to replace Ryan Church, or a minor league promotion will be made.

They'll both work out at the stadium, and whom ever the team feels is further along will be activated. Again, it's possible they're both activated and Abraham Nunez finally goes away.

*****

My father keeps muttering to me that he thinks Church's career is over. I don't think he's right, but it would be a terrible reality if he never really recovers from these head injuries.

Concussions are tough. I've had a few in my time, and it just feels like you're in a fog and you just can't shake it. The headaches and nausea don't really help either. I think Church will be just fine with a bit of R&R, but it's a sobering thought to think his now blossoming career might be over.

It's about time: Church goes on the DL

The Mets have finally made the right move and have placed ailing Ryan Church on the disabled list.

A resulting move has not been announced, but it should be interesting if they pass over Valentino Pascucci again. Mike Carp or Dan Murphy, anyone?

It's really just downright silly how the Mets have handled Church over the last three weeks. Instead of putting him on the DL immediately, or even within a few days, they forced him to travel all over the country, instead of letting his stay home and rest up.

His replacements helped in a few games, but have been pretty flat and unhelpful for a long stretch of time.

Something drastic must be done to save the Mets

The Mets have exactly 100 games left to play (barring a one-game playoff for a berth into the postseason (don't count on it)).

Right now, the Mets are two games under .500, staring up at three teams ahead of them in their own division. Uninspired play continues, as they dropped all four games to the San Diego Padres who climbed out of the cellar with those wins.

Something needs to happen with this New York team. Omar Minaya needs to strike fear into the hearts of these complacent veterans. A shakeup is needed.

A few suggestions:

• Cut Moises Alou. Sure he's a great hitter, but he can not stay healthy long enough to truly contribute to the team.
• If Jose Reyes pops the ball up, and it doesn't make it out of the infield, he must do 25 pushups Willie Mays Hayes style from Major League.
• Trade/Cut/Demote Oliver Perez to anyone that will take him/the bargain rack/to ball boy.
• Bring up young talent. Instead of Abraham Nunez and Robinson Cancel taking up space, bring up some youth. Give Mike Carp a shot. Take a look at Dan Murphy. Let Jon Niese get some reps.

Just a few suggestions for the Mets. Maybe one of these will happen, or something to the same degree and it just might help the Mets turn it around.

100 games left to play. The season needs to start...now.

Early Morning Madness: Willie watch edition

I don't think Willie Randolph is going to make it through this week. He might not even make it through today.

That's all I have for you this morning. Disgruntled Mets fans and Monday mornings are not friends, as I'm sure you all know.

12 games: 6-6 (figures)

Before the New York Mets beat the Florida Marlins 7-6 on May 28, I decided to take a look at the teams next 12 games (including that game) up until June 9, the teams first off day in 21 days.

During those next 12 games, the Mets went exactly 6-6. Perfectly .500.

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6.
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.
Game 3: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5.
Game 4: Mets 3 -- Dodgers 2.
Game 5: Mets 6 -- Dodgers 1.
Game 6: Giants 10 -- Mets 2.
Game 7: Mets 9 -- Giants 6.
Game 8: Mets 5 -- Giants 3.
Game 9: Padres 2 -- Mets 1.
Game 10: Padres 2 -- Mets 1.
Game 11: Padres 2 -- Mets 1.
Game 12: Padres 8 -- Mets 6.

Coming into the series against the Padres, the Mets seemed to be flying high, garnering a mark of 6-2 through 8 games.

After a string of 2-1 losses and a heartbreaking defeat on Sunday, the Mets fell to a typical 6-6 record over the planned 12 games.

These 12 games are a microcosm of the season so far, and into the future. Though they may tease us with spouts of talent and swagger, just as quickly as it came, it will disappear. The team will turn around and flop around like a fish out of water, gasping to stay above the .500 mark.

This team is built to be of championship caliber, at least on paper, but right now it looks more like they'll be selling what they can at the All Star Break and attempting to rebuild for next year, or even a two or three years down the road.

It looks like it's going to be a much shorter (but it will feel like longer) year than expected out of our New York Metropolitans. As I always do, I try to keep a positive spin on things, so: Maybe this is for the better?