The legend of Johan Santana grows. I love that he comes from the mountains. One day, Johan Santana came down from the Andes to pitch in the Majors. Someday, he will return to grow coffee and continue being awesome.

The Jeremy Reed era in Flushing is over. If you’re playing at home, that makes Sean Green the only player remaining with the Mets from that massive deal last offseason.

Holy crap the Royals suck.

The Yanks cut Wang. Insert bris joke here.

Scott Olsen is returning to the Nats. Should make for some interesting off-field incidents and/or clubhouse controversy.

I’ve been avoiding this Tiger Woods nonsense altogether, but this is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever read.

Buddy Jake Rake argues that Baseball Prospectus has jumped the shark, and inspires debate at Baseball Think Factory.

Tom Verducci says the Phillies could land Roy Halladay. I know this is terrifying for Mets fans, but keep in mind that they’ll have to gut their farm system and sign him to a longterm extension to do so. It’d be very, very bad for the next couple of years, though.

Kerry Rhodes should take out his frustration on an opposing player, or at least wrap up on a tackle. I don’t understand why the Jets owe him anything beyond his paycheck. Eric Smith can actually tackle people, and so deserves to start.

The Mets took Carlos Monasterios from the Phillies in the Rule 5 Draft this morning. It’s not a big deal, but the Phillies only had 33 men on their 40-man roster so weren’t even close to protecting Monasterios, plus he didn’t even make the list of 14 guys Jonathan Mayo suggested at MLB.com, plus he only threw seven innings about Single A last season, plus this guy was available. The Mets must really like something about Monasterios, in other words.

Update, 10:02 a.m. And apparently Monasterios has been traded to the Dodgers for cash considerations.

Braylon Edwards says Kellen Clemens reminds him of Derek Anderson. Not good.

Wallace Matthews derp dee derp derp derp.

This here web network is all over the Curtis Granderson trade. Favorable reviews mostly. I think I’m the last person in the world who thinks Ian Kennedy’s any good, for what it’s worth.

Greg Monroe had an awesome game last night for my Hoyas, but not nearly enough credit has been given to sophomore guard Jason Clark, who probably hasn’t even grown into his frame yet. “Big paws on a puppy,” as Chris Partlow might say.

Something actually happened at the Winter Meetings, and it’s been branded a “megadeal.” I guess you don’t see young All-Stars like Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson dealt every day.

Rich Cimini says the Jets need to let Mark Sanchez rest. If that’s the case, they need to also find someone who’s not Kellen Clemens to learn their offense in four days.

Courtesy of a real-life Taco Bell manager, some common-sense tips on proper drive-thru etiquette.

In the time since my last post, a Corey Hart for John Maine rumor has been developed and debunked. Good. I recognize that Maine gets hurt all the time, but I’d take my chances with him over a guy who a) is basically redundant with Jeff Francoeur on the team and b) appears to be getting worse.

Scientists have deciphered monkey language, and just in time to help us follow the Winter Meetings on Twitter.

Here’s what Whitey Herzog looks like now.

I have it on a solid source that at the GM meetings, the NL East clubs decided that this year’s division champion will be determined not by the standings, but by which team hands out the worst multi-year deal to an old catcher. The Nationals’ outlook got a whole lot brighter yesterday.

For no reason at all, here’s Funkadelic:

Sam Page at Amazin’ Avenue recaps his time at the Winter Meetings in 2007. The villain? You guessed it: Steve Phillips.

Former catcher Joe Janish weighs in on the reports that the Mets’ catchers were to blame for their awful pitching last year.

The biggest news of the Winter Meetings so far? MetsBlog has a new look.

Now Tiger Woods’ ridiculous cavalcade of mistresses includes a porn star. Hint to professional athletes: If you’re looking to keep your extramarital affairs discreet, it’s probably best to avoid porn stars. Turns out they’re not shy about making their sex lives public.

Well the Jets won, but holy crap, how bad is Kellen Clemens? I mean, granted he hasn’t played in a long time and he never got any real rhythm going, but one time he dropped back and fell down. That’s no good.

Dan Graziano weighed in on what the Jets need to do to make the playoffs.

For what it’s worth, I think I’m in love with Darrelle Revis. And it’s so awesome that Thomas Jones is the son of coal miners. Badass.

Speaking of the Jets, their old home, Hofstra University, announced yesterday that it’s cutting its football team. Too bad. My high school coach was good friends with Joe Gardi, so we used to get to work out with the Hofstra guys some times. It was cool to have a reasonable program nearby, even if it wasn’t exactly Penn State.

The Mets made the Henry Blanco deal official. Apparently it’s for $1.5 million, which seems a little excessive, but like I said yesterday, Blanco’s not bad. Sam Page expounds.

At SNY.tv yesterday, both Sam Borden and Mike Salfino presented the possibility of the Jets running the table and making the playoffs. My bet? They’ll finish 8-8, because the Jets are doomed to perpetually finish 8-8.

Bravo, James. This picture says it all.

Joe Janish runs down a list of potential high-reward free-agent starting pitchers.

The Mets are obviously going to sign Henry Blanco, and good thing: It’s important that they have an old, bad backup catcher to fill in for the old, bad starting catcher they’ll inevitably sign.

This is incredibly interesting. Real-life Memento story.

The Jets brought in Joe Girardi to teach Mark Sanchez how to slide. Next step: Bringing in A.J. Burnett to deliver pies to Rex Ryan.

Kerry Rhodes says he’ll have his starting job back soon, so long as he does “one [mysterious, unnamed] thing.” Hopefully that thing doesn’t involve breaking Eric Smith’s legs, because Smith was terrific on Sunday.

The Mets did not offer arbitration to Fernando Tatis or Carlos Delgado. Delgado I understand. Tatis? I don’t know. Personally, I’d rather spend $2 million on a solid right-handed bench bat willing to play just about every position on the field than a replacement-level infielder. But I don’t have $2 million to spend anyway.

TBS canned everyone’s favorite Twitter whipping boy, Chip Caray. That’s good, but what are the chances he’s replaced with someone significantly better? Also, when will the Internet rise up to rid the baseball-watching world of McCarver and Buck?

The Mets signed Chris Coste yesterday. I’m preparing a rant about this for later, but Toby Hyde said it well:

I wish I was in the conference room at Citi Field where, when the Mets front office was discussing off-season planning, signing Chris Coste before new year’s was on the agenda.

Speaking of Toby Hyde and catchers, he makes a good point about how no free-agent catcher represents much of an upgrade over a Josh Thole/Omir Santos platoon.

Rich Zuckerman wonders if Carmelo Anthony could be a fit for the Knicks when he becomes a free agent after next season. If they sign anyone besides LeBron, I’d like it to be Chris Bosh for a variety of reasons.

I’m sorry. Look at the screengrab of A-Rod here. I’m pretty certain that’s a World Series trophy on his hat, but man. I’m not the only one who sees that, am I?