Noble writes:

“Jorge Sosa temporarily became an effective solution for a rotation problem the Mets developed in May.

For five weeks, the castaway right-hander provided consistent performances, not to mention six victories in seven starts. Now, with the Mets less than a week from the beginning of their regular season, a similar problem exists. And the club is looking in the same direction for a solution.”

…with el duque and pelfrey pitching their way out of the fifth spot it shouldn’t be a big surprise that sosa is in the mix…that being said, unless someone comes out of nowhere and really runs away with it, i expect willie to play musical chairs with last rotation spot depending on who’s healthy and actually pitching decent...

However, Jon Heyman at SI.com says Mike Pelfrey is likely to be named the fifth starter.

Heyman writes:

“Mets decisionmakers appear set to overlook top pitching prospect Mike Pelfrey’s poor spring and name him the No. 5 starter in coming days, sources said.”

…heyman is great, but he provides information from more anonymous and mysterious sources than anyone, and it kills me…

• Oliver Perez allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out six and walking two. He allowed four home runs, three of which came in the fourth inning.
• Joe Smith and Nelson Figueroa each pitched a scoreless inning in relief.
• Carlos Beltran homered off of Scott Elarton in the sixth.
• Carlos Delgado and Ryan Church each went 1-3.
• Brian Schneider was 0-2 in his first game back from injury.

For a full recap, go to MLB.com.

The Mets aren’t featuring an opening day lineup, but Brian Schneider will return to action behind the plate.

…good news there with the injured catchers piling up…

Oliver Perez will start against Cliff Lee.

For the rest of today’s lineup check out David Lennon’s blog for Newsday.

Meanwhile in the “Around the camps” segment of his latest article for SI.com, Jon Heyman had the following to say:

“John Maine (2-1, 2.63) of the Mets looks like a star this spring. Anyone who figures he’s a middle-of-the-rotation starter may be underestimating him.”

…maybe it’s because he doesn’t have an intimidating figure, blow people away all the time with overpowering stuff, or a unique name like joba, but for some reason it’s taking maine longer to get recognized as a potential stud than it would most young people having success in the new york market…

…sure, he stumbled a bit the last two months like the rest of the mets, but in his first 21 starts last year he was 12-5 with an era under 3.00 and did come through with a phenomenal last start to keep the mets’ playoff hopes alive…he’s already had some success in the post season and now he has the luxury of improving while pitching behind pedro and johan…

…he sure seems like the real deal to me, especially when his slider is working…i’m looking forward to watching him win with the mets for a long time, and anxiously awaiting the aflac trivia question years from now asking who the mets gave up to acquire maine…

He also addresses concerns about Carlos Delgado, writing:

“There are few alternatives [to Delgado] at the moment. Damion Easley is one, but he may be needed in the outfield and on the left side of the infield. The injury to Jose Valentin has created a problem. The clubhouse is quite impressed with the swing of Olmedo Saenz, but his defense would compromise the entire infield. I’m sure the Mets are trying to import a right-handed-hitting player with some first-base experience.

I sense the Mets will give Delgado every opportunity. Their financial commitment to him can’t be discounted. He is owed $20 million — $16 million in salary and $4 million in buyout — at this point, and it’s not that he has become inept. He could match his production of last season, but it’s when that production comes that is the question. There are enough weak-sister pitching staffs in the league that an experienced hitter can produce numbers. And those games must be won. Whether Delgado can be the hitter to beat John Smoltz’s slider or Jake Peavy’s fastball in a critical instance is another question.”

