I encourage you to click on to Sports Salaries link if you have any questions about player salaries. It should be of particular interest as the rosters are finalized today and tomorrow. But, we’ll keep it up all the time.

You’ll find it just above the list of links on the sidebar to the right.

I’ve started a list of links to other Mets’ sites. If there are any more Mets or baseball sites, just send them along and I’ll add them.

Thanks.

The Mets flew back to South Florida last night from Memphis and will work out this afternoon at Dolphin Stadium, or whatever they are calling it this year.

They’ll finally finish the roster, which should spur some conversation later.

MIAMI _ At one time this spring, the Mets had only two players _ David Wright and Jose Reyes _ healthy enough to be on the field.

The day before they open the season against the Florida Marlins, the team that officially knocked them from last year’s pennant race, the Mets are still a group with health issues that figure to help determine their final roster.

“I believe our team will come from the players we already have here,” general manager Omar Minaya said.

So, barring an unforeseen trade, the team that will work out this afternoon is the same one that will take the field behind Johan Santana tomorrow.

“We need to stay healthy, that’s the big thing every year,” Wright said. “It seems like we’re coming together now.”

Even so, the Mets’ last four roster decisions will be injury based.

Based on Friday’s exhibition game against Baltimore, the fifth starter will be Orlando Hernandez over Mike Pelfrey because his right foot will be able to take the pressure of his high-kick wind-up.

All along, Pelfrey said, “it’s his job if he’s healthy.”

Of course, the most significant Mets’ pitching question, as it has been in each of the last three years, is the durability of Pedro Martinez.

Martinez took his time getting ready in spring training and did not miss any time because of injury.

However, shoulder surgery always shadows a pitcher. It’s why he made only five starts last season.

The projected number of starts for a frontline starter to make is 33 to 34. Bullpen coach Guy Conti has Martinez penciled in for 27, figuring something will always come up for a 36-year-old pitcher.

“I’m healthy now,” Martinez said. “When I’m healthy, I will be able to do things.”
Martinez’s health is why Pelfrey got a shot last spring, and the latter pitched well enough to earn his spot on the roster.

Not this year with an eight-plus ERA.

Sending Pelfrey to the bullpen instead of Triple-A New Orleans is not an option. He needs the regular work to resolve his mechanical and location issues, and won’t get them as a long-man.

The final spot in the bullpen won’t go to Duaner Sanchez as he promised several times early in camp, but will come down to Joe Smith, Brian Stokes or Nelson Figueroa.

Because of the inevitable options scenario, it figures to be Stokes.

Sanchez, who underwent surgery twice on his shoulder within a year-and-a-half, has shown he can throw hard, but not in back-to-back games.

“That’s something he needs to show he can do,” manager Willie Randolph said.

Ramon Castro’s strained right calf has not responded to treatment, and the team is leaning toward putting him on the disabled list and going with Raul Casanova as Brian Schneider’s back-up.

Finally, the Mets must choose a bench spot between Fernando Tatis and Brady Clark. Both are right-handed hitters.

That factor, and his supposed weakness as a reserve shortstop, were the reasons why Ruben Gotay was waived, but it isn’t unreasonable to suggest they might regret the move on another level.

Luis Castillo is the Mets’ second baseman, but he’s 32 and coming off surgery to both knees.

“I’m better,” said Castillo, who was limited to only 32 at-bats this spring. “But, I’m still not where I want to be.”

Castillo hit .188 in the Florida exhibition games. The Mets could end up missing Gotay if Castillo’s knees act up or his average stays dormant.

There are a lot Mets who say they aren’t where they want to be.

Right now, the most important spring training statistic for hitters are at-bats, and to best understand where the team is, consider recently optioned utility infielder Anderson Hernandez has 53 at-bats.

That’s more than six of the Mets’ projected Opening Day starters: Ryan Church (52), Carlos Delgado (42), Carlos Beltran (41), Castillo, Brian Schneider (12) and Moises Alou (10).

Beltran underwent surgery on both knees and is not 100 percent, which could factor as an advantage for keeping Clark.

Delgado missed time with a right hip impingement and has been slow in finding his timing. He’s hitting .214, and after an injury-dominated off-year last season, at 35, there’s reason for concern.

Like it or not, Randolph has his team.

However, his overriding concern is their ability to stay in one piece.

No moves tonight after the game relating to the roster. That will come tomorrow after the workout.

I can see both sides of the Gotay issue, but for me the downside in seeing the guy go is the potential problem at second base. Luis Castillo has two bum knees and is there anybody besides me who can’t see a breakdown there?

