Jeff Francoeur gets traded to the Texas Rangers

The New York Mets find themselves only 12 games back out of first place in the National League East and nine games back in the wild card.  So, with 30 more games left in the season it was time for the Metropolitans to make one last move to give them that extra push in hopes of making the playoffs.

Tuesday night the Mets found that help.  They traded for second baseman Joaquin Arias, who some say has the eye of an eagle and the patience of a cheetah in an African hunt.

PHOTO CAPTION: Arias was named after his mother’s favorite actor of all-time, Joaquin Phoenix

“He’s the younger version of a Dominican Chase Utley who bats right handed,” someone once said.

In return, the Texas Rangers landed right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who the Rangers hope can help extend their 8.5 lead in the American League West.  Obviously, the trade was made to benefit Texas, not New York.  Jeff gives them another right-handed bat coming off the bench for the post season.

Frenchie is batting .237 with only 11 homeruns this year, but maybe a change of scenery will help him get back to performing the way Major League fans expect him to perform.  Playing in New York for the Mets only helps a player accomplish two things: getting hurt and becoming awful.

The fact that Mets GM Omar Minaya got anything in return for Francouer is somewhat amazing.  Earlier in the day, the St. Louis Cardinals offered New York tickets to next seasons premier of Last Comic Standing.