This morning when Buster Olney announced on ESPN that the Braves had acquired Mark Teixeira from the Rangers, he asked the rhetorical question of whether or not the Mets will “answer back.”

True enough, the Braves have acquired a significant player-one who should be a cornerstone of their franchise for some time to come. A local boy, too, having played at Georgia Tech. He’ll bat in the middle of their order for the rest of the season and for years to come. His acquisition will soften the departure of Andruw Jones this off-season to free agency.

Its not likely the Mets will make such a deal within the next 24 hours unless Omar and another GM have something they’ve been successful at keeping under their hat. So the “answer back” question will become part of the reality for the rest of the season for Minaya. Perhaps a deal will be consumated that brings another 2B and/or an arm for the bullpen. He may feel more pressure to do so now as Minaya, more so than some previous GMs is in touch with subtleties as perceptions.

Recall that Minaya was willing to give what the Red Sox wanted for Manny Ramirez two seasons ago and said that he couldn’t show his face in the clubhouse if he had not done everything he could to help the club.

So with an aging an battered team facing two more long, hot months in a race against two hungry and re-tolled teams in Philadelphia and Atlanta, one should ask what are the Mets thinking? Omar and the Wilpons know that the roster is indeed older with many players while still in their prime, but on the backside of their careers.

So this means its win now, and it makes it even money that Omar will commit some of his chips prior to tomorrow afternoon. And the strong rumor that the Braves are about to acquire Octavio Dotel, the pressure may have increased even more.

I see that Metsblog is thinking along with me in that a dance partner might be Billy Beane and the A’s. But Lastings Milledge won’t be traded without a ML outfielder in return. Niether will Fernando Martinez. And I don’t think think that Minaya is interested in Joe Blanton, its Dan Haren.

I think that Minaya will give up young arms along with Carlos Gomez to get Haren. Luis Castillo and Juan Rincon are not enough of an upgrade to commit value. Maybe this is where the Twins become involved, although I don’t think Beane has any interest in acquiring Tori Hunter. Does Minaya?

Perhaps Minaya will hold out for Haren and settle for Blanton at the deadline. But Blanton for a different package.

I nothing transpires, it means that the Mets believe their best trade is to await the return of Pedro Martinez. With the namers o the players being tossed around, save Haren, they may be correct.