Pedro Martinez will have a better season than Johan Santana. I’m not saying that Santana will be a flop by any means. On the contrary, I think Johan will have a fine season. I just think it won’t be as flawless as Martinez’s.

Pedro Martinez looks and feels as if he has been reborn. His arm feels great. He’s throwing without pain for the first time in a number of years. Yesterday, Martinez held the Tigers to no runs in 4 innings. He even worked out of a one out bases loaded situation. It was the first real game Pedro has pitched this season.

Even last season when Pedro saw action late in the year, you knew he felt better. He went 3-1 down the stretch and likely would have been a major contributor had the Mets made the playoffs. This spring, Martinez came to camp in great shape. The only reason he hadn’t pitched in a game before yesterday was scheduling and weather. Veterans like Pedro seldom make long bus rides in spring and the one trip he did make got rained out. Instead, Pedro pitched simulated games against mostly minor league hitters. Even in those outings, Martinez did not fail to impress. Yesterday was the icing on the cake.

I expect Santana to have a good year too. But as what so often happens with new players in New York, an adjustment period will likely cause some headaches. Often when a player, who signed a big contract, comes to New York, they put to much pressure on themselves. Just ask Mike Piazza, Randy Johnson, or even Roger Clemens to name a few. All in all, I think Santana will have a fine season. One that Mets fans will all feel justifies his acquisition.

Pedro Martinez, on the other hand, will also be striving for a new contract. In short, he will have motivation. Plus Pedro is a fierce competitor. While he is a team leader in the clubhouse, his lead by example approach may be one of the great single most factors in the Mets success this season. Pedro is one of those athletes who is highly self motivated. Even when he pitched for the Mets with his shoulder in shambles, most of the time he figured out how to win without his best stuff. His velocity is better than what it has been recently even if less than what he had in the late nineties. Martinez is much more a pitcher than ever as he has learned how to change speeds and keep hitters off balance.  Combined with his renewed health, Pedro is poised to be the Mets ace regardless if he starts opening day or not.

There certainly are question marks with the Mets in regards to offense. Most concerns relate to health with an unprecedented amount of injuries this spring training. But one thing is very clear. The Mets may very well have one of the best rotations in baseball. The Mets now have Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine who looks like he may have a break out year and they have Oliver Perez who can be down right nasty when he stays focused. The only argument to be made in countering the best pitching scenario revolves around the 5th starter. Its unlikely Hernandez will be ready. The spot could belong to Pelfrey if he can keep as consistent as he was at the outset of spring. Kyle Loshe is no longer a consideration since he signed with St. Louis at the end of last week. Matt Wise could possibly be a spot 5th starter too or perhaps Tony Armas Jr. The good news is that the Mets may not need a 5th starter till mid April.

It’s so hard to really predict off of what happens in spring. But if anything, this spring gives Mets fans hope, at least in regard to the starting pitching.

Notes: Today’s game is away against Washington. It will be the first time the Mets see Lastings Milledge and Paul Lo Duca. Lo Duca is still shelved after knee surgery however. The game is not being broadcast.

In non baseball news—Has there ever been a greater golfer than Tiger Woods? He was 7 strokes behind on Friday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He tied yesterday and won it on the 18th hole when he sunk about a 12 foot put for birdie. Woods is the Babe Ruth of golf, no doubt about it.