What Will The Mets Do?

The Mets are faced with big decisions on their two best young prospects.

They have seemingly decided to make Mike Pelfrey the fifth starter, by saying that Park and Sele will start the season in the bullpen. But the schedule doesn't require a fifth starter for a couple of weeks.

Should they send Pelfrey to AAA New Orleans to get some work?
Should they bring him north with the big club and have him work with "The Jacket" for a couple weeks?
Should they leave him in Florida to get some work in extended spring training?

I say leave him in Florida. I am relieved that they seemed to be ready to give him the 5th spot instead of hoping that their minimal investments in Park and Sele will pay off.



And then there's the Lastings Milledge quandary.

While spring training stats don't matter very much, it warrants mentioning that in a similar number of at bats, Shawn Green is batting .171 and Lastings Milledge is batting .444.

I criticized the trade for Green last year precisely because it took a chance away from Milledge. Then the Mets went out and signed Alou.

So what do they do from here? Platoon Green and Milledge? Send Milledge down?

If it were up to me I would dump Shawn Green right now. He stinks. He is no longer a productive player.

I think the Mets will send him down, for two reasons. One they love Endy Chavez and want to keep him as the fourth outfielder. Second, they want to trade him midseason for some pitching. The best way to increase his value is to send him down and have him tear up Triple A. The Mets do have some other reportedly good young outfield prospects but I would hate to see Milledge get away because Shawn Green sucks.