Cone-back Complete

Despite my warnings to the contrary, the Mets have decided to put 40-year-old, ex-shuffleboarder David Cone in their rotation. He's even their number 4 starter.

I think it's part of an errant plan by Steve Phillips to coerce the Mets into the playoffs and thereby save what is left of his career, a la Dan Duquette and the pre-John Henry Red Sox. Youngsters Mike Bacsik and Jae Seo will fill in as the number five starter until Pedro Astacio returns. Then the Mets' superannuated staff will be complete.

As a Phillies fan I love it. The Mets will waste innings on a dead-end player while their young arms languish. Don't get me wrong: I like Cone. I think that he is as underrated a player as anyone who has spent the bulk of his career in New York can be. He is also a very intelligent and thoughtful man. But I don't expect much from him in this comeback.

Then again given that the Phils can be no-hit by the Devil Rays of all teams, it may not matter who's opposing them.