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Following suit of many high profile draft-day selections, right-handed pitcher Matt Harvey’s negotiations came down to the wire before Monday night’s deadline to sign 2010 draftees. The seventh overall selection in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft agreed to terms just in the nick of time.

The 21-year-old hard-throwing right-hander from the University of North Carolina agreed to a deal that includes a $2.5 million bonus. The Mets are hoping the mature arm of Harvey will eventually earn every penny of his impending contract.

The 6’4″, 210-pound pitcher, a native of Groton, CT, passed up on a chance to sign with the Angels after he was drafted by them during the third round of the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft. Harvey is coming off of an 8-3 spring at UNC in which he posted a 3.09 ERA.

He looks extremely attractive to the Mets because of his age and his ability to mix a variety of off-speed pitches with his fastball. His fastball is said to reach the mid-upper-90s. Look for the Mets to attempt to develop him into a strikeout machine.

Harvey has several different paths ahead of him. If he can hold his own in the minors, he’ll be on the fast track to the New York Mets. Right now, it is to be expected that the Mets will let him earn experience as a starting pitcher, a role he is very comfortable with. It is still possible that the Mets can experiment with his role.

Don’t be surprised if the Mets find better use of his top-notch fastball during late innings in games. It has been years since the Mets have developed a truly homegrown closer, something that is happening all over baseball with guys like John Axford in Milwaukee or even Jonny Venters eventually.

Matt Harvey has the makeup of the kind of pitcher the Mets require in any capacity. He has a bright future, and time will tell what role he eventually will serve in the Mets organization.

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The 2010 season has seen limited success in the minor leagues for the New York Mets. Many pitching prospects have underachieved. And narrow focus has been placed on top prospects like Ruben Tejada, Jenrry Mejia, and Fernando Martinez.

What about the significantly lesser-known names? Of the less-regarded prospects in the Mets organization, there have been several who have stood out. Second baseman Joshua Satin is one of them.

A California native, Satin was selected by the Mets in the sixth round of the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. He’s logged some great hitting numbers in the Mets farm system, as he is a career .303 hitter and has shown good discipline.

The right-handed hitting Satin began the year at Class A St. Lucie, and has since earned a promotion to AA Binghamton, where he has spent half the year.

It is almost difficult to think of Satin as a prospect at this point. The 25-year-old is getting to the point where he is just another minor league player. But this burst of solid hitting should start getting him some attention.

To say that Satin has hit regularly doesn’t really sum his game up enough. He hit .316 with a .406 OBP in 58 games at St. Lucie. 

Since his promotion, the hits have kept coming. In 56 games with Binghamton, Satin has posted an even higher batting average of .325 and a .417 OBP.

Not a big power guy, Satin has hit three home runs in the last week. He’s hitting all forms of pitching, batting .324 against lefties and .325 and right-handers. 

With Binghamton, he has also hit .387 with runners in scoring position.

His game may strike some as being one-sided, but he made a seamless transition between levels this year. Any team would look favorable upon the kind of hitting he has put together.

If Satin can keep his bat hot, the Mets will have another name added to the minor league middle infield logjam. It will give the team more flexibility for talking trade in the offseason.

The Mets are hoping that Joshua Satin can develop further. He has to get some recognition soon at this rate.

See this article and other Mets minor league reports from Matt in the Mets Gazette

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Throughout the season, the Mets bullpen situation has certainly been a sticky one. Even its formerly reliable names have not come through for the team this year.

A bullpen is comprised of pitchers who can come into a game in various situations to provide a reliable effort to help hold down the fort. The Mets haven’t seen nearly enough of that this year.

Instead, the bullpen has provided them with constant headaches and question marks. Its been ugly on so many levels. Coming into the year, Pedro Feliciano and Fernando Nieve were expected to be two of the Mets elite late-inning arms. Fingers could be pointed at manager Jerry Manuel for incorrectly using those guys, but their numbers have looked like pure misery.

