Should We Go Back To A 3-4-5 of Beltran, Delgado and Wright?

Mets losses always get me to start thinking and yes even overreacting. I was wondering about a few things while I watched the game, and I wanted to discuss one of them with you. Last season we had to switch the 3-4-5 spots in the batting order because of Delgado’s slump. Now that he is hitting the heck out of the ball again, should we revert back to a 3-4-5 of Beltran, Delgado, and Wright?

It sure worked great for us in 2006 and the first half of 2007.

What I like best about it is that of the three, David Wright seems to currently own the best batting eye and patience. He would be able to easily shift back to the five spot because he is not as dependent on protection in the batting order as much as Delgado and Beltran may be. Even after the Mets acquired Moises Alou, Wright remained in the five spot with Alou batting sixth, and despite the two consecutive righty hitters they each were very successful. With Ryan Church now on the team, the left handed hitting outfielder would be a logical fit batting right behind David Wright. Currently he is stacked behind lefty Carlos Delgado which frequently results in a lefty reliever against them late in the game.

In the three spot, Carlos Beltran can begin utilizing the speed that once made him a premier five-tool player. Since being dropped into the cleanup spot not only has he reduced his stolen base attempts, but he has become more of a free swinger and pull hitter which is probably the byproduct of playing the part of a cleanup hitter. Carlos Beltran has always preferred batting second or third and his best seasons have been in those spots. He was very hesitant toward the switch in 2007 and would welcome and most likely benefit from batting third again.

Carlos Delgado was born to bat cleanup. It has always been his preferred spot in the order, and when he was taken away from it a part of him died. With the right handed Wright hitting behind him, he will see even more fast balls and less pitches down in the dirt. His powerful bat once made him the most feared batter in the American League, and now that he has found his stroke, the Mets would be wise to put Delgado back where he belongs.

I’d like to read some of your thoughts as well as pros and cons on the matter.