The give their GMs a budget every year. And almost every year it’s a very generous budget. And almost every year, especially in the case of Omar, they give the GM full autonomy to construct the roster. It’s not the Wilpons’ fault that Omar used a lot of their dollars to sign Schoneweis, Mota, and a group of aging and often hurt veterans who have spent an awful lot of time on the DL the last two years.

I’m sure the Wilpons wouldn’t stand in the way if Omar wanted to release Delgado tomorrow. It’s a sunk cost. It won’t cost them anymore. But Omar won’t do it because it’ll be admitting a mistake and it will reflect poorly on him. He may also feel he doesn’t have any better alternatives at this point in time. And he may believe that Delgado will come around.

Major news out of New Orleans today: Surfing the Mets has learned that the Zephyrs scratched Claudio Vargas from his start today, signaling they’ve reversed course and will promote him to take the start tomorrow against the Nationals.

Vargas wasn’t under consideration even yesterday afternoon because the spot starter was supposed to be returned to New Orleans right after the game to make room for Matt Wise.

Why did the plan change? It would look like Nelson Figueroa’s poor performance Monday night is the major factor. I’d be seriously worried arriving at the ballpark today if I were Figueroa, since a Vargas call-up would mean he’s in the rotation for more than one turn.

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Additional major news: Fernando Tatis looks like he’s coming up, too. Perhaps Luis Castillo’s injury requires the DL.

UPDATE: Sounds like the Mets may have come to their senses and will spare Joe Smith, too. That could mean Jorge Sosa is in trouble.

It might not be Castillo going on the DL. Sounds like Angel Pagan was in discomfort with his shoulder last night.

Smith should not be sent down, but wilpons hate to pay someone if they are not playing for them so Sosa stays.

What’s the worst that could happen here? That he is claimed by another team? Who’s that stupid?

My only point on the Pirates dumping Morris was that it had nothing to do with dumping a player with contention in mind. The fact that they dumped him shows how he had no value whatsoever.

But I agree, if the pitching continues to stink, a move should be made.

Delgado is not here for his defense. So you constantly harping on his poor defense is a waste of time. The Mets knew going in he wasn’t a defensive maestro, so this isn’t even worth discussing.

Delgado hit 24 HR and had 87 RBIs last season. Obviously this is not worthy of a $16M contract, however there is no way, no how, no chance that Marlon Anderson or Damion Easley put up this kind of production. Maybe… MAYBE they could do it combined, but at this stage in their careers it would be a risk.

The fact is, right now… right this very second, there is not a strong candidate to replace Delgado. Sorry, Marlon Anderson is not going to cut it as a starting 1B in the big leagues.

I also think it’s too early to say Carp and/or Nick Evans are ready to displace Delgado. Maybe if they keep up this pace we can revisit the discussion at the All Star Break, not right now.

I’ll say it again, we need offense, specifically power from 1B… not defense. Carlos Delgado, even in this state of decline, is still our best option to fill that need. I would even argue that he is the only viable option we have to fill that need.

If you honestly think Marlon Anderson is going to hit 24 HR and drive in 87 RBIs then this discussion has reached absurd heights and I will no longer take part as it will be obvious you have some kind of agenda against Delgado.

And what about Vargas? Why is Bostick coming up instead of him? He was supposed to be there to take over for Figgy and/or Pelfrey if they struggled.

Has anyone heard about his track so far? I heard from pvhornet the other day he had a good start his last time out. What’s the deal there?

Tell me honestly in the last 3 games. how many times did a ball roll/bounce past 1st base? how many bad throws from the 1st baseman?

Then when said 1st baseman wasn’t playing and another played the base. Unbelievable plays and catches were made, and the very next game they were on the bench again. why? some people say not to expose the fact that the bench player wont last. if you ask me, its because they don’t want to expose that the everyday player is replaceable.

The pitching is the prime example. no one can believe we will lose Joe Smith. B ut no one wants to believe we need to lose delgado. I dont get this mindset I really really dont..

As far as Sosa is concerned why don’t they ask him if he’ll go down to get straightened out a la Trachsel? It doesn’t hurt to ask and it did a world of good for the human rain delay.

Smith needs to stay for one reason – HE’S EARNED IT!!!

Delgado is never going to be the player he was. That being said I agree that substituting role players is not the way to go either. Just keep him dropped in the order.

As for Delgado, he is gone after this season and for reasons I mentioned above, I honestly think he is our best option at 1B, as of right now. We just have to hope he heats up with the weather.

But I will agree on Sosa. He is a sunk cost, and they need to view this as paying Smith 2.3 M (Sosa’s + Smith’s contract). It’s not like they’re paying Sosa’s replacement millions. The guy who would be stepping in would be adding a negligible (for them at least) amount of salary.

Let Sosa go. Besides, even if they send down Smith, somebody else will have to go b/c Wise has to be back by Sunday (as I understand it b/c his 30 days of rehab is over).

If we had a hot 1B prospect like when the Phils had Howard to take over for Thome than I could understand the beef. But we don’t. We do not have any strong options, as of this moment, to take over for Delgado. Marlon Anderson is not the answer.

As far as delgado, everyone told me that last year too .. and they were wrong. He will not produce plus He is not defensive.

But hey what do i know.. Delgado has everyone but me under his spell..