AAA – Buffalo Bisons

The Bisons were spraying hits all over the place as the only starter without a hit was Mike Jacobs (and that includes the starting pitcher who had a single).  Jesus Feliciano now has a 12 game hitting streak including 7 hits in his last three games.  His batting average is now up to .383 and if he doesn’t get a shot soon then there is something wrong with the front office.  Josh Thole had another big game and has worked his batting average up to a respectable .250 after being in the low .100′s earlier in the season.

AA – Binghamton Mets

The B-Mets tied the game early in the 5th inning, but it didn’t last long as the Rock Cats answered right back in the bottom half of the inning to take a lead they would not let go of.  The offense managed 7 hits off Carlos Gutierrez, but he was able to keep them in check with 13 ground ball outs.  Scott Shaw struggled mightily with his command early on resulting in an early exit, however, Emary Frederick was able to come in and deliver a good relief effort.

HiA – St. Lucie Mets

Daniel Murphy had another monster rehab game going 5-for-5 with 3 RBI’s.  Again he also played all 9 innings in the field at first base.  The only other run came off the bat of Stefan Welch who hit a solo homerun in the second inning.  The disaster of the St. Lucie rotation continued today with a 3rd inning exit by Scott Moviel who got smacked around for 7 runs (5 earned) and 6 hits.  He also hurt himself with two throwing errors that resulted in the unearned runs.

LoA – Savannah Sand Gnats

Brandon Moore was pitching pretty well before Mother Nature stepped in and cut his day short.  Because of a rain stoppage John Church had to come in and deliver a terrific relief performance to earn his 3rd win of the season.  While the pitching was outstanding, the defense was just AWFUL.  There were 3 errors one by Wilmer Flores his 10th of the season, one by Alonzo Harris also his 10th of the season, and one by Jefry Marte who is already up to 14 errors in just 30 games.  Marte has good athleticism, but is just a complete butcher in the field.  Kai Gronauer added in a passed ball for good measures.

30. New York Mets, Rudy Terrasas: I have to go with the director that was almost on the chopping block at the end of season in 2009. Terrasas is in a difficult predicament, having few resources and picking hit-or-miss players, making his job even more difficult. The few resources he’s given are sometimes wasted on players that have no future as Major League players. For that reason, he gets the last spot on the list.

Yes, the Mets have had bad drafts lately, but they are definitely not the worst scouting team in baseball.  Since Rudy Terrasas took over the Mets have produced major leaguers in Kevin Mulvey, Joe Smith, Daniel Murphy, Tobi Stoner, and Eddie Kunz.  Not to mention the 2008 draft that saw Ike Davis, Reese Havens, Brad Holt, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Kyle Allen.

The Cardinals on the other hand since Jeff Lunhow have taken over have flopped 1st round picks Adam Ottavino, Tyler Herron, Mark Mccormick, and arguably Pete Kozma.  The only draft picks that pop out to me are Chris Perez, Colby Rasmus, Mitch Boggs, and Tyler Greene.  That is also with an extra year of drafting and much much more money to spend.  Their last two drafts have looked a little better, but that is just because of top talents who fell to them (Shelby Miller and Brett Wallace).  Somehow though they have found their found their way to #24 on the list.

The Mets are just always taking crap for their drafting, but if you look at their roster they have the homegrown talents of David Wright, Jose Reyes, Jon Niese, Mike Pelfrey, Angel Pagan, Bobby Parnell, Mike Jacobs, Fernando Martinez and Jason Bay went through the system even though he wasn’t drafted or signed by the Mets.  Its the whole perception that the Mets farm sucks that makes people give them dead last rankings like this.  I don’t see how a team that currently has a farm in the #13-18 range can have the worst scouting director in the league.  If anyone can fill me in on how this makes sense it would be greatly appreciated.

Update: Look at this list. Anyone still care to say the Cardinals have a better scouting director.

If you take a look at the Blue Jays roster who are the two highest paid players still on the team next year? Alex Rios and Vernon Wells two outfielders.  Now the Mets find out Fernando Martinez is hurt leaving the outfield with what? Ryan Church, Gary Sheffield, and… a bunch of AAAA players.  Not the most attractive thing when you have to face a lineup like the Phillies stacked with hitters.  So what would be the Mets best option? You guessed it taking on the salary of Alex Rios.  It has already been reported that you can get him for very little so what’s the big deal?  For the 5 years you’d be getting him beyond 2009 you would have to pay him $58.7 million or an annual salary of $11.74 mill.  A little pricey, but nothing the Mets can’t afford. And let’s compare Rios to some of the current Metsies. (Click to make image bigger)

As you can see he is the best option there and what is not shown is that he playes MUCH MUCH MUCH better defense then the rest of the players listed.  Rios’s speed gives him the ability to play either CF or RF and would fit perfectly in Citi Field.  He has a cannon of an arm to go along with his great defensive coverage.  He also has the base stealing ability to go along with the speed/defense approach the Mets should take when building a team for Citi Field.

If the Blue Jays go nuts and ask for Jenrry Mejia, even though they said they don’t want a lot for him, you laugh at them and say no, otherwise you get him as fast as possible because he can play center to fill in for Carlos Beltran why he is hurt and then move him over to right field when Beltran and move Ryan Church to left field giving you the best defensive outfield in the league.  And let’s be realisitic with some of the bad contracts in basebal Rios’s is pretty decent.  He is also young with some more untapped offensive potential that maybe he can put together with a change of scenery.

I am a bit of a Rios fan so I am biased, but he fits the Mets perfectly right now, won’t cost you prospects, and will give you a solid outfielder for 5 more years beyond the trade.  It is a no brainer move you have to make