Some losses are for the greater good.
This was a solid dose of reality for the Mets. The Tigers pounded lefty Hisanori Takahashi, scoring six runs early last night and hanging on for a 6-5 victory at Citi Field.
The Mets have been guilty of being way too optimistic about their players. Takahashi getting off to such a good start this season might have led the Mets to believe their starting staff is in decent shape, but this was a reminder that another lefty, Cliff Lee, is out there — and that landing him will make all the difference in the NL East race.
The East is going to change dramatically the moment the Marlins make it official and hire Bobby Valentine as their new manager. Valentine told me in spring training he just wanted to go somewhere where he will be loved. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria loves Valentine and Valentine will love to beat his old team, the Mets.
The Mets better gear it up.
The Mets and Twins, who come to Citi Field tonight, are the leading candidates to trade for Lee. Seattle will try to hold up the suitors, but the Mariners will come to realize that Lee is a pitching rental and they will not be able to get what they really want for him, a power bat and a good young arm.
For the Mets, this can be the same kind of move the Brewers made two years ago when they traded for CC Sabathia and the lefty carried them to the postseason.
Renting a stud pitcher is the way to go. Jeff Wilpon and Omar Minaya are well aware of that in this age of teams trading away top talent.
A lot of things have fallen in the Mets’ favor this season. Landing Lee would be the biggest plus and not having to trade Jon Niese or Ike Davis, two players the Mariners want, makes this a doable deal. Jenrry Mejia is starting in the minors, not only for his own good, but also so the Mariners can get a good read on him.
Understand this: These are the George Costanza Mets, not the Jerry Seinfeld Mets. Remember, Jerry once told George: “If every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right.”
Yes, Seinfeld is everywhere with the Mets. He’s in the booth with Keith Hernandez or on the radio with Steve Somers but these Mets have much more in common with George than with Jerry.
They wanted Ollie Perez and John Maine in the rotation. They wound up with R.A. Dickey and Takahashi. They wanted Carlos Beltran in center. They wound up with Angel Pagan, who is hitting .302. They wanted Carlos Delgado, Daniel Murphy and Mike Jacobs at first and they got Davis. They wanted Luis Castillo at second; Ruben Tejada is there now. They wanted Bengie Molina catching and wound up with Rod Barajas and Henry Blanco.
They hated their home park, Citi Field. They are 26-11 at home this season. Jose Reyes is hitting 123 points higher at home. Opposing outfielders play much too deep here, creating all kinds of hitting space for the Mets.
Geez, if things keep going wrong for the Mets, they just might make the postseason.
Trading for Lee would seal the deal. This should all work itself out by the first or second week of July. Sabathia was traded from the Indians to the Brewers on July 7, 2008.
Lee’s numbers are astounding. He hasn’t walked a batter in his last 37 innings. He is 20-7 over his last 31 starts. In 86 2/3 innings this season, he has struck out 76 and walked only four. He has yet to issue an intentional walk.
Imagine his pinpoint control at Citi Field. Imagine a true ace on the mound, someone who is only getting better.
The Phillies made the deal last July for Lee. Now, it’s the Mets’ turn to rent a pass to the postseason and stay ahead of Bobby V.