Holy Sheepshit - Church for French? Oui? Ou HELL NON!!!!

The Coop has never been a fan of Ryan Church. Heck, the only GOOD thing that came out of the stupid ass trade that brought him here was me seeing Brian Schneider's hot butt in a tight uniform.

But I have to say Ryan Church has grown on me as of late. I guess because, well, on a team of crap, something has to stick to the wall. I guess Church has stuck to the wall and I didn't - not so much "like" him - but more tolerated his presence.

But a straight-up trade for JEFF FRANCOEUR for Church? With his whopping .250 BA and 5 HRs? Oh yes, THAT is the crap-for-crap deal we've been waiting for.

I don't know whether to break dance or shoot myself in the foot. Frenchy for Churchy? Really, Omar? Really? Gosh you must really love waving the white flag right before All-Star Break.

I guess I give too much credit for Omar Minaya these days. But seriously - what is the point of this deal? The fact was, Jeff Francoeur was good for one month nearly five years ago. He's awful. Do we get marginally better D from him? Probably not.

I mean, if we were gonna trade Church, why trade him for a guy just like him? Why not keep him?

I just don't get it. This is a dumb-ass deal.

'Cause All Life Is, Is Really Just a Circle

Seems like yesterday that it was Opening Day on the road in Cincinnati, and Mets fans had all the hope in the world. Why shouldn't they? After another disappointing end to another disappointing year, things would be SO different this year. The team was hungrier. A year older, a year wiser. We had a new stadium to call "home" (and yet, even today, it still feels like I'm a visitor) and our bullpen, the Achilles Heel of the team in 2007 and 2008, was revamped to include not only the best closer in baseball, but the guy who was also a great closer who would be our new set-up.

Funny how we've come full circle. Cincinnati is now coming to town to play us in our visitor's home park, it's the weekend before All-Star Break, and we are currently four games under .500, 5.5 games back.

The only thing full-circle is playing the Reds again. But I remember that series. We took the first game, and barely had any offense with the fully-loaded team and Johan pitching. Now, Johan pitches and can barely stay in the game, while the rest of the team is decimated save poor David Wright. Our bullet proof closer? Has blown two games, and the set-up guy is nowhere to found (except on the DL, which we should have known better).

The rest of the team seems like they are nowhere near returning. My vote for NL MVP, Carlos Beltran? Gone. Reyes? Once this team stops pussy-footing around, maybe they will be honest with the fan base, quit insulting our intelligence and maybe just maybe admit that Reyes isn't coming back this year. The only two I have hope in returning? Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado. By the time they return, it will be too late.

I voted against Pedro coming back this season...and he may be starting for our arch enemies after All-Star Break. I'm glad to not deal with this diva ways anymore, but why do I feel like he's going to bite us in the ass every time he faces us?

Oliver Perez came back from the "Disabled List" (which seemed to be a nice way of saying he was visiting a Funny Farm the last two months), and that's supposed to be our bright spot. Meanwhile, John Maine has disappeared again, First-Half Johan reappeared after we thought he wouldn't come this year, Livan shall not be a good man and Big Pelf has a Big Game then alternately comes up short all this first half.

We've lost two of three to the Dodgers in this home stand, one only one game against them this year (though they do have the best record in baseball right now, I have to think we'd have maybe won one game against them anyway fully-stacked, since you know we couldn't even beat the Reds fully loaded in the Opening Week). Prior to that, we were swept by the Phils, took two in the row on the road against the Brewers and the Pirates. Then what? Do we have any respite coming up after the break, like against the Nationals? Cause quite frankly, this team isn't going to do much.

But what can we do? I suggested backing up the truck a few weeks ago, and I was ridiculed for it. Now, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. This organization continually comes up a day late, a buck short, even more evident in the last two seasons and I, for one, am sick of it. Sick of investing a lot of time into something that quite frankly doesn't love me back. Dykstraw once said this is kind of like an emotionally abusive girlfriend/boyfriend. You still love them, but you might need to take a break every now and then.

Sure, every day we live breathe and eat being a Mets fan, ya gotta believe. And I gotta believe that there is a ton of baseball to play, and they might still surprise us. Best case scenario after this weekend we could be one game under .500. Worst case, we pack up and just enjoy what's left of the season.

