The NY Post reports on Beltran getting plunked by Santana, after Carlos (among others) complained that they had enough of facing rookies in batting practice who had something to prove. Manager Willie Randolph put him in the batters box against the best control pitcher on the Mets, Johan Santana. Johan promptly beaned Beltran in the arm, leaving a nice baseball sized and stitch imprinted welt behind. Beltran was later overheard begging Willie to bring Tom Glavine back for spring training BP. Beltran's knees are still sore after off-season surgery and will most likely sit out the Mets first intrasquad game today, including a few games at the start of the spring training schedule, which starts Wednesday vs. the Tigers. The Mets face the University of Michigan in an exhibition game tomorrow in Port St. Lucie.

The Mets unveiled the new Citifield logo today in Port St. Lucie, as shown here in small detail. Better view of the logo and stadium sign here. "The logo features Citi's own globally recognized emblem enclosed in a royal-blue diamond. Extending from one side of the diamond is an orange banner with the word "field," written in a font reminiscent of that used at the old Ebbets Field in Brooklyn." Willie Randolph, Jose Reyes, and Johan Santana did the unveiling honors. Is there anything Johan won't be doing for the Mets in '08?

Over at Always Amazin', Matthew Artus is interested in how Duaner Sanchez will fare when he faces live batters for the first time today. Matt isn't the only one. That late inning bridge to Billy Wagner turned into a what have you done for me lately, bullpen by committee last year. Mets fans will squirm much less in the late innings if Sanchez can return to his '06 dominating self. Barring impromptu taxi rides, the Mets will be wholly dependant on Duaner to pitch at a high level this season. Although Aaron Heilman primarily took over the 8th inning in Sanchez's absence, I don't see why Sanchez can't win that spot back if he proves to be more reliable than Heilman.

Not sure how worried I'd be about this, but Billy Wagner is attempting to learn how to throw a curveball from Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax. From my perspective, Wagner should learn how to avoid hanging sliders before he tries a new pitch. I'm just sayin'...

Also at the previous link, Pedro talks about his respect and admiration for Koufax in a brief video.

Brad Lidge, potential savior for the Phillies bullpen, is out 3-6 weeks after throwing ONE pitch and re-injuring the same knee he had surgery on during the off-season. Baghad Bob still thinks everything is AOK. Not that any of us would wish injuries on rivals in the NL East, but here's to that bum knee acting up all season. Methinks the Pujols home-run is still eating away at Lidge.

Speaking of Philly jokes, if you haven't already, take the time to check out Brett Myers nasty but hilarious prank played on rookie Kyle Kendrick. When your manager calls you in his office to tell you you're traded to Japan, how are you supposed to react? At 2:11 in the video, Myers is obviously more concerned with the incoming player throwing hard and having a good sinker. Good stuff.

Baseball Think Factory has a fiery quote from Lastings Milledge, who is already talking smack about facing the Mets this season.

“I’m looking forward to playing New York, I can tell you that right now,” said the former first-rounder. “I’ll be ready. It’s a business, I’m not mad at all that the Mets got rid of me, but I am going to have a little chip on my shoulder when I play New York, that’s just how it is.”

I didn't completely agree with the way Lastings was used in '07, but this happens all the time in baseball. By the tone of the comments there, Mets fans aren't too happy with the trade that sent Milledge to Washington for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church. Can't say I was exactly thrilled myself, but it wasn't like we traded away Nolan Ryan or Tom Seaver. The kid very obviously can't keep his trap shut; let's see how quickly he wears out his welcome with the 'Nats.

Lastly and although this is over a week old, I got a good laugh from this post at Metstradamus. I'm sure all of you have heard that Kris Benson has signed with the Phillies, after netting the Mets what amounted to a throw-in at the time, John Maine, in the initial trade with the Orioles last season. Nothing better than adding some poison to an already simmering rivalry. I'm wondering if Kris and Anna decide to do the nasty at Citizen's Bank Park, will the Phanatic simply watch or join in...