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          New York Mets

          Morning Briefing: Trade deadline looms

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterJul 31, 2013, 08:23 AM ET
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          MIAMI

          FIRST PITCH: Trade deadline at 4 p.m.

          Mets insiders told ESPNNewYork.com on Tuesday that the likelihood is the deadline passes without the Mets making a deal.

          "If nothing happens ... I know it's in the best interest of the organization," Terry Collins said. "We've got some young players that are here that we're trying to play. If some of the more experienced people are here tomorrow, it's because they're trying to help us. You know, we owe our fans some competition, too."

          At 7:10 p.m., the Mets aim to take their third straight against the Miami Marlins. Jenrry Mejia, coming off seven scoreless innings at Nationals Park, gets his second start since a promotion. He opposes right-hander Henderson Alvarez (1-1, 2.64 ERA).

          Wednesday’s news reports:

          • Zack Wheeler took a no-hit bid one out into the seventh inning and John Buck delivered a tiebreaking two-run single in the 10th as the Mets beat Miami, 4-2, Wednesday at Marlins Park.

          Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Times, Newsday, Star-Ledger, Record and MLB.com.

          • On the trade deadline, columnist Joel Sherman writes in the Post:

          One Mets official described “nibbles” on players, but nothing more serious. And the Mets have decided if they cannot obtain something they feel strongly about for their future, then why trade Marlon Byrd or Bobby Parnell. Outside executives have said the best the Mets could hope for on Byrd is an interested team’s 10th-15th-best prospect because the sport still eyes Byrd with suspicion since he was terrible last year, failed a PED test and has revived in his age-35 season out of nowhere.

          As for Parnell, outside executives say the return for closers is just not that strong. One cited, for example, that for Jose Veras, Detroit gave Houston Danry Vazquez, an A-ball player generally viewed as a likely fourth outfielder.

          Read more on the deadline in the Post, Daily News, Star-Ledger, Record and Newsday.

          • Dan Warthen talks refinements to Wheeler’s mechanics with Jared Diamond in the Journal.

          • Jeff Walters recorded the final four outs for his 30th save as Binghamton beat Altoona, 3-2. Cole Frenzel’s three-run double in the eighth gave Savannah the lead en route to a 9-5 win against Asheville. Read the full minor league recap here.

          • From the bloggers … John Delcos at Mets Report suggests Ryan Braun would be a good offseason addition for the Mets.

          BIRTHDAYS: Billy Wynne, who briefly pitched for the ’67 Mets, was born on this date in 1943.

          TWEET OF THE DAY:

          YOU’RE UP: Do you think Marlon Byrd will be a Met at 4:01 p.m.?