I would venture to say most of us stick around to see what will happen. For the most part, we've borne witness to some good baseball in our years, we stick around for the good times, only to be reminded that to be a Mets fan, you stick around for some shitty times as well.

I'm here for both.

But funny how we've come full circle once again. Once again, we are underperforming with one of the worst assembled teams money can buy, and we still have hope.

The One That Coulda Got Away (And the One That Did)

Last night was interesting. I was strangely at peace with the game yesterday before it started. Of course, it helped that I attended kickboxing class and all aggression that I had from this team had pretty much dissipated.

Of course I was concerned about my Sweet Oh Pea. For my newer readers, be assured, I was the #1 Oliver Perez Fan Girl out there. It wasn't because he's cute (honestly, I don't find him all to be) but I was more intrigued with his pitching. I've said he had SABOR! Flavor, although I think spicy would be more apt.

But also it was a losing proposition. The Mets and their weak offense were no match for Manny and the offensive heavy Dodgers.

So I decided to have fun with it. Andrew over at 'Ropolitans suggested we try a Tweeting Trend on #OliverPerez. Just having a blast with it. Like #OliverPerez listens to Barbra Streisand in Spanish. #OliverPerez lives in a van down by the river. Etc, etc.

But Mets gave me my mojo back last night. I almost had a heart attack when K-Rod decided to make it interesting and give up a HR Rod to Manny in the 9th. But they held on for the win.

And Oh Murph!!!! Giving us a web gem for years to come. "Check this one out guys!"

But this was easily a losable game. We all know a 4 run lead at one point is never big enough.

But the one that got away was Manny. I wanted, I'm sure most Mets fans wanted him. And even though he came back from his suspension and would not have been much help to us, when he hit that home run last night (plus driving in 3 runs in Tuesday's game), who didn't think - Dang. He woulda looked good in a Mets uniform.

As for tonight, I believe I will be participating in a TweetOff during the game. Follow The Coop at Twitter @Coopz22.

How Come I'm Not Ready To Jump?

Hey MSF land, Coop here with another update for you. I had a crazy weekend, mostly dealing with parental units and other familial persons, so the Mets took a back seat to pretty much anything else. And possibly, I picked the BEST weekend to not watch or devote any blocks of time to Mets fandom. Basically the only game I was able to watch, well, I actually listened to on Mom's deck as i ate chips and drank beer. Seems to be a constant, with the Mets and me these days - beer and Mets. Mets and beer. No wonder I was sweating alcohol at the gym this morning.

In any case, I find myself trying to be the voice of reason with the team. Most of the fan base is ready to jump but the curious case of my buddy Brooklyn Met Fan, he says that Omar Minaya should stand pat for the time being and I completely agree with him. But just because I think Omar should stand pat does not mean I am writing off the season. Losing three games to the Yankees and the Phillies in consecutive weekends is not fun at all. And even the Phils scoring 22 runs in last night's game does not cause me to have suicidal tendencies and wanting to drink the poison-Aid to get rid of this season.

In fact, I'm kind of excited to see how this season will end up.

If the Mets drop two games of ten in September, sure, I'm gonna freak out. But it's July (ok this has extended since June but who's paying attention).

We have a hard-ish series against the Dodgers (I think Big Pelf is gonna give us a Big Game tonight, personally) and then an easier one (sort of) against the Reds.

It's All-Star Break next week (and if David Wright knows what's good for him, he should graciously back out of it, I'm telling you, if someone needs a vacation now, it's HIM - o-for-23 against the Yanks and Phils? Eagads). Our reinforcements should come back soon, Beltran is returning after the break. And sorry to say but although I was wondering if Reyes' time has come and gone, we need him back and we need him bad.

No panic moves, Omar. Cause you know what that means - parting with talent for a rental. He's not good at that, that has been established.

The only thing that really steams me is that the Wilpons unwillingness to take chances on players with great marketing tools that could BRING in as many dollars to compensate for money spent has hurt the team. If there is one thing I could say is that they need to sell the Mets. It's their ineptitude and meddling that causes the team to be a joke. They define the whole pound-wise, penny-foolish saying. Overspend for Luis Castillo? Sure! Offering Derek Lowe a 4th year? Nah, let's see what Oh Pea is looking for.

