Mets vs. Cardinals

The Mets lost 5–4 to the Cardinals today at Tradition Field on a warm and sunny day in Port St. Lucie. Johan Santana made his Mets debut before a large ST crowd. In the first inning he allowed three runs on three hits, including a home run to left field off the bat of Juan Gonzalez. Santana settled down in the second, pitching a scoreless inning despite a 2 out triple. Eddie Kunz pitched the 9^th and gave up a run. This run, however, only scored after Brady Clark lost a lazy fly ball to right field in the sun. Duaner Sanchez pitched one inning for the second time this year, allowing a run. Aaron Heilman, Billy Wagner, Nelson Figueroa, Joselo Diaz and Ricardo Rincon all pitched scoreless innings for the Mets today. An interesting note – Wagner pitched his entire inning using a full windup. This is something that Wagner has been playing with this spring. Jose Reyes was 2–for-3 with an RBI today. David Wright drove in a run in the first inning with a hard shot line drive to right center. Moises Alou also had an RBI as well on a ground ball to short stop that was misplayed. Carlos Delgado struck out in his first at bat (looked very bad), but got a hard hit single to right in his second at bat. Ruben Gotay drew a walk, and hit a ninth inning home run. Fernando Martinez played the late innings today. He was thrown out trying to steal second. In the 9th, he made a spectacular diving catch on a line drive down the line.

The Mets are now 0-3-1 this year in Spring Training.

Mets vs. Cardinals (Away)

The Mets lost to the Cardinals 7-0 Thursday in Jupiter, Florida.

For a full recap of the game please visit: Metsblog.com

The Mets are now 0-2-1 in Spring Training.

Mets vs. Tigers (away)

The Mets lody to the Detroit Tigers 4-2 on Wednesday in the Grapefruit League opener in Lakeland, Florida.

For a full recap of the game please visit: Metsblog.com

The Mets are now 0-1-1 this year in Spring Training.

Mets vs. University of Michigan

The Mets tied the University of Michigan 4 to 4 at Tradition Field on a HOT and sunny afternoon in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday. Jason Vargas pitched two innings, allowing 1 run in the second inning of work. Aaron Heilman also pitched and allowed one run. Ryan Cullen allowed two runs on three hits. Billy Wagner, Nate Field, Ricardo Rincon, Nelson Figueroa and Eddie Kunz each pitched a scoreless inning. Brady Clark was hitless in four at-bats. Jose Reyes crushed a double to left field in the first inning. Two batters later, David Wright crushed a two-run home run over the left field wall on the first pitch he saw. Carlos Delgado struck out in the first inning, and looked bad doing so. He was extremely late on three straight fastballs. However, Delgado made a nice pick at first base on a low throw from David Wright. Michel Abreu hit a game-tying, two-run home run in the botton of the ninth inning to make the game a push, since no other pitchers were scheduled to throw today. The home run was initially ruled a double. However, after Willie Randolph argued the call, it was reversed.

Some notes courtesy of Metsblog.com

Greetings from Florida

Announcement: Like many New York Mets, I have recently arrived in sunny Florida. I will be here until April 1. While here I will attend and report on all of the Mets spring training games played at Tradition Field. The first game will be on Tuesday, February 26.

Poll Results

Our recent poll asked readers, “Which team should be favored to win the 2008 NL pennant?” The results of our poll were clear: 75 percent of readers believe the Mets should be favored to win the 2008 NL pennant. The remaining readers were split between the Cubs (15 percent), the Diamondbacks (5 percent), and the Rockies (5 percent). None of our readers selected the Phillies, Braves, Brewers, Padres, or Dodgers.

The Impact of Santana

In a recent article for mlb.com, Marty Noble examines the new look New York Mets. In the article Noble breaks down the projected lineup and rotation of the 2008 New York Mets. He also examines the players the Mets have added and removed during this off-season. Be sure to check out the article by clicking here.

Mets Avoid Arbitration with Feliciano

The New York Mets and LHP Pedro Feliciano avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.025 million contract.

Mets Settle Arbitration Case with Sosa

The New York Mets settled their salary arbitration case with RHP Jorge Sosa, agreeing to pay him $2 million for the 2008 season. Sosa had been seeking $2.75 million.

Final Terms of Santana's Contract

Here are the terms of Santana's record setting deal with the Mets.

(*) The Mets ripped up Santana’s original contract. So it no longer matters that the Twins owed Santana $13.25 million for 2008.

(*) Santana got a six-year deal with an option for 2014. The terms:

2008: $19 million

2009: $20 million

2010: $21 million

2011: $22.5 million

2012: $24 million

2013: $25.5 million

2014 (option): $25 million, with a $5.5 million buyout.

Note: It’s a vesting option that can be triggered with innings pitched or a high finish in the Cy Young voting. Santana also received a full no-trade clause. The average annual value of Santana’s six-year deal is actually $22 million. Only Alex Rodriguez (at $27.5 million) will make more.

Mets, Santana Finalize Contract

Yesterday at 6:30pm ET the New York Mets and representatives of Johan Santana agreed to a record contract. People familiar with the terms of the agreement said Santana will be under contract beginning this year and through 2013, that an option exists for 2014, and that he will be guaranteed $137.5 million. Santana is scheduled to take a physical today. If he passes, it will complete one of the most significant trades/signings in Mets history.