Mets manager Jerry Manuel hinted on Sunday that the club might need to make a deal for a hitter. "I think if we get below that (.500) mark and we continue to struggle offensively as we are, I think that's a no-brainer," Manuel said of making a deal for a hitter. "I think we have to visit that. It has to be talked about at some point. It would be dishonest if I said no." The Mets have lost four straight games to the Yankees, and managed to score just three runs in three losses this weekend. "A deal would send the message they want to win and will do what it takes to help us," one veteran player said. "I'm not saying to make a deal for the sake of making a deal, but something that can make a difference every day like a hitter. The other teams in our division have been losing lately so we're missing an opportunity. "Yes, we've been shut down by good pitching. But playoff teams should be beating the better pitchers a lot of the time."