OK, so now that Johan Santana is in the fold and will presumably slip on a No. 57 jersey at a press event sometime next week, there's still the matter of the other new guys and what they'll turn up in when spring training begins later this month.

What new guys? Well, those indicated by the "--" symbol alongside their names on the mets.com 40-man roster: Pitchers Ruddy Lugo; Steven Register, Brian Stokes and Matt Wise; and outfielders Ryan Church and Angel Pagan. Catcher Brian Schneider is also indicated with a double-en-space, but we're reasonably sure he's headed for the No. 23 jersey photographed below and Marlon Anderson will change into something new.

Yes, so you may have heard the Mets went and acquired this Johan Santana fellow from the Twins for a package of four prospects: Outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Phillip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra.

And although the Mets will assuredly sign to Santana to an absurd contract extension, this deal right now looks remarkable for how little blood was spilled. Gomez, though he showed flashes of ability and a "good baseball body," proved in a limited engagement last season that he probably needs a year at AAA. Mulvey looks to be midddling starter material, not to belittle the value of averageness from young pitchers. Humber and Guerra are lottery tickets: Humber because he still needs to regain his stuff following Tommy John surgery; and Guerra because he's in A ball and anything can happen.

Skip to Alou (Nov. 20): Quick update on the first Met Uni Controversy of the 06 offseason: Veteran outfielder Moises Alou signed a 1-year deal today and was presented with the No. 18 jersey. That number belonged last season to Jose Valentin, who was also re-signed recently. Newsday relates that Valentin willingly surrendered the digits after learning who asked for them: "You tell him he's got the number."

The guess here is that Valentin resurfaces in No. 22, a number that last season belonged to Xavier Nady then to Michael Tucker.

Should Bannister wish to pay tribute to his dad Floyd, a cursory check through the baseball cards reveals he wore Nos. 19 and 38 in his career: Neither is available except in the case Heath Bell fails to make the roster or is traded -- both possibilities we've read in the last week. Perhaps too, numbers don't matter particularly to Bannister: It appears he wore 25 in Binghamton and 43 at Norfolk; 17 with Team USA and oddly, 3 at USC.

Mientkiewicz to DL; Jose Offerman Arrives (June 26): When Doug Mientkiewicz' attempt to revive his season was interrupted Saturday by a hamstring tear, the Mets fished the Norfolk waters and reeled in fossilized utilityman Jose Offerman. Offernman, just .167 in 36 turns at bat for the Tides, suited up Sunday night in No. 35, recently cashiered by Mike DeJean. Truth be told, the elderly switch-hitting Offerman wasn't that bad as a pinch-hitter for the Twins last year.

Diaz Recalled, Valent Designated (May 28): The Mets' piddling offense over the last week in the wake of so-called day-to-day injuries to Carlos Beltran and Kaz Matsui highlighted the need for a more threatening bat and so the team recalled Victor Diaz 20 from Norfolk. But the failure to send either player to the disabled list may wind up costing the Mets pesky reserve outfielder Eric Valent, whom they'll try to sneak through waivers and stash at Norfolk to make room for Diaz.

At the moment, this move has yet to earn the MBTN Seal of Approval: Though Valent was off to a slow start this year, lefthanded bench players who cost nothing and hit 13 home runs in part-time work are hard to find and probably, in demand. We also admire Valent's contribution to Met Uni history, continuing to wear the absurd No. 57 he was issued as a non-roster spring-training invitee in 2003 when he made the team unexpectedly. Could the Mets have lived with 11 pitchers for a while instead? Did Willie have to give all the lefthanded pinch-hitting opportunities to Marlon Anderson, who for all his success can't smell Valent's power? Will Valent clear waivers? How many days before day-to-day becomes week-to-week? We shall see.

Trade Chain Snapped with Strickland Release (May 28): When the Mets failed to recall Norfolk reliever Scott Strickland last Sunday, triggering the rehabbing righty's right to free agency, they also clipped off the lone remaining branch of a Trade Tree with roots in the infamous Ed Hearn-for-David Cone trade of 1986. That leaves one-time reserve infielder Tim Bogar as the grandfather of the current longest trade chain: Bogar was traded to Houston in 1997 for Luis Lopez, who went to Milwaukee for Bill Pulsipher, who went to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who went to Milwaukee for Jeromy Burnitz, whose trade to Los Angeles yeilded Victor Diaz and minor leaguer Joselo Diaz; the latter brought back Victor Zambrano.

Ishii Back, Castro Out, DeFelice Up, Diaz Down (May 17): Kaz Ishii 23 returned to the active roster today and pitched well in a win over Cincinnati and maybe, Victor Zambrano's job. To make room, the Mets optioned one-time rookie-off-the-year candidate Victor Diaz 20 to Norfolk, where he'll work on his defense and await Cliff Floyd's next injury. In the meantime catcher Ramon Castro 11 went to the disabled list with a strained quad, and journeyman Mike DiFelice was recalled from Norfolk. DiFelice made his Met debut tonight in No. 33, recalling historical Metly backup catchers Clint Hurdle, Barry Lyons, Tim Spehr, Mike Kincade, Charlie O'Brien and Barry Lyons.

Benson, Cameron Return (May 5): Two regulars on the shelf from Day 1 return this afternoon when Kris Benson 34 makes his first start and Mike Cameron 44 plays right field. To make room the Mets sent reliever Royce Ring 22 and starter Jae Seo 26 to the minors. Tough break for Seo, who pitched better than both Tom Glavine and Victor Zambrano during his stay. He may be back if either of those two continue to struggle.