I know it sounds like I'm making excuses and giving the whole Mets organization a free pass for bumbling around. But I'm not or at least I feel as though I'm being as realistic as possible. We are not getting Halladay no matter how hard we try. Kiss Holliday good bye as I am sure Beane wants a hefty ransom for his services (plus he's another rental). The only person I could be on board for is Alex Rios but let's be fair - just because WE think our fantasy trades would work doesn't mean the Blue Jays want what we offer.

I guess it's time to hurry up and wait. So HURRY UP already!!!

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I got an interesting link today for WFAN - why don't y'all check it out? WFAN broadcasts streams live online free and allows you access to New York's #1 sports station! From the looks of it, it seems pretty suh-weet.

I'm trying to figure out a way to embed it here on MSF - anyone who can help please let me know (clueless about technology over here).

The Best Time To Be a Mets Fan

I have a theory about fans and Mets fans, more specifically. That you get to see who the "true" and "real" fans are during a down period, not to mention who the Johnny-Come-Latelies who claim to be a "lifelong Mets fan" when they have not worn their Mets jackets since 1986, and have had their "lifelong Yankee fan" jacket since, oh say, 1995.

This is the time, this is the place to rally for your team. Alex Cora said it best last week, when he said, "Don't feel bad about the Metropolitans."

This is our time, this is our team. We need to be Tammy Wynettes and stand by our men, no matter how horrible they may be playing now.

We signed on for this when we knew that being a Mets fan meant more ennui than excitement, more broken hearts than celebrations.

Because this is the time all the roaches in the Mets fanbase scatter back to the Bronx, and we will be in Queens with the real people, who know what need to be done in order to make the team better.

Every year fans, even with the best of years, continually take it on the chin and say, "Thank you, Sir, may I have another?"

And we keep coming back.

We can join the Big Pussy Posse and whine and cry about how bad the team is. Or just enjoy ourselves this summer and wait for the Wilpons to realize they need to sell the team for any kind of organizational change.

But honestly, who could foresee all these injuries hitting at the same time?

Do not feel bad for the Metropolitans, and do not feel bad for ourselves. Because baby, rain or shine, all the time, we got each other...and we got the Mets.

Meet me for a beer in Section 522, my new home.

This is the time to be a Mets fan. Win or lose, scrubs or no, this is our team.

LETS GO METS!!!

My Feelings on 2008 and 2009

So I was talking to Metsgrrl and TBF the other night, during the Mets/Yanks game on Saturday night. And my philosophy is this: 2008 was not a collapse. Sure, it sucked that we lost again in a grand fashion late in the year, but I was okay with how the season ended. Meaning to me, it didn't end on the last game of the year. It ended way before that for me, especially in the last week.

But that malaise that has infiltrated the Mets fan base has extended into 2009, but I think what contributes to our fan-wide Post-Traumatic Mets Disorder (PTMD) is losing Shea. Yeah, I said it. At least in 2007, we were able to put aside the way 2007 ended (which in my perspective was way more horrifying that 2008) by coming home.

We are visitors in our own home now. It's no fault of the ownership or anything like that. I mean, you'd think three years of hearing about how this new home was getting built and seeing it built in front of our eyes would have prepared us better.

But with the way 2008 ended -- with a whimper, not with a bang -- and having to come back to a new home. It was devastating and probably more long-term hurtful and apathy-driven than the Mets losing ever could be.

So this leads to me almost-the-mid-point of 2009. Right now, this team is NOTHING what we signed on for as fans. Our pitching rotation consists of an ace and four guys who should be competing for the 5th spot on teams like Washington and Baltimore.

Right now, our offense consists of David Wright, and not much else. Think he's ever going to see a good pitch? Well, he does - he just swings and misses. A LOT.

We are simply told to "roll with it." The team is told to keep their head above water.

And what are we rewarded with? Games where we are happy that we scored six runs, even when a guy who has never hit a grand slam in his CAREER hits one (which was completely predictable by the way - and how many times can WE look back as fans and say - wow, we had the bases loaded and actually DROVE in a run?). Games we are SHOCKED, I tells ya, SHOCKED that Nieve can't make it out of the fifth inning? Games where we are thrilled to get only ONE hit.

