http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/04/rockies-recall-register-triple-a/

"With Livan Hernandez clearing waivers today, any team that picks him up will have to pay only a prorated portion of the minimum $390,000. The Twins have to pick up the remainder of the $5 million contract.

The Rockies will make a push. Several teams also will be pursuing Hernandez, including the Mets, who lost John Maine to an injury, and Arizona, which has Yusmeiro Petit in the rotation.

Hernandez had the two best Coors Field games of his career last year with Arizona, but he is 4-5 with a 6.50 ERA lifetime. The question is whether time has taken its toll or if he just didn't fit in the AL (4-7, 6.64ERA in last 14 starts)."

Damned if you don't....

That's Omar's predicament today.  

If he makes a trade to get a reliever, a corner OF or even a much-needed SP, the media and most fans will slaughter him for "overpaying" and trading away a top prospect or even a prospect whose reputation and potential will be boosted by the fans and media post-trade.

If Omar doesn't make a trade, the media and most fans will say that we didn't have any prospects that anyone else wanted and will slaughter him for "ruining our farm system" by making the Johan deal, or will even revert back to the "curse" of Scott Kazmir.

Enjoy your day, Omar!  :)

- Handsome Steve

http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_10030331?nclick_check=1

Didn't know catching was a priority now... especially with the bullpen and possibly SP and OF needs...

 Here's what I think... Get a relief pitcher, get a solid back of the rotation starter who could also pitch long relief as needed and provide depth next year, look at a utility guy who can help out in the OF (perhaps a Freel or Catalanatto type?)

Don't worry about catchers, especially a $6 million one who will produce about the same as Castro... If we are that worried about Schneiders offensive offense, then play Castro 5 games a week, and use Schneider late in games and on the other two days..

Wow... This has been a difficult season so far.  It would be nice to see some team unity and some changes to be made, possibly starting at the top with Omar and Willie.  It seems that the Mets dont play as a team, have a lot of separate agendas and stubbornly stick to a model that does not work.  Its past time to clear out some of the veteran players, promote some AAA guys (they cant do much worse than those on our bench now) and look outside the organization for help on the mound and in the lineup.