Roundtable: Whose Return Would Make Biggest Impact
Regis Courtemanche: The Mets have made it continually harder for me to focus on the positives lately. A big reason is because they have eight players on the disabled list. If you could get any one back right now, who would it be, and do you think it would be enough to make an immediate impact?
Ted Berg: While I think the Mets could really use Jose Reyes’ bat and glove right now, if we’re playing with hypotheticals I’d love to see Carlos Delgado back for a couple of reasons. I think first base is one position at which they can most reasonably expect to add a bat if need be, so if Delgado could (magically) return early, they could get a sense of what they are going to get from him going moving forward. We’ve seen guys make full recoveries from hip injuries, so if Delgado could come back and hit like he did in the second half of 2008, all of a sudden the need for a power bat doesn’t look so glaring. If he looks like the injury is going to affect him all year, the Mets should get a better sense of their deadline approach.
Matthew Cerrone: I’d probably say the healthy, dominant J.J. Putz – or Billy Wagner – because order in the bullpen and shortening the game is so important. However, right now, I think I agree with Ted, I’d bring back Delgado, because the bullpen is useless if the team can’t score runs. The lineup is in dire need of instant offense, and someone to take pressure off of everyone, including David Wright and Jose Reyes. Delgado from the second-half of last season would make a significant impact on this roster.
Regis Courtemanche: Not to be a broken record, but I would choose a healthy Delgado as well. They need a big bat, especially if Gary Sheffield‘s knee gets any worse. Having Reyes return will be very nice in terms of getting things started, but every team needs some threat of power to reach that next level. Without it, the Mets will continue to hover around mediocrity.
Mike Baron: Agreeing with everyone, I would have to say Delgado. He would be a huge lift for an offense which has struggled to score runs consistently. He would provide depth, support, and a sorely missed presence to the middle of the lineup and can help carry the load. While he isn’t a gold glove winner, Delgado would also bring a known quantity back to first base.
Mike Nichols: While I agree Delgado would bring presence and stability back to the middle of the order, I still think Jose Reyes is the most important everyday component on this team. With David Wright and Carlos Beltran seemingly gearing their approach towards playing in Citi Field, Reyes would only compliment them and make the Mets offense more dynamic. Plus, the speed and defense Reyes provides is much more reliable than hoping a 37-year old slugger coming off hip surgery can return to his former self.