Feliciano has been a go-to specialist for years now in the Mets bullpen. He’s led the NL in games pitched for two years in a row and currently leads the league in that category again. Overall, he hasn’t quite been himself. It goes beyond the solid ERA that has masked his weaknesses.

Feliciano is getting pummeled by right-handed hitters and his control has been off, helping achieve a lowly 2-6 record and whopping 1.75 WHIP. He’s been more wild than expected and gives up more big hits than he ever has.

Nieve was demoted a long time ago, and as useful as he was expected to be, the consistency wasn’t there. He put up an ERA of 6.00 in 40 appearances.

Right-handers Manny Acosta and Bobby Parnell have seen work, and while proving to be effective, they have been prone to giving up big runs every now and then.

Same goes for lefty Raul Valdes who has a 4.73 ERA in 31 games. Ryota Igarashi has been awful having allowed 17 runs. Mets fans also couldn’t be comfortable with seeing Oliver Perez pick up innings out of the bullpen either.

The one bright spot of middle relief is journeyman Elmer Dessens who has put up the most quality pitching in relief for the team. Nobody thought he would be a key factor to this Mets bullpen.

Francisco Rodriguez is another story. He’s blown a handful of saves, but has otherwise been very effective. Now he has earned himself a spot on the restricted list after his assault of a family member following a game earlier this week.

K-Rod’s anger debacle is yet another problem that this bullpen simply doesn’t need a this point. 

The 2010 Mets bullpen has been one of the biggest hindrances on team success. Many losses could be attributed to the bullpen. It doesn’t help that the Mets have been prone to putting up few runs in close games, but it is worse when the bullpen frequently can’t maintain a lead.

It is time for some serious changes in the bullpen. The Mets bullpen needs more leadership, fresh arms, and more experience.

Everything amounts to the Mets being in serious need of a bullpen shakeup. It doesn’t matter what position they are in, or what stage of the season it is. A change could make a huge difference at this point. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many resources at the team’s disposal.

It may be time to see southpaw Pat Misch recalled to the Mets. He has big league experience and pitched in the Triple-A All-Star Game this year.

The Mets should test the waiver wire for relievers as well. One name circulating is lefty Mike Gonzalez. The Orioles have placed him on waivers due to his lack of control this year. He could be the type of pitcher the Mets need.

Disregard his 2010 stats—which aren’t that much worse than what the Mets have put up—and he’s been decent. Gonzalez had his best years in the National League with the Braves and Pirates. He’s posted a career 2.50 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Primarily an NL pitcher, he could easily produce again in the confines of Citi Field.

If moves aren’t made to address the bullpen now, the Mets will certainly be on the prowl for help in the offseason. It just doesn’t look like the current bullpen will help the Mets push up the standings. A shakeup to that one aspect of the Mets could make some kind of difference as the team heads into mid-August.

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Considering that it is August, post-season baseball is just two months away. With the playoffs looming, the way the standings will ultimately shake out could be determined relatively soon. 

Many of these determining factors come down to how teams can mesh, second half track records, and team health.

However, on each contending team, there are certain individuals that hold the key to contention for the remainder of the regular season. Heading into the second week of August, now is the time for the difference-makers to stand up and propel their team to meaningful wins.

Here are 15 game changing difference-makers on different contending teams that will help decide the fate of their respective clubs as the 2010 MLB season heads down to the wire.

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The one word that can sum up the Mets at the trade deadline is silence.

As an organization hungry for some sort of a move, the Mets remained inactive as the deadline passed. 

It is hard to fault the Mets for retaining their most prized prospects, but that doesn’t necessarily mean moves shouldn’t have been made. 

Now entering the waiver trade period, the Mets could utilize some prospects as trade bait. Rumor has it, the Mets are chasing after Mariners infielder Chone Figgins.

Here are five Mets prospects that should ideally be included in any trade that would reel in some value to the Mets active roster.

