I have been a tremendous advocate that Omar Minaya has destroyed the Mets. That he has traded away numerous young players, and replaced them with broken down, band-aids to win now. And while I still believe that you need a balance of veterans, All Stars, and young players, I give “kudos” to the crafty Mets general manager, for what he has done, in only a short time.

The New York Mets bullpen was the laughing stock last season, blowing forty percent of their save chances. Minaya has quickly fixed it. Make no mistake about it, Francisco Rodriguez did save 62 games last year, and that statistic is unquestioned. He also brought in JJ Putz to help set up KRod, possibly close some days as well, and give the Mets a tremendous 8th-9th inning punch they lacked last season. Reports, though conflicting, have the Mets going after Derek Lowe as well to give the rotation another reliable starter, with big game experience, and the kind of pitcher the Mets could utilize with Johan, Pelfrey, and Maine in the rotation. Omar Minaya has done exactly what he needed to do, to help keep pace with the Phillies in the NL East, and give our boys from New York a solid chance to get to the playoffs, and beyond.

Omar.. What are you doing???

As Mike Silva wrote earlier, reports have come out that the Mets are discussing Andruw Jones.

I say again, Omar.. What are you doing???

It is my opinion that the Mets should not even explore this option. Carlos Beltran is a fixture in center, and the Mets are happy with letting Daniel Murphy platoon with Fernando Tatis in left. Ryan Church is in right. Where will Andruw Jones fit? I realize that Andruw Jones is a perennial hall of famer, and has hit some incredible home runs in the playoffs, and has made some highlight reel catches during the season. But Andruw Jones has been awful the past two seasons. Why in the world would you even consider Jones, at his price tag, with no place to play him even if the Dodgers would pay some of that ridiculous contract? I realize that the Mets are heavy into the pursuit of Orlando Hudson, and Luis Castillo would probably be in the deal to assist with the swapping of salary. What side would you rather have – Jones and Hudson or Church and Castillo?

ESPN’s Buster Olney went on to say that the Mets would play Andruw Jones in right field because Carlos Beltran is entrenched in center. This is something that I really don’t understand. Ryan Church was concussed, and annoyed the New York media last year, but before that, he was having an All-Star season. If Ryan Church is healthy at the start of the season, which there is a good chance he will be, are the Mets just going to send him to the bench?

I am sure this is just speculation, and there is no way that this is going to happen. But, if there are any truths to these talks, it could be one of those deals that put a damper on everything Omar Minaya and the Mets have done for the entire off season. Again, Andruw Jones was a tremendous player. And he is not the player that should come at the expense of Ryan Church, or Daniel Murphy for that matter. Andruw Jones would not be brought in for the bench. He would be brought in to help the Mets compete with the Yankees for big name players that will probably be bombarded with heckling and derision the minute he leaves the bases loaded three times with three strike outs in April. Daniel Murphy, Ryan Church, or even Fernando Tatis will be on the bench seething for yet another opportunity, while all Mets fans question why.

Just pass Omar. You were doing so well.

Tags: Andruw Jones, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Omar Minaya