One Carlos or Two in 2010?
Carlos Beltran recently told reporters that he’d like to see Carlos Delgado return to the Mets in 2010.
At a Harlem RBI event, Beltran said:
“Before I came to New York, I was at (Delgado’s) house (in Puerto Rico). I was talking to him. He’s planning to play winter ball, in Puerto Rico. He wants to show that he’s going to be back. Honestly, I would love to (have Mets bring him back). At the same time, that depends on the team, what kind of direction they’re going to take, what kind of player they’re planning to play at first base. But Delgado’s a guy, if he’s healthy, you’re going to get a lot of contribution – 30 home runs, 100 RBI. You’re going to get that from Delgado. He’s one of the guys – it’s safe to invest the money because he (takes) care of himself.”
We’ll excuse Beltran from that last odd comment, since we know it’s not safe to invest in a 37-going-on-38 year-old who has had chronic hip problems for the past three years.
There is no question that when Delgado is healthy — and hitting — the Mets have their best chance of winning. His presence in the lineup immediately raises the levels of those around him, and Beltran in particular. But, we don’t know if he’s going to be healthy, and we don’t know if he’s going to hit.
Maybe more importantly, Mets fans are clamoring for change. The ones who weren’t screaming to clean house after consecutive late-season collapses have jumped on that bandwagon after 2009’s full-season disaster. That said, Delgado has been a mainstay, a “core” member, and therefore one of the carriers of the disappointment of the past three years.
If we had a crystal ball that told us Delgado would be the monster he once was, and hit 35-40 HR, drive in 120+, and post a .375+ OBP, it’s a no-brainer to bring him back. But if the best he can do is something closer to an average of what he did in 2007-2008 — meaning, about 25-30 HR / 95 RBI / .340 OBP — is that enough for you, as a Mets fan, to warrant his return? Or do you think it’s time to “turn the page” and bring in a new, fresh face to the middle of the lineup?
I do have a problem with any thought of a multi-year commitment or the idea that he could be the big “power” acquisition that the team needs this winter.
Here are the reasons:
1. Delgado is a man of principle, if anything. He saw his teammates suffer last year. I firmly believe that if he is physically capable of producing on the field and redressing the deficits from last year’s debacle, he will give us everything he has – both on the field and in the clubhouse. I trust him.
2. In the event that Delgado succumbs to another injury, Daniel Murphy is well-groomed to replace Delgado. If Murphy produces as he did after last year’s AllStar break, the drop-off won’t be quite as steep as many assume.
3. If Delgado remains healthy, perhaps Murphy can re-tool as a supersub of sorts, spelling Wright at third and whomever (Hudson/Castillo) at second base. I do believe that with some training, over time Daniel Murphy can handle 3 of the 4 infield positions.
4. The results of Delgado’s return will become apparent soon enough. If he’s healthy, its a good thing to bring him back and restore him to the position he lost due to injury. His teammates like him, and its an internal solution engineered by the Met front office, who didn’t turn its back on one of its key players in his effort to regain his status as a top run producer. It speaks well of the front office.
5. In the worst case scenario, Delgado reinjures himself and Murphy gets a clear shot at first base, while Ike Davis continues his torrid pace toward major league readiness.