New Mets, Take Two
Last season, Omar Minaya announced the Mets were no longer going to play into th lovable losers category. Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran came in as evidence of the committment of the New Mets to winning.
Billy Wagner coming in as a free agent should solidy something the Old Mets lacked since the departure of Armando Benitez. Many games are decided in those final innings, so the heat of Wagner's arm and his determination could literally increase their record ten games. Even better, he will be sure to let everyone know what is wrong if they are losing. The New Mets already have some mixed personalities in the clubhouse so handling this potential behavior may not be a problem. Assuming the New Mets actually come atop the NL East at the end of the season. If the Old Mets creep back in, Wagner will regret signing his large contract and make everyone else miserable. I believe this won't happen. I believe his presence alone helps to make the team more of a formidable contender.
But the New Mets also traded a bag of peanuts to get MVP-calibre Carlos Delgado. This is one of the premier hitters in the game and top firstbasemen of of the past dozen years. His big bat in the lineup changes the way pitchers will approach everyone else in that lineup. Other batters will see better pitches as opposing teams try to get outs before Delgado comes to bat and limit the number of RBI situations he could get. This unloads a lot of pressure from Beltran too. David Wright should get some more strikes to swing at too.
Other smaller moves help foster my favorable opinion of the work of the New Mets. Like bringing in Xavier Nady and Tike Redman. The New Mets have a powerful lineup without holes and a rotation that could solidify behind a strong bullpen. Hopefully 2006 is the season the New Mets move beyond the failed promises of the Old Mets.
Billy Wagner coming in as a free agent should solidy something the Old Mets lacked since the departure of Armando Benitez. Many games are decided in those final innings, so the heat of Wagner's arm and his determination could literally increase their record ten games. Even better, he will be sure to let everyone know what is wrong if they are losing. The New Mets already have some mixed personalities in the clubhouse so handling this potential behavior may not be a problem. Assuming the New Mets actually come atop the NL East at the end of the season. If the Old Mets creep back in, Wagner will regret signing his large contract and make everyone else miserable. I believe this won't happen. I believe his presence alone helps to make the team more of a formidable contender.
But the New Mets also traded a bag of peanuts to get MVP-calibre Carlos Delgado. This is one of the premier hitters in the game and top firstbasemen of of the past dozen years. His big bat in the lineup changes the way pitchers will approach everyone else in that lineup. Other batters will see better pitches as opposing teams try to get outs before Delgado comes to bat and limit the number of RBI situations he could get. This unloads a lot of pressure from Beltran too. David Wright should get some more strikes to swing at too.
Other smaller moves help foster my favorable opinion of the work of the New Mets. Like bringing in Xavier Nady and Tike Redman. The New Mets have a powerful lineup without holes and a rotation that could solidify behind a strong bullpen. Hopefully 2006 is the season the New Mets move beyond the failed promises of the Old Mets.
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