SNY: Salfino: Mets, Yanks face off in shabby shape

Before this train reaches the next station it will become the scene of the most spectacular Mets hijack ever attempted!

Why do both teams, given their high payrolls, have such weak benches? Shouldn’t all that extra salary buy you some depth? The Mets banked on either Damion Easley repeating his outlying 2007 or Luis Castillo (who limps around like Fred G. Sanford) making 150 starts. Of course, neither is going to happen. Perhaps the front office disagrees with me and views Marlon Anderson as something more than the new Lenny Harris (pinch-hitter with no pop and zero defensive value).

Endy Chavez could be DFA’d right now and not be claimed. Angel Pagan? He’s at best Endy Chavez in 2006 form, if Chavez couldn’t field. Ramon Castro makes Castillo seem like Cal Ripken.

I’d have been happier if the team called up Val Pascucci rather than Fernando Tatis. In New Orleans, Tatis went .242/.345/.597. Pascucci, in 59 at-bats, is .303/.393/.731. Last year in Triple-A, Tatis hit 21 homers (in a pitcher’s park), Pascucci 34 (leading the Pacific Coast League, but in Albuquerque). Tatis is 33, Pascucci 29.

The Yankees bench has been terrible, too. Morgan Ensberg is showing why multiple teams released him. Shelley Duncan has done nothing with his limited opportunities. Alberto Gonzalez was actually useful during Jeter’s absence—5.27 assists per nine innings at short versus a pathetic 3.89 for Jeter (average is 4.57).