Victor gets a raise, Lugo still available

There is a month to go until pitchers and catchers report to St. Lucie. In the limited amount of Mets news available, there is nothing to work up a good rant about.

AP: Victor Zambrano signs
The Mets and pitcher Victor Zambrano avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract. This represents a raise of $900K. I'm not really all that shocked by this. In today's market $3 million is chump change for an established major league starter. Rant about this if you feel you must, I just can't.

There was a stretch last year of 10 games where Victor Zambrano gave a glimpse of the effective pitcher he could be. He threw more strikes, pitched faster and looked like a pitcher who was "getting it". Pedro seemed to take an interest in him and worked with him a little. Victor's biggest problem is the trade that brought him here. There is an element of Mets fans that is always looking for an excuse to boo him. I wonder if he is tough enough to use that as a motivating challenge. Based on what we've seen so far, I don't think so; but for $3 million, that's not a huge gamble. With Heilman badly needed in the bullpen, it's not like there are a ton of better options, anyway.

St. Petersburg Times: Julio Lugo
Marc Topkin reports on the Rays' efforts to trade Julio Lugo. According to Topkin, for the Mets to snare Lugo would require pitching prospects. For the Mets, we're probably talking Heilman again. I'm sure if the Rays liked Brian Bannister something would have already happened.

I know some are dead-set against the possibility of going into the season with Kaz Matsui as a starter, but I doubt many would make this deal. There are second base options if Kaz Matsui falls on his face again, but we don't need to see the Mets go into the season with an understaffed bullpen. There are still question marks there as it is.

Faith and Fear in Flushing: Fran Healy
Greg at FAFIF writes about Fran Healy, who will have no role at all with the Mets this season. I've been following the Mets for a long time, yet I was surprised at Greg's revelation that Healy actually had 5 more years of service time broadcasting the Mets than the legendary Lindsey Nelson.

One thing though -- as a middle-aged guy myself, I do hope that Healy lands on his feet with someone next year after his MSG contract runs out. Perhaps there will be an opening on the Yankees announcing team. Fran actually started his broadcast career with the Yankees, and would really fit into that booth. Plus we know how much Steinbrenner likes to latch onto people with ties to the Mets.

MetsDaily.com: Cubs Preview
Mets Daily continues their series of NL team previews with Chris DeLao's look at the Chicago Cubs.