Present and accounted for...sir!

Though rumors are still flying that one, some or all coaches might be gone by weeks end, all of the current staff is at the ballpark in California.

Tom Nieto was the man closest to the ax as of late. Yes, because people believe the first base coach is the real problem here.

Perry picks two Mets that should be starting the All-Star Game

Dayn Perry, creepy picture and all, is making his picks for the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. These are the players that he feels should be starting the mid-summer classic, and two Mets make the list:

SS Jose Reyes, Mets
Tough one. The debate comes down to Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins vs. Reyes (had Rafael Furcal not been injured for so long, he'd have a case). Both are notable young stars, and both have their strengths. Ramirez is better with the bat, but Reyes is better with the glove. Actually, he's much better with the glove, which, ultimately, is why we're going with him. Of course, Reyes is also hitting .291 AVG/.351 BP/.480 SLG, which constitutes excellent production for a shortstop playing half his games in Shea. So give a third All-Star appearance to one of the most exciting players in the game.

He's hot at the plate, but struggling in the field. Still, I think he's one of, if not the most exciting player in baseball. Any single could quickly turn into a double. Doubles could be converted into triples. A ball that gets away could be an inside-the-park home run. I don't think he should be starting the game, as his errors make a great case against him.

CF Carlos Beltran, Mets
Beltran or Aaron Rowand — it's a difficult decision. We're going with Beltran because of his superior defense (yes, he's a better glove man than Rowand), better base running, and his status as the bigger star of the two. This would mean five straight trips to the All-Star Game for Beltran.

Agreed. I love Rowand because he's willing to give himself up for a ball, as is Beltran. Carlos glides across the field, making plays you would never expect, and usually makes it look easy. He's not a guy to hit for average, as we all know, but he's more than sufficent at the plate. I would never trade him in a million years. All-Star Game, sounds good to me.

Why can't we think like that?

Dan Graziano puts his thoughts into text and gives us this little quote from a team official:

One high-ranking official of another team, after a discussion about the mess in which the Mets find themselves, said, "Whatever. They'll still win the division."

This was startling, of course, because...well, it sure doesn't look that way. But the idea that such an outside perception could exist prompted further inquiry. So, being a good, seasoned reporter, I responded by saying, "Ya think?"

(That's right -- that's the kind of investigative journalist you're dealing with here.)

The response was, "Sure. I still look at a team that has Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Santana, Wagner and Pedro Martinez, and that's just too good. They'll be fine."

If it was only that easy to believe as a fan.

For some odd reason, I woke up this morning with a newfound hope. For some reason, I just have a feeling something is going to happen and it's going to be for the better. Don't ask me if Willie Randolph is going to be fired or the Mets will suddenly get, and stay, hot, but something is coming down the turnpike.

Early Morning Madness: Seesaw and firings edition

What must it be like to be Robinson Cancel?

You haven't gotten a hit in nine years. You've only tallied eight hits in the majors. You only have five RBI.

Then Sunday afternoon rolls along and you single up the middle, driving in two runs that turn out to be the game winners. With two strikes, nonetheless.

Pretty nice fathers day, right?

*****

Rumor is that instead of Willie Randolph being the first one to go, it seem that Rick Peterson and Tom Nieto might be the first to be shown the door.

Nieto, I'm completely indifferent to. I don't think he really adds much to the team, but I can't see him detracting much either. The Mets won't be better or worse off either way.

With Peterson though, I think the Mets are making a mistake. With Peterson gone, I think that Oliver Perez will completely unhinge, experimenting with crazy arm angles and pitching mechanics.

If these firings do take place, the staff from AAA would likely get a promotion to the bigs.

*****

The Mets could be dealing with their manager almost being fired two different ways. On one hand, they could be handling it by not paying it any attention, just going out there and playing as usual. On the flip side, they could be motivated to try and save their manager's job by going out there and giving it 110%.

I'm not calling out players for not hustling or something like that, it's just a different mentality that the player might be putting himself into.

Either way, does it seem to be working?

TSTDIA: Mets 4 -- Rangers 2

Willie Randolph made a wise decision pinch hitting for Pedro Martinez in the 6th, which paid off, as Robinson Cancel picked up his first hit in 9 years, the eventual game winner for the Mets.

Still, Randolph might not be taking the cross-continental flight to Anaheim, I think.

TSTDIA: Rangers 8 -- Mets 7

The Mets tease with a rally, but fall short by just one run. Close only works with horseshoes and hand grenades.

Think Willie Randolph will be fired between game one and two??

Off Topic: MLB actually did predict the future

Do you remember the Mercury Mets?

Well after a discussion about the "Turn Ahead The Clock" promotion MLB rolled out in 1999 with a buddy of mine, I happened upon a site with some of the jerseys used in that event.

Here is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays jersey:
So as the Tampa Bay organization recently made the transition this year from the Devil Rays to just the Rays, maybe MLB got something right during that nightmare for uniform enthusiasts.

Happy Fathers Day

Just wishing all the dads out there a Happy Fathers Day, especially my own!

Hopefully the Mets can pick up two games in a span of 6 hours on your special day.

Another doubleheader

Tonight's game has been rained out.

Because the Mets almost never play the Texas Rangers, the game will be made up tomorrow in a day-night traditional doubleheader.

A day-night traditional doubleheader will leave the Mets to head out to Los Angeles late early tomorrow night.

Oh great. That's going to be awesome. Just what this team needs right now.

This might give the front office some time to think over Willie Randolph and his job status, which is probably a terrible thing for him.

UPDATE: I'm a fool. I just assumed that it was a day-night doubleheader, which it is not. It's actually, surprisingly, a traditional doubleheader with one game starting at 1:10 p.m. and the same ticket allowing you to stick around and watch the second game right after.

So if you're going today, enjoy the double dip of baseball!

Why I hope to like Trot

The Mets acquired Trot Nixon from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization on Friday. Nixon was activated, with Chris Aguila was sent back down to AAA.

Nixon is a veteran, but not very old. He has leadership qualities, and can impart his wisdom to younger players.

Sure, he's a new guy, but he's always seemed like the guy who's willing to step up and say what needs to be said.

I think I'm going to like Trot.