The Delgado Dilemma
During the Mets big 3rd inning at Shea yesterday, I almost didn’t recognize my team. I thought I had found a time portal back into 2006, because the Mets got 4 consecutive hits and I couldn’t remember the last time they had done that!
But then Carlos Delgado came up and made an out on a weak ground ball. I knew that I wasn’t in the year 2006, because that Delgado crushed the ball, or at least swung the bat well. The Delgado of 2008 is not only stuck in a 4 for 49 slump, but his only RBI’s seem to come on little infield dribblers.
It’s not so much that he’s struggling like he is, it’s the fact that he hasn’t really done anything to change it. From my experience watching baseball, a player can only maintain success if they make the necessary adjustments to their game over the course of their career.
Delgado is obviously not the player he was a decade ago; a player who could be counted on to knock in over 100 runs and hit 40 homers a year. He needs to let go and accept that he’ll never be that player again. But that’s not to say he can’t be a good player, just a different type of player. Yet all I see is him trying to do is hit the ball over the fence and he’s behind every pitch. His bat speed and timing haven’t been the same since his elbow surgery last winter.
I know there’s a lot of talk going around about what to do with Delgado. Do you trade at the expense of your farm system, bring a minor leaguer up, train someone else on the team to play 1st base, or sign a free agent and eat the rest of Delgado’s salary?
I honestly don’t know what the right answer is. But one thing is clear; the Mets cannot go through another season with a rally killer stuck in the middle of their lineup. No matter how far Delgado drops down in the order, he’s still on our team. No matter how many days off Willie gives him, he’s still our starting 1st baseman. And if he doesn’t start to make some changes to his game, he will take a borderline hall of fame career and fade away into oblivion like Mo Vaughn.
But then Carlos Delgado came up and made an out on a weak ground ball. I knew that I wasn’t in the year 2006, because that Delgado crushed the ball, or at least swung the bat well. The Delgado of 2008 is not only stuck in a 4 for 49 slump, but his only RBI’s seem to come on little infield dribblers.
It’s not so much that he’s struggling like he is, it’s the fact that he hasn’t really done anything to change it. From my experience watching baseball, a player can only maintain success if they make the necessary adjustments to their game over the course of their career.
Delgado is obviously not the player he was a decade ago; a player who could be counted on to knock in over 100 runs and hit 40 homers a year. He needs to let go and accept that he’ll never be that player again. But that’s not to say he can’t be a good player, just a different type of player. Yet all I see is him trying to do is hit the ball over the fence and he’s behind every pitch. His bat speed and timing haven’t been the same since his elbow surgery last winter.
I know there’s a lot of talk going around about what to do with Delgado. Do you trade at the expense of your farm system, bring a minor leaguer up, train someone else on the team to play 1st base, or sign a free agent and eat the rest of Delgado’s salary?
I honestly don’t know what the right answer is. But one thing is clear; the Mets cannot go through another season with a rally killer stuck in the middle of their lineup. No matter how far Delgado drops down in the order, he’s still on our team. No matter how many days off Willie gives him, he’s still our starting 1st baseman. And if he doesn’t start to make some changes to his game, he will take a borderline hall of fame career and fade away into oblivion like Mo Vaughn.
Comments
I was at yesterday's game and my whole section was talking about Delgado for awhile. The crowd gave him a chance one, by really cheering for him at the plate. How did he return the favor? With a ground out. We don't want to boo him, but the Mets organization needs to know that having the starting 1st baseman hit under .200 is simply unacceptable.
Posted by: LHU Josh | April 27, 2008 11:08 AM
Good blog Tessa... Delgado should take a page from The Hebrew Hammer's book and realize his slugging days are gone. Remember how Green just went from a power hitter to just a contact hitter the past couple of years? Delgado needs to do that because I can't stand watching him swing out of his shoes and popping the ball up to 2nd or short.
Posted by: Fred | April 27, 2008 12:26 PM
I( agree Tessa.Someone must take action, whether that be Delgado himself or the Mets front office...
I like Carlos, but something has to give...
Posted by: Adam Baker | April 27, 2008 2:36 PM
Thank you Tessa for Doggin Delgado!! lol I think you Woke him up!!
Posted by: Frankie Ruiz | April 27, 2008 3:41 PM
When MetsGal speaks Delgado listens :o)
Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | April 27, 2008 7:29 PM