From urgency to emergency

“I use the .500 mark as a time to see what direction we’re headed. If we get too below that, then there has to be concern. If we get below that [.500] mark and we continue to struggle offensively as we are, I think that’s a no-brainer. We have to visit that. It would be somewhat dishonest if I said no.” – Mets manager Jerry Manuel

This is it. Today is officially the day that the New York Mets cross the invisible, yet very tangible, line from urgency to desperation.

After being swept, no, humiliated in the Subway Series over the weekend the Mets have now sunk to .500 (37-37). Surprisingly, they are still in second place, trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by 2 1/2 games. All hope is not lost. There are still 88 games left on the regular season schedule.

Carlos Beltran will be back. Jose Reyes will be back. John Maine will be back. Oliver Perez will be back. Carlos Delgado might be back. Billy Wagner might also return, which would be a huge boost.

But when?

The Mets need help now. No. The Mets needed help last night. No. The Mets needed help two weeks ago when Beltran, the final soldier, fell. Nine men on the disabled list have been replaced by rookies and reserves.

In the immortal words of Dr. Phil, “How’s that working out for ya’?”

On paper, not good. The Mets mustered nine hits against the Yankees — in three games. As a team, the Mets batted .102 in the Subway Series (9-for-88), scoring a total of three runs in three days.

After getting black-and-blued 15-0 by the Yankees two weeks ago, the Mets felt a sense of “urgency.” Since then the Mets are 5-8 and the team is “desperate” for help before it’s too late.

In a report today in the New York Daily News, the team is “begging” Mets GM Omar Minaya to do something. Speaking anonymously through the media, one Met player spoke directly to Minaya saying:

“A deal would send the message they want to win and will do what it takes to help us. I’m not saying to make a deal for the sake of making a deal, but something that can make a difference every day like a hitter. The other teams in our division have been losing lately so we’re missing an opportunity. Yes, we’ve been shut down by good pitching. But playoff teams should be beating the better pitchers a lot of the time.”

Another Met told the New York Post a deal would “… give us a spark.”

Mets manager Jerry Manuel told team beat writers, making a deal now is a “no-brainer … If you added a quality of player to walk through that clubhouse to say ‘I’m here to help out,’ there’s no question it would boost the morale.”

Last week Minaya said he’s been in contact with a number of teams and most still believe they’re “in play” for a post-season spot, so making a deal now is — at least — temporarily on hold. Those willing to consider moving a productive player are asking more than the Mets are willing to give up. Minaya must ask himself, “How important is winning now for this organization?”