The Chan Ho Park contract just keeps getting better and better. Apparently, the Mets will only have to pay Park $150,000 if he does not make the team out of Spring Training. If he does make the team, the Mets get him for a very reasonable $600,000.
Here’s the thing though, as Met fans we should be rooting for him not to make the team, because if he does make the team it means that either Oliver Perez or Mike Pelfrey or both, probably had poor springs. In fact, you can quote me on this… If Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey are lights out in Spring Training and clinch a spot in the rotation, there is no way Chan Ho Park makes the team as reliever.
There is some major pitching news coming from the Twins and the Cubs that may be music to Mets fans’ ears! It looks like both Carlos Zambrano and Johan Santana, could be available at the trading deadline if neither of them sign contract extensions before the end of Spring Training. Now, I’ll be the first to say that Barry Zito wasn’t worth the $125 million contract he signed for, however I’d gladly pay that for Zambrano, and I would definitely pay $150 million or more for Santana.
Our buddy in right field, Shawn Green, had his mutual option for 2008 declined by the New York Mets. I think this is great for the Mets, because you can bet Shawn Green is going to bust his tail this season as he plays for a new contract for 2008 and beyond. He may not hit forty-plus homeruns like he used to, but if we can get thirty-something homeruns from the #7 hitter in the lineup, then the Mets are going to crush the competition in the National League this season.
Pedro Martinez has already been sighted at Port St. Lucie, along with David Wright, Paul LoDuca, John Maine, Howard Johnson, and of course, Mr. Met.
It’s going to be great watching all the starting rotation candidates compete for the last two spots in the rotation. I am looking forward to seeing more of Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey as the battle it out with Chan Ho, Oliver Perez, Aaron Sele, and the ghost of Christmas past.
I will be posting daily notes from Mets Spring Training Camp starting this Monday. I am so stoked, it’s gonna be a heck of a year!
