If Omar Minaya and Michael Weiner held a news conference to defend the Mets' playoff chances

Omar Minaya, Mets general manager: Earlier today, a list was leaked that shows the Mets eleven games out in the National League East Division.

We are concerned that some in the media may use the presence of the Mets on this list, which was not supposed to be made public, to conclude that the Mets season is over.

Michael Weiner, Players' Association general counsel: But we are here today to inform you of the presence of a second list. This list is entitled "National League Wild Card Standings."

Unlike the first list, in which the Phillies are generally conceded to be on their way to the division title, there are several teams on the second list that are considered to have a strong chance to win the wild card.

Since the Mets also appear on the second list, we believe that gives them plausible deniability that their season is over.

Omar Minaya: A local reporter has been writing that the second list shows that the Mets are ten games out in the wild card race and in eighth place. When I saw these stories, I scuffled a bit, because this same reporter has been trying to get a job in the Mets' organization as a statistician.

But that is ultimately beside the point. I'm not here to make excuses or anything.

I want to assure everyone that the Mets have always done everything possible to stay off of lists. Even when one of our players is injured, we often refuse to put him on the disabled list.

Michael Weiner: Given the uncertainties inherent in these lists, we urge the press and the public to use caution in reaching conclusions based on leaks, particularly from sources whose identities are not revealed, that suggest that it is time for the Mets to give up on 2009 and start bringing up prospects.

Omar Minaya: I want to apologize to the fans for the distraction, ownership, my manager. This season has been a nightmare for me.

I definitely was a little careless back in the offseason when I was signing players like Tim Redding. I never thought that trading for J.J. Putz and Sean Green, it was going to hurt anyone's feelings.

And I should have paid more attention to what I was putting in my farm system.

Photo by wallyg.