http://view.picapp.com//JavaScripts/OTIjs.jsThe Mets are off today so I thought it was a good time for some links. It still seems like a dream that they could actually win a series on the road, much less sweep one, but sweep the Orioles they did. They’re on the way to Cleveland to start a series there on Tuesday. Here are the links
Carlos Beltran has been working in Port St. Lucie to return from knee surgery. He’s been playing some center field in squad games and plans to return “soon”. Despite Jerry Manuel’s comments about Beltran coming back to DH next weekend in the Bronx, the Mets says that’s not happening.
John Maine made a rehab start for the Binghamton Mets in Trenton yesterday. His fastball topped out at 88 mph and he’s expected to make another start on Friday for Buffalo. It’s going to be very interesting to see if Manuel believes that Maine should walk back into the rotation and supplant Hisanori Takahashi. Personally, I think Maine belongs in the bullpen.
In other injury news, Fernando Martinez is back with Buffalo and went 2 for 4 with a home run yesterday.
Steve Serby’s Q&A this week is with Jerry Manuel and it’s one of the best I’ve read in a while. He asks some tough questions and gets some good answers from Manuel about what it’s like to be on the hot seat.
Beyond the Box Score did a good piece this week on the Mets franchise WAR leaders. It’s a nice reminder of just how good Edgardo Alfonso was.
Jack Moore at Fangraphs looks at Johan Santana’s claim that he’s the best pitcher in the National League. The numbers say he isn’t to this point in the season.
Enjoy the links and the off-day before the Cleveland series starts tomorrow.
The Mets Report 
I guess we have to like what we're hearing from Beltran. For the team's sake, we don't want him to rush anything because we need him to contribute 100% when he actually does return. The question we should be asking ourselves is if his main focus is to not contribute this year, but come back to contribute next season when he'll be auditioning for a new contract. Whatever the case may be, I just hope he comes back when he's ready this year and can be an x-factor in the middle of the lineup for the stretch run.
I've about had it with Maine, but if he insists he's healthy (something you have to take with a grain of salt), it will be nice to get Tak back in the pen. Early on, he really gave the team a unique look out of the bullpen and the fact that he's a southpaw gives him even more value there. Looking back to the form Maine was in back in '07 really leaves you scratching your head. You don't often see pitchers like him regress at this point in his career. But then again he is a Met…
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I'm sure that Beltran is more worried about next season and getting a new contract than he is about this year. Who wouldn't be if they were in his position?
I've had it with Maine too. At the risk of beating a dead horse, I advocated for non-tendering him after last season. I just think the shoulder injuries have sapped his velocity and that was his game. Maybe he'll re-invent himself. I just hope he does it somewhere else. I've seen enough of him.
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