Hey Omar.  Long time, no talk.

I’m sure you’ve heard all the talk about the Mets’ need for a corner outfielder heading into the trade deadline.  You know that we could definitely stand to shore up that position.  However, with Carlos Delgado bursting from hibernation, and Jose Reyes and David Wright producing consistently, not to mention the efforts of unsung players like Fernando Tatis, the Mets offense is passable right now.  What we really need is help in the bullpen. 

The Mets need a solid, Huston-Street-like right-handed reliever to pitch the eighth inning and set up Bily Wagner.  Let’s say, someone like former Longhorn, Huston Street.  He’s being shopped by Oakland, and the Mets should take a good look at him.  Rumor has it, you’ve already been taking a gander at Cla Meredith and Chad Bradford. 

The latter is intriguing, because of how well Bradford pitched for the Mets in 2006, and how well he has pitched since.  I know, I know, you let him go after 2006, because you weren’t sure his back would hold up.  But since joining the Orioles, it has, and so has his ERA. 

Neither Meredith nor Bradford are much better than the options the Mets have now for the eighth inning.  Duaner Sanchez has shown flashes of brilliance, but is too inconsistent.  However, getting a strong right-handed reliever for the sixth and seventh innings would be a huge fortification for the bullpen.

So, Omar, if you are reading this (and I know you always do), here is your priority list:

1. Huston Street (though, if he comes to the Mets, he’ll have to change his name to How-sten Street.  Get it?  Local Reference?  No?  Ok.)
2. Chad Bradford
3. Cla Meredith

You have your assignment, Omar.  Now, go get ’em.

Oh, one more thing.  If you have to give up Fernando Martinez, John Neise, Mike Pelfrey, or any other of your top prospects, forget about it.  We’ll make due with what we have so we can preserve our future.

That is all.