This is a pleasant bit of news. As reported on mets.com, Duaner Sanchez has agreed to return to the Mets for $850,000, nearly twice what he made last year and rightfully earned. The only reason why he wasn't given more was obviously due to the injury which took his outstanding talents away from the Mets for the entire second half of the season.

As it stands now, Duaner has been throwing since December and is projected to be just about ready by Spring Training and what a joy it will be to see him re-take the mound for the first time since that dreadful day.

Can you imagine what the playoffs would have looked like with Heilman AND Sanchez before Wagner? It's tough to believe the Mets would have lost a game at all. It really makes you think about what could have been ......or....what will be.

Contemplate with me for a few. The freak accident which changed everyone's thoughts about the Met's chances may have been a blessing in disguise. While no one takes joy in injuries, they do force the hands of the team brass to make adjustments.

One such adjustment was the trade of Xavier Nady for Roberto Hernandez and the sleeper in the trade, to what seemed to be everyone but myself, Oliver Perez. A bonafide ace in 2004, control and injury issues since then held him at bay and forced the Pirates to send him to AAA and Omar must have been listening to my call when I suggested such a trade.

Now the Mets are getting their super set-up man in Duaner Sanchez back, as well as the potential future ace of the Mets, Oliver Perez. They also keep Aaron Heilman, add Ambiorix Burgos, while introducing Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey to a competition for the 5th spot in the rotation .

With Sanchez back, the Mets will still be a lock for the NL East, despite the significant upgrades made by the Phillies and the Braves. Welcome back Duaner. Let's finish what you started and get those rings.