Adam Rubin reports Brian Bannister has won his first game of the season.

Bannister went 8 innings, giving up two hits and one run while striking out six.  The one run was brought in on a homer. In what makes it all fun, the loss goes to Scott Kazmir (7IP, 3ER, 8H, 7K) and the save to Dotel (1K, 2BB). It was Dotel's first save of the season, and his fourth appearance.

Bannister is 1-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 7 starts. He's given up 22 runs, 18 of them earned while striking out 20 and walking 12.

Mets' skipper Willie Randolph will be honored by Fordham University on May 19 with an honorary doctor of humane letters.  He will also give the keynote address at commencement ceremonies.  The NY Daily News' Adam Rubin has more details at his blog.

I had Bill Cosby and his wife speak at my graduation. As much as I like the “Cos,” having Willie would have been great.  Hey Fordham Mets fans… make sure you get the “Let's Go Mets” chant going.

In todays Daily News, Rubin reports that reliever Joe Smith is fitting in well in the clubhouse and enjoying the life of a Met.  Rubin cites Smith's willingness to learn from the veterens around him, as well as his enthuisasm and drive as what's helping him fit in both on and off the field.  According to fellow reliever Aaron Sele:

Smith has continued to impress, especially considering his age and lack of experience.  And the fact that it seems he seems to have seamlessly fit in with the rest of the guys in the bullpen is just as important as how well he's done out on the mound.  Especially after the rumors of problems with Lastings when he came up as the rookie phenom last year. The Mets have always been a bit of an eclectic bunch, and for Smith to get bumped up to the roster and adjust so easily to the guys around him, and playing in the NY spotlight, makes you hope to see him as a Met for years to come.  Now if he can just figure out all the NYC parking laws, he'd be set.

via his blog, the New York Daily News' Adam Rubin reports that Duaner Sanchez is heading for a second surgery on his surgically repaired right shoulder. 

Yikes!  This is certainly a tough blow for Sanchez, but this is why Omar stockpiles arms.  Aaron Heilman did a fine job last year and if Guillermo Mota returns to form after his suspension, there are no worries. 

All hands on deck!

As Wxstevo noted, Mike Pelfrey has significantly improved his chances on being in the Mets starting rotation this year.  As successful as Pelfrey has been, John Maine has done just as well.  Each surrendered only one run in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers.  Their teammates are impressed with how both have pitched.

“I'm glad we didn't go out and spend an exorbitant amount of money on free agents when we have the arms,” David Wright said.

You can read more in Adam Rubin's story in the NY Daily News.

Nothing excites me more than seeing the Mets groom home grown pitching.  I grew tired of hearing how the Mets didn't improve their rotation and that it is old.  Glavine and El Duque are over 40.  But, three, four, and five could potentially be younger than 28.  Sure, OPerez still has much to prove, and so does Pelfrey.  But, the way Maine, Pelf, and Perez have pitched this spring gives me plenty of hope. 

Adam Rubin, blogger and Mets beat writer for the Daily News, was kind enough to share with me his thoughts about the upcoming season. Adam is also the author of Pedro, Carlos and Omar,
published last year, and recently re-released in
paperbook updated to include Carlos Delgado and highlights
from the Division Championship.

To purchase a copy of Pedro, Carlos (and Carlos) and Omar, go to Amazon or your local book store.

Adam, if you were to pick one pitcher fighting for a shot in the Mets starting rotation who would it be and why?

You would have to assume there's little question with the top four — Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, Oliver Perez and John Maine — unless something arises injury-wise. So it would have to be a fifth-starter contender. Certainly the addition of Chan Ho Park changes the dynamic, and I suppose you'd have to install him as the favorite, though I really think Mets brass wants Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber to grab the role this spring. Aaron Sele, Pelfrey, Humber and Jason Vargas would probably form the Triple-A rotation with Alay Soler or Adam Bostick if Park or Jorge Sosa is the fifth starter.

