Omir Santos moving on up.

On Friday the Mets traded away Raul Castro who has been the Mets backup catcher since 2005 to the Chicago WhiteSox's in exchange for RP Lance Broadway. The move was made to make room for the emerging Omir Santos who 1st made an impression on Jerry Manuel in spring training. It was a easy decision to make for GM Omar Minaya because Santos has filled in more then expected since Brain Scheinder went down with an injury some 3 weeks ago. In his time with the Mets Santos has shown some great defense, a above average arm to go with some clutch hitting. It was a easy decision for me said Minaya of Santos, Jerry likes the way he plays and when you have someone who has delivered like he has we felt he was worth keeping around instead of sending him back down to the minors. The 27 year old Santos, a native of Puerto Rico had a decision to make just 3 months ago, he could re-sign with the Orioles after spending most of 2008 at Triple-A Norfolk (Va.) or he could sign a minor-league deal with the Braves or Marlins, who had expressed interest in him.

Or he could listen to his family.

Everybody in my house in Puerto Rico, Santos said, "they were saying, 'Sign with the Mets, sign with the Mets.'"

It's a good thing he did -- for the Mets' sake and for his.

He was selected by the Yankees in the 21st round of the 2001 draft, but a major-league opportunity never came. Not with the Yankees, anyway.

He played for Double-A Trenton from 2005 to 2007, but by the end of the 2007 season, he had grown tired of waiting for his shot with the Yankees. So he signed as a minor-league free agent with Baltimore.

They were telling me to sign back, but I was there for six years and nothing happened, Santos said.

The doors would open for Santos after Scheinder's injury, and he took full advantage of the opportunity making the Mets trade away Castro in order to keep him around as the team #1 backup. I think pretty soon it will be Scheinder who will be doing the backing up if the younger Santos can continue to deliver. He has been a blessing in the skies for us said Jerry Manuel who in the last couple of season's has had his fallout with Ramon Castro in several occasions. I just like that he doesn't seem to get rattled when put in pressure situations. It has been a dream come true for the long time minor leaguer who looks to be sticking around with the big club for a while.