Diaz Recalled, Valent Designated (May 28): The Mets' piddling offense over the last week in the wake of so-called day-to-day injuries to Carlos Beltran and Kaz Matsui highlighted the need for a more threatening bat and so the team recalled Victor Diaz 20 from Norfolk. But the failure to send either player to the disabled list may wind up costing the Mets pesky reserve outfielder Eric Valent, whom they'll try to sneak through waivers and stash at Norfolk to make room for Diaz.

At the moment, this move has yet to earn the MBTN Seal of Approval: Though Valent was off to a slow start this year, lefthanded bench players who cost nothing and hit 13 home runs in part-time work are hard to find and probably, in demand. We also admire Valent's contribution to Met Uni history, continuing to wear the absurd No. 57 he was issued as a non-roster spring-training invitee in 2003 when he made the team unexpectedly. Could the Mets have lived with 11 pitchers for a while instead? Did Willie have to give all the lefthanded pinch-hitting opportunities to Marlon Anderson, who for all his success can't smell Valent's power? Will Valent clear waivers? How many days before day-to-day becomes week-to-week? We shall see.

Trade Chain Snapped with Strickland Release (May 28): When the Mets failed to recall Norfolk reliever Scott Strickland last Sunday, triggering the rehabbing righty's right to free agency, they also clipped off the lone remaining branch of a Trade Tree with roots in the infamous Ed Hearn-for-David Cone trade of 1986. That leaves one-time reserve infielder Tim Bogar as the grandfather of the current longest trade chain: Bogar was traded to Houston in 1997 for Luis Lopez, who went to Milwaukee for Bill Pulsipher, who went to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who went to Milwaukee for Jeromy Burnitz, whose trade to Los Angeles yeilded Victor Diaz and minor leaguer Joselo Diaz; the latter brought back Victor Zambrano.

Ishii Back, Castro Out, DeFelice Up, Diaz Down (May 17): Kaz Ishii 23 returned to the active roster today and pitched well in a win over Cincinnati and maybe, Victor Zambrano's job. To make room, the Mets optioned one-time rookie-off-the-year candidate Victor Diaz 20 to Norfolk, where he'll work on his defense and await Cliff Floyd's next injury. In the meantime catcher Ramon Castro 11 went to the disabled list with a strained quad, and journeyman Mike DiFelice was recalled from Norfolk. DiFelice made his Met debut tonight in No. 33, recalling historical Metly backup catchers Clint Hurdle, Barry Lyons, Tim Spehr, Mike Kincade, Charlie O'Brien and Barry Lyons.

Benson, Cameron Return (May 5): Two regulars on the shelf from Day 1 return this afternoon when Kris Benson 34 makes his first start and Mike Cameron 44 plays right field. To make room the Mets sent reliever Royce Ring 22 and starter Jae Seo 26 to the minors. Tough break for Seo, who pitched better than both Tom Glavine and Victor Zambrano during his stay. He may be back if either of those two continue to struggle.

Mets Trade for Mientkiewicz (Jan. 26): Only hours after Carlos Delgado and his scheming agent left the Mets high and dry came word that Omar had traded promising ex-Cyclone Ian Bladergroen for spare Red Sock first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. Minky brings an excellent glove but an average bat to his new job, but was probably the best among the consolation prizes. Mientkiewicz wore No. 16 for most of his career in Minnesota and No. 13 in Boston, but what might be most interesting is seeing whether the Mets manage to fit that unweildly last name onto the back of a jersey without dropping the leading: His 12-lettered name matches Isringhausen for the longest in Met history. Omar contends the offseason acquisition spree is all but done, but we'll believe it when 25 men depart from St. Lucie.

You're Invited (Dec. 24): The Mets yesterday announced that nine players had been signed to minor league contracts and been invited to Spring Training. They include ancient slugger Andres Galarraga, who will turn 44 this summer -- younger than The Francos at least (thanks Paul). It's possible that the Big Cat makes the team, perhaps as the righthanded swinging half of a first base platoon, but he won't be wearing his familiar No. 14 here. That's retired.

Rehabbing Met bullpen veterans Grant Roberts 36 (photo at right by David Whitham); Scott Strickland 28 and Orber Moreno 49 were also retained with minor league contracts, as was outfielder Gerald Williams 21. Bringing back Williams would seem more pointless than usual, but for the news that Mike Cameron 44 is having surgery and will likely miss the first month of the year.

