M-E-T-S, Mess mess mess! Wright cut, in come Teixiera

I am in a New York state of mind...Seems the cavern of Citi Field has sucked up all the home run production - the Mets need a stimulus plan (is Morgana the Kissing Bandit still around?) David "Mister" Wright not only is last on my squad with just 5 HR, his slugging percentage is awful. CUT.

Conversely, the new Yankee Stadium is giving up home runs faster than Goldman Sachs can make money appear from nowhere - I will pick up Mark "Que sera" Teixera (think of the Lisa Lisa with Full Force featuring Cult Jam pronunciation) and his 22 HR.

I will admit to being a "buy-and-forget" investor this season, and it kills me to cut a Met, but this isn't about fandom - it is about winning the HOME RUN CONTEST.

Active Vs. Passive Management - All-Star Break Standings

In our day jobs we constantly face the battle of active vs. passive management. Who would have guessed it would become the critical factor in this years HR Contest?

Well as of May 7 GT trailed 60-47. However, after using all but one of his allowed moves in the first two months of the year GT has moved ahead 166-156. VR seems to be asleep at the trading desk. Meanwhile GT is enjoying one of his favorite times of year........Tour de France. He is currently focused on winning his fantasy league for that. HR Contest will be as close over the dog days of summer as the Tour.

UPDATE: Here is the player-by-player standings a/o July 18. (Hat tip to GT for some prescient clutch free agent moves, esp. A-Roid)

GREG = 167 1. Greg - Ryan Howard, PHI - 23 4. Greg - Miguel Cabrera, DET - 18 5. Greg - Manny Ramirez, LAD 6 (CUT 5/7) 8. Greg - Prince Fielder, MIL - 23 9. Greg - Jim Thome, CLE - 16 12. Greg - Carlos Delgado, NYM - 4 (CUT 5/18 IR) 13. Greg - Josh Hamilton, TEX - 2 (CUT 5/7) 16. Greg - Ryan Ludwick, STL - 15 17. Greg - Evan Longoria, TB - 18 FA1. Greg - Alex Rodriguez, NYY 18 (0) (ADD 5/7) IR1. Greg - Adrian Gonzalez - 24 (-9) (ADD 5/7) FA2. Greg - Justin Morneau, MIN 21 (-12)(ADD 5/18) FA3. OPEN

VINCE = 157 2. Vince - Albert Pujols, STL - 34 3. Vince - Ryan Braun, MIL - 16 6. Vince - David Wright, NYM - 5 (CUT 7/18/09) 7. Vince - Adam Dunn, WAS - 23 10. Vince - Alfonso Soriano, CHC - 15 11. Vince - Grady Sizemore, CLE - 13 14. Vince - Carlos Pena, TB - 24 15. Vince - Chris Davis, TEX - 15 18. Vince - Joey Votto, CIN - 12 FA1. Vince - Mark Teixeira 22 (-22) (ADD 7/18/09) FA2. OPEN FA3. OPEN IR1. OPEN