14
2009
Did Mets Miss Opportunity Knocking?
An article by 
Joel Sherman of the NY Post, believes the Mets may have blundered when they decided against adding Orlando Hudson, especially after his price went down to one year, $4 million dollars.
Orlando Hudson hit for the cycle on Monday against the Giants. It is interesting that the two players Met fans pined for most this offseason – Hudson and Manny Ramirez – both have ended up with the Dodgers. Imagine, say, the Dodgers beating out the Mets for the wild card, in part, because of Ramirez and Hudson. You think there is fan angst now.
Maybe it was always too much of a pipedream to believe that the post-Madoff Mets were going to reach deep for the $20 million-plus necessary to lasso Ramirez. But once Hudson’s demands fell to the one-year range with a base at less than $4 million, the Mets knew they had some edge in that Hudson wanted to play in New York, in part, because he is such close pals with Carlos Delgado. The Mets obviously did not want to invest in another second baseman when they still had Luis Castillo signed for $18 million over three years.
But Hudson fit so many needs for the Mets, and not just as an excellent player on both sides of the ball. He is a positive person and clubhouse force. Dodger insiders already rave about how much Hudson loves the game and uplifts the group with his upbeat temperament. With so much negativity still swirling around the Mets – as those quick Monday night boos emphasized – Hudson could have helped.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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For a guy who’s going to hit around .280 with 10 homers and maybe 80 runs scored and 50 rbis, it’s amazing how dramatic sports writers can get after the player has one good game. Heck, there’s a good chance that Castillo’s and Hudson’s stats come year end will not be very different.
Now Manny? That was surely a mistake. All about the money.
I’d still take Hudson over Manny given the chance. And yes, I would prefer Hudson to Castillo. That being said, after vigorously campaigning to slide Castillo out the door this year, I am now in his corner. I like the way he looks.
Are we really going to keep doing this to ourselves? Seven games in and people are rolling the ‘what ifs’ and ‘coulda shoulda wouldas’ stuff right out. We got problems right now and some other teams (Bankees) have worse ones. I know it makes for a story about who the Mets could have got but this season is still young and granted, I’m not happy about the sluggish start either but we’ve got a long ways to go so everybody enjoy the game(s) of a brand new season that you’ve been waiting to see since last September. This team will do well; have faith that they will put it together. A couple of outfield plays and would we be really having these discussions?
Sorry but one note I forgot to include: Mets fans should know that it ain’t about how you start, but by how you FINISH.
Orlando Hudson made it through the first week without landing on the DL.
That’s a pleasant surprise.
It’s amazin that the Dodgers never had a player hit for the cycle at Dodger Stadium. In fact, the last player to achieve that rare feat was Wes Parker, a slick fielding first baseman, who did so on May 8th, 1970.
I remember it well, because it happened at Shea Stadium and I was in attendence on the auspices of the Borden Milk Company’s coupon promotion.
In those days, collecting twenty coupons printed on the side of the carton gained you entrance to many Saturday afternoon games at Shea. That day, Parker, who was a switch-hitter, hit a homer and a double left-handed, a single and triple right-handed.
It was one of the most memorable performances I ever witnessed by a visiting player-and I saw em all, Mays, Gibson, Carlton, Stargel, and Schmidt to name a few (even Roger Maris as a Cardinal).
In this space I implored the Mets to acquire Orlando Hudson, a sparkplug type player. It’s ironic he accomplished something that I experienced in person some 39 years ago.
Best,
DTB
I had been rallying for the Mets to get Hudson for years. I think that even though Castillo is steeping up more than expected, having Hudson and Reyes playing side by side in the in-field would have been priceless.