I understand the frustration early on.  Lasting Milledge can be a great player but who knows if he is right for New York.  He does have a mouth on himself.  We did get pitching help from that trade however since we got Brian Schneider.  I know you are a big fan of Lo Duca but a defensive catcher like Schneider is a huge help with our pitching staff.  Maine and Perez could be above average pitchers but they need the brain of Schneider to help them out with that.  Lo Duca is also what 35, 36.  Schneider is not 23 but still has a few years on Lo Duca who is not a power hitter like Piazza in his prime.  Man he was inches from hitting a 3 run homer at Shea in the World Series against the Yanks that would have tied the game.  Anyways that was ramble from me on Piazza but Schneider could be a big help to the pitching.  He has even put the same offensive numbers up as Lo Duca so far this year (not saying Schneider is a huge hitter).  That is not me cutting on Lo Duca but I think our new catcher is going to help out more than some think.  Defensive catchers are really good... Piazza was great on the Mets but remember how horrible his arm was throwing at runners at 2nd.  He is in the AL now to pinch hit.

    I know your post was written a little while ago but Santana is in!!  People dont trade these AMAZING pitcher when they are this young unless they basically have to.  The best part about it is that it moves Maine and Perez down a spot in the lineup so they have even a better chance while they are still learning.  On a sidenote Pelfry did not look amazing in his first start but he is 1-0!!  As in the pitcher that lost what 8 straight games last year.  If we pick up this pitcher Vargas now hopefully he can help out SP which is not that deep.  I dont know much about the guy yet but with Martinez injured and not very young and El Duque injuring himself while already on the DL... this guy could help.