Took a look around the interwebs and some sports talk radio and this is what I found.

First up, Brian Schneider visited with Benigno and Roberts on their midday show on WFAN. Scheider told them even though he “hasn’t swung a bat yet” if they need him in an emergency he would “go out there”.

Asked if he had any thoughts on Oliver Perez, Brian said

“I just want to see an adjustment” when struggling with control. “I’ll go out there”, to the mound, “and tell him I don’t care if you throw the next two pitches in the dirt or if you hit this guy”… “He has to make an adjustment and I didn’t see that”.

Then I found these two nuggets that could kinda make you of scratch your head. First Adam Rubin of the Daily News tells us how higher-ups in Mets management mulled over the idea of replacing Rick Peterson this past off-season and Ed Ryan of Mets Fever points us towards a ESPN Jayson Stark article that reads:

So can Barry Zito ever get straightened out? We surveyed a half-dozen scouts and executives, and we found only one who thought he could. And that was a scout who said his only hope was to get reunited with Rick Peterson, “the only [pitching coach] Barry Zito ever had success with.”

So, baseball “experts” mull over whether Peterson was the problem with the Mets last year. Then six months later he might be the answer to one of the biggest flops in baseball free agency history…jeez.

Tim Marchman of the NY Sun has had enough of Willie Randolph an writes there’s nothing that Willie can do to change his mind:

It’s time for the Mets to fire Willie Randolph. They should fire him if his team sweeps the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. They should fire him if his team wins all three games by a total score of 27-0. They should fire him if his team puts on such a display this weekend that the greater Phoenix area literally burns to the ground around them, lit by nothing but the intensity of their passion and brilliance. The man’s time is up, and nothing can change that.

Jason at Faith and Fear in Flushing could not agree more.

NY Times Ben Shpigel gives us a pre-preview of the Arizona series in a small post he titled The Mets Past, Present and Future in Arizona.

Mets.com Marty Noble tells us about some bad memories Billy Wagner has from a ball that ricocheted off his head ten years ago in Phoenix.

Jeff Bercovici of Portfolio.com has a story about ex-Met Lenny Dykstra and some trouble he’s having with his publishing venture.

Lastly, Matt Cerrone over at Mets Blog writes about a story from the NY Post’s page six regarding Carlos Beltran’s 31st birthday party at Sofrito. Among other guest’s Jennifer Lopez was in attendance. Matt goes on to quote the page six story:

“Just when you thought it couldn’t get any wilder, Jennifer Lopez grabbed the birthday boy and shook her world-renowned booty. Then, the crowd improvised a song with the lyric, “We’re going to win the World Series.”

Then Matt totally cracked me up with this remark to finish up his post:

…take note, as this may be the first and last time the term world-renowned booty appears on MetsBlog…

After yesterday’s ugly loss to the Bucs the story had to be the worrisome performance of Oliver Perez. Even though Willie Randolph did criticize Perez after the game on WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog, he was mostly tempered.

But according to Adam Rubin from the Daily News Billy Wagner was not gonna let Ollie’s poor effort go by without making his opinion heard. Billy came out swinging putting the blame on Perez for not having more “willpower” and “desire”. He felt that Perez should have realized that the bullpen had been overworked and to take it upon himself to log some innings. Here’s what Wagner said:

“You’ve got to have that willpower and that desire to go back out there and fight,”. “This guy (Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny), he wasn’t throwing the ball that well to shut down our offense. Perez has honestly got to step up and know that we’ve just used every guy in our bullpen the night before. He can’t come out there and decide that gee, he hasn’t got it today, and so be it.”

Also, in Bart Hubbach’s game story for the NY Post when Wagner was asked if talking to Perez about his notoriously short attention span was like trying to talk to a wall, Wagner pointed his finger and said: “Pretty much.”

For more notes and quotes about Wagner, Reyes, and Figgy, go to Adam’s Daily News Blog Surfing The Mets.

According to Ed Ryan’s blog Mets Fever the Mets have signed 29 year old 1B/OF Valentino Pascucci who was recently released by the Phillies.

Pascucci will join the Mets triple A affiliate New Orlean Zephyrs along with Brady Clark who was sent down when Gustavo Molina was promoted.

In his column at Newsday Kevin Davidoff writes that only time will tell if the Yankees made a mistake by not giving up Phil Hughes in a deal that could have landed them Johan Santana. Davidoff goes on to write:

Omar Minaya performed an excellent job in waiting for the Twins to settle for what still looks like an uninspiring package of players. Have you seen Carlos Gomez’s numbers? Yeesh. As you can see here, Kevin Mulvey is pitching decently for Triple-A Rochester, while Phil Humber is not. Deolis Guerra is pitching all right at Class A Fort Myers.

