Remember this can't miss prospect....

Joel Sherman is making the most noise today with two articles about the Mets. In the first article he reviews the ways the Mets could improve. The names haven't changed and the prices seem very steep, I wouldn't make a move that included Jon Niese or Fernando Martinez. I would rather see them brought up and live with their struggles as youngsters then bring in an older player or a rental.

The New York Mets are more seriously considering promoting from within (Fernando Martinez for the outfield, Jon Niese for the rotation, Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz if a bullpen arm is needed) then making a trade between now and the July 31 deadline, Omar Minaya told The Post yesterday. source NY Post

The other post is about the Mets interest in Freddy Garcia and while I'm concerned about Pedro's health I think Armas and Vargas will provide just as much as a recovering Garcia can. I thought it would be a good idea to bring Garcia in on a two year deal, to see what he can provide down the stretch and then stabilize the rotation next year ( with three starters FA) but his agent isn't willing to negotiate next year into a deal. A two month rental player coming off major shoulder surgery doesn't seem to make sense....

Garcia will begin throwing breaking balls off the mound this week in Miami, according to one of his agents, Ed Greenberg, and as long he avoids setbacks the plan is to schedule a showcase for teams to judge his abilities. Up until this point, Garcia has only thrown changeups and fastballs off the rubber, and Greenberg said his fastball has ranged from 84-87 mph. Greenberg said his client has suffered no pain or setbacks. source NY Post

Finally, you remember Alex Escobar the Mets drafted him in 1995 and he was the top prospect for three straight years. Escobar was considered a five tool outfielder with great speed, range and arm, he could hit for power and average. His only detriment was that he tended to strike too frequently. Escobar made his Mets debut in 2001 but after that season he was traded to the Indians in the Roberto Alomar deal. In 2003 he was called up at the end of the season and in 28 gms hit .273. But his career never took off due to injuries while he continued to dominate the minors he only had one full season in the majors with the Indians, 2004 when he hit .211. He signed with the Nats and in 2006 hit .356 in 33 gms.. He's now labeled an injury risk ( rightfully so) and the Nats never gave him a chance, keeping him in reserve in the minors and buried on the depth charts. It's being reported that the Nats AAA affiliate is listed him as released and Rotoworld has picked up on the story. A 29 y/o right handed five-tool outfielder with a lifetime major league BA .258 and with a high ceiling are very hard to find, could be another Angel Pagan if healthy.

Nationals released outfielder Alex Escobar.
Escobar had been playing at Triple-A, where he hit just .257/.318/.387 with six homers and 31 RBI in 67 games. source Rotoworld