Freddy Garcia expects to be in the 2009 NY Mets rotation

Websters definition of bravado - a pretentious, swaggering display of courage.

Seems like Ole Freddy is filled with bravado, which is a good thing for a pitcher coming off of right shoulder reconstructive labrum surgery. Here's what Garcia said yesterday about heading North to Citi Field - "Yeah, yeah, 100 percent - of course I expect to be in the rotation." In fact, his expectation is to be in the rotation, or in his mind he'll be taking the ball every fifth day for another club.

The quote I most enjoyed, "If I make the ballclub, and everything goes right, we should win the division and why not go to the World Series?" Let's hope his mouth is writing checks his shoulder is able to cash.

Watch the video here.

Although Freddy Garcia was signed to a minor league contract, Garcia could earn between $8 million and $9 million with incentives in 2009 if he makes the club in Spring Training. That's a whole lot of incentive!

Career Stats:

• 118 Wins vs. 77 Loses; that's a healthy 41 games over .500.
• .407 ERA; not bad considering his tenure in the American League
• Starting pitcher in the championship clinching game four of the 2005 World Series. Garcia went a sparkling seven innings, allowing no earned runs.