AFTER an extensive session in the batting cage, Carlos Beltran was in the Mets clubhouse yesterday talking about possibly returning to action in “2½ weeks.” Meanwhile, Gary Sheffield was headed out the door with third base coach Razor Shines to work on some exercises to rehab his injured hamstring.
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Rain might have washed out last night’s game between the Mets and Rockies, but Beltran and Sheffield were preparing for future games they hope will mean something. If two of the Mets’ walking wounded haven’t given up on the season, neither should Omar Minaya.
The Mets embattled general manager did not make himself available to the media yesterday. Hopefully, he was working on some kind of trade to bring Victor Martinez to the Mets — a deal that needs to be made to offer some real optimism to a season that’s hanging by a thread.
Minaya has been acting as if the Mets aren’t going to make a major trade before tomorrow’s deadline. But that was before four straight victories got them back in the wild-card hunt, and before Minaya nearly sabotaged his job last Monday by questioning the motives of a sportswriter assigned to cover the team.
The embarrassment caused by the revelation of Tony Bernazard’s Rambo antics in the minor leagues and Minaya’s unprovoked attack on Daily News reporter Adam Rubin’s credibility have put the general manager on a short lease regardless of whatever vote of confidence ownership offers.
About the only way Minaya can win back the court of public opinion is for the Mets to make some sort of run for a wild-card berth. That seemed far-fetched before the four-game winning streak put them back on the radar screen. And though the current roster suggests any notion of playing in October is pointless, the acquisition of Martinez would quiet doubters.
Word out of Cleveland is Martinez — a catcher/first baseman who was hitting .283 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs entering yesterday’s action — is available now that the Indians have dealt pitcher Cliff Lee to the Phillies. Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay might be too expensive, but the Mets should able to get Martinez, a 30-year-old switch-hitter who has a club option for $7 million in 2010.
Getting Martinez will offer more incentive for injured players like Beltran and Sheffield to return as quickly as possible. Beltran’s goal of returning to action within three weeks seems optimistic considering he has yet to run in the outfield. He still can’t take a step down without experiencing pain from the bone bruise in his right knee.
“Being able to come back 100 percent isn’t going happen,” he said. “But 80-85 percent, I can take that. I’m getting better. Hopefully, pretty soon I can get back with the team.”
The urge to return is being motivated by the team’s good play of late. Johan Santana will pitch the first game of today’s day-night doubleheader, where a sweep would start to make things interesting.
“I feel happy the team is playing great baseball right now,” Beltran said. “They’re doing everything right.”
Acquiring Martinez is the kind of move Minaya needs to make to give Beltran hope, to give Sheffield hope and to give Mets fans hope.
Minaya might have two more years remaining on his contract, but with what’s gone on this year the fan base will demand a change if nothing improves. The only thing that can save him is if the Mets make more excitement on the field than off of it. Acquiring Martinez will help them do that. It would help the Mets and it might save Minaya.