Daily disappearing act: Reds 3, Mets 0

Good thing I threw in the white towel a few days ago.  Now the Mets are 6.5 games out and the playoffs seem like a miracle at this point.  Not only is the offense terrible, but the defense cost them a run again tonight.

Four hits against Bronson Arroyo is pathetic.  The guy is terrible.  And I was watching him all night.  He was throwing pitches right down the middle and guys were just swinging and missing.  Sometimes you get beat and other times you beat yourselves.  The Mets are beating themselves.

Fernando Nieve was pretty solid tonight.  He gave up two bombs, but that was about it.  The Reds have a very good offense and Nieve kept them in check.  Gotta give him some credit.

Watching Jerry in the postgame and he’s just laughing hysterically at nothing.  He reminds me of myself when I watch a game that’s just going so wrong, all you can do is laugh.  Like a hysterical madness…poor Jerry.  He’s been a bad manager this year, but no one would do well with this group of natural born losers.  One thing I have to tell Jerry because it seems like no one has said it to him yet….PLAY DANIEL MURPHY EVERYDAY!  And I’m done.

Church for Francoeur: Well goodbye Ryan Church and hello Jeff Francoeur.  I don’t think this trade really hurts or helps the Mets, but let’s dissect it.  Francoeur, who I will refer to as Frenchy (his nickname) from now on because his name is tough to spell, has a cannon for an arm in right field.  That is very helpful.  Church was probably better at going to get the ball, but I’ll take Frenchy in a slight upgrade defensively.  Frenchy is also a right-handed batter, which in the long run should help the offense once everyone is healthy.  An outfield of F-Mart, Beltran and Frenchy gives you a great defensive foundation and some balance offensively.

Frenchy is also 25 years old and has a few more years of arbitration before he becomes a FA.  And he pretty much plays everyday.  The final positive was he had a great season in 2006 at 22 years old when he hit 29 homers and drove in 103 RBI.  As Gary Cohen said, he was supposed to be a superstar just a few years ago.  Church’s potential was limited, he’s always hurt and he made a number of boneheaded plays.  I don’t think the Mets will miss Church…that’s for sure.

Now the bad…or the bizarre.  Frenchy does not walk…ever.  His OBP has been below .300 the past two years.  That’s terrible.  I mean he needs to pick that up.  He’s also been pretty awful in all other offensive categories the last two seasons and his defense has dropped off.  So who knows what they’re getting here.

But sometimes you just make a change to make a change.  And I like that he’s five years younger and plays everyday.  Maybe he just needed a change of scenery and to get away from his hometown team.  So all in all, I’ll take it, but honestly I don’t see it making much of a difference this year.  Just another bizarre day for the Mets.