In terms of position players, infielder Ruben Tejada and outfielder Fernando Martinez could both be on the block.

With Tejada, he hasn’t suddenly become expendable based on his performance. It is more of a matter that the Mets have other options for the middle infield in the minors.

Between Wilmer Flores and Reese Havens, one of those two may be be more likely to start in the big leagues for the Mets somewhere down the line.

Tejada’s youth and all-around game would be coveted by teams looking for a young shortstop.

Once indispensable, Fernando Martinez and his future with the Mets is in question. Still a good all-around lefty bat in the outfield, F-Mart has been bitten by the injury bug this year and it has really seemed to put a damper on his development.

If he continues to show a lack of durability, the Mets will show a lack of interest in him and consider moving him.

In a year in which many pitching prospects have hit a wall for the Mets, there are a duo of struggling young arms that the Mets might want to move. 

Righty Scott Moviel has put up some ugly numbers this year, but is trying to turn things around in relief work. His freakish 6’11” stature gives him upside and trade value.

There are plenty of teams out there that will love to see what they could do with his body type.

Then there is Brad Holt, the Mets compensatory pick in 2008, has struggled so much he’s been demoted to single A St. Lucie. The Mets could even be willing to see how other teams feel about him.

Finally, right-handed pitcher Josh Stinson has flown under the radar for the Mets this year. He’s gone 9-1 with a 3.47 ERA in 30 games and 12 starts. He’s had some ups and downs through his minor league career and the Mets could bait teams while he’s pitching well.

These five prospects could be key players if the Mets ever decide to play Major League Baseball’s version of “Let’s Made a Deal.”

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With the trading deadline in baseball’s rear view mirror, teams are beginning to pay attention to the playoff races with the arrival of August.

With roughly two months left in the regular season, the real contenders will emerge from the woodwork.

With trading in mind, newly acquired players will have big impacts on the playoff pictures. But what about those guys who went untraded, or simply aren’t active on their respective team at the moment?

Here are 10 MLB players who currently aren’t playing in Major League Baseball, but may have a lasting impact on their team when they return to action.

Whether its a rookie, a rebuilding player, or players that are on the disabled list, these guys will help their teams produce when they bounce back.

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MLB: New York Mets, July record of 9-17, overall record of 53-52, third place in NL East, seven games back

Position Player of the Month: Outfielder, Angel Pagan

In a month in which the Mets plummeted down the standings, Angel Pagan was one of the lone bright spots on an otherwise anemic offense. The switch hitter managed to get on base even during the roughest of patches for the Mets and has continued to hit will with runners in scoring position.

During July, Pagan hit .337 with five home runs and nine stolen bases. His .402 OBP was all the more impressive. He showed Mets management that he had no business losing out on playing time despite the return of Carlos Beltran. With health has come production from Pagan.

Pitcher of the Month: Left-handed pitcher, Johan Santana

After a great July, Johan Santana appears to have returned to form. In six starts, he posted a 3-0 record, giving up just 10 runs in 43 innings of work. His walk totals were down slightly from June and he has clearly regained the command that fans have grown to expect. Five of his six starts were of the quality variety, including a complete game shutout against the Reds.

Santana got rocked in his last outing of the month, but had been nearly flawless in July up until that point. He’ll be looking to bounce back from that start to post his second consecutive excellent month of pitching.

AAA Buffalo Bisons, July record of 13-14, overall record of 54-53, third place in INT North, 8.5 games back

Position Player of the Month: Outfielder, Lucas Duda

Just like last month, Duda has proven to make an outstanding adjustment to AAA pitching, and has continued his hard hitting. In 26 games in July for Buffalo, Duda amassed 31 hits while posting a .313 batting average. He crushed nine home runs and drove in 25 runs.

He’s looking like a reliable middle-of-the-order type hitter who has plenty of pop and can drive in runners regularly. Again, his plate discipline will need some work, but he continues to be shooting in the right direction.

