Despite the 7-2 beating Philly dished out to welcome is back to baseball BMF found some encouraging things from last nite’s game.

Beltran continued to rake by smoking his 14th bomb and 59th RBI. The more Carlos hits the better the chances we get a quality prospect in return. It’s a foregone conclusion Beltran is leaving so I’m now rooting for productivity to leverage a good trade.

Lucas Duda was 1-1 with a walk. I really like th is kid’s power potential and I know he’s less than fully confident in his ability to stick in the bigs so I take every hit and walk as a good sign.

Murphy was 2-4 - again! DMurph is back to his non-stop hitting ways. The poor guy doesn’t really have a position but he’s proved he’s a legitimate hitter. I don’t know what to do with him longterm but if he continues to bat .300 it’s a problem worth solving.

Word is Igarashi is our closer, at least for the moment. The 32 yr old Japanese import is coming off a dominant short stint closing at AAA so he may be effective but I thought Parnell was ready to audition. 

But I’ll trust Collins here, maybe he doesn’t want Parnell to feel small footed in K-Rod’s shoes.

Definitely looking forward to our first save opportunity.

Mets Phils Game Thread…

Mets Phils Game Thread…

I like the vibe of Buster Olney’s report the Met attitude is: Beltran’s the best OF avail and we’re convinced we can get a top prospect in return.

I love it, and while I’m not quite convinced myself I’m diggin’ the strategy.

The catch with LosB is his contract prevents his team from offering arbitration. Therefore whoever trades for him won’t get a compensatory pick if he leaves via free agency. 

A compensatory pick softens the blow of losing a player but if there’s a playoff bound team with a hole in the OF they’re gonna swallow the opportunity cost of a single pick.

The real trick is when to trade him. Of course the longer we wait the higher the price tag can go. Especially if another team, or 2, lose a player to injury. 

Although the longer we hold out the greater the possibility Carlos himself gets hurt. I’d hate to be left holding the hot potato in that scenario but something tells me he’s gonna make it through this season w/o injury. 

Ike is now considering surgery. I still can’t wrap my brain around the vortex surrounding Met injuries that sucks in dinged up players and doesn’t allow them to resurface until the following spring. 

After 3 days with no meaningful Met games it’s painfully unreasonable and borderline diabolcal to give us an off-day on Thursday.

The players must love it, an extra day to recharge but a guy like BMF is gonna struggle with this unauthorized 4th straight day with no Mets.

I’m just sayin’

Let the 2012 Season begin! 

The Mets are finally looking ahead to the next year thanks to Sandy Alderson pulling the trigger on a deal to shed K-Rod and his (sure to kick in) option for 17M next season.

The deal sends K-Rod to MIL along with cash in exchange for 2 players to be named later.

I’ve never quite understood how the PTBNL concept works. I mean isn’t the entire philosophy behind a trade to decide who gets who for who? 

Regardless, it’s great news is K-Rod is OFF THE BOOKS. I dont even care who we get back. As far as I’m concerned that K-Rod 17M for next season now means we’ve got money to pay Reyes… Isn’t that right Fred and Jeff… Or should we check with Einhorn on this one?

***

Hey Bobby Parnell, wanna be a closer? 

I guess Izzy might get some chances but considering this move is about the future we need to hand Parnell the ball and see what he’s got.

BMF believes Parnell can handle the job and I look forward to seeing him get the chance. If Collins thinks it would serve Bobby well to lessen the pressure by splitting some saves with Izzy that makes sense but we have to spend the rest of the season grooming Bobby Pa’ for next year.

***

Hey Beltran, start packin’ cuz you’re next. 

Beltran, as opposed to K-Rod, I would expect to get some prospects back so let’s see how bad Boston or Frisco want him.

Carlos can be a difference maker to help secure a WS title without any further financial commitment and that is definitely worth a prospect or 2