The Mets commemorative patch signaling a new beginning to the same old way of losing is getting a lot of hype. In fact, it even is getting press from the front page of Yahoo!.

The Mets announced recently that they will be sporting a new patch on their right sleeve's to commemorate their innagural season at Citi Field. Having personally worked in the graphic/web design field for many years, I am not surprised at this patch. In fact, I would say it's just about up to par considering the direction that some design firms have taken very expensive clients recently.

For years the Braves starting rotation pummeled the NY Mets. Glavine, Maddox and Smoltz were the potent 1, 2, 3 punch that put the Braves into the post season 14 seasons in a row, and got them one World Series ring.

The Mets are convinced that Derek Lowe is an under priced commodity. Either that, or they are convinced they can resign a crazy Oliver Perez for as much or less. Oliver Perez may be a talented lefty that is eight years younger than Lowe, but his once a month blow-ups have been guaranteed Mets losses, and that's a tough pill to swallow. One positive sign is that Oliver Perez got married this off season. Maybe the emotional roller coaster has finally gotten off the crazy train tracks and relocated to a more level ride?

The NY Mets have sewed up their bullpen for the time being. The focus now comes to their starting rotation. The staples are set, and the Mets have their rotation closing in on being locked up.

The real key will be the starter the Mets acquire in the off-season. Oliver Perez appears to think he's worth more than he is. This attitude is having an adverse effect however, and the NY Mets executives aren't biting. Instead the Mets exec's are hoping to lock up a reliable 2nd or 3rd guy in the rotation to take Perez's place.