The New York Mets embarked on west coast trip that is now exploiting everything that’s wrong with this team and the franchise. The Mets are operating like a franchise that is mortgaged to the hilt and as a result the fans are left with nothing more than frustration.

Jason Bay isn’t the problem. He was brought into a ballpark that doesn’t suit his power. He’s been a model citizen and better than anybody the Mets had in left field last season. The Mets showed “their own” report that showed that Bay would hit homers at home and right now he has six homers just 30 behind last year’s pace.

Manager Jerry Manuel is the biggest problem, even bigger than Omar Minaya. Minaya can’t really spend any more money so he can’t hurt the team he can just sign reclamation projects like Chad Cordero. Dumb, yes, but it won’t hurt the team. Manuel has had his outfield out of position in key parts of the game he pulls pitchers at the wrong time and he has yet to decide that Carlos Beltran should play in right field with the brace because balls are flying over his head costing the Mets vital games. Angel Pagan is a solid center fielder and should be the man until Beltran can play without the brace.

At this point the Mets are sellers. They are in second place 6.5 games behind the Braves only because the Phillies are flaming out as well. They are 4th in the Wild Card standings tied with the Dodgers when they were in the lead before the break. They are 19-29 on the road. If Bobby Valentine doesn’t get hired immediately (Manuel should have been fired weeks ago) the season is over. Pitching coach Dan Warthen should be replaced with the best in the business - - Leo Mazzone, who is now working in radio.

If the Mets aren’t interested in salvaging their season then they are sellers. Trade Rod Barajas, Josh Thole has proven he can be the everyday catcher. Try to ship out Oliver Perez and get something back even though cash will have to be going back to the team that takes him. Trade Carlos Beltran to a contender to get a pitcher and get out from under that contract.

The Mets are an organization that’s crumbling. Attendance is dwindling, (real people in the stands). The Mets are currently ranked 12th!

On a side note. Their Brooklyn Cyclones team is fun to watch. Those kids play their hearts out. But again that stadium has some issues like a big blue patch on the scoreboard and a crackling PA speaker. Their attendance is pretty good so can’t the Mets fix these issues? It doesn’t help their overall appearance which seems to be getting shakier as time goes on.