It's Also Days Like Today I Am Happy I'm the Minor League Guy Applesauce

Meet the Mets

You guys, I got in late from the Binghamton/New Britain game, is it okay if I just copy and paste yesterday's Applesauce? I doubt you will notice a difference.

At first, the Mets bullpen struggles were fun and zany, like that movie Spaceballs, but now it's dark and disturbing, like that movie Police Academy. Or, if you prefer, Acostalypse Now.

You can put your Big Lebowski jokes on ice, though, as it looks like Lucas Duda will be optioned to Buffalo to make room for Matt Harvey. Duda is slugging just .391 and has struck out in 26.5% of his plate appearances in 2012.

I can't unsee this picture, so now you can't either. My pain is your pain, gentle readers.

Howie Rose knows the score. Howie the best.

Howard Megdal would like to remind you that there is no crying in baseball.

Toby Hyde interviewed Mets second round draft pick, and current Sand Gnats' shortstop, Matt Reynolds. Reynolds mentions that the Mets FO doesn't really see him as a SS at the major league level, but it seems like they are going to let him play himself off the position. Saw him for three games last week, and yeah, he is pretty rough there right now.

Around the NL East

We are getting deep into July, so you know what that means: Marlins fire sale!

The Tigers were the first to pull up to the driveway to see what Thomas Kinkaide paintings and old rocking chairs Jeffrey Loria is trying to unload. They dealt Jacob Turner and some prospect detrius to the Fish for Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez. Speculation is that Josh Johnson might be available as well,plus, you know, everything that isn't currently nailed down or signed to a hideously backloaded contract. Johnson looked pretty good last night in his audition for the Dodgers or whoever, as the Marlins downed the Braves 2-1.

Meanwhile, the Barves have allegedly dealt for Ryan Dempster, but the Cubs' righty has not yet given his approval. Dale Sveum blames the twitter for the confusion.

Hey, remember when the Mets were going to trade for K-Rod? Well, he'd fit right in.

More Phils news: ESPN is reporting that extension talks with Cole Hamels are entering 'the sensitive phase.' Well, Cole is a sensitive guy.

Around MLB

Yeah, it's a nothing trade, but this picture just looks weird. Though I do look forward to Ichiro finally becoming the 30 home run hitter that he predicted, thanks to the short right porch in Yankee Stadium.

All the accurately sourced rumormongering didn't seem to distract the Cubs, who blanked the Pirates.

#6org fan Dave Cameron pens a farewell to Ichiro. Seriously, so weird. Over at his day job, Cameron analyzes whether the new wild card system makes the wild card worth chasing. Also at FanGraphs, Marc Hulet gives his take on the prospects heading to Miami in the Sanchez deal.

The Dodgers and Giantskept pace with each other in the NL West race.

Jeff Sullivan reminds you to take a close look at the Orioles' run differential.

Maury Brown looks at some marketing solutions for MLB. Lifting the stupid blackout restrictions would be a good start. Tangotiger agrees.