On the Mets beat

Actually, there is no O train. I made that up. There are 17 letters the MTA uses for subway lines, but O isn't one of them.

Anyway, I don't have much time here before the live chat at 11 a.m. -- yes, that's today, don't forget -- so I just wanted to do a quickie morning post. As for Omar Minaya's four-year extension, which I'm sure many of you will have questions about, it's no surprise. Minaya wasn't going anywhere, regardless of what happened after Willie's firing. The Wilpons like him, he works well with them, and he hasn't done a bad job. The Mets were the consensus pick to win the NL East at the start of this season, and that's because of the work the GM did during the offseason.

I do question why the news was leaked out now. While it was a lock that he would get an extension at the end of the season, why not wait for the official announcement? My only thought is that the Mets were trying to deflect some attention from their clubhouse, if only for a day or two, as they try to wrap up a playoff berth. It's getting hot in there, and with the media pressure increasing, it probably helped.

What helped even more was last night's 6-2 win over the Cubs. Johan Santana showed why he is a two-time Cy Young winner, and if not for a bunch of no-decisions this year, he'd be in the running for a third. BTW, have the Cubs stopped trying for the regular season? My colleague Ken Davidoff brings that up in today's column. Also, check out Jose Reyes on the road to redemption this September.

Remember, check back at 11 for the live chat. Or actually swing by a little earlier to post your questions and avoid waiting in line.