Mets Get Cocky

Brace yourself for the storm of sanctimony and cultural relativism that is sure to engulf our boy's in orange: a video showing Pedro and Juan Marichal enjoying one of the Dominican Republic's finest forms of entertainment was temporarily posted on the world wide of webs.

It looks like the reporters are building their pre-Spring stories around Petey. Cranky bastard George Vecsey fits Pedro into his anti-Mets narrative, insinuating that Pedro doesn't like to play second fiddle. And Pedro supposedly threw a fit when Star Jones got seated before him in a Miami eatery; wouldn't you, especially if it meant you would miss out on that night's specials?

Those of use with some perspective, who can remember when you could still smoke at a cockfight, realize that this is much better than if Pedro's previous hobby, midget fighting, came to light.

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As for the Johan Santana introductory conference, it's gonna be a long 7 years for those of us who like interesting press conferences. After Johan and Omar, I can't think of anyone who says so much without saying a damn thing. Maybe he addressed it and I missed it, but the only things I want to know are A) his own account of why his pitching took the same route (he lost 7 of his last 11 appearances) as the Mets in September, and B) whether his number, 57, is a tribute to the a life long love of condiments and the varieties of Heinz Ketchup and other products.

"gonna have a lot of fun"
"looking forward to it"
"ready for the challenge"
"make it very special"
...

How baseball been berry berry good to him, and 110% are the only things he left out. According to Tom Verducci, Johan may have left all his colorful language in the negotiation room.

"I told you I wasn't backing off my number," Santana told Fred Wilpon. "I appreciate your offer, but I'm passing on it."

Wilpon replied, "I've been in business a long time. That's a lot of money to walk away from."

"No disrespect to you," Santana said. "But I deserve it. I'll just go back and pitch and I'll get it later. Alex Rodriguez is the highest paid player in the game. I'm the best pitcher. I'm not even asking for that [Rodriguez] kind of money."

Santana was about to walk out of the room when Wilpon and Greenberg agreed to ask Major League Baseball to extend their negotiating window by two hours. The two sides eventually agreed to split the $5 million difference, settling at $137.5 million. The deal also includes Cy Young Award bonuses that could trigger an option year. One of the sources said Santana told Minaya, "You get my clause, I'll get my Cy Young."

Walking away from a deal over 5 million seems a bit odd. What's he going to do when lilly-livered Willie comes to try to take him out of a game? But adding anyone with a combative nature can't hurt the make up of this collapse-prone squad.