But you can bet that Minaya, who is set to ignore baseball’s slotting system for the amateur draft after adhering to it the last couple of years, wants to build his organization to a point where it doesn’t have to invest nine figures in a pitcher from another team in order to pick up an ace.

Davidoff went on to write that that the Santana trade will allow the Mets to close Shea Stadium with their first World Series title since 1986.

Over at my favorite Mets blog name Church of the Fonz they decided to look “On the Bright Side” of yesterday and focus on Aaron Heilman’s two perfect innings and this quote from former Met Doug Mientkiewicz on Johan Santana:

“Let’s put it this way: When that team needs him the most, he’s going to be there. Come August and September, he’s going to be dominant.”

The NY Post’s Joel Sherman from his HardBall blog thinks Willie might be overusing the bullpen and he has some pretty startling numbers to back up his assertions. Sherman also has some thoughts on Oliver Perez and his probable free agency problems.

Former Met and now SNY studio analyst Darryl Strawberry is writing a book about his life. According to this AP report Strawberry will collaborate with John Strausbaugh on his memoir.

In an article about how rainouts are handled in MLB I saw this interesting tid-bit that may come in handy to Mets fans who may not know about it, I know I didn’t. At CNBC.com referring to the Monday’s rain out vs the Pirates:

The Mets have an extremely generous policy. If you really wanted to see the Pirates and can’t make this homestand, you can use this exact ticket for the makeup game on Aug. 11. If you want, you can also exchange your ticket for a seat of a similar value or use the money towards a credit towards a seat for this year (the final season in Shea Stadium) or next year (in the new facility).

Lastly, back to the Willie Randolph interview with Mike and the Mad Dog. Willie was asked about Carlos Beltran’s sluggish start at the plate and Willie said that he doesn’t think that Carlos is 100% yet, coming off surgery on both knees. He’s still having problems with strength, pushing off his back leg in the batter’s box. But he’s working hard with Howard Johnson and he will be fine.

This is classic Wagner here, I love it. Some tough love for Ollie, hopefully it helps. I get the the feeling he’s the type of guy who wants to be liked so maybe this will be the push he needs… My only concern regarding Beltran is playing on weak knees. I hope he can continue to play and strengthen his knees simultaneously. He has hit a ton a shots right at guys and he has played a flawless centerfield.

Johan Santana, Endy Chavez and Willie Randolph spoke with the media after last nights extra inning 5-4 Mets win over the Pirates at Shea. First up Johan,

Johan Santana was asked about the home runs he surrendered:

“The first guy (Nate McLouth) we had some scouting reports that he takes a few pitches (he jumped on the first pitch) but what can you do I didn’t execute. Home runs are part of the game. They (the Pirates) battled, they fouled off a lot of pitches. The most important part is we, as a team got the win.”

Asked if he heard the cheers when he was removed from the game:

“Yes, I did, I guess they appreciated what I did tonight and that’s always good. But the thing is you always gotta have that support, day in and day out because they (the fans) are big part of what we do here. The bad days and the good days. If they are always out there supporting us then you feel more comfortable. That goes for everybody, that’s the way it is. But we understand they are very demanding fans in this city and they always want to win and there’s nothing wrong with that. But at the same time we are human beings we’re gonna make mistakes, sometimes we’re not gonna have a good day but it’s all how you bounce back and hopefully the results will be very positive for the whole team.”

Endy Chavez, who had three hits spoke with WFAN’s Eddie Coleman:

“I’m glad I got three hits, I feel good at the plate. It helps me to be in there, it keeps me sharp, i’ve seen a lot of pitches and that helps a lot… I think he (Santana) did a pretty good job, I think when he was a little wild the umpire was pretty tough but he’s a tough pitcher and he hung in there for us and he did a pretty good job.”

Willie Randolph:

Asked about David Wright’s game winning hit and his struggles of late:

“When he does what he did in that situation (walk off hit) he’s pretty effective, every once in awhile he starts pulling off the ball and gets out of rhythm. He’s one of the best on the team going the other way, he had a great approach right there and got a big hit for us.”

About Jose Reyes getting on base last night:

“Any time you have your lead-off man on base six times you gotta score more runs. We left too many runners on tonight. We have to make sure we do a better job of situational hitting and just putting the ball in play in big spots. We had a chance when we were up 4-2 to put them away. We have to do a better job of execution, it takes a lot of pressure off your bullpen. If you can add on those extra runs it really frees up your bullpen.”

