Perusing the always-updated MLBTradeRumors.com, the latest headline reads, “Mets Won't Add Barajas; Delgado Possible.”
Which leads me to my point: The Mets, even after signing Mike Jacobs to a minor-league deal, might still bring back Carlos Delgado? Why? Well, because they don’t trust any of the guys they currently have.
The Mets are employing the “Sign a lot and see what sticks” method. Not necessarily going out and signing the big names (Orlando Hudson), but rather pulling from the scrap heap and overseas to, most literally, patch together a baseball team.
Kevin Kernan quotes Omar Minaya as saying, “There's going to be a lot of competition in camp. That's something we've been trying to do.”
Well congrats. It’s working. Too bad the competition level won’t be very high.
I’m glad the team is stockpiling. After all the injuries last season, it’s a wise move. As of now, it seems the Mets have six candidates for the 5th starter, a few pitchers vying for the bullpen, four first baseman and a whole cast of catchers.
I’m fine with bringing in more arms than needed. Pitchers always seem to get hurt and Buffalo needs all the help they can get. But first base and catcher need to be positions that are focused and fine tuned in spring training, not constantly rotated.
As we all know, pitchers and catchers develop a rapport. Some catchers make some pitchers better, others vice versa. With so many catchers in camp and likely seeing time in games, will the Mets pitchers suffer? Will the get the chance to develop the same rapport? We’ll have to wait and see.
And as for first base, everyone gets on Daniel Murphy for his lack of experience and talent. Is bringing in (at least) three other men to compete with him going to help or hurt? Will it push him to be better or disrupt his rhythm.
I think Murphy should get a bulk of time during spring training, but only if that’s who the team wants to go with at first, and it seems that’s the truth. If the team want to see him improve, he needs reps at first. That is what spring training is for.
Spring training in Port St. Lucie will be interesting to say the least. Seeing the team that Minaya assembled this off-season will be exciting, no matter how they play. But it will also be interesting to see who will make the team come opening day. The jobs are their for the taking, it seems. Who will step up to claim them?
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