A Tale of Two GM's...

There are two GM’s. One is new to his job. The other, has been around for a while. Both are faced with issues relating to deficient areas on their teams. These are important areas which will determine how their teams perform not only in the regular season, but in the playoffs as well. Both GM’s have their supporters and detractors.

GM #1, in order to firm up his deficient area, acquires a veteran player, who is very good at his position. The skeptics should be quite happy with this acquisition. The deficient area has been greatly improved.

The other GM decides to add to his deficient area a veteran, who is not only not very good at his position, but is hated by the fans. The player should have retired at the end of last season. His time as it were, is up.

GM #1 is Neil Smith, who acquired Brendan Witt. I am quite pleased with this signing. If Neil keeps this up, I may actually have to accept him as GM of the Islanders.

GM #2 is Omar Minaya. Now, I have no idea what the hell he is thinking bringing back Jose Lima. “Lima Time” is quite awful; he proved this earlier in the season in limited action. The action was mostly limited by the fact that he could not get guys out or throw strikes (see my post from earlier today).

Fans are quite upset about this. Some feel Lima’s antics are a distraction. Frankly, I do not think the players give a rat’s ass if he came into the clubhouse with his head shaved clean and wearing a nose ring. My worry is that any game he starts is basically a forfeit. Lima is not good, he is not even mediocre. He is, quite simply, awful.

I am annoyed about Lima for two main reasons. First, the man is wearing # 17. There is no way this embarrassment should be wearing #17. The number should be retired in my mind, or at the least given to someone with talent. Second, what does it say to the young guys on the farm, like McClane, who have pitched well, and yet are passed over in favor of this waste.

There are those who feel Heilman is the answer. I would not mind him, but he is not the answer, he is a # 4 at best. This team needs a # 3. Also, they are well past the time to have Heilman in the rotation. His arm needs to be stretched, and that takes time. Though I did notice he pitched 2 innings again today, throwing 60 odd pitches. However, I would prefer, and I am sure Omar and Willie are thinking the same way, not to mess up the pen unless absolutely necessary.

Omar, my hope is that you have something brewing which will help this team. The Pedro injury is worrisome. Please hold him out until the end of next week. However, something needs to be done about the rotation.