So I heard a rumor ...

... that Willie Randolph was considering a lineup with Paul Loduca batting second. It didn't seem possible, but a search on the Internet revealed at least one article that suggested its possibility:

"A hitter who uses the entire field, Lo Duca also could end up batting second behind speedy Jose Reyes, who led the NL with 60 stolen bases in 2005."

Now, this outrageous idea might just be a rumor. I'm not sure if Randolph ever suggested this or if it's just hot stove league slow news day nonsense.

While Randolph is pushing the Mets' reliance on speed, and maybe there's a reason to bat Reyes first since he's so fast on the basepaths, the Reyes-LoDuca 1-2 punch would feature the two worst offensive players on the entire team batting first and second, thereby ensuring that they get the most plate appearances of any players on the team.

While Willie may be dreaming dream of the Glory Days when he and Rickey Henderson batted 1-2 for the Yankees, there is a difference: Rickey and Willie could hit.

Reyes is a leadoff hitter whose on-base% last year was .300 and whose lifetime on-base% is .303. Paul LoDuca's on-base% last year was .334 and his liftetime on-base% is .339.

1-2? They should be batting 7-8.


Are the NY baseball managers just yanking our chains? I mean, the other day Randolph says that the Mets ought to make the playoffs with ther $120-or-so million payroll ... as long as Pedro is healthy.

If I'm reading too much into it, then perhaps I'm misunderstanding, but it seems to me that he's giving his $100 million team an out. If Pedro is hurt, then you don't expect to even win a wild card? Maybe that's not what he meant, but that's how I took it.

"No excuses, except for the following excuses."

Then, after hearing this, all the NY papers seem to think Randolph set high expectations. This is a bold claim. As long as Pedro isn't hurt, I expect our $100 million team to hold off the Brewers and win the wild card. Because I'm kooky optimistic like that.


Did Randolph seriously have to be reminded that Steve Trachsel is part of his rotation?

If Torre seriously puzzled by his starting rotation options and also his starting lineup options?

Can't be. They're just kidding, right? They're just shooting the breeze with the press, right?

Right?