Why not give Alay Soler a start? This Cuban defector has pitched 34.2 innings combined for St. Lucie and Binghamton. Has given up just three earned runs and has an ERA of just 0.80. What I find intriguing about Soler is that he played in Cuba and if you watched the World Baseball Classic you know that the Cubans can play baseball. Before the Mets make some hasty trade giving up Lastings Milledge, I would hope that they give this kid a chance. I’ll bet right now he is ready to be a number 4 or 5 starter at the Major League level. Perfect, that’s just what the Mets need. Hey look, he couldn’t be any worse than Jose Lima. And I have a feeling he is a lot better. Pelfrey is coming but he still is very young and needs more time in the minors to season.

Barry Zito or Dontro Willis for Lastings Milledge. I don’t make that deal. Milledge has a chance to be another home grown stud for the Mets organization. Can you imagine having Milledge in left to go along with Wright at third and Reyes at short for years to come. Not to mention Beltran in center and Nady in right. That’s a young team built for the long haul. This is what I as a Mets fan have wanted since the 80’s. A team that year after year has a chance to win it all. That’s why I don’t think Omar can trade Milledge. He is as untouchable as it gets. Actually, an article in today's Daily News discusses how the Mets will not trade their blue chips.

I took my son to a independent minor league game Saturday evening in Sommerst New Jersey. I would estimate that from those fans donning Mets and Yankees clothing, Mets attire out numbered the Yanks by 2 to 1. This is rather striking when you consider that the Yankees draw a huge fan base from Jersey where as the Mets pull more from Long Island. I guess it is suddenly "hip" to where Mets gear again. The way I see it, New York baseball fans are split into thirds. There are hard core Mets fans, hard core Yankee fans then there are the swing fans. You know the type, the ones that wear the cap of which ever team is playing better. Man I hate those people.