I think most of us agree that Freddy Garcia has the inside track on the final rotation spot and that it’s his job to lose.

However, in a post to his blog, David Lennon of Newsday writes:

As of today, with everyone healthy, this is the Mets’ rotation to start the season:

1. Johan Santana
2. Mike Pelfrey
3. Oliver Perez
4. John Maine
5. Tim Redding

Pitching coach Dan Warthen explained that Pelfrey’s better numbers against the Reds and Maine’s significantly lower ERA vs. the Marlins were the determining factors.

The Mets also plan on using a fifth starter for that first week, and Redding is slotted in that spot right now, so he will face the Marlins on April 11 in Florida.

Again, this how things stack up right now, and there’s a long way to go before Opening Day. We can have this discussion again six weeks from now.

Freddy Garcia did make some cocky comments on Saturday about him being 100% as far as being the five starter, or else he’ll start for another team.

I wonder if that may have ticked some people off?