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More at: www.metscitiblog.com-------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are 27 days until pitchers and catcher report for spring training. The Mets still do not know how the rotation will shake out. We know where Mr. Johan Santana will be, right at the top. We also know where Tim Redding will be, right at the back end. However, spots two, three, and four remain a mystery. Will Mike Pelfrey find himself in the three because of a strong stretch that emerged him as a solid member of the staff? Will John Maine be a three because of history or a four because of a weak year and injury last season? One thing is for certain, the Mets have no number two on the roster right now. The names, in random order include: 1. Oliver Perez 2. Randy Wolf 3. Ben Sheets 4. Jon Garland 5. Andy Pettitte 6. Freddy Garcia Let's take it from the top. Oliver Perez, my vote is yes. Give him the four year deal. Hell give him an option for a fifth. I really feel his best is yet to come. He is young, healthy, and has the balls to pitch in New York. Randy Wolf, not my number two. A solid three, a good four, and an awesome five. However, the Mets need a two, not an average guy. He is always bouncing around(four teams in the last 3 years). Is it because teams get him and realize how mediocre he is? My guess is yes. Ben Sheets, hello Citi Field. Sign him tomorrow. Give him two years for $16-$20 million and an option for a third depending on health for another $10 million. Get him in as an ace pitching second in the rotation. He has had injury problems, yes. However, Sheets does not have recurring injuries. He has had some bizarre issues (ear issues) and he has had some arm issues (shoulder tendinitis/flexor tendon strain). Jon Garland, my fallback from Perez/Sheets. I think Garland is a National League gem in the making. No, I do not think he comes to the NL and becomes an ace. However, I do think he is at least a strong number three in the NL. He has been average in the AL and gives up hits. However, he doesn't walk a lot of guys and has averaged 206 inning a year since 2002. In addition, he would be pitching against pitchers instead of David Ortiz and a host of other DH's. I see him posting an ERA below 4.00 and winning 13-15 games in the NL pitching 210 innings. Andy Pettite, NO WAY! I would rather see him finally blow out his elbow in an Old Timer's Day game than at Citi Field. Please do not overpay for a washed up ex-Yankee. Cashman is smart to dump him now. Freddy Garcia, on a minor league deal, sure. The guy can pitch, that's for sure. He was a horse in the AL for years and seems to finally be healthy. Bring him in and let him send Tim Redding to the pen if he is up to it. Its time for the Mets to attack the market. Sign Perez and Sheets. Send Redding to the pen. He already said he would do it. Santana, Sheets, Perez, Pelfrey, Maine. Tim Redding as a fallback. That is a strong rotation and bullpen. Perez and Garland, same thing. Perez and Wolf, same thing. Perez and Freddy Garcia, same thing. Get where I am going with this? The Mets need to take advantage of the market. The Red Sox got Smoltz and Penny for only $10 million guaranteed next year. Think they wouldn't love to pay all of $10 million in combined incentives to the two players? That doesn't even take into account Saito for their pen. I am not saying to overspend. On the contrary, work the market to your favor like the Red Sox are doing. Make some moves besides Alex Cora and Casey Fossum!! Lefty Casey Fossum just signed a minor league deal today according to Rotoworld. Minaya has started to bring in the scrubs to pick and choose from for the bullpen's final members.