On Santana:

“I thought he threw the ball great. He had like forty foul balls, something like that. He was just nasty tonight. They kept battling, they kept fighting. He made a couple of mistakes but he deserved to win the game but we didn’t pick up those ducks which made it tough.”

Asked what Santana said when Willie went to the mound before he hit Xavier Nady:

“He said he wanted him. I just wanted to go out and see how he was feeling. I’m trying to get to know him a little bit. I need to comunicate with him, find out how he feels. I need him to be honest with me. But as soon as I got out there he said “no I got this guy, I want this guy” that one ball just kind of got away from him, kinda sailed. He’s a competitor, he felt strong it was cool out so, I’m gonna trust him when he tells me he wants to compete. He still one of the best.”

All the Santana quotes were great. When he was asked about the fans reaction towards him he spoke about their reaction but related it to the team, which I loved. When Willie spoke about about Santana saying “I got this guy”, “I want this guy” the results don’t even matter, the fact that we are finding out that Santana has some bulldog in him is fantastic. He battled through some foul balls and the elements last night. So far there is nothing not to like about our ace.

Today Mets Manager Willie Randolph spoke with WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog in his usual weekly spot,

On Moving Carlos Delgado down in today’s line-up from fifth to sixth today,

“Moving from the fifth spot to sixth is nothing drastic. Obviously he is struggling so I thought I’d mix it up. Carlos just wants to win, he doesn’t mind. I think he’s gonna get it going. He has a track record, not that he’s gonna have a year like he’s had in the past but it’s early. Still gotta be patient….No, I haven’t really thought about platooning him and Moises Alou when he comes back.”

On the team being inconsistent:

“It’s a little bit concerning. The bullpen has been inconsistent and when you combine that with not scoring runs that’s a bad mix. It’s not like we are not playing hard. We’re just trying to find the right rhythm right now. But I really believe and have confidence that this team is gonna play real well this season.”

On Luis Castillo’s spot in the order:

“I put him in the eighth spot a few times to help him get his legs back. After off season surgery he really wasn’t in shape this spring. But when he’s ok he’s gonna be in the two spot most of the time. Omar brought him here because he’s one of the best number two guys in the league. Jose Reyes is our catalyst and Luis knows what to do when Jose’s on base. For the most part he’s our number two hitter.”

On how Willie deals with his players:

“I talk to my players all the time, I think I communicate with my players more than any manager in the game today.”

Does he pick on younger players more than older players?

“That’s so ridiculous, that’s so ridiculous, it’s not even worth it for me to comment on. First, I like young players more than I like older players because you can mold them. Most of the older players are stuck in their ways. I talk to my players, I don’t yell at them. I talk to them like men, with respect. You don’t get anything out of yelling at grown men. At times I may be firm, put my hand on their shoulder, sometimes I’ll pat them on the butt. I know how to treat my people.”

On Cubs 1B Derrek Lee touching a foul ball the other day in Chicago which by rule he should have been called out on:

“When I first saw it, I jumped on it right away. I jumped on the top step. I thought maybe Angel (Umpire Angel Hernandez) might call something there but he wasn’t gonna. I know with Angel it’s like fighting a losing battle. The night before he was at home plate and I was all over his case so I know he didn’t want to see my face. I probably would have been thrown out right away.”

On Bunting:

“If you see a guy bunting early in the game it’s not something I believe in. Castillo and Carlos Beltran do it but it’s not something I want.”

On the Phillies:

“That last game we showed a lot of fight. We know we can beat the Phillies. Last year they got hot at the right time and we got cold at the wrong time.”

On Duaner Sanchez:

“He’s coming around nicely but we are still trying to pick our spots with him. I’m hoping he’ll step up and give us a real shot in the arm for our bullpen.”

After yesterday’s game Both Willie Randolph and Billy Wagner spoke about feelings and Philadelphia. Willie about about his team in terms of the Phillies and Wagner spoke about the fan reaction when Reyes was seemingly hurt on Friday night.

First Willie, he was asked about the Mets confidence against the Phillies now that they have taken five in a row from them,

“We were always confident against the Phillies. There was never a doubt in this teams mind. Ball players and teams, when a team is really on to you and you can’t beat them, you know that. We lost some games against the Phillies last year during that so called streak that everyone likes to bring up, we should have won some of those games. So, when you know that, you don’t lose confidence against that team. You just hope the next time you play against them your the one who gets a little break here and there.”

“Coming into this year we wanted to comeback at these guys and show them that last year wasn’t the way it’s gonna be. Just because that stuff, jinxes and hexes are talked about doesn’t mean the players buy into it. We didn’t have anything to prove to ourselves about beating the Phillies. We’ve played well here and we’ve played well against the Phillies during the last three or four years. It’s a new year and players understand that you have to turn the page.”

