Hey Ruben, YOU'RE LATE!

Is this some kind of parody on SNL? The Mets let Reyes walk in the off season, inflaming the fan base. They then tell us that Ruben Tejada will be "The Guy", and how "he gives professional at-bats, and has baseball instincts". And what happens before a Grapefruit League pitch is thrown? Tejada, our new "Guy", is late for camp. Then the story is, well, he's just not early. You know what? When Wright, Davis, Bay, Duda et al are there, Tejada is late. And it's exactly the wrong message to send to an antsy fan base. Stuff like this does not need to happen. It's one thing to claim you're broke, sell off players at a baseball yard sale and then take helicopters to basketball games, but it's another when your up-and-comer shows up late to camp. The reason? He was late in applying for his visa. Oy vey.

Other news:

Ryan Braun gets off on a technicality. I guess the right thing happened, because protocol was not followed and that is a right we have as Americans. But do I believe the guy is a cheater? Yes, I do. And I admit that my feeling is tainted by the fact that I don't like him, find him cocky, and generally annoying. I hope he gets what's coming to him-a suspension some day.

Santana seems to be progressing. This is good. Reports are all over the place on what to expect from the Ace. Collins says opening day. Other reports say that the Mets will be happy with 100-150 innings. There's no way to know with this "Chen Ming Wang" injury, apparently the location of the injury involves so many moving parts that it's impossible to predict.

Catching situation- Steve from The Eddie Kranepool Society asks why the Mets can't scrape enough money together to sign Pudge, who is seeking employment. I agree, Steve. I think, if the Mets found the money, Pudge would end up catching 80-90 games. Thole is not the answer, folks. Remember Casey Stengel's story, when he asked a young SS prospect why he was wearing shin guards, and the prospect said, "I'm a little weak on ground balls"? In Thole, we have a catcher whose weak spot is catching the baseball. Add in the fact that pitchers whisper that he does not call a good game, he can't throw out runners, and he can't hit-and you have a 40-year-old who would get the playing time if he were on the team.

I heard Sandy on WFAN last week. He said he thinks the offense will be ok, but he wonders how much defense they've given up to get there. I agree, sir. I'm very interested to see how this plays out. I hope I'm wrong, but I see DHuda taking his sub-par D to the plate and struggling badly. If you've ever heard him speak, you know he does not have confidence in himself. Not the recipe for success.

9 days until the first game. I don't know why, but I'm excited!