• … I didn’t realize I needed to choose a side and stick to it until death.

  You don’t. But when it’s an issue like steroids and your position/opinion changes suddenly from post to post, it’s rather confusing.

• … I also didn’t realize how odd it is to say “hey guy, what do you think of X trade or X signing” without having any strong feelings either way on the proposed trade/signing.

  Lack of “strong” feelings is not precisely the issue. Lack of endorsement of an idea you yourself throw out is. I really have never come across that in someone. But as you yourself suggested, in the future, I won’t take your posts seriously anymore in terms of ascribing a position to you. Problem solved.

Second, I wouldn’t be averse to signing Bonds just because he took steroids, but he has so much other baggage that he would more than likely prove to be a distraction and not worth his considerable talents.

Third, the Heilman trade isn’t a slam dunk to me. It would be contingent upon other relievers stepping up and showing they could fill his role. What also makes me hesitant is Inge’s contract and the fact that he is coming off a poor year. I would like to think we could land him for less than Heilman. I can see pros and cons to this trade, so that if it did happen, I would choose to take the positive approach and embrace the positives to adding Inge rather than agonize over the negatives of losing Heilman.

As for waffling, well, I didn’t realize I needed to choose a side and stick to it until death. I also didn’t realize how odd it is to say “hey guy, what do you think of X trade or X signing” without having any strong feelings either way on the proposed trade/signing.

This is an open forum. Just because the apologists for steroids cheaters do not agree with what I write is no reason to attack me in a personal way. I will continue to give my opinion as I see fit.

I enjoy thinking about and discussing baseball. So when the Mets have a need, I like to think outside the box and come up with solutions. Then, I like to throw them out there on a Mets board, to see what others think.

The Bonds post was pretty much pure speculation. There is no way it would ever happen. I was curious to see what the reactions would be. I think it’s quite clear I wouldn’t be averse to signing Bonds, however I am not going to walk the streets of NYC getting people to sign a petition to bring him to the Mets.

As for the Heilman trade, I must admit it would be tempting. We have a lot of nice arms in the pen and I think Heilman is replaceable. Personally, I feel like the bullpen’s woes were largely overblown last season because everyone was comparing them to the ‘06 bullpen, which was just an awesome, awesome bullpen. Now, considering Inge’s contract and the fact that he did have a poor year last season, I would not be in a rush to deal Heilman for him. I would first try acquire him for a lesser package, but if Sanchez really is back to form, then I would not cry about dealing Heilman.

Inge would be a very valuable player for us. He could fill in at a bunch of different positions, even catcher. This would allow for a lot of flexibility.

However, with that said, I wouldn’t be in a rush to make any deals right away, because you don’t know who else could become available, so you want to hold onto all of your chips for later on down the line.

That’s why. If you think it’s a bad idea just say so.

“When someone throws out an idea, usually that person is advocating that idea and saying it has merit. Or else why throw it out?”

I don’t know, to create a discussion maybe? To bounce ideas around. These comments are a sort of pseudo-discussion board.

As anyone who watches baseball knows, Bonds is a divisive figure and many people, you among them, maintain a strong POV regarding those who used or allegedly used PEDs. And oh what a debate we had.

Heilman is a very good setup man and looks to be a key member of the pen. However, we’re a bit thin on the offensive side when it comes to quality depth. So, I threw that deal out there and put it in a context of why it could make some sense to see what others think about it.

You obviously do not like the deal. Thank you for your input.

But I guess I am misinterpreting your posts. When someone throws out an idea, usually that person is advocating that idea and saying it has merit. Or else why throw it out?

In another thread while contemplating the situation I’ve already stated I would rather see them re-sign Green to platoon with Abreu rather than dealing anyone else from the farm system or 25 man roster.

If you look closely I didn’t endorse either signing Bonds or trading Heilman for Inge.

You already know my opinion of Bonds. As for Inge, he’s a below-average offensive player who has much less value than an above-average setup man like Heilman.

I’d rather they roll the dice with someone like Abreu if Delgado goes on the DL. They can always make a trade for someone like Inge mid-season if necessary if Abreu doesn’t work out. And maybe Carp has a bounceback year giving them another short-term alternative.

Sosa has looked very good. Parnell, Rustich, Kunz, and Smith are all good looking young arms. Wise has looked solid. We also have this kid Register. And if Sanchez shows he is back, well, we’ll have a glut of relievers.

If for some reason Delgado is out for an extended amount of time (or even Church after this collision), we deal Heilman for Inge?

Inge can play all OF positions and both corners on the IF. He could even be the emergency 3rd catcher. If Alou or Delgado went down, he could replace either. If we’re lucky and every stays healthy, he could get 3-4 days a week spelling Alou, Church, and Delgado. Then, next season he could slide into LF if FMart isn’t ready. If FMart is ready, we could sign a Ben Broussard type to platoon with Inge att 1B.

Thoughts?

Anyway, I took a quick scan around the bigs to see what our options would be if Delgado went down for any serious amount of time, here is a quick list:

Nady, Chris Shelton, Aubrey Huff, Scott Hatteberg, Brandon Inge, Nick Johnson, Dan Johnson, and Chad Tracy.

It’s kind of an ugly list, I know, but I think these are players who could be reasonably available.

There’s a team in the Bronx who is and will still be in desperate need for a 1st baseman and they, if I am right have a 20 million a year Giambi contract coming to an end. Texeira is worth a fortune and a half next year.