Early Morning Madness: Remember what I said yesterday? Forget it edition

Yesterday, I reported that Billy Wagner was going to have an MRI on his shoulder. Then I reported that the MRI was scrapped because he felt all right.

Now, I am reporting that he will have that MRI done on his shoulder.

He did see a doctor yesterday, and the Mets are stressing that this is a "precautionary" MRI.

The Mets have seemed to learn a valuable lesson from their handling on Ryan Church. "If it hurts a little bit, go see a doctor." It looks like they're going to handle each and every ache and pain a player suffers with the utmost care.

I'm still unsure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

** * **

If Wagner was to ever go down, the Mets would take a huge blow to the make up of their bullpen. It seems the Mets have that in mind, and rumors are linking the Mets, among other teams, to Oakland closer Huston Street.

I put no credibility into trade rumors unless they are reported by more than a few sources. Otherwise it just seems like something written to appease the fans. I think, as a journalist, that one shouldn't have to do that. You should have enough in your arsenal to write about fact, not rumors.

If you hear rumors, mark them as what they are. Don't say, "The Mets have joined the list of teams expressing interest in Oakland closer Huston Street." But rather, "There are rumors that the Mets might have interest in Huston Street from Oakland." Unless someone comes out and says "Yup! We're pursuing Street," I don't much care.

** * **

It's one way or the other...make up your minds.

FJM takes on two Mets related subjects

You know when Ken Tremendous goes out and writes:

Let's imagine I am part of a 25-man team that makes frozen 4-cheese ravioli dinners. And every time I'm on a shift, I take my syringe and I expertly inject the pasta with goat cheese (my task) and I have like a 99.4% success rate of successful goat cheese injection, and when my raviolis go on to the next man on my team, ready for edam infusion, they are just perfectly formed and looking tasty and delicious. And by the time they reach the end of the assembly line, they are torn to shreds, leaking gouda, and somehow covered in bat feces -- so bad are the other men on Team Ravioli.

...as your metaphor in the story for Johan Santana, it's going to be a good article.

Also mentioned: Jerry Manuel.

Please, for the love of the Team Ravioli, read this post.

The NL East gets all the press

Two articles today break down the NL East.

Jayson Stark gets absolutely blasted by Mets fans in his "That's Debatable" column where he breaks down the National League East. (Spoiler: He picked the Phillies to win it) Read the comments for the angry fans from New York.

Here is his case for the Mets:

It's September in reverse for the Mets. It took them less than four weeks to slice a 7.5-game Phillies lead to a half-game, just before the All-Star break. And they went from 5.5; out on the 4th of July to a tie for first quicker than you could say, ''10-game winning streak.'' So while there's still a debate about which of these teams is better, there's no doubt who's hotter. Since Jerry Manuel became their manager, the Mets are 19-12. They've averaged more than six runs a game. And they have a much more positive vibe, on and off the field.

I'll allow it. I'd rather be the underdog here than the top seat and set up for disaster (again). Everyone is loving the Jerry-vibe.

John Donovan reveals the cons for the teams of the NL East. The Mets is kind of iffy:

BUT ... Johan Santana, as good as he's been (3.10 ERA), hasn't been as dominant as many assumed he'd be. Pedro Martinez (3-2, 6.25) has been awful in his return from injury. The rest of the rotation is barely average. And the bullpen, with a 3.85 ERA, is better only than the Nationals in the East.

Last time I checked a 3.10 ERA is nothing to scoff at.

Again, as I said this morning, it really looks like it's going to be a fun stretch run. It seems to be a three team dogfight as of now, but all the Braves need is a good run to be right back in it.

I'm going out on a limb and calling the Nationals over. I don't think anyone can disagree with that statement.

Five reasons the Mets WON'T make the playoffs

Today, I bring you my five reasons the New York Mets will miss out on the playoffs in 2008. Check back tomorrow for the five reasons they WILL make the postseason.

The Mets are tied for first place, but everyone loves a pessimist. Here are the five reasons I think the Mets will fall apart and fail to make the postseason.