Pitcher of the Month: Left-handed pitcher, Pat Misch

Misch also repeats as pitcher of the month for the Bisons, putting up stronger numbers in July than June. In six July starts, Misch went 3-1 with a 2.74 ERA and 35 strikeouts. The command is there. He walked just six during the month and appeared in the AAA All-Star Game.

If the Mets are ever in need of another reliable southpaw arm on the big league club, Misch will no doubt be the next name on the call-up list.

AA Binghamton Mets, July record of 12-18, overall record of 54-55, fourth place in EAS Eastern Division, 11 games back

Position Player of the Month: Outfielder, Kirk Nieuwenhuis

After having some severe ups and downs, Nieuwenhuis has really gotten back into shape after pounding the ball in July. His plate discipline is emerging. He did strike out 24 times, but he drew 13 walks in July. He smacked six homers and drove in 17 runs while batting .328 and swiping two bases. His 38 hits are equally impressive.

The Mets clearly value him highly, especially after they turned down a trade in which they would have sent him to Toronto for lefty setup man Scott Downs.

Pitcher of the Month: Right-handed pitcher, Josh Stinson

His ERA seems inflated in July in comparison to his record, but he gets run support. His high walk totals have contributed to some of his struggles, but nonetheless, Stinson knows how to pitch out of trouble and turn in some wins.

In five July starts, he put together a 4-0 record despite a 5.19 ERA. He struck out 19 batters in 26 innings pitched. Despite all the runs he gave up in July, he didn’t allow a single home run.

He really just has to clean up his command before he gets more consideration from scouts.

A Adv. St. Lucie Mets, July record of 14-15, overall record of 18-19 (second half), third place in FSL South, 1.5 games back

Position Player of the Month: Shortstop, Wilmer Flores

One of the Mets’ top prospects at his level, Flores seems to adjust quickly to each level after every call-up. Moving up to St. Lucie has only seen Flores continue to post consistent hitting numbers.

In 29 games in July, he hit a solid .279 with three home runs, 18 runs knocked, 34 hits, and 13 runs. A righty batter, he is also mashing against left-handed pitching, batting over .400 against southpaws.

This kind of all-around game will assist him in rising the ranks very quickly in the Mets farm system. 

Pitcher of the Month: Right-handed pitcher, Erik Turgeon

On a team of struggling starters, relief pitchers have been given a chance to stick it out at St. Lucie. Turgeon is a young righty arm and is developing his stuff in a late inning role for the Mets.

He converted on four save opportunities in July and posted a 2.87 ERA in 12 appearances while striking out 14 and walking only six. Turgeon throws pretty hard and will stand out even more if he can put up larger save totals.

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As far as yielding excellent first round talent, the MLB Amateur Draft has been inconsistent for the New York Mets. The Mets up and down draft day success could be comparable to a roller coaster.

Great first round picks have come and gone for the New York Mets in between even more mediocre to below average first round selections. But when the Mets have experienced successful first round selections, those players flourished.

Here is a compilation of the best first round draft picks in Mets history. These are the guys who have turned in successful seasons for the team and hold a special place in the heart of the Mets community.

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The Mets seem to be shying away from the trade deadline spotlight.

For a team that seemed to be a strong contender in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes only a short while ago, their activity has significantly regressed. And now, with busy teams like the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Mets are looking even more quiet.

Lately, the Mets’ most notable trade talk included the notion of Jeff Francoeur moving to the Royals. Even their presence in the market for remaining starting pitching has lacked. So the question is now; realistically, how should the Mets approach the impending deadline?

At the moment, it seems that the inactivity might continue, give or take negotiations for more help at middle relief. This transition from big time buyers to simple deadline dealers has come rather quickly. 

Once Cliff Lee bounced to Texas, the Mets began to realize that they didn’t have package of prospects that the sellers are looking for. Roy Oswalt’s name surfaced in Mets trade talk, but with him off the board and heading for Philadelphia, the market for starting pitchers is drying out.

