The Mets Are Looking Better and Better

I see the Mets have just signed Jose Valentin to a minor league contract. If he makes the the team he gets 800k. He will see more playing time if Castillo fails to live up to his contract.

Let's see, $18 million to $800k. In average worker terms, that's $20 an hour to minimum wage. So, if Valentin gets more playing time, the Mets will have a very expensive pinch-runner on the bench.

Johan Santana was asked to skip the WBC. Good move by Omar. Santana hasn't thrown off a mound since the end of last season when he pitched on one leg and was shutting out the Marlins. Can you imagine what Johan is capable of doing if his velocity and numbers were still the same when he was with the Twins? I guess Johan proved a lot of experts wrong. The Red Sox and Yankees must still be hitting their heads against the wall on this one.

Met fans, why are you so concern about the rotation? Do you realize the Mets have the most balanced rotation in the NL? Santana and Perez are left-handed and Pelfrey and Maine are right-handed. The average age is 27 and they all are double-digit winners at least once in their career. Follow that with either Redding, Garcia, or Martinez, and you have a strong starting five.

Speaking of Pedro, Omar needs to bring him back. He is two years removed from major surgery and he is motivated to pay the Mets back. His arm should be sound and what he brings to the table is invaluable. Parnell and Niese would benefit from his coaching and be better prepared for the 2010 season.

If the Mets are thinking of going after Bobby Abreu then I say to Omar: save your money and stick with Murphy/Tatis. Murphy is a defensive liability in left but Abreu would be no relief for Beltran. Murphy deserves to play regularly and not platoon. He is mature beyond his years and has one of the sweetest swings in the league.

Now that K-Rod is the closer and J.J. Putz the set-up man, didn't the Mets solve the very problem that prevented them from making the postseason? If yes, then why are Met fans so adamant about getting another heavy hitter in the lineup? This team had an explosive offense in 2008 and looks to repeat the same in 2009.

I have a suggestion: If the Mets really needed extra cash to sign Manny, open a GNC kiosk in the new Yankee Stadium.