Start Spreading the ... Worry? ; Mets Can't Shake Injury Cloud

Summary

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. There's no mistaking the crisis that wafts over Mets camp these days not now, not after learning that Moises Alou requires surgery to repair a hernia. He'll be out for at least six weeks more likely eight, given his age which leaves upper management scrambling for Plan B. So far there's little sentiment in favor of signing Barry Bonds. One senior official said, "it's highly, highly unlikely" the Wilpon family would welcome the controversial slugger, given that he's currently under federal indictment for perjury and tax evasion.

Yet, Bonds is looking for work, as are Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders and Preston Wilson. Each free agent offers a unique temptation to the Mets, who, for now, plan to wait out Alou's convalescence. But it could be May by the time Alou actually sets foot in Shea Stadium, by which time the Mets will have played the Phillies six times. Do they really want to take on their Eastern Division rivals with Endy Chavez and Ryan Church in the corner spots in the outfield?

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Start Spreading the ... Worry? ; Mets Can't Shake Injury Cloud

But the Mets' run of injuries has been so devastating of late, not even that configuration is dependable: both Chavez and Church are out of action, which means if the season started today, the Mets would be relyin...

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