Jeremy Cothran of the Star-Ledger takes a close look at Carlos Delgado in his column this morning. He is among the growing majority that believes Delgado is in a downward spiral that has created a black hole in the middle of the Mets lineup.
For the better part of his career, there were few sluggers feared more in baseball than Delgado. Now he is one of the worst first basemen statistically in the majors — offensively and defensively. In the span of just two seasons, the 35-year-old has morphed from a home run threat into a giant cavity in the Mets lineup.
Delgado has posted the lowest batting average among Mets regulars at .208, but more glaring is his inability to get on base and hit for extra bases.
Before yesterday’s game, Delgado’s on-base percentage (.305) and slugging percentage (.286) ranked next-to-last among first basemen in the majors. It’s a position that demands premier power, especially at the fifth spot in the lineup.
Until Delgado provides some evidence that the concerns of the last year and a half are unwarranted expect more harsh criticism and even louder boos at Shea for the Mets’ $16 million dollar man.
