MET NOTES
SAN FRANCISCO – Steve Phillips isn’t abandoning ship. After all, it’s sometimes the captain’s job to sink to the bottom of the ocean.
For better or worse, the Mets GM believes in the collection of talent he assembled last offseason. When asked if he believes the same players can win in 2003, Phillips gave a very interesting answer.
“I think they can win this year,” he said. “Whether they can win enough to fight back into playoff position remains to be seen.”
There are a number of potential free agents on the Mets, including Steve Trachsel, Edgardo Alfonzo and Jeff D’Amico. Phillips can’t say right now what decision he’ll make on each player.
“Not really definitively,” he said. “I stop short of saying definitively because we don’t have to be definitive today.
“I have a pretty good sense of how we think they’ll fit.”
A prudent GM would already begin thinking about next season, and the Shawn Estes trade was a clear sign the Mets are moving forward. Even Phillips cannot predict where the team will end up, though.
“I don’t know exactly what the picture’s going to look like,” Phillips said. “At this time last year, we wouldn’t have known Roberto Alomar would be available.
“There’s always surprises.”
*
Trachsel has decided where he wants to pitch next year.
“I’d like to stay here,” Trachsel told The Post.
Trachsel will be 32 in October but he has no plans in making his next contract his last one.
“I used to think 34 or 35 was about it, but now you see guys that age getting three-year contracts,” Trachsel said. “I’d like to stick around as long as I’m healthy and effective.”
*
After Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss, infielder Marco Scutaro was optioned to Triple A Norfolk in order to make room for outfielder Raul Gonzalez. Gonzalez was acquired from Cincinnati Tuesday as one of the two players-to-be-named in the Estes deal.
*
Timo Perez was 2-for-18 over his last five games. His batting average dropped below .300 for the first time since May 24. Mike Piazza had one hit in his last 13 at-bats and was in a 3-for-22 skid. He’s driven in two runs in the last two weeks.
“I don’t know what you’d call a slump,” Piazza said. “I’m not swinging the bat well.”