And here. We. Go.:

• The Mets don't have starting corner outfielders. Moises Alou is done for the year. Ryan Church can't seem to get, and stay, healthy. A cast of characters has filled in their absences, and done decently, but who thinks they can keep it up? Jerry Manuel isn't even confident, saying, "Those guys have played surprisingly well. I don't know if you can expect that to continue."
• Carlos Delgado will falter. Sure, he's been pretty smoking hot lately, but there's a huge chance he could return to the player we saw the first few months of the year. He'd be a huge liability to the lineup if he goes back to the April/May Delgado.
• The bullpen will fall apart...again. Just like last year.
• Oliver Perez will forget how to pitch...again. He also seems to have turned a corner, but who really thinks that is going to last?
• David Wright won't be able to carry the team this time. He almost pulled it off in 2007, but this one might be too tough for him to overcome.

Anything I miss?

Ex-Mets: Lo Duca to first

You know your season is in the tank when...

From the Washington Post:

At 36, for the first time in his career, Paul Lo Duca has become an everyday starting first baseman. All it took was the emergence of Jesús Flores at catcher, the wrist injury to starting first baseman Nick Johnson, the various maladies of backup first baseman Young, and the left calf strain of another first base option, Aaron Boone. As a result, Manager Manny Acta said Sunday that Lo Duca, at least for the short-term, "will get most of the at-bats at first base."

Yeah, Nationals, good luck with that.

Welcome back to first place, Mets

And we're back!

With yesterdays extra inning win in Cincinnati, coupled with the Phillies extra inning loss in Florida, the Mets moved back into a tie for first place.

The Marlins could move into a three way tie for first place with a win against the Braves tonight, as both the Mets and the Phillies have a night off before they begin a three game series at Shea Stadium on Tuesday.

Gosh, I love baseball. This is going to be a dogfight to the finish.

Poll: Do the Mets need to make a trade?

Hit the sidebar to cast your vote and leave your comments here to discuss.

I voted "yes" but I'm not quite sure who I would trade for. It's not going to be a huge, blockbuster deal, but I think Omar Minaya will land a capable player who will help this team along.

For some reason, I think it's going to be Randy Winn from the Giants.

Early Morning Madness: Billy Wagner should have a cramp in his shoulder more often edition

It's the bottom of the tenth inning on Sunday. The Mets are up by two, bringing in their closer Billy Wagner. Two pitches in, both Jerry Manuel and trainer Rey Ramirez begin trotting out to the mound to check on Wagner, for an injury they think he has.

Billy shrugs them off, and flashes a smile as they walk away. He proceeds to strike out the side, in order, and seal up a win for his team.

He does all this with a cramp in his pitching shoulder. More cramps, I say!

But seriously, Wagner will have an MRI on the shoulder today, just to see if everything is all right. It was ridiculously hot yesterday, so a little dehydration is my expert opinion of what went wrong. Not too worried.

Update: I wasn't worried, and now either are the Mets. The scheduled MRI has been cancelled.

** * **

Congratulations are in order for Jose Reyes, who is now the franchise leader in triples.

Reyes passed Mookie Wilson's, notching his 63rd triple in a Mets uniform yesterday at Cincy.

To many more, Reyes. Many, many more.

** * **

Mets minor league prospect Dan Murphy, a third baseman by trade, has shifted to second base in hopes of making it to the big leagues with the Mets.

Obviously, Murphy is blocked by David Wright at third, and will be for a very long time. Second base is a bit more crowded, but things are very up in the air with that position.

Luis Castillo is unfortunately signed for the next three years at that position, pulling in $6 million a year. Damion Easley has filled in amazingly well while Castillo is on the DL. And now Argenis Reyes has come up and made things look easy, contributing key pinch hits and playing well in the field to spell Easley.

Well, if Murphy has his way, you should add his name to the list.

Here's a quote, via Adam Rubin:

"My theory is just catch it and get rid of it," said Murphy, who played second base through the 11th grade, about his double-play approach. "If I get hit, I get hit. That's the way it is. I'm pretty sure my pitchers would take something for me. So if they're going to throw a double-play ball and I take a hit, that's just the way it goes."

I wonder if he's willing to take a hit...

TSTDIA: Mets 7 -- Reds 5

A tenth inning rally sparked by Robinson Cancel and helped out by some shotty play be the Reds helped the mets earn a split of the series.

The Mets move back into a tie for first with the Phillies, with the Marlins only one half game back.

TSTDIA: Reds 7 -- Mets 2

So glad I skipped out on this one.