Rained Out - Minor League Notes & Trade Rumors

Tonite's game vs. the Giants & Mr. Bonds was rained out and will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader. Orlando Hernandez will pitch the first game with Tom Glavine taking the mound for the night-cap. It's probably a good thing the game was rained out because 1.) Carlos Beltran would not have been able to play because of the deep bruise he suffered a few days ago and 2.) I wouldn't have been able to watch the game because I wasn't going to near a computer anywhere close to game-time (selfish, I know, but don't YOU want to see Bonds booed his first time at-bat and in the field??) With no game to write about, I figured it would be a good time to post some trade rumors, some minor league info and the (now late) Willie & Omar Report Card.

From the Rumor-Mill:

~The Mets sniffed around Jeff Weaver a bit in the winter, after they dealt Kris Benson and were looking for a starter, but they ultimately decided against it. If the Angels would take a player like Xavier Nady or Cliff Floyd, it's possible, but right now the Angels are aiming higher than that. -- Newark Star-Ledger {Editor's Note: We are NOT fans of Weaver- especially not for either Floyd or Nady! Jarred, yes, Jeff, no-way!}

~John Smoltz doesn't know if the Braves' prospective new owners will pick up the $8 million club option on his contract for 2007, but the veteran fully intends to pitch next season. The idea of Smoltz -- former Cy Young Award winner, winningest postseason pitcher in history, arguably the most recognizable Brave -- going to another team next year seems unlikely, given the relative affordability of the club option. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution {Editor's Note: Smoltz is not going anywhere, especially after the Glavine & Maddux losses & the state of Atlanta's current rotation & bullpen!}

~Come July, any or all of the Nationals' marquee players -- most notably Alfonso Soriano, Jose Vidro, Livan Hernandez and Jose Guillen -- could be traded as part of a plan by Stand Kasten and his bosses, new owner Theodore N. Lerner and his son Mark, to solidify the team's future by strengthening its player development department and minor league system. -- Washington Post {Editor's Note: Soriano won't be traded for less than a Milledge-type, and we're not giving him up. Vidro might be a cheaper solution, perhaps in a package for the likes of Victor Diaz, Jeff Keppinger & a pitching prospect. Perhaps we can expand it and get Livan as well- Mets fans' would go crazy hearing Elton John every 5 days!}

~The Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League yesterday announced the signing of former American League MVP Juan Gonzalez. The slugger will join the Ducks on Tuesday. -- Philadelphia Inquirer {Editor's Note: This is the closest the Mets have ever gotten to landing Gonzalez, and we've lived through many, many rumors of his being traded to us over the years. Perhaps a good showing might make him attractive to Omar?}

Minor League Notes & Signings
~Several fifth-year seniors have signed before the draft. The list includes Southeastern Louisiana righthander Jeremy Mizell, who signed with the Mets as the Lions' career leader in innings and strikeouts (299 IP, 235 Ks) (-Baseball America)

~In their list of the top 200 prospects for this year's amateur draft, Baseaball America lists SS Stephen King as # 42 (which equals 6 when combined) and the draft is being held on 6/6/06 - scary stuff! Since the Mets don't have a first round pick, I won't be paying as much attention as in (the many) year's past...and no, we're not going to see The Omen, either!

~Matt Lindstrom continues to impress- he might just be the hardest thrower in our organization (it's between him and Henry Owens and Billy Wagner, anyway). This came from the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, in an article written by Brian Moritz:

"Lindstrom, a hard-throwing right hander, was brought up from from Single-A St. Lucie last week. He is coming back from a stress fracture in his upper arm he suffered during the Arizona Fall League. With a fastball reaching 99 and 100 miles an hour on the NYSEG Stadium radar gun, Lindstrom struck out four of the five batters he faced, including all three in the ninth to wrap up the save."

Other pitchers have been getting the majority of the press, including that day's starter, William Collazo, but Lindstrom is the one to watch right now. Can you imagine Lindstrom & Owens setting up Sanchez, setting up Billy Wagner?? Is it too much to hope for?

~Also from the Press & Sun-Bulletin: "The B-Mets are still awaiting the results of Carlos Gomez's MRI on his injured back. Gomez, who hasn't played in a week, underwent the exam in New York on Wednesday evening and was with the team for Thursday's game." Let's hope Gomez is back real soon! The B-Mets could sure use him!