Whose return will have the greatest impact on the Mets this season?
Moises Alou – At 41-years old, Alou can still swing a big bat. Last season he hit in 30 straight games with eight doubles, four homers, 17 RBI and 23 runs scored in that span. It was the longest hitting streak by a New York player since Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in 1941. Not too shabby. His right-handed bat adds balance to a potent Mets lineup. Last season he batted .341 for the Mets while scoring 51 runs in just 87 games.
Duaner Sanchez – It seems like Sanchez has been gone forever, and in fact he has been. He last took the mound for the Mets on July 30th 2006, the day before his fateful pre-dawn cab ride in search of cheesy chicken enchiladas. Before his demise he was among the top relievers in the league and ended 2006 with a 5-1 record and a 2.60 ERA. It was the best season of his career.
Pedro Martinez – Of course we had to throw Pedro into this equation and why not? Oh I see… some of you are still ticked off at his uncanny ability to stay off of the disabled list. In fact, he has only given the Mets 26 wins since he first signed his big $57 million dollar deal in 2005. Now he is in the final year of that lucrative deal and we’re still waiting for that big Pedro type year. It may never happen. There is one bright side… Pedro owns a 2.24 ERA at Shea Stadium which is the best among all acive pitchers.
I’ve just about given up on Duaner Sanchez as making an impact upon his return. His head doesn’t seem to be in the right place. It may explain why he has been with four organizations in the last six seasons.
I love Pedro, but come on already, I’ve been waiting for him to show up for almost four years now.
I’m putting my money on Moises. In a few weeks he’ll be walking tall and carrying a big stick. Count on it!
