Lima pitched pretty well in Durham, with some really good starts at AAA. He had a couple of bads, but he gets shots because he does well there, and once was a good MLB pitcher.

I'd much rather suffer through a few Lima starts than have Omar trade away Milledge.

Lima has already been DFAed, although (if DFA means what I think it means) that presumably means nothing since he just clears waivers and goes back down to AAA anyway.

What happened to Dave Williams? Isn't this supposed to be why we got him, in case we needed a ninth starter, and now we in fact do?

What happened to Dave Williams?

DL at Norfolk - shoulder strain.

-- MWE

Ah, thanks; much obliged. Well... hmm. I guess Oliver made himself the heir apparent today?

I think Oliver pitched so well and for so long, that he will get the start *if* Willie doesn't stay with Pelfrey or Maine.

I think Willie will send Pelfrey down , and go with Maine and Oliver.

I think Willie will send Pelfrey down , and go with Maine and Oliver.

You say Willie, Chris. You think Omar will leave it up to him, or is that just shorthand for "the Mets' decision-makers"?

I think Willie will say to Omar who he thinks is the best fit. I think Omar will give Willie the players he wants (within reason). I think Willie will ask Peterson how ready Pelfrey looks. Then Willie will make his recommendation. I think Omar will weigh that and *probably* do what Willie wants, but he may have his own ideas that outweigh that based on other moves he's working on.

I think Willie will say to Omar who he thinks is the best fit.

Seems to me that "tie goes to" Maine. That is, if they think it's a close call, the tie breaker would favor Maine: aiding Pelfrey's development rather than risking it with a too-stressful load in the majors or his getting roughed up because he's just not ready. Only if they strongly think the big league club is better off right now with Pelfrey would they go that route. And that, I think, is a tough case to make.

The thing is, Willie says he hasn't used Heilman because he is VERY reluctant to disrupt the best bullpen in hte majors. So he may not move Oliver for the same reason. That means he needs two sraters. Pelfrey *could* stay.

I do agree with your reasoning if they have to choose between the two - I am certain they think Maine is "more ready" than Pelfrey, not to mention options and arbitration clock.

That means he needs two sraters. Pelfrey *could* stay.

He does? Isn't that true only if Pedro isn't ready? Glavine, El Duque, Trachsel, Maine . . . Pedro. According to Mets.com, they are penciling Pedro in for the 5th game after the break, so they are planning only for either Maine or Pelfrey. So, there you go -- it all depends on Pedro. If he's ready, there's only one spot. If not, then presumably Pelfrey is all but assured of at least one more start.

You are correct.

The thing is, Willie says he hasn't used Heilman because he is VERY reluctant to disrupt the best bullpen in hte majors. So he may not move Oliver for the same reason.

I don't doubt that Willie may think this way, but how significant a cog is a bullpen's long man, anyway? Almost by definition, Oliver will generally pitch only in innings 3 through 6, and in games in which the starter has been blitzed or gotten injured. We're talking once or twice a week and in games the team will probably lose anyway, right?

Good thing Peterson fixed him.

That snark is so old it has a playoff beard...