It appears that the Mets are willing to take my advice and do what needs to be done, shake up their roster.

They’ve already gone ahead and given some of the underperforming comfortable vets notice by benching their main offender in Carlos Delgado, and shown that if they can get production from others, they’re more than willing to give them the opportunity (see Fernando Tatis, Endy Chavez)

“In The Know” Dan Graziano (copyright Matthew Cerrone, of Mets Blog) writes at the Star Ledger that the Mets are now looking to take it a step further and have already begun investigating some deals to bring in fresh blood. According to Graziano, based on information from officials with three major-league teams, the Mets are making inquiries into a number of players such as Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.

Graziano cites the 2004 Boston Red Sox as an example of a team that floundered until a radical July makeover that included trading Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs gave them a shot in the arm that led them to their first World Championship in 86 years.

You’re welcome, guys. Anytime you need a little help, I’m here for ya.

Gary Carter has issued the following press release regarding his comments about the Mets managerial position.

GARY CARTER ISSUES STATEMENT ON RECENT CONTROVERSY

West Palm Beach, Fl.
“I have been inundated with requests for interviews regarding my comments about the New York Mets managerial position. In order to be fair, I cannot honor all the requests and would like to issue the following statement instead:”

“My goal over the past six years has been to work my way back to the major leagues as a manager or coach. In order to accomplish that goal I agreed to start at the bottom by managing two years in Port St. Lucie in the Mets minor league system. This year the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League selected me to manage their team, and to help me reach my goal. I took that position to allow me to stay in baseball and be close to family members who live in this area, and to come back home to where I grew up.

“As part of my arrangement with the Flyers, I have been given the option to return to the majors if a coaching or managerial position becomes available. I have always maintained an open dialog with the Mets, and my recent contact with them was to explore if there was something I could do to help this team that I care about. My intentions were not malicious, but I acknowledge that my actions have been hurtful to Willie and his players.

“I want to publicly apologize to Willie Randolph, and the Mets, for my radio comments. Throughout my career, and in many cases to my detriment, I have been open and honest with the media and at times discretion may have been a better choice. I continue to be an avid fan of Willie and the Mets, and have confidence that this team will be successful.

“Thank you to all my fans who understand my tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve and let my enthusiasm get the best of me at times. I am honored by your support.”

Reports indicate that his foot is still firmly planted in Carter’s mouth.

Congrats to Shannon Forde, director of Mets media relations, and her family. She gave birth to baby Nicholas this morning. Adam Rubin on his blog for The Daily News reports that the baby weighed in at 9 1/2 pounds.

My favorite part is the second comment on the video at Yahoo! Sports.

Beltran Scores from Christopher Pecoraro on Vimeo.

Hat tip to the Lets Go Mets Tumblr for the image.

Carlos Delgado has had the past two nights off, both nights which the Mets have found an energy they’ve been sorely lacking over the past 2 months. The bench players, such as Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez, have given the team a jolt.

The question now is if Randolph will continue to bench Delgado against lefties. Adam Rubin on his blog for the New York Daily News looks to Friday, when the Mets will face left hander Clayton Kershaw.

Rubin also points out that Delgado is ranked 20th out of 22 first basemen in average and last in on-base percentage.

Marty Noble at MLB.com reports that the Mets have discussed signing Scott Hatteberg to a minor league contract internally. Marlon Anderson’s injury could play a role in the decision. Hatteberg’s value is being a left-hander that hits well against righties.

The Mariners have significant interest in Hatteberg as well, having to start Miguel Cairo at first base last night.

This recent stretch of bad road for the Mets has been hard to take. Enduring the losses can really wear on ones patience. Part of being able to cope with all the losing comes with having someone to put it in perspective and also try and add a little levity to the situation, along with keeping it interesting. The SNY booth has done just that, with their solid analysis by Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling and Gary Cohen.

I especially enjoyed Keith moving down to sit directly behind home plate, giving him a unique perspective on the game than the one he usually sees up in the booth. Keith was able to give us a better feel for how each pitcher was throwing, and in his own special way that we have come to know and love.

I also appreciate the fact that SNY is so open to trying new things, such as the calls to the booth, and allowing Gary to fulfill his dream of broadcasting a game from the upper deck behind home plate. Their willingness to do something different makes watching Mets games, whether or not you are a Mets fan, a unique and enjoyable experience.

While the losses mounted, I felt like I had an old friend there in Keith, Gary and Ron to rationalize and endure the losing with. I feel pretty lucky as a fan to have these guys calling the games and lending their entertaining personalities to what has been a rough two weeks.

The Mets appear built to win now, but what is their long term plan? Ken Davidoff on Newsday writes the following regarding the Mets future:

They say that every baseball team should be simultaneously running both a one-year plan and a five-year plan, and with the Mets, you can see the one-year plan all the way from Randolph’s native South Carolina…Yet here, in his fourth year on the job, you struggle to see that five-year plan. That’s exemplified in how few replacements the Mets have for their aforementioned, oft-injured veterans.

Davidoff worries that the Mets will revert back to the state they were in when Omar Minaya’s reign began in 2004 as the “New Mets” if they fail to make the playoffs this year.

I think given that many of the “win now” players have contracts expiring at the end of this season, thats going to be the case anyway, the problem is the Mets don’t appear to have been restocking their system with players to replace them.

The Mets nucleus of David Wright, Jose Reyes, John Maine, and Johan Santana are here for the foreseeable future and an unproven Fernando Martinez is waiting in the wings. Beyond that, there is a lot of uncertainty about the Mets future.

Recently on Baseball America, Jim Callis wrote the following:

“New York has the financial wherewithal to spend as much as any team does on the draft, but it apparently will stick to slotting once again in 2008.”

I contacted Jim and asked him to elaborate on why the Mets were going to continue with their practice of drafting within slot, despite the need to restock their farm system with top talent.

“Thats their decision. It makes very little sense to me, but maybe they fear they won’t get an All-Star Game for the new park. Even then, I’d still be aggressive. But I think the majority of teams will toe the line again this year.”

I am really scratching my head at this one. Apparently the revenue from an All Star Game is more important to the Mets than the future of their franchise. The Mets are in desperate need to replenish the farm so this is disappointing news.

For an explanation of draft slotting, and why teams wrestle over complying with it, check out Jeff Passan’s article on Yahoo! Sports.

The Godfather of sports blogging, Bill Simmons has been expressing his displeasure with ESPN.com of late, citing that there were “promises made that were not met”

Today, The Big Lead noticed that Simmons is conspicuously absent from the ESPN.com front page.

Simmons had been updating his “Sports Guy” blog on ESPN with less frequency due to his frustration with ESPN. Word is Simmons is a free agent after this year.

Hey Bill, any interest in joining us at Hot Foot? I’ve got a very attractive incentive package, fully stocked snack closet, and I will even give you carte blanche to use the company go cart.