A few more hours of waiting to see if the Mets buy some help. The White Sox picked up Ken Griffey Jr today. There's a huge rumor that Manny Ramirez is headed to the Marlins in a three-team trade with the Pirates.

The Yankees are probably done with their shopping, picking up Xavier Nady from the Pirates and Pudge Rodriquez from the Tigers. Let's see what the Mets will do.

The loss today was a tough one folks. Billy Wagner blew his second save opportunity in as many days. And the Mets offense (or what's left of it) failed to produce in key scoring situations. Bases loaded with one out should always equal at least one run!

A quality start by Johan Santana got tossed out the window. Just like Mike Pelfrey's quality start last night almost slipped away. No matter. It goes back and forth just like it has all season long. One night it's the starting pitching, the next night it's the relief, sometimes it's the defense and many time's it's the hitting. Choose your poison with the 2008 Mets.

I'm not one to go to negative this early in the season. I'm very disappointed though. I fear that we have a team that is potentially headed sideways for a while. The Mets have the highest payroll and the oldest roster in the National League. Our reward for that special sauce is barely .500 squad. It's not good enough.

It’s all Johan Santana on this episode. The Mets have acquired the best free agent pitcher on the market. The cost in dollars is high but he’s worth it if this gets the Mets to a World Series win.

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Chalk one up for Omar Minaya. He as made the deal that many teams wanted to make in acquiring Johan Santana.

From The New York Times report:

"In exchange for Santana, the Mets are surrendering four young players: outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey. Each is considered a solid prospect but none are judged to be outright can’t-miss players."

I can live with that. There are a couple of more hurdles before the deal is finalized according to the Times' report.

"The trade hinges on Santana’s passing a physical exam and agreeing to a contract extension before a 72-hour window expires at 5 p.m. Friday."

Word is that Mr. Johan is looking to get $20-25 million per for 6 to 7 years. Ouch! No doubt Omar will have his work cut out for him in those negotiations.

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports:

"They get a pitcher who immediately becomes the best left-hander in their history (sorry, Kooz, El Sid, it's not even close), who'll go back-to-back opening days at Shea Stadium and Citi Field, who'll stand on a mound in late September and stop dead the most horrifying losing streak they'd ever worn."

Santana turns 29 in March so he has at least six more prime seasons left. All in all its a very good move. Sorry to see Humber and Gomez go but the Mets needed someone to at least replace Tom Glavine. The Mets have done that and then some with this trade.

From MLB.com:

"A person with firsthand knowledge of the club's dealings with the Twins acknowledged Tuesday that the Mets have received a "best offer" request of the American League club, an indication perhaps that the Santana trade scenario has moved into its final stage."

From The NY Daily News:

"Mets seem poised to grab Santana - I'm pretty optimistic about the Mets' chances of landing Johan Santana soon, so I figured I'd share this quote I collected at the end of last season from Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira about the ace."

We're getting close to spring training folks. And the Twins know its a risk to have to wait til mid-season to trade Santana. What if he gets hurt? What if he's not pitching so hot? It wouldn't surprise me if the Twins hadn't re-evaluated their requirements for making this trade.

Would you give up Mike Pelfrey for Santana? You have to think that this would cost at least a young pitcher, a position player and a prospect.

Catching up on recent New York Mets news and commentary.

* Tom Glavine Departs
* Lastings Milledge Is Traded
* Luis Castillo is re-signed.
* Mets announce 2008 Schedule
* The Johan Santana pursuit heats up

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Once again Paul Lo Duca has been replaced via this deal with the Nationals. The Mets get Brian Schneider. His offensive stats don't match Lo Duca. But he is five years younger. Estrada is definitely a goner now.

The bigger part of the deal (IMHO) is that fact that Lastings Milledge, once a top outfield prospect, has been shipped out in favor of Ryan Church. Church is 29 and his previous numbers look decent. One for one I wouldn't have traded Church for Milledge. But I guess adding in a new catcher sealed the deal.

My gut feeling is that I would have enjoyed seeing Milledge getting a 100% shot in 2008. He can still be an excellent player.

Mets deal Milledge to Nats - The Mets are in serious discussions about a deal that would send outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church, according to major-league sources. [Fox Sports]

Alright, Lets Get Down to Buisness,
The Mets are right now heading into the time of year in which is entilted - The Stretch.

Today the Mets made a deal with the twins to bring Luis Castillo to New York. The Mets sent AA catcher Drew Butera and High A outfielder Dustin Martin. This will solve our second base problem for the time being and maybe the whole two slot in the lineup.

Just got done listening to the podcast and great job once again Rob.