Boots on the Ground

[Guest AG/DC]

If we're going to get this thing going, it'd be nice to have all assets available.

Marlon Anderson has had his hamstring strain labeled a tear by that demon MRI machine, and "figures to be sidelined for quite a while."

Moises Alou "hopes to be ready when he's eligible to return June 5 in San Diego."

Ambiorix Burgos "out for a prolonged period."

Ryan Church "told to stay away from Shea..." and due back "possibly by the weekend."

Orlando Hernandez "long tossing and might resume throwing from the mound 'in a week or two'."

Pedro Martinez allowed two runs in six innngs throwing 90% fastballs in an A Ball rehab start last night. (The Mets were shut down by top prospect David Price.) He's tentatively schedulded for a "possible start Tuesday in San Francisco."

Angel Pagan "not close" to returning with a contusion of the shoulder detected by that same diablolical MRI machine.

Jason "The Other" Vargas "eyeing a return to minor-league games in late July or early August."

Matt Wise has had his struggles attributed to "right rotator cuff tendonitis" and is on the DL at least until June 11.

[DocTee]

"Not close to returning due to a contusion..."

Isn't that a fancy word for bruise?

What are these guys made of glass-- play hurt, not injured.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

It's barely worth examining but 1050 yesterday was breathless with "exclusive breaking news" that the Mets were persuing "an energy guy" in a trade "at a low cost." Seriously, their guy were there to "break it down."

I'd figure they are looking for a switch/LH-hitting outfielder to assume Anderson's role, so if you happen to see any of them get released assume the Mets are interested.

[Guest AG/DC]

The term "energy guy" is ominous. Has "Juan Pierre" written all over it.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Everybody's in favor of low-cost energy, though.

[seawolf17]

Come on, Ryan Freel!

[Guest holychicken]

I am sure they could contact a number of the '86 Mets about a low cost, relative to the amount they are paid, solution to their energy deficiency problem.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Everybody's in favor of low-cost energy, though.

Isn't that funny? Did anyone else hear these reports? It was as if the reporter overheard Jeff Wilpon at a budget meeting.

"We have to raise prices on these luxury boxes unless we can get a better deal on air conditioning. Get me an energy guy and get me one cheap! And dammit, Marcie, get me another box of Alpha Bits! [/bangs fast on desk]."

[Gwreck]

Wait a second, why the hell haven't we signed Kenny Lofton? He's looking for work, he can play the outfield, he can hit. I don't see how it's not a match.

[metirish]

I read that Lofton wants to play for a contender.

[Guest AG/DC]

He's been rumored for Chicago. Reed Johnson has been playing in the wake of failures by Felix Pie and Jim Edmonds to hold the centerfield job.

I don't think he has anything left defensively, but that didn't stop Rickey Henderson.

[Guest sharpie]

Lofton wouldn't be the "energy guy via a trade" the radio spoke of yesterday but he might not be a bad signing. One more team for him (would be his 12th, plus two recidivist stints with the seriously, I just used a racist word when I really meant "Guardians").

[Frayed Knot]

The only problem with Lofton's defense is that his days as an everyday CFer are long behind him -- but of course that's not what we'd be using him for.

]1050 yesterday was breathless with "exclusive breaking news"

ESPN would claim credit for predicting a morning sunrise.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I wonder whether the very idea of Lofton is the right one for the team's image right now. Because if image is not a concern then they should be signing Bonds.

On a basic level it'd be great to hear they're concerned that Lofton's age could/would lead to diminished returns and injury -- some of the same problems the mets are looking to solve.

My idea of "energy guy" is that Freel/Byrnes type: Low-talent white guy who injures himself running into wall rather than running to first base.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If all these guys were suddenly, miraculously, healthy, who would go from the current roster in order to make room?

Some quick guesses on my part:

Marlon Anderson Nick Evans

Moises Alou Raul Casanova

Ambiorix Burgos Nobody. He'd stay in the minors.

Ryan Church Still on the active roster.

Orlando Hernandez Vargas?

Pedro Martinez Mike Pelfrey

Angel Pagan Oooh, tough one. Would Tatis go back to New Orleans to make room for Pagan? I'm not so sure.

Jason "The Other" Vargas He'd stay in the minors.

Matt Wise Muniz, I suppose. But if Muniz is pitching well, I'd let him keep his spot, much like Joe Smith has.

[seawolf17]

I'm going to go all Valadius/Micah Owings here and demand that the Mets acquire Ryan Freel NOW.

[smg58]

What's Jose Valentin's status?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Playing for the St. Lucie Mets.

[Gwreck]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I wonder whether the very idea of Lofton is the right one for the team's image right now. Because if image is not a concern then they should be signing Bonds.

Well, the image problem with Bonds is a tad different than the image problem with Lofton, no?

]On a basic level it'd be great to hear they're concerned that Lofton's age could/would lead to diminished returns and injury -- some of the same problems the mets are looking to solve.

Sure. And I agree, but that's the kind of rationale that I'd like to hear as to why we don't want Bobby Abreu to be our left fielder next year, rather than why we shouldn't get Kenny Lofton NOW!!! to play outfield for us. (Obviously, we're not going to give him a multiyear deal).

With Nick Evans/Endy Chavez/Fernando Tatis as our outfield options, we've got nowhere to go but up, age of the player notwithstanding.

[Guest AG/DC]

No marginalizing Endy. Not today.