'Tis the season for Puerto Rican players to head back to the island for winter ball and home cooking. Links are in Spanish…
- At the opening of a baseball academy yesterday, Carlos Beltran told Fernando Ribas Reyes of El Nuevo Dia that the Mets have invited the center fielder to meet with new GM Sandy Alderson. Beltran was non-committal about his approach, saying, "It doesn't matter what I think. The organization is going to do what they think is best for them. The way I can control it is to have a good year. If I do, I know there will be teams interested in me. For my part, I'd like to play in New York a few years more."
- In a separate piece, Carlos Delgado told Reyes he hasn't been approached by any major league teams so far this offseason. Delgado insisted he has no preferences about where he plays, and admited that he has had a few doubts about his ability to return to the majors.
- Pat Listach, former Nationals third base coach and recent candidate for the Brewers managerial opening, told Junior Lugo Marrero at Periodico La Perla that making the jump from base coach to manager remains one of his goals. At the moment, Listach is managing the Ponce Lions in Puerto Rico, and he described his style as that of "an aggressive manager who likes the hit and run and moving players around the bases." In the shorter term, Listach will be joining the Cubs as bench coach, reported Rhett Bollinger at MLB.com two days ago.
Not surprising about Delgado. With all those hip troubles (and having lost what miniscule range he had as a 1B), he basically has turned into a statue with a sweet swing.
“he basically has turned into a statue with a sweet swing”
Come on Innie, we’re talking about Delgado not Jose Guillen, “THEE statue.”
Nah, I read several reports, and at this point Delgado would definitely give Guillén a run for his money….except he CAN’T run! :p
They should go to times square and do a battle of the statue
I was wondering when MLBTR was going to report this about PL.
“The organization is going to do what they think is best for them.” Earth to Beltran you are apart of the team, you should say us and not them.
Beltran has been estranged from the Mets for a few years now and doesn’t feel like a part of the Mets organization. Starting with Willie Randolph, he feels that he has not been appreciated, by the fans or the team. Early in his Mets career, he heard Randolph’s critique on him that was leaked, and that soured their relationship. He played through knee injuries when Willie was the manager and took heat from the fans in the press when they felt he was ‘soft’ because he did not perform well and was slow to return. Beltran felt that Randolph and the Mets organization did not stand up for him in the press.
More recently, when he again hurt his knee, Mets medical staff misdiagnosed the problem and deemed him fit to play and it led to the problem getting worse. Beltran felt he was lied to, which led to mistrust and a second outside medical opinion.That is the reason he had the knee surgery last winter without consulting the Mets before hand. Now he’s hearing all the trade rumors and feels that it’s only a matter of time before he gets traded.That may not be the truth in fact, but that’s the way he feels. Alderson & Co. can change that by letting him know different, but who’s to say that he’s not correct this time around? A healthy Betran would indeed be a nice trading piece and give the Mets some payroll relief in the process.
I understand that the Pirates are going with a youth movement, but would it be appropraite for them to invite Delgado to Spring Training. They were looking to split the time at 1B with someone who was strong against LHP. I’m not sure if he could do it anymore, but if he could regain his swing, he might be able to pull it off. I know that they have Pearce, Bowker, Jones, Clement, Moss, Doumit and a possibility of Alverez moving over to fill the split role, but so far, no one has been able to take advantage of the opportunity.
No, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be appropriate at all. The problem with Delgado is not his swing but his mobility. He’s got zilch so he can’t even field at 1B. From what I read even Puerto Rican sources concede he’s DH material now, but he must be looking pretty bad since nobody even wants to take a chance on him.
I think Beltran is a trade candidate. He could be Boston’s plan C if Werth and Crawford get too pricey.