In the course of one afternoon, the Mets lost one starting pitcher for the year, but potentially found another one. And it wasn't Wednesday's winning pitcher Nelson Figueroa. Nope, I'm talking about Bobby Parnell. He tossed three effective innings, fanning three, on the way to earning his first major league save. During the broadcast, it dawned on Gary Cohen like it did the rest of us: 'Hey, this guy might be able to start for us.' After the game Jerry Manuel confirmed our suspicion:

"That is a consideration, and that was part of the plan today going forward. That's a part of why we did what we did today."

Parnell put up a 5.40 ERA during a brief cup of coffee towards the end of 2008, but he has compiled a 3.74 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 38/22 K/BB ratio in 45 2/3 innings (54 games) in 2009. Solid, if unspectacular numbers in his first full major league season. The 24-year-old has managed an excellent 1.10 ERA over his last 15 appearances after struggling to a 13.50 ERA in June. Thus far, all 60 of his appearances in the bigs have come out of the bullpen.

So what to expect if he enters the rotation? Eh. Don't get too excited.

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Please forgive me. Maybe it's the unadulterated boredom of an off-day, perhaps it's hearing that Omar still thinks the Mets are buyers, it could even be something more logical like hearing John Maine could miss the rest of the season, but for whatever reason, I woke up this morning thinking that a trade for Scott Kazmir would be a good idea.

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(bumped from the FanPosts. --eric)

My evolution as a baseball fan reminds me of a memorable exchange from "Lost," specifically from the Season One finale entitled "Exodus Part II."

John Locke: That's why you and I don't see eye-to-eye sometimes, Jack -- because you're a man of science.

Jack Shephard: Yeah, and what does that make you?

John Locke: Me, well, I'm a man of faith.

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