Besides the rotation, what do you think the biggest question mark on the team is?

Every team says it needs to stay healthy, but the second-biggest question mark in my mind behind the starting pitching is whether the Mets' age catches up with them. Jose Valentin is 37. Damion Easley is 37. Moises Alou is 40. Glavine and El Duque are 41 or so.

What team do you think will give the Mets the most competition in the NL East this year?

You would definitely figure the Phillies. Their rotation isn't overly imposing, but if they don't trade Jon Lieber, it's six deep. And with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley amoung others, they can score runs, too. I don't see the Braves as a major factor despite an upgraded bullpen, and you'd assume most publications would pick the Mets to win the division, but Philadelphia or Florida could conceivably emerge. I think it's fairly safe to pick the Nationals last — without a repeat of last year's Marlins taking place — though I wouldn't mind Manny Acta getting manager of the year, like Joe Girardi did last year.

Who do you think will be a bigger impact offensively for the Mets next year, Jose Reyes or David Wright?

Obviously the Mets would take a big hit without either one, but Reyes is the catalyst in the eyes of the players in the clubhouse. You saw when Reyes missed time around the All-Star break in 2006 how the lineup's dynamic changed. Then again, who's playing third if Wright goes down … Easley or David Newhan? Julio Franco took some ground balls there last year.

If the Mets rotation falters in the first half, what pitchers could you see Omar targeting at the trade deadline?

I haven't studied what pitchers are free-agents-to-be after the 2007 season. I don't see the Cubs trading Carlos Zambrano, even if he hasn't signed an extension by then. I think contending teams are going to have a difficult time securing frontline starters via trades at the deadline. With Major League Baseball doing so well financially, teams are able to lock up their own players rather than have to deal them because of looming free agency after the season. For instance, the Reds just signed Bronson Arroyo to a contract extension, even though he still had time left on his current deal. And the Mets seem adamant about not trading Pelfrey, Humber, Carlos Gomez or Fernando Martinez. We'll see if Lastings Milledge can rehabilitate his value. Maybe the Mets can try packaging Aaron Heilman and Milledge again in the right situation.

Do you think any of Omar's offseason acquisitions could have a surprisingly big impact, like Maine, Valentin and Endy Chavez had last season?

My gut feeling is outfielder Ben Johnson, though having lunch with Mets officials this week I got the distinct impression he may not even be on the Opening Day roster. It seems like Newhan has the upper hand for the final bench spot going into camp, because the Mets can use Newhan as a lefty pinch hitter and he can play infield and outfield. True, the Mets have Endy Chavez, but burning him as a pinch hitter in the fifth, sixth or seventh innings prevents Willie Randolph from using him as a defensive replacement later in games. Shawn Green is a good guy, so you'd hope he'll succeed, but I can foresee his playing time eroding as the year goes on.

Adam Rubin at his Daily News Blog, reports that the Mets have non tendered Victor Zambrano, making him a free agent.

Rubin also writes that the Mets and Dave Williams have agreed to a one year contract for 2007.

I'd like to sign Zambrano to some sort of contract whether it be a minor league contract, incentive-laden, or a cheap deal with the Mets. He admitted he was hurt even before he came to the Mets, and now that he got his surgery, I think we should take a chance on him and see if he could come back strong and pitch well.

As for Dave Williams, I think theres a good chance he can win the long relief job in the bullpen next year. He pitched very well with the Mets in 2006, and he should be fighting for a rotation spot or a long relief role in 2007.

UPDATE: 9:03pm. Rotoworld reports the contract Williams has signed is worth $1.25 Million for one year.

Adam Rubin has a clip of David Wright on Good Day New York today on his Daily News Blog.

Adam Rubin gets the scoop via Tom Krasovic from the San Diego Union-Tribune for his observations on the ex-Met's season. Check out Rubin's Daily News Blog for the story.