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11:02

Welcome to the live chat. Adam will be here at 11:30 but you can start submitting your questions now. Remember, your comments will not appear until they are selected by the moderator.

11:30

Welcome to our latest Mets chat. It’s certainly a critical week for the Mets. Philadelphia seems to have righted itself, and I’m concerned the Mets may find themselves too far back before Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, etc. ever return. Anyway, onto the questions in what probably won’t be the most upbeat of discussions...

11:30

[Comment From Doug]
Adam, Do you see Omar making a move at any point before the deadline? Is Matt Holliday a target for LF? I know people say it wouldnt be smart to trade fmart for a rental but i cant imagine Omar would let Holliday get away if he traded his top prospect for him.

11:32

First, speaking generally, I was told again yesterday by a high-ranking Mets official that they’re hoping to have a good week, and that there were no immediately foreseeable trades. I’m sure if they remain within 4½ games by the trading deadline, they’ll figure out something to do. But I don’t know that they’ll be that close then. The Mets haven’t shown an inclination to rent players in the past, which is what Matt Holliday would be. And the price would have to be more than just Fernando Martinez, since you would end up getting a draft pick back as compensation for losing Holliday as a free agent eventually (because you offered arbitration). I think, given the state of the farm system, it would be a serious long-term disservice to further dismantle the minor leagues for a rental. That’s why an Adam Dunn would make more sense, since he’s signed for 2010, too.

11:33

[Comment From Greg]
Adam, Bill Madden had a column on Sunday regarding Tony Bernazard. To your knowledge has Bernazard been as intrusive in the Met Clubhouse with Jerry Manuel as he was with Willie Randolph? If this is still the case do you see the Mets ownership ever getting rid of Bernazard or do you think that the only way he leaves is if he lands a GM job with another MLB franchise?

11:36

Tony has interviewed with other teams (Seattle, Pittsburgh), but it’s hard to envision him getting a GM job soon because of the state of the Mets and the perception—if not reality—of the situation here. Maybe because the minors is in such shape, maybe because there are so many back rooms at Citi Field for players, I don’t see him in the clubhouse as much. I think his influence is still felt, but it has waned. I think Omar used to rely on him much more heavily than he does now.

11:36

[Comment From Bill]
With the Mets slip-sliding, this seems to be the scenario initially presented by Omar as to when he would seek out a trade seriously (wanted to "tread water" for as long as possible). Do you get that sense now, or is it more of a "giving up on 09" thing going on?

11:39

As far as the clubhouse, I think a perception is setting in that it will be an uphill battle if no reinforcements come. As for the front office, I’m sure Omar would pull a trade if he could. I just think the unspoken part about other teams not wanting the Mets prospects, and the irresponsibility of trading the few top-tier guys the Mets have, is combining to make a trade unforeseeable.

11:39

[Comment From Eric S]
Jon Niese has been pitching extremely well in Buffalo lately and I think it may be a smart move for the Mets to give him Nieve's spot in the rotation if Nieve has another subpar start against the Reds. Niese appears to have found his game, and may be fully ready for the bigs while being an upgrade over Nieve. What do you think?

11:42

Eric, You’re on the mark with that comment. Jerry Manuel has said everything will be reevaluated at the All-Star break. Assuming Nieve does poorly against the Reds, I certainly would foresee Niese taking over. I’ll need to check today when I get to the stadium to ensure Nieve is still facing the Reds, but coming off an outing in which he would have allowed three runs in six innings against Philadelphia if Wright and Santos didn’t drop pop-ups, I suspect he’ll at least get the chance against Cincinnati. I would point out that Nelson Figueroa is doing well, too, with Buffalo, although he wouldn’t get a rotation chance, I can’t imagine.

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