Random: Thought following News of Delgado
Here are some random thoughts following news that Carlos Delgado will have hip surgery, and likely be out through the All Star break:
- I don’t care if Russell Branyan is batting .300 with nine HR and 19 RBI this season… he’s still Russell Branyan, the same guy who has been striking out roughly half of his 12–year career.
- I know it’s a big blow in terms of statistical production, but I am not that worried or disappointed to see Delgado out of the lineup. In fact, I bet David Wright, Jose Reyes, Daniel Murphy and others end up creating a different identity for this ballclub, in the absence of Delgado’s big-time presence. Frankly, if Omar Minaya is truly concerned about his team’s character, now would be a time to change the edges of the roster.
- Aubrey Huff is making more and more sense to me, because he’s a free agent after this season, he plays outfield, first and third, and he’s on the Orioles, who is a team I always imagine the Mets hooking up with in trade. Also, Huff was always linked to the Mets in rumor during his days in Tampa Bay, so his name must still be on my mind. I’m not saying he is who I hope the Mets get, I’m just saying he feels like someone they would get.
- Either way, the Mets need to start Daniel Murphy for a few games at first base, so it can be known whether he is capable of holding down that position, with Gary Sheffield in left field and Ryan Church in right. This way, Minaya knows his options.
- My hunch is the Mets should trade for a front-end starting pitcher, as opposed to trading for a replacement bat. If I must choose, I’d rather this team need to scratch out runs, while being dominant in the rotation – because I think that could be a winning combination in Citi Field.