“A team may have your number for a second as far as beating you but that doesn’t mean you can’t beat them or that your intimidated by them or they dominate you, that’s not baseball. It’s a game of streaks. Even when your not playing well you can beat any team. My team is too confident to fall into any of that. We knew very well that they were just fortunate when they played us last year.”

To listen to Willie go to WFAN.

In today’s Daily News Adam Rubin tells us what Billy Wagner had to say about Philly fans cheering when Jose Reyes went down while stealing second base Friday night.

“It’s really sad when humanity comes to the point where somebody getting hurt, it’s fun to watch,” Wagner said. “It’s sad when that happens. Nobody wants anybody to get hurt. I don’t want Jimmy Rollins getting hurt. I don’t want Pat Burrell to get hurt. I don’t want none of these guys. I want to compete against these guys because they’re the best, and you want to beat the best. You don’t want excuses. When you see Reyes laying there - it’s a tough shot, a clean play - and the fans cheering that he’s hurt, that just goes and shows you volumes about where our society is headed.”

“This is about the only place I’ve ever seen somebody get cheered when they get hurt. (Shoot), they boo Santa Claus. What’s it tell you? They’ve taken it to a whole new level when you’re cheering for somebody to be hurt.”

I love the way Willie reenforces his belief that last season the ball just did not bounce the Mets way against Philadelphia. I personally think Willie is right on with that point and that is what he should stress. There are only negatives to be gained by falling into the “Phillies have your number” mantra that some in the media want to make the story. There were just too many things and too many opponents involved in last years collapse for it to be a “Philly thing”. Plus, something like a jinx or an individual team having your number plays out over time, kinda like Mets-Braves, you can find more of an argument there. So, onto tonight and lets hope that Big Pelf brings his big broom.

Mets manager Willie Randolph was none too pleased with Philly fans reaction to Jose Reyes possible injury during last night’s game. Jack Curry of the NYT Bats Blog has Willie’s quote,

“That was Philadelphia, the fans, in general,” Randolph said. “We live in this culture where fans are that way. They make their feelings known and they love to hate. It was sad. It really is. The guy could have been hurt.”

On a different topic John Delcos of Lohud Mets Blog talked to a scout about Oliver Perez. Delcos asked the scout, might Perez’s value increase if Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia continued to struggle?

“No,” he said. “He’s still Oliver Perez. He’s never going to me more than a No. 3 pitcher.”

A number three starter that wins 15 games? Buy’em!

Note: Bart Hubbuch at NY Post Mets Blog says Moises Alou may rejoin the Mets within days.

In an extended spring training game in Vero Beach today, Alou went 2-for-5 and was hit by a pitch. Alou was able to play five innings in the outfield.

In response to the recent commotion over the Willie Randolph-Manny Acta drama, Brad Bortone over at Bugs and Cranks reminds us that…It’s Just A Game. And maybe, just a little bit, Willie needs to relax a bit.

Bortone says:

By purposely avoiding the batting cage camaraderie with Acta (a likable guy if there ever was one) and questioning the motives of his players who were there, Willie sounded eerily similar to his old employers.

Bortone also notes that while there is a rule concerning this, there are also rules prohibiting pitchers from rubbing the ball on cold nights, covering gear in pine tar, and wearing baggy uniforms.

I tend to agree with Brad here. When it’s time to play, the players are focused. What’s wrong with chatting up friends and former teammates during BP. Willie needs to focus less on player fraternization and more on the upcoming series against the Phillies.

David Lennon of Newsday reports that the Mets manager Willie Randolph is not entirely comfortable with the way many in the organization get a little too friendly with Nats mananger Manny Acta. Acta previously was a coach with the Mets. From the boss himself:

“How does that happen? How does that become normal?”

Wright too agrees with Willie’s sentiment.

I’ll be the first one to be friendly with other players before we come to the park or after leaving the park. But as far as that time when I have my uniform on and they have their uniform on, I want to go out there and kick their butt.

As the article points out, while fraternizing with members of other teams while in uniform is prohibited, it is a largely unenforced rule (much like the ones about steroids, the balk). Similar reports surfaced yesterday, as reported by Mets Blog’s Matt Cerrone.

While I can understand Willie’s feelings here, especially after yesterdays dragging 45 inning game in which the team seemed to take its time to victory, the other side of the coin is that you can’t expect these guys to end their friendships everytime the ownership and GM let a player go or trade someone away.

“The lesson is simple: don’t take anything for granted and don’t expect things to happen just because you think they will. The season is here. It’s time to make it happen.” - Willie Randolph

Hat tip to ellebelle