Mets out of control  —  Although it might seem like the Mets are slogging along on that long, flat road to nowhere, they're actually reaching a tipping-point moment, when Jeff Wilpon calls Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph into his office and says: one of you two is fired.  You choose.  —  Who stays?

THE WINDUP  —  Bronx Cheer  —  Jason Giambi has a rock-star lifestyle, including a pair of gold lamé underwear.  But when it comes to his batting slump this season, the thong remains the same.  —  Jason Giambi has a deep, dark secret.  Deeper than his compulsion to sleep on the side …

American and National League All-Star coaches appointed  —  American League All-Star manager Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox and National League All-Star manager Clint Hurdle of the Colorado Rockies have announced the managers who will serve as their coaches at the 79th All-Star Game …

Hal Steinbrenner on Yanks: We'll be fine  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hal Steinbrenner flew back to Tampa from the Major League Baseball owners' meetings in Milwaukee yesterday, his belief that the Yankees can be a contender this season intact.  —  In a phone interview that took place shortly …

Phillies Notebook: Phillies GM Gillick says Hamels will get his due, in time  —  When the Phillies renewed Cole Hamels' contract this spring and the lefthander expressed some frustration with his $500,000 salary, that line of thinking dictated the reaction from many fans.

O's Angelos doesn't screech over Nats' downtown promotion  —  Turf war?  What turf war?  —  The Washington Nationals sent their mascot and other representatives to distribute Nationals coolers and pocket schedules yesterday at the Inner Harbor, just blocks from Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Outfielder Jacque Jones may be Marlin soon  —  Former Tiger would add depth; Willingham ailing  —  CINCINNATI - Former Tigers outfielder Jacque Jones cleared waivers Thursday morning and could be a Marlin as soon as today, according an industry source who has spoken with club officials.

Mock Draft: May 16  —  BA takes first stab at first round  —  Projecting the first round of the draft three weeks in advance is never easy, and this year is more difficult than most.  —  None of the four players who entered 2008 as the consensus top four prospects—Vanderbilt third baseman Pedro Alvarez …

A-Rod defends Manny message  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Yankees fans expressed their outrage on talk radio yesterday after they learned Alex Rodriguez had taped a message for Manny Ramirez, one which will be played at Fenway Park after the Red Sox slugger joins A-Rod as a member of the 500 home run club.

Phillies Notes: Utley has the president's vote  —  It probably won't improve his approval ratings in the Philadelphia area, but President Bush offered an interesting answer this week when asked who would be the first position player he would want if he owned a baseball team again.  —  He would want Chase Utley.