Beisbol been berry berry good to me (Running Baseball Thread IX)

Beltran-Delgado-Wright
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.271 AVG, 182 R, 55 HR, 194 RBIs, 43 SB

Utley-Howard-Rowand
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.309 AVG, 216 R, 67 HR, 240 RBIs, 13 SB



I don't know how close that 3-4-5 combination is this year. Utley has missed considerable time and Beltran has as well.

 

I'd put money on him playing three more seasons. I don't think the Mets will keep him, and I hope they don't (not that he's not a good player, I just think Lastings is finally ready). But some team(s) will have room for Green.

 

Wright struggled after the HR hitting contest last year. Instead of being a line drive hitter with power, he started swinging for the fences with an uppercut swing. Now that he's back to his normal swing, he seems to be having better at-bats against anyone not named the Atlanta Braves.

Delgado was streaky last season, and he hasn't had an extended hot streak yet in 2007. Beltran's been for shit.

 

Yeah, the Devil Rays...Pirates...Reds...Rangers...Orioles...

He should retire after this season.

 

So has Howard. Prior to the season, I figured the only NL offense that even compared to New York's was Philadelphia's. I wouldn't want to face either -- and now Atlanta's -- if I were a pitcher. This year, however, I'll give the edge to Philly, depending on what Atlanta can pile up down the stretch.

 

But he won't. Players like him rarely put down the glove at 35. Look at Lofton. He should have retired a couple years ago, too. Now that he's producing at a better rate, it'll probably be a while until he hangs them up.

 

Shawn Green should have retired two years ago.

 

He should have stayed in LA.

 

They have Lofton's casket waiting in the back every day he steals another base. Franco is one swing from cracking a hip.

 

No, I think PHINJ is right. Green should have retired. He has no bat speed anymore. He can't cover any ground in the outfield. He's just a body. If and when Chavez and Gomez come back from injury, they need to start and Green and Alou need to go to the bench.

 

Milledge should take over in RF for Green, but under no circumstances should Alou be on the bench. His bat has to be in the lineup.

 

Maybe for the duration of this year. But at some point, the Mets have to make a commitment to the outfielders, so not to toy with the young players' confidence.