Other teams out there were willing to part ways with top offensive prospects like Justin Smoak or Wilson Ramos, in order to make a deal. The Mets weren’t interested in doing so, and to that effect didn’t have enough Major League-ready talent that the team was willing to offer.

It is that time of year again where the Mets season is swinging in the balance, and a move or lack thereof could be the difference maker. A big move may be out of reach now.

If the Mets were looking for a big name starting pitcher to trade for, the time has passed. And starting pitching might not even be a need now.

First of all, the remaining names in starting pitching that the Mets could entertain primarily include Ted Lilly of the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros’ Brett Myers.

The Mets might be just as well off avoiding both of these guys. Lilly is having an all-around decent year, but is struggling against left-handed hitting. That won’t do the Mets any good when they bump into hard hitting division rivals like Ryan Howard or Adam Dunn.

Myers carries the baggage of having a troubled past off the field. He is tossing with a nice 3.10 ERA right now, but prior to 2010, Myers spent time with the Phillies turning in some solid but spotty pitching.

Joel Pineiro is another possible name, but all in all, none of these pitchers are difference makers and should not be worth giving up any volume of prospects for. This Mets starting rotation has pitched some very solid baseball in general this year, and might be just fine without a new addition.

Despite a couple of minor bumps in the road, Santana has still been very effective. Mike Pelfrey had a hot first half and even though he has struggled of late, he doesn’t lack in confidence and he can bounce back. As a young southpaw, Jon Niese is developing perfectly while turning in some great pitching.

And of course, the Mets must continue riding the red hot arm of R.A. Dickey, the most unlikely success story on this Mets pitching staff. He has put together six quality starts in a row. Additionally, the Mets could work in Hisanori Takahashi into the back end of the rotation if Ollie Perez can be a serviceable option in the bullpen.

This starting rotation might not need to be meddled with.

If the Mets are going to seek out a pitcher, it might be to acquire a low-cost reliever like a Scott Downs or Chad Qualls. The Mets missed their chance to make a minor upgrade when trade talks with the Red Sox hit a snag when Rod Barajas went down on the DL. The Mets would have shipped Barajas to Boston for reliever Ramon S. Ramirez.

Since the deadline, the Mets lineup has been mostly responsible for their immediate downturn. These struggles make fans groan even more knowing that it is the Mets’ best lineup out there playing everyday. With the core intact, moving any of these franchise players will not happen.

The Mets core players like Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, and David Wright indicate that adjustments to the lineup aren’t a need. Even rookie Ike Davis has already proven himself as indispensable. On paper, the lineup is potent and doesn’t require change.

Don’t even expect Jeff Francoeur to be moved anywhere at this point, now that Jason Bay could be headed for the disabled list with a concussion. If the Mets were looking to bolster the lineup at all, they would have likely made moves on big bat infielders like Jorge Cantu or Dan Uggla already.

It seems like the Mets will not be making much of a splash now that trade talks are coming down to the wire. Expect the Mets to make a move on a relief pitcher that will cost them just one or two mid-level prospects.

More bullpen depth is what this Mets team is lacking, and another experienced arm could create more reliable options in close situations.

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The 2010 trade deadline is on the horizon, and deals-a-plenty have been speculated over. As we come down the stretch, the trading blocks are red hot as many names are growing close to being on the move.

Though, for every deal that is completed, there is that one deal is long speculated over and desired by many that does not fall through. It happens every year, and 2010 will definitely not be an exception to that.

This year, plenty of big names have been circulating baseball via trade rumors for weeks. Power pitchers like Dan Haren and Roy Oswalt are courted by many teams. And the big bats of Adam Dunn, Prince Fielder, and Corey Hart are in high demand.

Here are 10 moves that are very much desired by the fans and management, but will end up not reaching any sort of completion before the trading deadline passes on July 31.

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