Is it any wonder that fans are not only losing interest, but we are adopting this Kevin-McReynolds-Philosophy on everything?

My feelings are such that 2008's end would have been okay had we been back home. We are visitors at our own home. And we don't even recognize the residents (whether on the field or in the stands).

Is it any wonder that we all need our meds?

Promotions...

In honor of the GKR Father's Day event today (which rocked, thanks to the Pitchinforagoodcause.org Foundation), I am going to promote some goings-on coming up in Metsopotamia.  

I am basically too fried to discuss what's happened the last few days.  I will try to get some fluff on here during the week.

In any case...the theme this week is Ron and Keith.  But first Ron.  

At 12 noon Wednesday, June 25, YOU can attend a Benefit for Urban Dove, starring Ron Darling.   

The event will be held at Gallagher's Steak House, 228 W. 52nd St.  For only $75, enjoy a power lunch with Ronnie and special guest Bobby O, and get a copy of Ronnie's new book "The Complete Game!"  An autograph and Q&A session will follow.

Call for reservations at 212-245-5336.  (You can get there by basically every important train line! 1,2,3,N,R,Q,W trains all get ya there!)

The next is probably a no-brainer.  I still have not gotten a chance to watch it, but definitely take a look at it, since mostly everyone I know who has seen it really love it.

Without further ado, visit I'm Keith Hernandez and click "Watch Now" for the I'm Keith Hernandez movie.

Fuckin' Franco

Tonight was a night of memories from the get-go.

Actually this season so far has been a metaphor for a lot of bittersweet memories.  As a for instance, I had a Kenny Rogers Karma piece up earlier this season.  I've been living the life of great Mets philosopher Kevin McReynolds.  The last two seasons have brought upon a new medical term called "Post-Traumatic Mets Disorder."

But tonight was interesting for several reasons, as we had a two-fer.  One was, the commemorative Mets victory over a certain team with the name of a regional bird 40-years ago coinciding with another 40th anniversary of a music festival promoting peace and love.  

About 40 strong (instead of 400,000 strong) descended upon a Metsopotamia-Town-Hall on the Lower East Side tonight, celebrating what our Leader(s) termed as "MetsStock."

(Here were five representatives of the 40 strong)

In the meantime, I had a funny memory of my own.  See, I wasn't worried going into the 9th inning, which I guess make sense.  I mean, if you figure that you win either way (the Mets win, we all win.  If they lose, it just means I drink more.  See?  Win-win), you kind of don't care that Frankie R gives up a lead-off double and the Mets just don't get the calls they should.

But no -- what I thought of was kind of one of those bittersweet memories most of us seasoned Mets fans have.  

Back in 1996, I attended a game with Mr. E and one of his special lady friends.  It was a double-header in July of that year.  I forget who they played, but I want to say it was the Reds.  In any case, the first game was boooooring.  Like, biology class boring.  Anyway, it was the 9th inning and "bullet proof relief-man" (that's a bit of irony there folks) John Franco comes in, and promptly gives up the tying runs.

I think the other team went ahead in the 10th.  Needless to say, because we were falling asleep, Mr. E and I got out of dodge.  But not before a lone voice in the Upper Deck of Section 30-something said what he wanted to say - said what we were all thinking actually.

"FUCKIN' FRANCO!!!!!!!"

That was what I was thinking when K-Rod changed his name to BB-Rod and 1B-Rod or 2B-Rod or WALK-OFF TO THE FUCKING BALTIMORE ORIOLES ROD...Eh, you get the point.

Can't get too mad.  In 2006, the Orioles took the series of a vastly superior Mets team.  I know, we are hardly superior this year.  But when you are thinking like Kevin McReynolds, either scenario, you win, right?  Right?

Oh and as irony would have it, I go to grab a shirt to sleep in.  These were my two choices.

This wasn't just done for the site.  Seriously, these were my two choices.  

I ended up going with Choice #3 - a Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation Shirt. 

Sometimes, Kevin McReynolds Philosophy doesn't take away the bitterness of a bittersweet memory. 

Whatever.

Now's The Time To Reyes Goodbye?

Is it time to part ways with Jose?

