As Certain Mets Veterans Flourish, One Completely Falters

Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Brian Schneider, Oliver Perez, J.J. Putz and Ryan Church have all been out for extended periods of time. For a couple of those names, there is no telling when they will return.

The trick to achieving success amid all the turmoil is overcoming it, making sure the Mets have the right players who can step in and fill the voids.

Typically, the team has done a good job of doing so. Gary Sheffield, although struggling through a slump this week, proved he still has a powerful bat while playing in left field.

Reliever Bobby Parnell and catcher Omir Santos have surpassed expectations, their play helping them both make cases for everyday roles.

Super-utility men Fernando Tatis and Alex Cora have also come through in the clutch for the Mets, both proving they could play well at a consistent pace if need be.

Tatis, considered the Mets’ ninth man, has to prepare himself for each game as though he is an everyday player. Be it one position or another, it seems like he is always in the lineup.

Cora has earned much deserved respect in the clubhouse. Manager Jerry Manuel has shown respect for Cora, saying he treats him like an everyday player.

Although he adds to the list of injured Mets, needing surgery on a torn ligament in his thumb, Cora is playing through the pain, postponing the surgery until after the season.

“That’s the true measure of a guy I have the ultimate respect for: a guy who plays hurt, doesn’t go about announcing it and just goes out there and does his job and does it well," David Wright said about Cora's toughness. "I haven’t known him long, but Alex is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites.”

Wright, Carlos Beltran, and the Mets' “B-team” have stayed strong, keeping the team only two games behind the Phillies for first place in their division.

However, through it all, nothing stops the Mets from cringing when the rotation runs its course every fifth day.

Before there was Livan Hernandez or Freddy Garcia, there was Tim Redding, who was penciled in as the Mets' fifth starter when the team signed him in January. Luckily for the Mets, Hernandez propelled his way into the rotation.

Redding is back in the rotation, filling in for Oliver Perez. He has so far struggled to find his footing, earning 6.97 ERA with only 12 strikeouts though 20 innings in four starts, good for an 0-2 record.

His only quality start came last week against his former team, the last place Nationals. In six innings, Redding held the Nationals to one run while striking out two for a no decision.

It will be interesting to see if Redding, who pitches tomorrow night, can build on his successful start. At this point there is no timetable for Perez’s return. The Mets should be concerned.

For a team that rarely gives former Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana enough run support, putting Redding on the mound every week may be too high of a risk. There are veteran pitchers available via free agency, who would be fresh in the event they would sign a mid season contract.

However, the better options can be achieved via the tradding block. Seattle’s Erik Bedard and Cleveland’s Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee are available. The Mets should consider using their big market money to absorb one of their contracts.

As Seattle has rejected offers for Bedard thus far, Lee seems to be the more available of the two, with the Indians constantly sending out feelers to teams, looking to unload their star.

The Mets, who have an array of youngsters still developing, could provide the Indians with an enticing package. With bad tastes in fans’ mouths from the last two Septembers, compromising the future may be worth a shot at the present while salvaging the past.

Given how poorly Redding (and Oliver Perez), it would be well worth it.

First place is still waiting.