Pitching and Bonds

Well, the Mets get an off day today after a good road trip. Now it is time to think about trades. A friend of mine asked me not that long ago if I would trade Lastings Milledge for a quality arm—he mentioned Dontrell Willis and, I think, Mark Buehrle. My answer at the time, and still is, yes.

I realize that Milledge has a bright future ahead of him. Still, with Carlos Gomez and others, they appear to be in good shape for the future, hittingwise. It is the pitching, even with Pedro coming back, that worries me. This is Glavine’s last year. Who knows how old El Duque is, or if he can be relied upon. Maine, although looking good, is unproven and has not yet been the dominating force he was earlier in the year. Sosa, after getting off to a strong start, has been struggling.

The list goes on and on as to why the Mets should get a front of the order pitcher. Of course those guys are hard to come by. Buehrle has resigned with the Whitesox, Willis has never officially been on the trading block, etc. Still, I believe that are some good, young starting arms that are available.

The Mets need to make sure they are not in the rent-an-arm mentality. If they get someone who is headed for free agency next year, they have to sign him before the filing deadline. But, they need to get a good arm.

The other thought that is consuming me right now has nothing to do with the Mets, but it has everything to do with our commissioner of baseball. Bud Selig is still showing no guts and refuses to tell us if he will be in attendance when Barry Bonds breaks the homerun record. First of all, Selig should make his intentions known. Secondly, as long as baseball is defining this as a legitimate record, or at least for the time being as legitimate, Selig needs to be there. Anything else is just disgusitng on his part.

I heard Cal Ripken Jr. on a talk show and he indicated that when a player breaks a record it gives everyone a chance to celebrate the record of the new owner as well as the opportunity to celebrate the career of the man who holds the record. I agree and using this approach, even if Selig, or baseball, does not acknowledge Bonds’ record, they can still celebrate the record of the predecessor.