Mets & Beltran

[nyy26wc]

ESPN News had a report, on the bottom corner of the screen, that the Mets and Beltran have agreed in principle to a deal.

[nyy26wc]

Sportsline.com's wire report says 7 years, $119 million.

[mainsr]

Poor Beltran. He moves from two of the best hitters' parks in the majors to one of the worst, with a far weaker lineup to offer him RBI opportunities, fastballs with guys on base, protection behind him, etc. and you know that he'll get skewered in the Post and News when the "home" component of the home-road split heads south. (Yes, I know that last year he had a .774 OPS at home and 1.041 on the road. Fluke. He was .009 higher at home in 2003 and .105 higher in 2002.)

I suppose one difference between Beltran and guys like Jim Fregosi and George Foster is that at least the Mets aren't getting him on the downside of his career. Still, if he really does have a goal of playing for a champion, I think he blew it. At least he'll have a couple shekels to offset his disappointment.

[Crash Course]

Within two years he'll demand a trade.
Nice for Willie 'tho to have at least one position player with good skills.

[mainsr]

Cameron's no slouch.

[Crash Course]

He had a .319 OBA last year.

[KCBOOMER]

Cameron is not the offensive player that Beltran is , but he is the superior defender. Not that Beltran is a slouch defensively.

One thing about this deal went according to script and one thing went totally against script. Boras clients always sign for the most money regardless of what they say so that went according to plan. It was a surprise that the Mets were the ones to pony up.

Really surprised the Yankees didn't step up, particularly after they heard the Mets were in play. I know the Cubs are rather frugal, but Beltran was such a good fit for them I am surprised they didn't try harder.

[captain_napalm]

Really surprised the Yankees didn't step up, particularly after they heard the Mets were in play. I know the Cubs are rather frugal, but Beltran was such a good fit for them I am surprised they didn't try harder.

I'm a bit suprised as well. I guess we're looking at another year of Bernie in CF, and Reuben Sierra in the DH spot. If Bernie goes down, who plays CF (Bubba Crosby?). We still don't know what's going on with Giambi (is he staying? going? 1B-ing? DH-ing?)

Chances are the Yanks were concerned about the team "chemistry" with Beltran ( :rolleyes: ), and the "makeup" ( :rolleyes: ) of Beltran.

Or maybe George decided he wanted to be fiscally responsible?

Weird organization over there in the Bx. :)

[Crash Course]

The fact that the Yankees were not more of a player in the Beltran chase tells me that something is up there. Maybe the reports on Beltran's moods are true?

I figure with A-Rod on the team, and his tightness with Boras, there would have been a push there to get him - - the Rangers, IIRC, signed a bunch of Boras clients after A-Rod (Park?).

Not that the Yankees wouldn't have taken Beltran in a minute for $9 mill a year, I'm sure. But, there was something there to tell Stein and the boys that this was not worth $17 mill a year.

[rc3000]

Not that the Yankees wouldn't have taken Beltran in a minute for $9 mill a year, I'm sure. But, there was something there to tell Stein and the boys that this was not worth $17 mill a year.

The something that was up is that they were smart with their money. The problem last year was not offense it was starting pitching. So they spent their money by replacing 60% of the rotation including probably the best number 1 in the league.

[captain_napalm]

The something that was up is that they were smart with their money. The problem last year was not offense it was starting pitching. So they spent their money by replacing 60% of the rotation including probably the best number 1 in the league.
Not so much smart with their $$, as spending it on their pitching staff

[hopbitters]

Not so much smart with their $$, as spending it on their pitching staff

Agreed.

[SteveP]

He had a .319 OBA last year.

Walking never scored any runs, and IP limits are for wimps. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go down to the Physical Therapy room to meet with my starting staff.

Sincerely,
Dusty Baker.