Santana Cleared to Begin Rehab

After visiting the Mets medical staff in New York earlier this week, Johan Santana was cleared to begin rehab. According to Anthony DiComo, Santana is scheduled to begin throwing before the start of Spring Training.

Santana is more or less on schedule with throwing. He was expected to begin throwing around the end of January. 

Santana underwent surgery in September to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. Before finishing the season early due to injury, he went 11-9, with a 2.98 ERA.

Santana is not expected back until midseason at the earliest.

I'm glad to hear that he is getting better and is moving along with the rehab process. Let's just hope that he doesn't rush, or get rushed, into returning before he's ready.

If You Can't Beat 'Em Join 'Em - Mets Get Willie Harris

According to ESPN New York, the Mets signed outfielder Willie Harris to a minor league deal and will get an invite to Spring Training.

Harris has been a Mets killer the past few seasons, making one spectacular play after another.

Harris spent the past three seasons with the Washington Nationals, serving as a part-time outfielder.

Over his ten year career, the 32-year-old Harris has also played for the Orioles, White Sox, Red Sox, and Braves.

He's a career .239 hitter, with 37 home runs and 187 RBIs.

He won't add much offensively, but he could be a contender to fill the spot of fourth outfielder.

Angel Pagan on Mets Hot Stove

Angel Pagan joined Mets Hot Stove last night to answer questions about the 2011 season and other topics. Check it out below.

Jeff Francis No Longer An Option

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, Jeff Francis agreed to a one-year deal with the Kansas City Royals pending a physical.

Crasnick is reporting that the deal is worth $2 million, plus another $2 million in incentives based on the number of starts and innings pitched.

That means if the Mets are still looking to sign a high quality starting pitcher for a bargain, Chris Young, may be their best option. Although it has been said they are interested in Dave Bush. Bush could be the Mets' plan B if Young doesn't sign.

GM Sandy Alderson stated that he wants to sign a starter for around the same price as the deal made for Chris Capuano.

That deal was worth $1.5 million, plus another $3 million in incentives.

Igarashi Placed on Waivers

Ryota Igarashi has been placed on outright waivers, according to Adam Rubin's post on ESPN New York. This, after he was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Chris Capuano and Taylor Buchholz.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson expects Igarashi will clear waivers due to the fact that no other team wants to pick up his $1.75 million salary.

Assuming Alderson's expectations are correct and he clears waivers, Rubin writes that Igarashi will be in spring-training camp as a non-roster invitee.

Rubin adds:

"Still, there's no assurance Igarashi is on the Opening Day roster. Francisco Rodriguez, Bobby Parnell, D.J. Carrasco and Buchholz would appear highly likely to occupy bullpen spots. The fifth spot could go to a left-hander: newly signed Taylor Tankersley or otherwise.

Under that scenario, if Pat Misch emerges as the long man, that leaves one spot for Rule 5 pick Pedro Beato, Manny Acosta or Igarashi in a seven-man bullpen, which is more common."

In 34 games last season, Igarashi went 1-1 with a 7.12 ERA in 30 1/3 innings of work. He throws hard, but lacked the command to be used consistently out of the bullpen.

I would like to see what Igarashi has to offer and am looking forward to seeing him throw in Spring Training.

That being said, I don't see him making the opening day roster. The bullpen is already jam-packed with righties. Unless another pitcher completely implodes during Spring Training, I would bet we see Igarashi in Triple-A Buffalo in 2011. 

Spring Training Tickets On Sale Saturday

Mets Spring Training tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Mets' first home game is Feb. 26 at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, FL.

For more information, click here.

Chris Young May Make a Decision Soon

According to Buster Olney, pitcher Chris Young is nearing a decision. The Mets are said to be interested, and Young is reportedly  interested in them. Young has a history with GM Sandy Alderson and Paul DePodesta during their time in San Diego. Olney also tweeted that he believes, no matter what team he chooses, Young will sign for $1 million plus $3 million in incentives.

Phillies Look to Add Another Ace

According to Metsblog, Adam Rubin is reporting that the Phillies have discussed adding yet another ace to their starting rotation...John Maine.

Sorry, I can't even say the words ace and John Maine with a straight face.

In 2010, Maine went 1-3 with the Mets, and posted a 6.13 ERA in 39 2/3 innings.

The last time he pitched in a big league game was May 20 against the Nationals. He left that game after throwing just five pitches.

He was placed on the disabled list and underwent surgery in July to clean out scar tissue from his right throwing shoulder.

Movin' On Up

The Curious Case of Sidd Finch will be joining G9Sports Network this February. The network is set to launch February 1st.

G9Sports is like most sport blog networks, but with one exception. All of the blogs on the network will be written by women.

The network will feature blogs from the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, as well as college teams.

We don't have blogs set up for every team yet. If you are a woman who already has a blog for a particular sports team, and think you might be interested in having it featured on the network, send me an e-mail (e-mail address found on the contact page).

FYI, if you don't have an established blog already, but would like to start one, you can!

For more on G9 Sports click here.

Mets Add Tankersley to the Mix

The Mets signed left-handed reliever Taylor Tankersley to a minor league deal and have invited him to Spring Training.

Tankersley refused a minor league assignment in October which led to his free agency.

He appeared in 27 games last season, posting a 7.50 ERA. He missed all of the 2009 season after suffering a stress fracture in his left elbow.

Tankersley will be competing for a spot in the bullpen, where he could serve as a lefty specialist, thanks to Hisanori Takahashi and Pedro Feliciano signing with the Angels and Yankees respectively.

The only other lefties in the bullpen (at this time) are Pat Misch and Oliver Perez, and with that kind of competition, I would say things may be looking good for Mr. Tankersley going into Spring Training.

My 2011 Season Expectations

At this point, I have to say that I don't necessarily have any expectations for this upcoming season. That doesn't mean I think they will be horrible, nor does it mean I think they are winning the World Series (although it would be awesome if they did).

Without expectations, there can be no disappointment.

There have been no major signings so far this off-season, and I don't foresee any in the near future. That's fine by me.

We've had the big names, and where has it gotten the team? Not too far.

I like the idea of having a team of "no-names." As I've stated in previous posts, when you have players, fighting to be in the line up, and who do not have million dollar, multi-year deals locked up, they tend to play a little harder.

In a time where people are going crazy over statistics, I couldn't care less about them.

All you have to do is look back at previous years' teams and see that being the best ball club on paper doesn't mean you are the best team on the field. You don't win ball games on paper, you win them out on the field. That's what people need to remember, and that's always the first thing people forget.

When's the last time you read anything about a player, or team, and their stats were not forced down your throat? It's constant.

I know wins and losses don't mean much for pitchers. Just ask Johan Santana. How many games since he has arrived on the team did he lose, or get a no decision on, that had nothing to do with his pitching? He was 11-9 this past season, and could have easily been a 15 game winner had he had more support from his offense.

Statistics at the plate don't mean much to me either. You could be the team's big name, the guy everyone would want at the plate in big time situations, and you could strike out looking. Thanks again for that memory Carlos Beltran.

So, I will take this season day-by-day and try my best to ignore the statistics.

As Spring Training rolls around, you can't help but feel hopeful, otherwise what's the point of being a fan. You never know what the year is going to bring.