The Met Who Wasn't There (Updated April 10): The Scott Erickson Experiment may have ended before it ever started. The Proven Veteran Starter, listed as No. 19, didn't make it out of warmups Thursday before hitting the disabled list -- David Cone last season at least waited until May. Back in his place is Jae Seo 38, whose evil cackle we could hear all the way from Norfolk. So for the time being, we've reduced our All-Time Met list to 726 players and are left waiting. Update: Seo appeared in Saturday's game wearing No. 26. That makes three numbers for Seo in as many seasons as a Met. He made his MLB debut in 2002 in 38; switched to 40 last year and back to 38 this spring after Braden Looper took 40. See here for a list of Mets who wore multiple uniform numbers.

61* (July 24): It appears its only a matter of time before Jeff Duncan ditches the ridiculous No. 61 jersey he's been wearing since his recall from Binghamton. But the rookie outfielder told The Post on Tuesday he'd let his bosses decide: "I'm not going to say anything about [the uniform number] until they change it for me ... [but] my first preference is 12. You guys gonna help me out?" Sure, why not. Just promise not play like the last guy who wore that number.

Leiter Back (July 21): Al Leiter 22 returned from the disabled list to pitch in Sunday's debacle-to-be in Atlanta. His call-up meant a return to Norfolk for Jorge Velandia 13, who didn't play in his brief stay with the Mets.

Almonte Back (July 19) Edwin Almonte 56 was recalled today and Prentice Redman 20 was sent down without having appeared in a game.

Deck Chairs Rearranged (June 29): The Mets swapped outfielders with Norfolk on Saturday, demoting Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 and recalling Raul Gonzalez 21. On Sunday, they called back Jaime Cerda 43 and returned Jeremy Griffiths to Norfolk, yet another casualty of the dreaded No. 46.

Heilman Up: (June 28): The Mets on Thursday welcomed 2001's top draft pick, Aaron Heilman to the Big Leagues and he made his debut in No. 48. Mike Bascik 33 was demoted to make room.

Wheeler Dealers (June 18): The Mets today called up pitcher Dan Wheeler, late of the Devil Ray and Atlanta organizations, and dressed him in the unremarkable No. 39 (If Art Howe had a sense of humor, he'd surrender his uni number so we could have an 18 WHEELER -- thanks gf!). To make room they demoted pitcher Jason Roach 57, who was uh, smoked in his only appearance.

Bugged Out (June 15): The Mets debuted Jason Roach unsuccessfully on Saturday in Anaheim. Roach was issued No. 57, making him the first player ever to wear that number in a regular-season game. Pointlessly acquired X-Yankee reliever Mike Stanton 32 was meanwhile scheduled to hit the operating table.

MBTN is pleased in the meantime to welcome new GM Jim Duquette to the mix, and wish his contributions to the All-Time Roster are good ones.

Jose Reyes Era Begins (June 10): With Rey Sanchez 10 onto the disabled yet again, the Jose Reyes era is getting an early start. The heralded Met shortstop prospect will make his Major League debut tonight, a day before his 20th birthday, wearing No. 7. The Mets also also welcomed back Timo Perez 6 and returned Raul Gonzalez 21 to Norfork.

Waits: 54 (June 10) The mystery of bullpen coach Rick Waits has been solved. Waits was spied in No. 54 last night by MBTN reader Andrew. He changed shirts when Tony Clark took his 52. Update (June 28): Waits was in 54 all season, corrects MBTN coach-list keeper Jason.

Stanton, Bell return (June 6): Mike Stanton 32 and Jay Bell 44 have returned from their respective DL assignments, relegating replacements Pat Strange 38 and Marco Scutaro 26 to Norfolk.

Clark, Mr. Met settle differences (June 5) Tony Clark appeared in Thursday's doubleheader wearing No. 52, changing from 00, explaining the former belonged to mascot Mr. Met. "A lot of kids have expressed their opinion that there's only one double-zero in their heart," Clark said. That may be true today but a uniform number is a recent development for the largeheaded one, who represented for years without one. Clark in the meantime just keeps on making history: He was the first Met player to wear 00 and now, the first to wear 52.

Jeremy Griffiths also made his major league debut Thursday, wearing the dreaded No. 46.

More injury shenanigans (June 1): Two more Met vets hit the trainer's room this weekend: Mike Stanton 32 and Pedro Astacio 34. Stanton was disabled Saturday and was replaced by lefty starter Mike Bacsik 33. That move made more sense when the Mets revealed Sunday that Astacio will hit the DL. In his place, they've recalled Jeremy Griffiths, who will be making his first big-league appearance and is listed as wearing No. 65 (but would appear in 46).

Howe Now: (Oct. 26). Here's former A's and Astros manager Art Howe accepting the No. 18 jersey to manage the Mets next year. Howe will take over for the victimized and jobless Bobby Valentine 2, whom the Mets whacked the day after the season ended. (Coaches Charlie Hough 54 and Tom Robson 57 summarily left of their own accord). The move temporarily leaves Jeff D'Amico numberless, although he may wind up jobless as well.

Howe becomes the 17th Met manager (and the first to wear No. 18). See more at MBTN's All-time Coaches & Managers list.

Strange but True: (Sept. 12) The Mets today called up promising minor league pitcher Pat Strange and issued him No. 38. Strange got the call as an emergecy reliever in light of Steve Trachsel's injury yesterday. Jae Wong Seo served the same purpose earlier this year, also wearing 38. Also: Grant Roberts 36 is back from the DL.