It’s time for our second annual “Should The Mets Demote Ike Davis?” discussion. Rumor has it, demotion is once again a possibility for the struggling first baseman, just as it was last year at this time. Davis somehow pulled it together in June of 2012 and kept himself in the majors, finishing the season with 32 home runs. If it’s possible, Ike looks even more lost this year, however. Davis has a microscopic .487 OPS through 40 games this year. After his 40th game last year, he had a .518 OPS (which is only slightly less awful).

Adding insult to injury, Davis made a boneheaded play that cost the Mets at least one run in the first inning of last night’s game.

Also, according to Andy Martino of the Daily News, Ruben Tejada and Jordany Valdespin may be on the same flight to Las Vegas in the near future.

Meanwhile, there’s a new Mets minor league blog in town, created by the good folks over at Mets Merized Online. Check out their story on RHP  prospect Noah Syndergaard.

In the good news department, T-Shirt purveyor Darren Meenan has done a great job of organizing large groups of Mets fans to attend games at Citi Field. This past weekend, he got 505 Mets fans from all around the country (and from two other countries) to attend the three-game set at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

When all is said and done, isn’t that what baseball is about? People getting together to watch ballgames. Of course, it would be a lot more fun if the Mets were winning…

Rick Ankiel already helped the Mets once – during the 2000 playoffs.  Now they’ll hope he can help them again (in a more traditional sense).

The Mets signed recent Astros castoff Rick Ankiel today.

Terry Collins said the lefty-hitting Ankiel and righty-hitting Juan Lagares will platoon in center field. That’s a blow to Jordany Valdespin, who Collins said may play some second base if Daniel Murphy continues to struggle.

Apart from his arm, Ankiel doesn’t provide much of an upgrade in the outfield.  His last really good offensive season came in 2008, when he hit 28 home runs.  This year, he has a .715 OPS which is less than that of the other left-handed hitting outfielders Mike Baxter and Valdespin.

Looks like Sandy Alderson is trying to catch lightning in a bottle.  Or maybe the team was secretly hijacked by Omar Minaya.

Andrew Brown was optioned to Triple-A.

So there’s that.

Can’t wait to see his Instagram later.

You’ll all be happy to know that Mets 2B Jordany Valdespin is fine after he got hit by a Justin Verlander pitch in the…well, I’ll let Jordany tell you.  After he was removed from the game, he told reporters that “Everything is good, working good, normally, everything is great.”

Thanks for that self-evaluation, JV.

This, of course prompted a stream of Twitter tweets using every pun in the book, including a suggestion that the term “base on balls” be redefined.

Oh, by the way, the Mets beat the Tigers 11-0.

Valdespin continues to make an impact with his bat as well, now hitting .370 with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs this spring.  If he’s truly improved his pitch recognition and can cut down on the strikeouts, he could be a valuable player for the Mets.

Meanwhile, David Wright led Team USA to two victories over the weekend, advancing the team to the next round of the World Baseball Classic. His grand slam put the Mets Americans up for good on Saturday against Mike Piazza‘s Team Italy, and his three-walk performance on Sunday helped the Americans past the pesky Canadians. Some fans have taken to calling him Captain America. That has a nice ring to it.

RHP Zack Wheeler was among the first cuts in camp this year. Wheeler tossed a couple of impressive innings in his only spring appearance. His next appearance was cut short by a tweak in his oblique, but he’s ready to work again.  I would have enjoyed seeing him pitch one more time this spring – just because he’s fun to watch – but I assume we’ll be seeing plenty of him in the near future.

That’s all for now. Have a great week and don’t forget to wear your cup.

After a euphoric end to a 7-4 homestand, one that included 3 complete game shutouts and a no-hitter (!), the Mets have come back down to Earth.  They lost the first two games in The District to drop 2.5 games behind the first place Nationals.  Obviously affected by their close proximity to the federal government, the Mets have been playing no-so-smart baseball.  They’ve committed more errors than the Congressional Budget Office, and even messed up an appeal play to second base (everyone on the field was ready for it, but someone forgot to tell the pitcher, who threw home).

In fairness,  they are short 2 relievers, and they had a game started by a rehabbing Chris Young, and unproven Jeremy Hefner.  But a win tonight would do a lot for the team’s confidence as they head into a weekend series in the Bronx.  R.A. Dickey is on the hill, so one can’t help but feel hopeful.

But enough of this palaver – Blogs:

• St. Lucie to Flushing did a tremendous job covering the Rule 4 First Year Player Draft this week.  Check out his analysis of all 41 players the Mets drafted.
• Seedlings to Stars takes a good look at a former number one draft pick, the improving Matt Harvey.
• LoHud Mets examines the parchment-paper thin depth at shortstop, a situation made even worse after a finger injury to Omar Quintanilla.
• Metszilla basks in the awesomeness of Scott Hairston.
• The Eddie Kranepool society is still “with 28,” despite some bumps in the road (“the road” being the infield dirt between home and second base)
• ESPN Mets Blog says a DL decision on Jon Rauch is “looming.”  Looming like a 6′ 11″ shadow over the Mets bullpen.

Also looming – more news, opinion, and coverage of the Mets here on MetsToday.

The Mets have won two stunners in a row against the rival (still, I guess) Phillies.  First, a Jordany Valdespin homer off of Jonathan Papelbon helped them overcome a good start by Roy Halladay.  Then, a series of 2-out singles and some Phillies Phielding Phollies helped the Mets beat the red hot Joe Blanton 7-4.  What will they do for an encore in the final game of the series?  Maybe a two-out rally in the 9th?  Or maybe get a lead and hold it throughout the game – that would be novel.

Here’s some late-inning magic from the Blogs:

• Metstradamus says the Phillies’ ugliness outweighed the Mets’ ugliness.
• NJ.com says Howard Johnson tweeted some heavy advice for Ike Davis.
• Andrew Fiorentino reports that Wilmer Flores may finally be breaking out in the minors.
• MMO wonders if Jenrry Mejia is nearing a spot in the Mets rotation, as he begins his rehab assignment season in St. Lucie.
• Real Dirty Mets infamously tells us what the Mets and Aretha Franklin may have in common.
• Daily Stache looks at the ball that bounced off of Mookie’s bat, between Buckner’s legs, and into an auction in Dallas.

Follow the bouncing ball to Mets Today for more news, analysis, opinion, and yes…links.

There have been times over the past couple of years where a Mets record of .500 was a good thing.  But after a 7-3 start in their first 10 games, the Mets have gone 1-5 against the Braves and the Giants to drop their record to 8-8.  The hope, if you’re looking for some, is that they have a tough schedule in April.  A .500 record at the end of this month would not be the worst thing in the world.  By the way, has anyone seen Ike Davis‘s swing?

The even-handed Blogs:

• Metsblog has quotes from manager Terry Collins, who keeps his chin up regarding Ike and Lucas Duda.
• MMO reports the Mets have recalled the electric and eclectic Jordany Valdespin from Buffalo in place of Jeremy Hefner, who did a fine job in game one of Monday’s double header.
• Adam Rubin has more injury fun for your favorite New York baseball team!
• Mack wants to know if New York reporters will call for the lopping of Dillon Gee‘s…facial hair?
• Sweet Spot goes all Hitchhiker’s Guide on us (I hope you remembered to bring your towel).
• Palm Beach has Jose.  Jose, Jose, Jose.  Reyes.  You know.

Stay tuned to Mets Today, where we’re planning a video tribute to Brad Emaus.