So the Mets have a difficult challenge on their hands. Who should they pick for their 5th starting pitcher? They could have chosen a four man rotation to use until April 12th, but they felt that Pedro Martinez will play the best with the extra rest. So this gives them a choice between Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey.

Hernandez, otherwise known as El Duque, allowed five runs in three innings in the Mets recent loss to the Cardinals. Of course, his huge challenge is the bunion on his foot, which has forced him to completely readjust his entire style of pitching. It’s pretty remarkable to think that he’d even be considered as a starter. But his recent poor performance has made the powers that be readjust their expectations.

Then there’s Mike Pelfrey who Adam Rubin of the Daily News refers to as the “unproven underachiever.” Ouch. But given his performance against the Cardinals, allowing eight runs in 4-1/3 innings, I think the description is apt.

So what do the Mets do? In the long sports tradition of understating the truth, GM Omar Minaya says, “As a whole, you wish it would have been a better day.” So they’ve decided not to decide. All of those fans who purchase Mets tickets right now won’t know who they’ll be seeing on the mound in that fifth spot.

El Duque thinks that even with a bunion on his right big toe he can starting pitch 30 games this season. He might be pipe dreaming given the fact that he hasn’t started 30 games since 1999. But there’s no doubt that he’s looking decent in spite of his foot condition.

Known for his high kick, he’s had to adjust his form to protect his toe. His new pitching stance puts less pressure on the toe. It keeps his foot flat on the mound.

Although the speed of his pitch isn’t anything amazing, it should be pointed out that he pitched 72% strikes with his new form.

Adam Rubin of the Daily News says:

“Mets brass continues to downplay any suggestions that El Duque’s reduced leg kick will drastically reduce his deception. Peterson said Hernandez’s primary deception came from changing arm angles and speeds.”

He suggests that it may be in the Mets best interest to keep him on the disabled list at first, allowing for them to carry a six-man bench, and then activating him as a fifth starter on April 12th when they face the Brewers.

Either way, it’s impressive that Hernandez could learn a new method to play the same game. That is, in my opinion, real athleticism. To see this great athlete in action make sure to get your Mets tickets now.

I just read a great article at the New York Post by Joel Sherman about the return of Darryl Strawberry to the Mets as an instructor.

He claims that Strawberry’s return is a cautionary tale from a ball club of yesteryear that had it’s chance at greatness, but blew it.

“We should have won three titles, heck, we should have won four,” he said. “We should have been like the Yankee teams I was on in the late ’90s that just rolled to a bunch of titles.”

He comes to the Mets this time as a an outfield instructor. But perhaps his leadership will do more than instruct.  Maybe he’ll be able help a team of enormous potential and talent pull it together. He blames his team’s failure in the 80’s to a total lack of focus. They were a team of party animals (his cocaine and alcohol abuse is well known).  That reckless attitude blew their opportunity to win several championships.

This new Mets team is not unlike the old. The last two seasons have brought huge disappointment to fans expecting their front runner team to go all of the way. Last season, they did what seemed like a mathematical impossibility, blowing a seven game NL East lead in 17 games.

Needless to say, this is a season with high hopes by all. Be sure to buy your Mets tickets now.

So, as everyone willing to buy NY Mets tickets knows, their favorite franchise just spent $137.5 million of their dollars on Johan Santana. Judging by his opening performance in spring training, they may be asking for their money back. He gave away three runs on four hits.

My high school wrestling coach emphasized to us that he wasn’t as concerned whether we won or lost. He was more concerned with how well we performed and progressed as an athlete in the match. The coaching staff for the Mets sounded like they had adopted this same “winning isn’t everything” attitude. Bart Hubbuch at the New York Post quoted Mets pitching coach, Rick Peterson, as saying:

“A very positive day. Johan threw the ball outstanding.”

Santana himself echoed this positive sentiment:

“This is just the beginning. The numbers might say something different, but I felt good.”

Now I realize that there’s more to a performance than the numbers might show. And this is just spring training. He’s getting warmed up. He’s trying new things. He’s getting his groove.

Third basement Troy Glaus says, “He’s still Johan – good fastball, good change-up and good control.”