I was inspired yesterday by a posting from a Red Sox blogger who suggested a King's Ransom for bringing Jose to Boston. I mean, if the Mets *were* to consider trading Jose, that would only be the most acceptable return. A king's ransom, that is. (see article here)

Now, I am pretty loathe to trading Jose Reyes or David Wright, the quote-unquote Future Franchises, or anyone named Carlos Beltran or Johan Santana at this juncture. But I started thinking about the future.

I may advocate backing up the truck, but that's only proverbial. By backing up the flatbed, I mean - we don't build around the likes of Oliver Perez or Luis Castillo, but around the aforementioned Big Four. Not many teams can say they have that kind of talent to build around, so the Mets are fortunate at that respect. Unfortunate in that the injuries of complementary talent is eating away at the offense of the team.

But my question is -- Will the Mets re-up with Jose Reyes once his contract is up, in 2010 but technically there is an option for one more year, bringing it to 2011? Reyes (and Wright) had a contract extension mid-year 2006, if y'all remember. Thank goodness he is not a Boras client where he has a reasonable agent who will negotiate, but we really have to consider what the Wilpons are willing to pay him, and what Reyes thinks he is worth.

Keep in mind he will only be the ripe young age of 27 by the time his contract is up.

TWENTY-SEVEN!

Seems a bit early to give up on a young'un like him, since like most Mets fans, I would like to see this team take a bit of a youth movement, and maybe shell out some extra dollars for when Beltran's contract is up in 2011 for him to lead the team.

But again we need to think about how the Mets organization values him, as a player and in dollars. Someone threw out a number and (which I think to be a kind estimate) of maybe $100mm over 7 years, given hometown discounts and what not (and since Jose has made his home in Queens, he might be loathe to traveling far from his family).

Considering Beltran got $119 mm/7 yrs, I think it's a fair proposal. And also we have to bear in mind Wright's future contributions as well, since he will be renegotiating in 2012, and has an option for 2013.

What is Jose Reyes worth? And will the Mets be willing to pay it?

That seems to be a common theme here. It's tough to project what he will do for the rest of this year (providing he returns, which I have a sneaking suspicion he will not) and come back strong in 2010 -- perhaps he will be that player like A.J. Burnett who performs in a contract year and then is injured 95% of the next contract he signs.

According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Mets have a payroll of $145 mm for 2009. Carlos Delgado and Billy Wagner come off the books after this year (and they have zero chance of returning, as far as I'm concerned, next season), $12mm and $10.5mm respectively. Brian Schneider (although I will miss his cute butt) will hopefully be done after this season, $4.9mm off the books. Ryan Church also, with $2.8mm off after this season.

In fact, the only player who has a contract year up in 2009 that I would like to see the Mets keep around (and they better) is Big Pelf, he is a Boras client so expect to pay more than fair market value of for him.

Barring the Wilpons opening the checkbook for a Justin Morneau-type in the offseason (nice bat, decent 1B), I doubt they do any kind of splashy FA signing this year. Perhaps Omar Minaya will see fit in riding it out with Ike Davis, although truth be told I think he is way too young.

But that brings me to this - a lot of shit comes off the books next season to tune of around $30mm. And although we know the Wilpons aren't exactly "cheap," they aren't exactly what we would call "smart with their money." And if that much money comes off the books, with how conscious they became once the Bernie Madoff-scheme hit their purses, it's not exactly a necessity to refill those losses.

That said, if the conservative estimate to give Jose Reyes his due, over the course of 7-years, he could potentially earn $14mm per.

Will Jose Reyes be worth that much? I would say so, but the most important question is -- will he be worth that much to the Mets?

I would hate to see him go. I think if I were running the Mets, I would throw whatever money at him he wanted, because I know talented athletes like him come once in a lifetime.

But if the Mets do not value him that highly, there needs to be a Plan B.

Despite what Metsopotamia may think, I have not yet given up on this season and I know there is a helluva lot more baseball to play. But if the team is concerned for the future and realistic about it, if I'm Omar Minaya I have to not only take that call but jump at the opportunity.

I don't say I would approve the move. But I would understand.

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Hat tip to Cot's Baseball Contracts Mets page. This stuff is a life saver.