Though we think Bobby Valentine might have been a better choice, we're willing to give Willie a shot. Thankfully, he didn't arrive with the ridiculous contract his predecessor did.

Front-office Shenanigans (Sept. 30) With the idea in mind that front-office bigwigs ultimately affect the unimportant stuff that eventually gets reported and published here, MBTN would like to take the opportunity to go blog on you and comment regarding this afternoon's bizzarre transfer of power in Metland.

We predict it will become clear that what emerged today was the Wilpons' lack of trust in castrated former head honcho Jim Duquette, who like Art Howe (below) is absorbing some punishment for circumstances beyond his control. While we think it's great that local Queens guy Omar Minaya is getting an opportunity to truly lead the Mets, at the same time it's a shame that Duke was never really afforded the same, even though, at least until July 30, his moves, and his team, ought to have demonstrated to his bosses he deserved it.

What we learned today in an unfortunately candid moment was that the Wilpons never took the training wheels off Duke's contract and may never have intended to, seeing as Minaya was the man they wanted all along. And that's because his assignment in Montreal -- which everyone knew was temporary when it began -- provided Minaya with the one thing Duquette could never have: A fair shake at some experience.

Taken broadly, that's a thread that runs through a myriad of Wilponian messes including the Kazmir-Zambrano trade: The idea that unproven rookies are risks for other organizations to take. Ironically, the fact that that move -- widely rumored to have come at the behest of Duquette's senior scouting advisors -- hasn't paid immediate dividends only goes to prove how right the Mets philosophy can be made to appear: Duquette, the unproven rookie, is taking the fall for it.

Anyhow, we wish Minaya the best of luck but hope in light of his previously stated allergies to progressive thinking that he honors his pledge to utilize Duke as his "right-hand man" and that the Wilpons resist getting in the way unless he doesn't. You gotta believe.

We're Back (Sept. 24) Just like Richard Hidalgo, we took most of September off, but we're back in time to wrap up the September moves. Thanks for hanging in there as we moved to new World Headquarters in Brooklyn.

Let's plow through the September moves we missed (all updated now):
Sept. 1: Recalled Matt Ginter 13; Tyler Yates 33 and Craig Brazell 9 from Triple-A Norfolk.
Sept. 4: Called up veteran lefty Vic Darensbourg from AAA, and assigned him No. 39.
Sept. 8: Recalled Aaron Heilman 48.
Sept. 10: Sent Matt Ginter 13 to the 60-day DL and recalled AAA hitting machine Victor Diaz, who debuted the next day wearing No. 50.
Sept. 14: Sent Vance Wilson 3 to the disabled list and recalled catcher Joe Hietpas from AA Binghamton. An emergency catcher, Heitpas has somehow avoided emergencies since his recall and is still waiting to become the third No. 10 this season.
Sept. 24: The Mets finally get their table setters returned to them, Jose Reyes 7, who sat out with a broken bone, and Kazuo Matsui 25, resting a sore back.

Finally, let's bid farewell and better times to manager Art Howe, who'll be turning over his keys and the No. 18 jersey after the season, along with most of his coaching staff. Though we grant Art was little more than a caretaker and nobody's idea of a brilliant strategist, we're sure he did his earnest best and applaud his class and dignity as he takes the axe and unnecessarily absorbs three weeks of lame duckness for two teams that performed below expectations for reasons in, and often out, of his control. We were scratching our heads when he walked in the door, too. Good luck, Art!

As noted below, this was a weird year, even by Met standards, and we're saddened that it ends with less promise than it began. The search for Art Howe's replacement will kick off what ought to be a fascinating offseason and for the sixth straight year, join us for the soap opera here.

Comings and Goings (June 26): Onto the disabled list: Karim Garcia 20. Off it: Orber Moreno 49. Designated for assignment: Ice Williams 21. Rescued from oblivion: Tom Wilson 6.

Welcome Home (June 20): Jose Reyes finally returned to the Mets. To make room for him the team designated catcher Tom Wilson for assignment, leaving the team temporarily with two catchers and six outfielders and importantly, freeing up uniform No. 6 for another issue. Reyes looked great in 7, hustling in one run and tripling to set up the gamewinner.

In another move the Mets once again sent Pedro Feliciano 55 back to Norfolk before seeing any action in New York. That Feliciano's replacement, Jose Parra, saw action in his first opportunity probably didn't make the return trip any sweeter for Pedro. Parra, a veteran righthanded reliever who was closing in Norfolk, suited up in the dreaded No. 46.