ESPN and USA Today report that the Mets and Twins have agreed to swap Santana for the 4 prospects (Gomez, Humber, Guerra, Mulvey), subject to a window to negotiate a new contract for Santana.  Looks like we have a new ace.  Sorry I can't get a link to it.

And a reminder to all the naysayers: TINSTAAPP.

Blurb on the MSN home page just caught my eye, "Oriole starter out for year."  Yes, it's our old friend Kris Benson, and yes, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports says it's a rotator cuff tear.  Surgery and a year of rehab.  

I feel sorry for the guy, if only because he now has to spend a lot more time with his wife (easy on the eyes, not so easy on the ears).  

So I guess that trade's looking better and better.  Benson for Maine, who I hope will be a decent 3-4 starter for the next few years, and Julio, who was flipped for El Duque.  All in all, not a blockbuster, but a very smart and/or lucky deal by Omar.

Is it time for Eric to start running a box on the home page counting down the Mets' magic number to clinch the NL East?  After the sweep of the Phillies, the magic number is 88.  And it's only 85 to eliminate the Braves.  I think it's a good idea, if only to erase the memory of the "tragic number" feature that ran here (and elsewhere) last year.  But what do you think?  Take the poll.