Benjamin Grimm

Edgy DC wrote: What is wrong with baseball? Excellent question. It seems crazy to say that you or I know more than baseball lifers like Jerry Manuel, Willie Randolph, or Terry Collins, but in this case, it seems so. This whole idea of managing to the save rule is beyond insane. I'm waiting for a brave* manager to step forward and call a halt to this nonsense. * And why it takes bravery to not do crazy things is a whole nother question.

DOUBLES Jos� sneaking up on HoJo and Fonzie: 1. David Wright 266 2. Ed Kranepool 225 3. Howard Johnson 214 4. Edgardo Alfonzo 212 5. Jos� Reyes 210

Voting for Tuesday night's win in Milwaukee will close on Friday morning. Schaefer POTG 6/7/11 - Mets 2, Brewers 1

When I went to bed it was 6-2. Just checked in looking to confirm the win, and saw the unhappy news. Yeesh. I now yield the IGT...

Parnell 1 Paulino 4 Pelfrey 2.5 Reyes 1

I don't have all of the salaries at my fingertips, but I think there's a way to do the math that will make Jose affordable. Mets are currently at $140 million. The number they have to get to is less than that, reportedly no lower than $100 million. Subtract expiring contracts of Beltran, Castillo, Reyes, and Perez. (And Chris Young too. Maybe a few others?) Add in new, higher contract for Reyes. Assume that they'll find some way to avoid all or most of the 2012 obligation for Rodriguez. Factor in raises for some players. (Niese, Davis, and Pelfrey, most likely. Perhaps Murphy and Pagan too.) I bet you could come up with a number somewhere around $110 million. If retaining Reyes means no big free agent signings this winter, so be it. Stock up on inexpensive relievers and let Terry pick the best of the bunch to be his closer. (I'd argue that you don't need a designated closer, but I'll concede that nobody thinks that way anymore.) To replace Beltran, you can get an outfielder or two off the scrap heap (like they did with Capuano and Young last winter) and let Martinez and Murphy compete for the spot as well. Is this a recipe for a championship in 2012? Probably not, but it keeps them in the neighborhood of "not too bad" and avoids a tear-down that could set them back for several years. David Wright is under the Mets control through 2013. By the time he needs a new contract, Jason Bay will (thankfully) be off the books. (Who knows, maybe Bay will make himself an asset between now and the end of 2013, but that seems enormously unlikely.)

I think it is.

Buster Olney writes with great wisdom.

Among the things he needs work on are his negotiating skills.

Well, he has to be wrong because Derek Jeter fans would disagree.

TransMonk wrote: The Brewers drafted Scott Boras' kid. I wonder who his agent will be? Gotta be Bean Stringfellow.

I've seen the "modern era" defined as starting in 1900.

The Schaefer Mets Player of the Week for the week ending June 4, 2011 is Ruben Tejada with 7.10 points.

Mike Pelfrey pitches for the Mets against Randy Wolf, who hasn't lost to the Mets since 2005. Let's make it happen tonight! Oh, and don't trade Reyes.

Beato 1 Capuano 3.5 Isringhausen 1 Reyes 3.5 Rodriguez 1

JOSE JOSE JOSE JOSE!

Doesn't anyone name their kids "Boof" anymore? Where have all the "Orbers" gone?

Any of them from Wyoming?

Sometimes Josh Bell's name makes me think of Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell. And sometimes it makes me think of Drake and Josh.

Let's see if I can take my IGT winning streak to three games. Homecoming in Milwaukee for Chris Capuano. Brewers send some dude named Shaun Marcum, who has never faced the Mets, to the mound.

Don't trade Reyes (no, no), Oh, don't you do it now, Don't trade Reyes (no, no) Don't give up like they want you to You can pay him with an I.O.U. I'll explain the facts to you, Don't trade Reyes Keep him around or our interest is through Don't trade Reyes (no, no), Oh, don't you do it now, Don't trade Reyes (no, no) He can steal a base or two Runs faster than Seattle Slew Flashier than Vida Blue Don't trade Reyes We want him and Sandy so should you Infielder with some pop, The best one in the sport He's an All-Star at shortstop And when he steals he's seldom caught Don't trade Reyes (no, no), Oh, don't you do it now, Don't trade Reyes (no, no) Fred you got some explainin' to do Saul and Jeff, you do too Step aside let Einhorn through Don't trade Reyes You mess this up we'll turn our backs on you [instrumental break] When he steals he's seldom caught Don't trade Reyes (no, no), Oh, don't you do it now, Don't trade Reyes (no, no) I wouldn't say our team is through We still have Ike and David too, And watching Jose's fun to do Don't trade Reyes We want him here til 2022! Don't trade Reyes (no, no), Oh, don't you do it now, Don't trade Reyes (no, no) [Fade] Or you'll be sorry, baby Don't trade Reyes (no, no) We wanna love you Sandy Don't trade Reyes

Voting for all three games played against the Braves at Citi Field this past weekend will close on Wednesday morning. Please try to get any outstanding votes in today. (Also any mediocre votes, if you have them.) Schaefer POTG 6/3/11 - Braves 6, Mets 3 Schaefer POTG 6/4/11 - Mets 5, Braves Nada! Schaefer POTG 6/5/11 - Mets 6, Braves 4