Mets Financially Sound & Still "In It" - Trade Francoeur

I started hearing the trade possibility of Francoeur to the Rangers yesterday afternoon. Not surprised, but bothered.

Then I heard about Jerry's meeting with Francoeur just prior to the game. The only thing that could have been more ominous would have been Francoeur being pulled from the lineup, where he was batting fourth, just prior to the game. That didn't happen. Then we were informed that Jerry and Jeff were just talking golf. Don't buy it, unless they were talking about golf courses in Arlington.

Francoeur played last night and was 1-3 with an RBI. He also had yet another assist gunning down Martin Prado at the plate.

Shortly, I mean real shortly, after the game, the media was informed that Francoeur had been traded to the Texas Rangers for infielder Joaquin Arias, 25. Arias only has been in 50 games this season, and is hitting .276 with 0 HR's and 9 RBI in 98 AB's. His OBP is .290. This is an upgrade over Francoeur? Francoeur could very well win the Gold Glove this year. He leads the NL in OF assists.

Castillo had a tough game; making an error that helped lead to a 7 run 5th inning. Could Arias get the majority of playing time for the remainder of the season?

Good thing the Mets are still in it, and money isn't an issue. Lets see, they let Rod Barajas and his $500K salary go for nothing. Alex Cora and his $2M salary was released before his option for 2011 would have kicked in. They won't release Castillo or Oliver Perez due to the money they are making. All this, but money is not an issue. I believe that as much as I believe Jerry and Jeff were talking golf before the game.

Still in it? Don't be surprised to see the Mets OF looking something like this tonight: Carter (LF), Beltran (CF), and Lucas Duda (RF). Duda was called up after last nights game, along with now starter Jenrry Mejia. Duda might do well, but are the Mets really looking towards the future, or are they cost cutting? Are they really putting the best team they can out on the field everyday, or are they tanking the rest of the season because "It's over Johnny. It's over!?" Duda is only two years younger than Francoeur. Don't know much about Duda except his stats. He might turn out to be a real good player, but is he ready yet?

My point in all this is stop all the BS and lying. The Wilpon's have always thought, and have always been wrong, that they are smarter than everyone, and that they are able to confuse, persuade, and pull the wool over everyone's eyes. They can't. Unfortunately their fans and the NY media are a lot more savvy than Fred and Jeff give them credit for. All the fans want is honesty. We're not stupid. We didn't expect the Mets to win 92 games this year. But stop squirting on our shoes and tell us it's raining out. We get it. The question is do the Mets?

Sources: CBS Sportsline, Baseball Reference, Cot's Baseball Contracts