But I’ve just got to say for the record that these wonderful attributes aren’t going to mean anything if he doesn’t bring real victories in the regular season.

I was fascinated to read on SI.com about Santana’s hard won contract battle. Apparently, earlier in the day he had made his views clear through his agent that he wanted $140 million. The Mets were holding to $135 million.

Santana then flew from Florida to New York to make his stance firm. He arrived, with five minutes left in negotiations, and told them that he wanted $140 million and if they couldn’t offer that, he’d have to pass.

Mets COO, Jeff Wilpon, replied:

“I’ve been in business a long time. That’s a lot of money to walk away from.”

Santana’s response was confident:

“No disrespect to you. But I deserve it. I’ll just go back and pitch and I’ll get it later.

Santana then made reference to Alex Rodriguez, the highest paid player in the game. He then asserted that he’s the best pitcher and he’s not asking for that much.

In the end, Mr. Santana got his wish. The Mets asked for a two hour extension on the negotiation to reach an agreement. Two hours later, while splitting the difference, they agreed to $137.5 million.

Hopefully, for Mets fans, he’ll be just as competitive on the field as he was at the negotiation table. For Mets tickets, feel free to buy online.

The Mets have what Ben Shpigel of the New York Times calls, “the best pitcher in baseball.” The agreement process sounds a bit grueling. It took 72 hours and 90 minutes. The final cost: $137.5 million over 6 years. That is some big cash. But they feel it is worth the price for the former left handed pitcher from the Minnesota Twins.

The Mets first had to aquire the rights to negotiate with him. They made a deal with the Twins, giving them four prospects. The Twins gave them 72 hours to make the deal with Santana. When it appeared that they needed a little more time, they petitioned the Twins for another 2 hours, which they were given.

The haggling that went on to secure this deal was obviously two sided. The Mets wanted to give Santana a five-year deal, but he was demanding six. In the end, he got his way, and he got his extremely generous contract.

The Mets had a strong team this last year that ended prematurely. The hope is that this will put an extra positive spin on a potentially great 2008 season.

Mets tickets should sell well without him. But with a genuine star pitcher, his presence will hopefully pay for itself.

Johan Santana’s agent met with the New York Mets yesterday to get closer to an agreement to bring Santana from Minnesota Twins. There’s not a lot of time to negotiate. The deadline to reach a deal is 5pm EST tomorrow (Friday).

No one is talking (except the two sides in negotiation) details. The deal could be worth more than $120 million over six or seven years. It’s expected that the deal will happen. Then all that needs to happen is that Santana passes a physical (no problem).

Santana’s agent already represents two Met’s players: All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes and reserve outfielder Endy Chavez (who the Mets just brought on last week).

The Mets are going all out. They are trading four prospects: speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez, and pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra.

Hopefully this will energize the Mets after their collapse in September. Mets tickets have been selling well regardless. Even without Santana, the Mets already have sold 1.75 million tickets for their final season in Shea Stadium. That’s up 100,000 from last year at the same time period.

The Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox also flirted with bringing on Santana. The Twins can’t afford to keep him and he’s becoming a free agent this year.

Note: Mets tickets are on sale now, starting on February 26 with Spring training.

On to the news. Endy Chavez is getting a big raise (even though less than the $2,075,000 he asked for). Yesterday he signed for $3.85 million over the next two years. That number goes up for 2009. Last year Chavez made $1,725,000. He’ll get $1.8 million this season and $2.05 million in 2009. On top of that he can add on $250,000 in bonuses this year and $375,000 in bonuses in 2009.

His deal calls for bonuses this year of $25,000 for 100 games, $50,000 each for 110, 120 and 130 games, and $25,000 each for 350, 375 and 400 plate appearances. In 2009, he would make $50,000 for 100 games, $75,000 each for 110, 120 and 130 games and $25,000 each for 325, 350, 375 and 400 plate appearances.

Chavez didn’t finish the season last year because he strained his left hamstring. Then last month he hurt his right hamstring on his right ankle. He batted .287 with one homer and 27 RBIs in 150 at-bats.

Don’t miss this year’s Met’s season. Here is the list of Mets tickets available now. This is the last year to see the Mets in historic Shea Stadium before next year’s season at the new Citi Field.