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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.

11:42

[Comment From Brian]
Given all the injuries, are the mets better off just going with what they got right now since its been a month and we are not buried yet. But, should Omar be the one making the call. The lack of depth on the 40 man roster is astounding.

11:45

You presume Omar is making the call? Not sure completely about that. If your sentiment/concern is that a desperate GM will make a move that could adversely affect the organization long term, I’d agree with that. Look what Omar did with the Expos in that trade for Bartolo Colon, when there was a chance Montreal could get contracted. Now consider what he might do with his own job in jeopardy. … That said, I’m not convinced Omar’s job is on the line. He has three more years on his control. I do think, though, that the Wilpons are no longer completely discounting switching GMs after the year, which is an evolution. I just still don’t think it’s likely—not at this point anyway.

11:45

[Comment From Tom Emanski]
What should be done about the Mets' staggering lack of defensive fundamentals this season? Hitters understandably go in slumps but defense shouldn't. It's not just dropped pop-ups or flyballs: fielders are poorly positioned; errant throws are happening too often, and nobody seems capable of ever hitting a cut-off man. If the Mets don't have the best talent available, shouldn't Sandy Alomar and Razor Shines be working with these sub-par fielders *every* day? Shouldn't they be taking some of the blame here?

11:48

You would be shocked at the amount of coaching that goes on in the early afternoons given how they look. Part of it, but not entirely, is players being out of position too, which goes back to the lack of depth. There was one game where Nick Evans was in left field, Daniel Murphy at first base, Fernando Tatis at second base and Ryan Church in center field. You’re asking for trouble.

11:48

[Comment From Mackey Sassier]
Since about 2006, the team has been incredibly top-heavy, with an overwhelming majority of the starting lineup's value in 3-4 players (the "core"). If this potential problem's been there for the last 3 years, and Minaya's personnel decisions (bad contract to Castillo, not being aggressive in reshaping the OF) shaped it, how does he get a pass for this year, even with all the injuries (admittedly, horrific)

11:49

Good point. Can’t argue at all.

11:50

[Comment From Frank D]
Will the Mets get Pagan back up here tommorow if they lose the opener and score no runs?

11:53

Pagan played five innings with St. Lucie last night, so I suspect he has two more games or so to go in the minors—seven innings and then nine innings. Certainly he could be rushed if things are dire. Whether it’s Fernando to the minors or Fernando to the DL, I think the rookie’s days are numbered, though.

11:53

[Comment From tfc3rid]
Adam, great work... When are Omar and his staff going to be held accountable for the failues of his players over the past couple of seasons. I know the Wilpons will likely not clean house but in my opinion, the organization is at the same place it was when he took over from Jim Duquette.

11:56

You can tell a theme with the questions—about the accountability of Omar. As likeable as he is, there hasn’t been a consistent theme beyond high-priced additions. Remember, the payroll was $81 million when he took over and is now in the mid-$140s. They can’t continue to spend at the same level every winter. Which means they have to supplement it with their own young players, and they’re unable to do that now. I wrote when Willie Randolph was dangling last year that this was a house of cards. It’s getting closer to it crumbling.

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