ESPN's Steve Phillips Weighs In

First, Phillips picked the Mets to win the NL East and face the Diamondbacks in the NLDS.

Then, Phillips picked the NLCS...

Phillips then gave his take on the World Series.

Church Voices Approval to amazin' Amazins

(By Brett Kahn with interview by Billy Huffman)

Before spring training game against the Atlanta Braves yesterday, OF Ryan Church talked to amazin' Amazins correspondent Billy Huffman about various topics...

(On joining the Mets) "It's an exciting time. This team is built to win now...There is no longer any talk of last year. The only focus is to start this year fresh. We have the ability to reach our goals."

(On friend and teammate Brian Schnieder) "Brian was a very important person in my professional development. He was a mentor to me when I joined the major leagues and will be a very important part of the Mets."

(On playing only right field) "When I came here, they told me that that was going to be the position that I would play. So far, that has been the case. Obviously I think this team has taken great steps to be a contender. We have quality in all positions and have improved our starting pitching...I'm happy to be here."

Church has definitely begun to fit in with the club, especially defensively making a number of nice catches during the spring. Although he missed a week due to a concussion earlier in the spring, Church feels that he is ready to add to an already stellar lineup.

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.

Maine is No. 4 Starter?

(By Brett Kahn)

Maine has had a dominant spring with a 1.78 ERA, but he will have to wait until the second series against the Braves to show his stuff to the world.

Oliver Perez has been placed in front of Maine in the rotation, but not because he is necessarily better. Perez is now slated to face the Philadelphia Phillies twice in the first 21 games of the season. He will get the opportunity to try and shut down lefties Ryan Howard and Chase Utley.

Maine said that he doesn't mind being the fourth starter, mentioning that he gets to go out and pitch every five days regardless. Against the Orioles on Monday, he again showed why he will be a fixture in the club's rotation. He pitched six shutout innings against the team that traded him back in 2006.

As for future plans, Maine would like to pitch 200 innings this season, which he came within nine last season. Oh yeah. Did I mention he wants to make the playoffs this season? No one would've guessed that, right? (NY DAILY NEWS)

Sanchez Likely to Be Left Out on Opening Day but Johan will Definitely Be There

(By Brett Kahn)

Will he or won't he make the roster? That was the question. However, it seems like we finally have our answer.

The Mets have pretty much come to the conclusion that Duaner Sanchez will get an extended spring training and then join the team sometime in either April or May.

Sanchez pitched one inning yesterday against the St. Louis Cardinals AAA affiliate, but he wasn't sure if he was going to try and pitch this week in back-to-back games, which is something the Mets are requiring for him to be on the opening day roster.

GM Omar Minaya doesn't want to push Sanchez to make an earlier return. (NY POST)

In other news, Willy Randolph has officially named Johan Santana as the Mets opening day starter against the Marlins next Monday. (NY POST)

Roster Moves

(By Brett Kahn)

Here are today's roster moves...

Jose Valentin- extended spring training roster
Moises Alou- DL
Jason Vargas- DL
Ambiorix Burgos- DL

Sorry for the confusion with regards to earlier reports of Jose Valentin. He is still on the team but will be rehabbing then starting the season in the minors.

Sunday Schmooz

(By Brett Kahn)

The following was all taken directly from the Dicks Sports website...

Tom Terrific. The Miracle Mets. It's Wednesday night, July 9, 1969, at Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens. The Mets are on their way to a World Championship. Tom Seaver, 24, is headed for a 25-7 record and the National League Cy Young award. A perfect season, and on this night almost a perfect game for the future Hall of Fame righthander. The scoreboard tells the story: one out in the ninth, the Mets leading the Cubs 4-0 and No. 42, Jim Qualls at-bat for Chicago. To this point, Seaver has been perfect -- 25 straight outs, 11 strikeouts, no walks, no baserunners. With 59,083 fans cheering wildly for every out and gripped by every pitch, Qualls, a 22-year old rookie, will end the dream with a solid single to left-center, between LF Cleon Jones and CF Tommie Agee. Agony. For a moment. And then unending ovation as Seaver gets the final 2 outs. It is the second-place Mets' seventh straight victory; the first-place Cubs' fifth straight loss. The Amazin's are within 3 games. The rest, as they say, is glorious history. Note: The second baseman is Wayne Garrett.

Features

• Artist's name: Bill Purdom
• Dimensions: 21 5/8 in x 29 5/8 in
• Release date: 1997
• Edition size: 600
• Hand numbered and signed by the artist
• From an original painting
• This lithograph is shipped in a heavy-duty cardboard tube for protection

For more information regarding this piece, visit their website at...

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/sm-good-sports-art-new-york-mets-seavers-one-hitter-lithograph--pi-973306.html#1