New York Mets: Dunn Deal?

New York Mets should not trade for Adam Dunn or anyone else; wait for Delgado, Reyes, Beltran, Putz, others to return

It was subtle at first, but lately he hasn't tried to hide it.

"We're a below-average team—period," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said after last night's 10-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, his club's fourth straight defeat.

In other words, if GM Omar Minaya doesn't trade for a bat, they will continue to be a below-average team and likely fall further and further behind the first-place Phillies (after last night, the Marlins passed the Mets to move into second place).

It's good that Manuel wants what he thinks is best for the team, but I disagree with him. What would bringing in a bat do? The Mets don't get enough baserunners right now for it to be worthwhile.

How meaningful is a solo home run in a 9-1 game?

As much as it hurts to field such a weak team, the Mets would be best served to stay out of the trade market. Unless the deal involves trading a declining veteran like, say, Fernando Tatis (unlikely), it's just not worth it.

It's likely that Manuel is recalling what happened to Willie Randolph last season, and knows that if the Mets don't make the playoffs he could be out of a job. So he might not be thinking about the long-term goals of the organization.

The Mets should keep the few young talents they do have and build towards the future. It's a difficult concept to sell in a city with a "win now" mentality, but it's not like fans have to give up on 2009.

If—and that's an "if" as big as Oliver Perez's contract—the injured players can return after the All-Star Break, it will be as if the Mets did make a trade—several of them, in fact, for All-Star players. And they won't even have to give up anyone!

The fear, of course, is that the Mets will fall too far out of contention over the next two weeks to make the potential return of Carlos Deglado, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, John Maine, Oliver Perez, JJ Putz, and Billy Wagner make a difference.

But since there's no telling if and when they'll come back—or how effective they'll be once they do—getting support for a month might be pointless.

The season is worth saving, but it's the guys on the DL who will have to do it.