Early Morning Madness: David Wright needs a day off but won't get one edition

David Wright finally got a hit last night. Two in fact. But in the field and on the basepath, he looks lost. Today's noon game would be the perfect opportunity to give him a breather, give him the chance to clear his head.

Apparently, Jerry Manuel thinks the same way, but Wright talked him out of it.

On one hand, I love that he wants in the lineup no matter what. On the other, Manuel is the manager and should be able to lay down the hammer if need be.

All I know is he better come out and perform well today or he will be sitting on Friday.

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Another little tidbit from Adam Rubin:

Eddie Kunz hadn’t given up a homer as a professional, or during his final two seasons at Oregon State, until Chase Headley took him deep.

That's unbelievable. Time to start that streak up again.

** * **

The starter for Saturday's game is still up in the air. It seems unlikely that Jon Niese will get the start.

Seems like Brian Stokes will be the man on the mound. I was impressed with what Stokes put together at the end of spring training. He has a nice fastball and can get it up in the zone, past batters.

Should be interesting to see what he can do. Maybe he could stick around in the bullpen if he shows he can pitch.

TSTDIA: Padres 4 -- Mets 2

The Mets watched another winnable game slip by.

Pedro Martinez got off to a rough start, but settled down very nicely over the next 5 1-3 innings. Daniel Murphy had a nice night, going 3-4 with a triple, RBI, and a run scored, but it all went for naught.

Looking ahead: There will be a battle for Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira will be a free agent this offseason. He is seeking a 10-year deal, worth approximately $20 million per year. The only teams I could think that would be able to afford him are based in Boston and New York.

According to the LA Times, one of Teixeira's favorite cities to play is NY:

Heard Mark Teixeira say his three favorite places to play are New York, Seattle and Anaheim.

Is it safe to assume he will sign next year with New York, Seattle or the Angels?"

I said my three favorite stadiums are in those places," Teixeira said.

"So it just comes down to money and who pays you the most, and that's where you will play next year?" I said.

Teixeira was taken aback. "Am I on 'Candid Camera'?"

Depending on whether or not the Mets want to pick up the option on Carlos Delgado, I can see both the Mets and the Yankees getting into a bidding war for their new first baseman.

Delgado can be bought out for $4 million, instead of picking up his $12 million mutual contract. If Delgado can keep up what he's done the last few months, I'm all for him playing at Citi Field next year.

If he declines, and goes back to what he had been playing like for the last year and a half, I'd be more than happy to purchase a Teixeira jersey.

Mets should take a chance on Freddy Garcia

At this rate, we might not have any pitchers left at the end of the month. Omar Minaya, start signing away!

Freddy Garcia threw for representatives from roughly 15 teams in Miami on Tuesday on his way back from surgery he received just over one year ago.

A lot of teams are interested. Does that mean pitching help is that dire, or he's that good? Over his career, Garcia has gone 117-76 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. A lot of wins, especially for only starting in 262 games, but that ERA is a bit lofty.

In his last three years, his ERA has risen nearly a point each season. In 2005, he had a 3.87. 2006 saw him post a 4.53. In a shortened 2007, he put up a 5.90.

The main reason teams like him: He's a workhorse. In his 10 year career, he's topped 200 innings six times. On the flip-side, he's also barely gotten over 100 in the other four years, with his highest being 124 innings in 2000.

If they Mets can get him on the cheap, which doesn't seem possible since so many teams are after him, I'd like to see him try and prove something. If the price is too steep, Minaya should simply walk away.

MLB team in Northern New Jersey?

According to Biz of Baseball, Northern New Jersey is the best market for another MLB team.

Then maybe I could live and home and work for pro team. That OK Mom and Dad?

Ambiorix Burgos is not dead

Remember that player in the Brian Bannister deal? (And before you jump all over Omar Minaya, Bannister is 7-9 this year, with an ERA of 5.33).

Ambiroix Burgos made his first appearance while rehabbing his way back from Tommy John surgery.

In two innings for the Gulf Coast Mets, Burgos allowed three hits and two earned runs, while striking out four.

Burgos, only 24, has appeared in 144 games in his short career, only 17 with the Mets. He earned his only win as a member of the Mets when the team rallied to score five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs on May 17, 2007.

Rockies win claim on Livan Hernandez

I never thought I'd be happy to see the Mets lose out on a player, but this time I am.

I don't think I could live through many games of what we saw Mike Pelfrey do last night if Livan Hernandez was on the Mets. He gives up a ton of hits, but somehow manages to give up a few runs on most occasions. Other times he gets absolutely shelled.

Sitting and watching hit after hit last night and watching Pelfrey squirm out was OK. I just don't think I could do it every fifth day.

Thank you, Rockies, for winning that claim.

Early Morning Madness: Aaron Heilman at closer is a bad idea

Don't ever make the fans sit through that again. When he came into the inning, was there anyone who has watched this team over the last few years that he would make it through the inning unscathed?

Please, Jerry Manuel, Mets brass, and to anyone who will listen, never ever allow Aaron Heilman to attempt to close out a game ever again. If it was an experiment, then fine, we now know the results and they are not pretty.

Next time around, I'd like to see Eddie Kunz get a shot. If he struggles, just move to the next available arm in the bullpen. But no, not Heilman.

He gives up runs like they're candy when he's not closing, so what in the world would make anyone think in a higher pressure situation he would prosper??

Jerry, you could make every Mets fan happy if you just come out and say "Heilman will never close again. Ever."

TSTDIA: Mets 6 -- Padres 5

Despite Aaron Heilman's best efforts, the Mets pulled out a win against the Padres, mostly thanks to the bat of Fernando Tatis.

Billy Wagner to the DL; Ruddy Lugo up

Billy Wagner's MRI revealed a strained left forearm, so the southpaw is heading for the disabled list.

Ruddy Lugo will replace him on the roster, not making it to the stadium until after the game begins.

Jerry Manuel said he will use bullpen by comittee, with Aaron Heilman getting the top billing.

Well this should be fun. Lugo's name had been thrown around as a possibility for the spot start needed this weekend. Guess you can take him out of the running for that.

Please get well soon, Billy, blown saves and all.