Why can't the Mets tell the difference between the Major and Minor Leagues?

The Mets have released reliever Ken Takahashi. I’m happy about this for two reasons: 1. it is a step in the right direction and 2. it brings me to my next topic: minor leaguers that only the Mets believe can play at the major league level.

Ken Takahashi was absolutely one of them. I have a friend who is convinced that the Mets only brought him up because of his name and unfortunately there might be some merit to that. Newsflash to management: you want to know why a 40 year old pitcher is just now making it to the majors? It’s probably because he shouldn’t be there. At least the Mets kind of realized this and designated him for assignment/stopped using him in important situations. But that could just be because the Mets stopped playing in important situations in June.

Next, my personal pet peeve: Angel Pagan. I understand that Pagan has potential and is a decent defender who can cover Citi Field. He always seems to get on base, which is normally great except this guy runs himself into more outs than anyone I can even think of right now. Pagan could quite possibly have the worst baseball instincts in the majors… and you can’t teach that stuff. Angel Pagan is a fourth outfielder at best. So why has there even been discussion about him competing for a starting spot?

More guys that fall into this category: Elmer Dessens, Pat Misch, and any other pitcher you had never heard of in the Mets system prior to all the 2009 injuries. It’s not like the Mets weren’t touting these guys because they were developing them as secret weapons down on the farm. I don’t care about flashes of brilliance – these guys belong in Triple-A Buffalo.

The one player that could be an exception to this is Nelson Figueroa. I’m still deciding on whether or not he is talented enough to pitch in the big leagues or if it just looked that way because of the state of the rest of the rotation. It’s pretty easy to look like an All-Star when you are surrounded by an injured ace, two head cases, and a revolving door.

My request is simple: stop trying to shove career minor leaguers down our throats. Go find a decent second starter to take the pressure off of Santana. I actually like some of Joel Sherman's suggestions regarding this.. basically go after an AL fly ball pitcher off a down year (Ervin Santana is on this list and I could definitely get behind that choice). Bring in some guys to up the intensity level and bring some power back to the line up. I do still like Matt Holliday regardless of his poor showing in Oakland, but I have a feeling the Mets won't play hardball with Scott Boras for him. And finally.. memo to the Wilpons: just consider your fan base ONE TIME this off season.