There has to be some sign of life

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in less than a month, there is little left to do to the roster. The occasional trade rumor may whisper by. Like Haren or Blanton for Milledge. But we have to face the facts...the Mets are just going to have to sift through the surplus of mediocre talent and unproven talent that they have at their disposal to concoct an effective rotation.

The Mets will be entering spring training with 8 candidates for the remaining starter jobs. There's John Maine, Oliver Perez, Jorge Sosa, Phillip Humber, Mike Pelfrey, Alay Solar, Jason Vargas and Dave Williams.

This should be enough talent to piece together a decent rotation, but there may be just too much unproven talent and just a little too much up and down pitchers. There are two pitchers who have signs of being aces (Perez and Sosa) and if Peterson can work some of his Zen magic, they will return to form.

There are two former first round picks in Pelfrey and Humber. The problem with them is that they may not have the experience that they need to be effective in the Majors.

Dave williams may very well be going to the pen as the long relief man.

Then there is Jason Vargas and Alay Solar. Solar just beats himself up too much when he falls behind hitters and may be better suited in the pen. Vargas showed hints of being a decent middle of the rotation starter, but then fell off the horse in his sophomore year.

About the only shoe in in my eyes is John Maine. He demonstrated that he can handle the pressure and can come through at the most crucial times for the Mets.

At any rate the Mets will once again have a great bullpen that can win games for the Mets and could only need a starter to keep the game as close as they can until the bullpen is called upon.The perfect example is Trachsel least year.