Mambo No. 5

(By Brett Kahn)

The Mets rotation now seems to be four strong. However, the big question on everyone's mind is: who is number five?

The front runner at this point seems to be Mike Pelfrey. The Mets still want to see if this kid can reach his full potential. Although, nothing has been determined yet, Pelfrey does have the most experience when it comes to pitching in the club's rotation. The problem is, he was 3-8 last season a 5.57 ERA and this spring hasn't been any better for the struggling flame-thrower. In five starts, Pelfrey is 0-1 with a Jose Lima-like 8.31 ERA, in 17.1 innings.

Next on this list is probably Jorge Sosa. Now that El Duque is almost surely not going to start the season in the rotation, Sosa has jumped up on the probability list. Sosa, unlike Pelfrey, has been great this spring. In six appearances, he has posted an ERA of 0.75 in 12 innings of work. If he does become the fifth starter, he might only fufill that role until the Mets feel that Pelfrey is ready.

Last on this list is someone that isn't even on the team yet? Although Claudio Vargas just cleared waivers yesterday, GM Omar Minaya definitely has his eye on him. The problem with Vargas is his career 4.95 ERA in five big-league seasons. We'll have to wait and see if Minaya pulls the trigger on this one.

Since the club is very confident that Johan Santana will pitch every fifth day, they might not be making this decision for a little while or, until an injury forces them to do so.