Yeah, there’s Anderson Hernandez in the minors, but he can’t hit. Gotay is no Gold Glover, but he’s not a butcher, either. I can see Hernandez kicking away more Met rallies with his bat than I can see Gotay blowing games with his glove.

Losing Gotay isn’t going to make or break this season, but he’s young and athletic. However, because he hasn’t had full time at-bats we don’t really know what to expect. Fernando Tatis, on the other hand, is 33 and coming off injuries. He’s been relatively non-existent the past few years.

I think Gotay can do more things overall, such as bunt and pinch-run.

I would think Gotay has a greater upside, and if the Mets really needed a Tatis-type player, they could get one at anytime. If not re-signing him later.

I encourage you to click on to Sports Salaries link if you have any questions about player salaries. It should be of particular interest as the rosters are finalized today and tomorrow. But, we’ll keep it up all the time.

You’ll find it just above the list of links on the sidebar to the right.

I’ve started a list of links to other Mets’ sites. If there are any more Mets or baseball sites, just send them along and I’ll add them.

Thanks.

They tell me some of the best BBQ is in Memphis. That’s where the Mets are today for the Civil Rights game against the Chicago White Sox.

John Maine goes this afternoon. He’s had the best spring of any Mets’ pitcher. Not really close, either.

Today they’ll get enough to where they’ll probably have enough to complete their 25-man roster. The following issues remain:

-The final roster spot. Brady Clark or Fernando Tatis.

-The seventh reliever spot between Joe Smith, Brian Stokes and Nelson Figueroa.

-Whether or not to DL Ramon Castro.

Opening Day can be measured in hours from now, not weeks. If it’s not fixed now, it’s not about to get fixed in the next couple of days.

So, what’s your biggest issue with the Mets heading into the season?

This place is one of the oldest and dumpiest spring training complexes in Florida. I was waiting for Mike Pelfrey to come out of the clubhouse after the game and looked up. There was a little tree growing out of the crease where iron and concrete met.

I see it every day with the kids and the players. Unbelievable rudeness and attitude. And, it comes from the kids mostly.

“Easley, let me have your hat,” said the voice that couldn’t have been more than 13 or 14 as the Mets third baseman ran off the field after the game.

No please, no thank you. Of course, mom and dad are usually standing beside them yelling the same things.

Hats, bats, jerseys, gloves. They ask for everything. Of course, it is to sell. Why don’t they ask the players to just write a check?

1.78: John Maine’s ERA. He’ll start tomorrow night against Chicago in the Civil Rights Game at Memphis.

PHOTO: MLB
Spring record: 19-11-1

Game breakdown: Orlando Hernandez gave up one run on four hits in five innings. … Mike Pelfrey gave up three runs in four innings, all of them in the ninth. … Jose Reyes got two hits, stole two bases and scored two runs. … The Mets had five hits.

Clubhouse chatter: Owner Fred Wilpon joined up with his team and embraced Pedro Martinez on a bullpen mound to pass along good wishes about his father, who has been ill.

NOTEBOOK:

-The Braves claimed infielder Ruben Gotay off waivers. The Mets’ thinking was they didn’t believe he would be productive enough hitting from the right side and wasn’t strong at shortstop

-Rule Five draft pick Steven Register was returned to Colorado.

-Relievers Billy Wagner, Jorge Sosa and Matt Wise pitched in a minor league game at Jupiter.

-Reserve catcher Ramon Castro’s tight right hamstring has improved, but he’s still not ready to play and assistant general manager John Ricco said the club is leaning toward the disabled list.

Tomorrow: Chicago White Sox at Memphis, 5:05 p.m.

Of course, the Mets didn’t make a decision as to who their fifth starter would be, but Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey each had comments to suggest what the outcome would be.

Hernandez: “I feel good today. I don’t know about tomorrow.”

Pelfrey: “I always felt that if he were healthy it would be his job. Looking back (on this spring), I didn’t perform.”

Even if Pelfrey giving up three runs in the ninth inning isn’t the deciding factor (it has to play some part), if Hernandez can get out of be in the morning it will be his job.

Agreed?

One Met who asked for anonymity shook his head when told Ruben Gotay was signed by Atlanta.

“Atlanta?” he said. “That’s going to come back to bite us.”

Mike Pelfrey in for the sixth and to close it out. Orlando Hernandez gave up a run on four hits in five innings. As far as the velocity issue, I’m betting the Mets will downplay it and say “he got outs.”

The Mets like to wait as long as they can before announcing decisions. With Hernandez going back to his old delivery, it wouldn’t surprise me if they wanted to see how he feels tomorrow.

If there’s no pain for discomfort, then I see Hernandez getting the job.

Pelfrey, by the way, hasn’t helped his cause by walking the first two Orioles.