Fifth Spot in the Rotation

It comes down to El Duque and Mike Pelfrey. I really hope that Willie hasn’t made up his mind about the last spot in the rotation yet. I know that I haven’t. Bart Hubbach of the Post describes the competition.

Pelfrey looked lost at times last year, like he was completely over matched in the majors. He’s a young guy at 24 and still has plenty of time to get it together. I hope he can give El Duque a run for his money.

El Duque is a walking medical mystery. He’s hurt again… already. He has toe and foot problems, and recently had a root canal. He only started 24 games last year. That’s just not good enough.

Mike Vaccaro on Omar Minaya

Mike Vaccaro of the Post wrote a good piece on Minaya today. He’ll surely be judged this year on the performance of Church and Schneider. After all, it was the Wilpon’s checkbook that brought Johan Santana to the Mets not Omar. Barring any trades or acquisitions this year, I wouldn’t want my performance measured by the production of Church and Schneider.

Phillies are still talking

The Phillies and Mets can’t stop talking about each other this spring. Neither team has even played an exhibition game yet. The season series is going to be intense this year, more than past seasons. Of course, Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Beltran got things started. Billy Wagner and an unnamed Philly player upped the ante to start talking about brawling. Kevin Kernan of the Post explains.