• For the New York Post, Mike Vaccaro writes how Brian Schneider could be next in a long line of great Mets catchers, beginning with Gary Carter through Paul Lo Duca. Vaccaro writes that the Mets value him for his ability to manage pitchers and such, and when you build a team around your pitching that probably makes sense.

He quotes Omar Minaya (and then makes fun of it):

“But we wound up in a pretty good position, I think. You’ll see what Brian [Schneider] can do. He’s a player you appreciate more when you see him every day.”

Of course, coming from a general manager, that could be the equivalent of a guy setting his buddy up on a blind date and telling him the girl has “a great personality.”

• For more on Schneider, check out the New York Times and the Daily News.
• In the Daily News, Adam Rubin writes how Willie Randolph plans on resting Jose Reyes more often this year, which would favor giving the last bench spot to Ruben Gotay who played SS in winter ball. In the same article, Rubin writes how Matt Wise looks like the favorite to claim the final spot in the bullpen, and how the Mets will be using former closer Brant Rustich as a starter in order to replenish their weakened starting pitching due to the prospects given in the Johan Santana trade.
• For ESPN.com, Jayson Stark writes about Carlos Beltran’s recent trash talk, “This year, tell Jimmy Rollins we’re the team to beat.”
• For ESPN.com, Bob Klapisch writes how bringing in Santana has given the Mets their swagger back.