If there were one thing I could take back from the magical 2006 season, it would be Darren Oliver. He pitched extremely well during that season, posting a 4-1 record with a 3.44 ERA in 81.0 innings. Bringing Oliver back on a two-year deal after 2006 was one move that Omar couldn’t make, but should have in hindsight.

Over the past one and a half seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Oliver has posted a 7-2 record with a 3.60 ERA in 110.0 innings pitched.

During his tenure here with the Mets, he showed unbelievable pitching in the clutch, with one instance that I remember real well during Game 4 of the NLCS in 2006. After starter Steve Trachsel was pulled in the second inning after giving up five earned runs, Oliver went on to pitch six scoreless innings against the Cardinals. Despite the damage already being done and the Mets inability to produce any offense, it was still a great clutch performance.

I truly believe the Mets really miss the job he did for them and have been desperately trying to seek the same type of player since he left in the 2006-2007 offseason. The Mets have tried a number of players in the long relief role that included Jorge Sosa, Carlos Muniz, Aaron Sele, among others.

If the Mets want to compete and make a run in the playoffs, they need someone who could take a game for 4-5 innings if need be. Granted this is far from the Mets top priority, it still should not be overlooked. The Mets have attempted to use plenty of players this year in the same role, but they have failed to strike gold on each try.

Talk to KC: As most Mets fans have heard over the past week, management is shaky on Duaner Sanchez’s recent struggles and would likely want to grab another bullpen arm. It seems as if Kansas City relief pitcher Ron Mahay could be an option on the trade market. I was begging for the Mets to take a shot on Mahay this past winter, but nothing came of it.

Right now, Mahay is 5-0 with a 1.81 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched for the Royals this season. The 37-year old reliever is due $8 million through 2009.

Getting Mahay could open up the opportunity for the Mets to send Scott Schoeneweis elsewhere. The Tigers were reportedly interested. If the Mets could acquire a right-handed hitting corner outfielder such as Marcus Thames for Schoeneweis, then it would all make sense. Thames gives you the power that the Mets could certainly use in the middle of the lineup. He is currently hitting .262 with 20 home runs and 44 RBIs. The Mets would also control him through the 2010 season. If you think beyond this season, he could be a nice stop gap if Fernando Martinez needs more time. Even if the Mets have to give up a small A-level type prospect in addition to Schoeneweis, it would be worth it. Getting Schoeneweis’ $7.2 million off of your shoulders over this season and next would be a job well done.

Admit your mistake: Utilityman Marlon Anderson has been hitting .207 with one home run and 10 RBIs this season. The Mets signed him to a two-year, $2.2 million deal prior to this season. He is becoming a liability off the bench with the bat and even at times defensively…and the Mets need to admit to their mistake and part ways with him. The only thing that is keeping him here is his track record for pinch hitting and even that has not been that great this season.

Over at Metsblog Matt Cerrone reported that the Tigers have interest in Scott Schoeneweis, and they may be willing to deal 1B/OF Marcus Thames to obtain his services. To me, this is not a good idea, at all.

Schoeneweis has been our best reliever this year (aside from the Sandman) statistically, sporting a 2.43 ERA. I don’t see how this deal really benefits us. We severely weaken our bullpen, especially if we don’t obtain another lefty if we trade Show. Also, with Andrew Beaton reporting that Brian Tallet will go on the DL with a broken toe, the lefty market is down to Will Ohman, Jack Taschner, Arthur Rhodes and Show. Show’s value will go up as we near Thursday’s deadline, so I see no reason to trade him now and get less than what we could get on Thursday. Second, Thames is an OK player, but he’s super streaky. Through April and May, Thames had hit just five home runs on the year. In June, he exploded for 10 homers,  six of which came in a five day span. Third, Thames has 20 homers on the year, yet he only has 43 rbi. To me, this screams that he doesn’t drive in runs if he doesn’t hit the longball, or he hits a ton of solo homers. Of Thames 20 homers, only six are of the solo variety, so that kills that theory. Thames is also hitting .262 on the year. Fernando Tatis is hitting around .310, if no one noticed.

I don’t know about anyone else, but if we are going to give up a premium lefty, I want 1b/3b/ss Carlos Guillen in any deal with the Tigers, not the streaky Thames. If we get Ryan Church back, I’m fine with an Endy Chavez/Tatis platoon in left.

David Lennon of Newsday relays information from the New York Mets who announced that Moises Alou will have surgery tomorrow to repair a hernia and will miss the next four to six weeks.

Alou was sent back to New York earlier today for further tests after complaining of discomfort in the groin area and the Mets got word of the results this evening.

The Mets have a few options within the organization that they could look to. Angel Pagan who has been killing the ball this spring seems like the most logical choice. Obviously, Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley are also options. The long shot option is to see Fernando Martinez in left field.

The Mets also have a couple of options available on the free agent market still such as Kenny Lofton or Preston Wilson. Lofton would be a solid choice, who hit .296 last season with 7 home runs, 38 RBIs, scored 86 runs and stole 23 bases at the tender age of 40. They could also try to convince Shawn Green to come out of retirement.

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog relays word that SI.com’s Jon Heyman said on WFAN yesterday that the Mets and Tigers are discussing a trade that would send Marcus Thames to the Mets for Jorge Sosa.

Thames had 18 HR and batted .241 last year for the Tigers in 86 games, playing 37 games in left field and 33 games at first base.

Seems like he would be decent backup for Alou and Delgado. Doesn’t hit for much average but has some pop in his bat.