By Geoff Walter / SNY.tv

 

 

Face facts: this year the Mets have not blown anyone away like they did last year. They have not run away with the division and in the state that they're in now with the way they're not hitting, they won't win anything even if they get into the playoffs. The pitching has been satisfactory, but the lineup -- that vaunted American League lineup -- hasn't had anything of late, struggling most notably in the seventh and eighth innings despite what they did against the Padres Tuesday night. The duel Carloses of Beltran and Delgado are completely lifeless, especially with runners in scoring position. Getting the speedy Jose Reyes on base can only do so much, as minus a home run (which he hasn't been hitting, only flying out) you need someone to drive him home. After getting off to a fast start, Beltran is slumping and he is the closest thing the Mets have to a Catch-22: You can't take him out of the lineup, but he needs to be producing, and you can't have him not produce.

 

Everyone has been waiting for Moises Alou to come back since he was injured in May, but he won't be a solution either. You want to hope that he's had his big injury for the year and has a big run at the end of the season but there's serious doubt of either of those things happening since the left fielder just turned 41-years-old and has only had 13 RBIs in 110 at bats. Shawn Green isn't exactly in the same boat age-wise but posted an abominable 28 RBIs in 290 at-bats, and one in his last 10 games. You simply cannot have that from your right fielder. Lastings Milledge has been given a fresh start, but has been inconsistent this entire season, and if those numbers continue, won't prove to be much of anything these next few months. Bottom line: the Mets need another outfielder, they need to shore up their bench, and they need another bat.

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