…i was a strong delgado apologist all of last season, despite seeing him as an aging player on the decline who was battling numerous injuries and clearly wasn’t himself…

…but i also know him as a knowledgeable, elite hitter and looked for him to bounce back…

…while i don’t put too much stock into spring training numbers, i’d be lying if i said i wasn’t a little concerned…he’s an important part of the offense, even more so when alou is out of action…so, hopefully he finds his swing and gets some confidence back early in the year or it could be painful to watch as, unless they acquire someone, willie will almost be forced to stick with him regardless…

…added to by Matthew Cerrone…

…that will be a painful situation, chris, no doubt…as i have said before, my concern does not stem from a lack of faith in delgado’s ability to make the necessary adjustments to his swing…

…i worry because i fear he’ll always be in recovery from an injury, or ache or pain, and will never have the breathing room to get in to a productive rhythm…

Villa writes:

“He’s the great Mets hope — the prospect New York refused to trade, not even for arguably the best pitcher in the major leagues.

Martinez signed with the Mets in 2005. He missed part of 2006 with a thumb injury, and in 2007, when he was the Double A Eastern League’s youngest player at age 18, he missed half the season with a broken bone in his right hand. Both injuries were caused by his swing, which [Tony] Bernazard called “freak things.” Despite his youth and his ailments, he still fashioned a .271 average, 4 homers and 21 RBI in 60 games last season. In 551 career at-bats in the minors, he has hit .276 with 14 homers and 60 RBI.”

…i love reading about this kid and can’t wait to see him on the big league level…everything from his ability to his attitude seems to point to success…it should only help that, though the mets are a little thin in the outfield, the team is still really good…they won’t be relying or putting too much pressure on ‘the teenage hitting machine’ to be an impact player this year and he can stay out of the spotlight and continue to develop at a fair pace…

Heyman writes:

“Indications are that Texas’ trade discussions with the Twins progressed to the point where there was either agreement or near agreement on the young players going back to Minnesota. At that point, executives involved in the talks believed that the trade was very likely to be consummated if only Santana gave a more enthusiastic response when Twins higher ups quizzed him about whether he’d accept a trade to the Rangers. However, a diplomatic Santana is believed to have told the Twins only that he’d ‘consider’ going to Texas, an answer that was seen as less than enthusiastic.”

…more evidence that santana’s preference to play in the national league and with the mets was a key part in getting the deal done…

…added to by Matthew Cerrone…

…way, way back on December 11 i wrote, “From what I can gather, the Rangers are the third team in this mix, not the Yankees, Mariners or Angels, but I do not believe they have much of a chance to get him anyway.”…

…i am surprised to hear that discussions were further along than i anticipated…goes to show you, never underestimate any team when in the middle of hype and the Hot Stove…

“Beltran’s expression changes when he speaks of his new level of happiness and the daughter responsible for it. A soft glow develops and sincerity takes over. Smiles last longer and are more plentiful. He appears younger and gentler and far less circumspect. In clubhouse parlance, he is looser.”

...i love articles like this…i feel like way too often people look at players as money grubbing, moving statistics and forget they are human beings with lives outside of baseball that could certainly influence their performance on the field…regardless of if this has any impact on beltran’s play i’m extremely happy for carlos and his family and wish them the best of luck…

“The $800 million structure is being built from approximately 95 percent recycled steel to reduce energy consumption and at least 2 million pounds of recycled coal combustion products that will save more than 800 tons of carbon dioxide. The team’s administration building will feature a 15,000-square-foot “green roof,” which will reduce energy needs by retaining cool air in the summer and heat in the winter.”

While we’re on the topic of ballparks, SI.com is conducting a survey to rank all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums, with the results to come out in April.

“Pedro Martinez has been throwing without pain pills or ice. And one longtime Pedro watcher predicts, ‘He’s going to win the Cy Young.’

Meanwhile, Martinez, 36, is telling friends he’d like to play a couple more years but probably not into his 40s. He understand the ball is in the Mets’ court and that he can’t approach them until he proves he’s healthy”

…come on, you can’t predict that and remain anonymous…was it a relative, a coach, just some fan that’s watched pedro over the years…anyway, only pedro’s health is of real concern to me as i’m confident in his ability to be a second ace for the Mets as long as his body lets him…