Tim Kurkjian of ESPN has been at the Mets camp, head on over to check out his take on how the team’s dealing with last years…less than desirable outcome. Tim looks at how attitudes have changed and talks with Mets including Wright, Beltran and Wagner. From the chief himself, Willie Randolph:

“I’ve answered this question a million times. My initial reaction [to the breakdown] was devastating. But I’m way, way, way past it now.”

Hopefully the team will strive, work hard and succeed this season, if for no other reason than everyones probably tired of talking about The Great Collapse That Shalt Not Be Named (trademark pending, Hotfoot).  But from Wright dropping down his endorsement and promotional schedule, to Reyes aiming to be more proffesional in the dugout, to Beltran stepping up to the mic and being vocal, it seems this team does mean business. Now…come on April, hurry up I need some real baseball.

Tim Kurkjian on today’s ESPN.com chat was asked about the Mets and their chances at landing Johan Santana.

When are the Mets going to swoop in and pluck Santana away from the Twins?

Tim Kurkjian: That is a good question. To me the Mets need him even more than the Yankees need him, and much more than the Red Sox need him. But people around the game have been telling me for months that the Mets might not have what it takes to get Santana, unless they are willing to get rid of Reyes, and they are not going to do that from all indications. The Mets slide last year were due to a lot of factors, but none was bigger than their shortage of starting pitching. I do not know where Santana is going to go, but my guess would be that it is not going to be the Mets.

I might be able to shed more light on this Reyes thing soon. I’ve been poking around to see if the Twins really are still requiring Reyes to be part of a deal, as Mike Francesa keeps beating the drum on. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to share more of what I have heard.

Over at ESPN’s Page 2, columnist and Met fan Jeff Pearlman takes a look at the belief of fans that Omar Minaya is looking for the best latino players instead of just the best players.

Pearlman comes to Omar’s defense, with the belief that Omar is doing what he can to build the best team possible, calling him the best Met GM since Frank Cashen, the mastermind behind the 1986 team. Pearlman on the Man:

Minaya is, first and foremost, a man who craves victory. He was as crushed by the Mets’ recent meltdown as any player or coach in the New York clubhouse.

Its an interesting read, head on over and check it out.

Mike Fish at ESPN is reporting that there will be further delays in the sentencing of Kirk Radomski, the former Met clubhouse kid who has been linked to steroid distribution.

Its the third delay, and he will now be sentenced in February. While no one not involved with the case is currently aware of what information Radomski has turned over, its assumed that he has named names of players on the juice.

Jeff Pearlman continues ESPN’s quest to write approximately 100 articles on Wally Backman. Todays piece gets a look at Wally’s side of his big on field outburst during the season, what motivates him, and his thoughts on the future. Head on over to ESPN and check it out.

Another interesting piece, and I have to assume that Pearlman is leading some push to get Wally another chance. I know this isn’t his first Backman article, and Pearlman is a life long Met fan. Hopefully its a chance Wally will get.

Thanks to reader Imkeithhernandez17 for the link

Over at Page 2, Jeff Pearlman takes a look at the Long Island Ducks. The Ducks are currently co-owened by Ex Met Player and Manager Bud Harrelson, and has a roster of former big leaders that includes Fonzie and Jose Offerman as well as former Met prospect Ed Yarnell.

A little quote from Harrelson:

If you live out on the Island, head out and see the Ducks. Its always a good time.  Plus the way theyre playing, many current Mets might be there soon with Fonzie and Offerman.

Thanks to reader Kenny B for the link.

Jerry Crasnick over at ESPN looks at the needs of various contenders, with the tops being the Dodgers (power hitting) and the Braves (a starting pitcher).  His look at the Mets:

A few quick links to a few of the more lighter sided peices floating out there today.

The guy's over at Deadspin have a glimpse at the inner party animal that is Mr Met, with pictures.

Mr Met clearly learned a lot from the 80s Mets. 

And Jerry Krasnick's starting 9 this week takes a look at baseball players turned actors.  Is there even a doubt in your mind towards the #1? Of course not, its Keith Hernandez, for his role in Seinfeld.  Strawberry gets a nod as well, for his appearance in Seinfeld as a ringer for the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team

Lets face it, the episode that gave us the infamous second spitter will probably go down in history as the greatest episode of any tv show ever. That alone is probably enough for the veteran's commitee to right the greatest wrong in baseball history, and put Keith in the hall.  Though where is the honarable mention for Piazza's guest appearance on Married…With Children as himself, as a striking baseball player forced to be a tv news camera man.

Bob Klapish over at ESPN takes a look at Oliver Perez and his rise as a pitcher this season.  Nothing new to the Shea faithful out there, but a good read nonetheless.  A nice little clip for you:

Ollie is still a work in progress, and his flyball/groundball ratio can make one nervous, but from everything we've seen he's getting better and better.  The old Ollie would have melted down last night after giving up two first inning runs.  This new Ollie found his way back, tossed a decent number of strikeouts, and ended up lasting deep into the game. The work of Rick Peterson and leadership of elder Met statesman Glavine have seemed to really help Perez, and the thought that he might still have more to learn and the ability to improve makes it all the better. 

Thanks to reader imkeithhernandez17  for the link