The trade deadline is approaching and the Mets still have some needs to fill. It's still unknown whether Ryan Church will be able to come back and play everyday, so a corner outfielder is certainly a priority. On Monday Jerry Manuel named Fernando Tatis the everyday left fielder, but his red-hot month may not, and probably will not, last. Even if Tatis remains decent as a starter, the uncertainty surrounding Church's health calls for a stronger bench. Endy Chavez is an excellent defensive replacement outfielder, but when he plays everyday he eventually gets exposed offensively, so he is really more suited to a role as a fourth outfielder. Casey Blake would have been a good fit because he can play both corner outfield positions as well as first base, but he has already been traded to the Dodgers.
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