Jerry Crasnick over at ESPN looks at the needs of various contenders, with the tops being the Dodgers (power hitting) and the Braves (a starting pitcher).  His look at the Mets:

The first order of business in New York is to get Carlos Delgado straightened out and the outfield healthy. Then the Mets have to ride out the current rough patch for the bullpen.

Sounds…pretty right on the nose. Delgado hit briefly, knocked in some homeruns, and then that was it. I'd extend it though from straightening out Carlos to straightening out..well everyone. Its too early to judge Green and Stache post DL, but Reyes and Beltran have been impatient on top of the lack of production from Delgado. The injury problem is slowly clearing up, though I don't expect to see Alou back till post All Star break at this point. As far as the bullpen, I'm not as worried. If anything, till recently guys like Smith and Feleciano were exceeding expectations. They aren't going to pitch lights out every appearance, and getting lit up by the Tigers isn't something to panic over.

Crasnick sees the biggest trade related need for the Mets as a starting pitcher, with a lot depending on if Pedro will be back and effective.

I'm not entirely sure I agree. I think starting pitching is the least of our problems. Glavine's having a rough patch, yes. But he's Tom Glavine, he will find a way to adjust what he is doing wrong to make it right. Why? Because he's Tom Glavine, veteran, future Hall of Famer. He's done it before. He'll do it again. This is perhaps Sosa's second bad game, and its balanced out by six good ones. Ollie and Maine are fine, El Duq has been on top of things. And we still have all the arms down in AAA or the DL. So unless we have a season ending injury to one of these guys, I don't think starting pitching is our need.  If we're making a move, honestly…I'm going left fielder. Its been awhile, even Randolph is saying Alou is no closer to a return, we need to get a full time replacement in there. Gomez is an outfielder of the future, not the now. Ledee is a substitute. Johnson appears not ready. Lastings is…missing a foot or something. I lost track. Recording a country album? Endy's gone for at least a month. Time to suck it up, get us a corner outfielder.

Sphere: Related Content