Monday's Bunts and Boots--The Mets, Some Complaints, and Davey Lopes

We’ve played less than a full week of exhibition games, but already the Mets are facing their first potential crisis of the spring. The headline piece in a series of injury developments, Carlos Delgado’s troublesome hip bothered him so much over the weekend that the Mets sent him out of town for an examination. The Mets claim that Delgado will be sidelined for only a few days, but one has to wonder how much can be expected from the soon-to-be 36-year-old slugger. His bat slowed significantly last summer, he failed to make any adjustments, and now his hip has flared up again. Without a productive Delgado, the Mets are looking at a hole in their lineup, principally because they have no discernible backup who can give them a middle-of-the-order presence. Damion Easley and Marlon Anderson can fill in from time to time, but neither comes close to giving the Mets what they need from an everyday first baseman. Non-roster invite Olmedo Saenz is an excellent pinch-hitter, but again not the answer as someone who would see significant playing time at first base.
Omar Minaya has already begun to look at options. At least two veteran first basemen, Scott Hatteberg (Reds) and Nick "The Stick" Johnson (Nationals), are eminently available through trade, but the Mets would prefer a right-handed hitting first baseman. That way, if Delgado can still play, the Mets could arrange a platoon at the position. So the Mets will make inquiries on Kevin Millar (Orioles), Ryan Shealy (Royals), and Richie Sexson (Mariners), all of whom could be had relatively cheaply. Of those three, Millar makes the most sense. He’s a more proven commodity than Shealy, and not nearly the butcher that Sexson is on the right side of the infield. Then there is the switch-hitting Tony Clark, who seems like a bad fit as an outfielder in San Diego. A great clubhouse presence and a proven New York commodity, Clark would make a lot of sense for the Mets.

Then there is the waiver wire/free agent avenue. At one time, Minaya would have liked Craig Wilson, but that was before he failed his physical with the Reds, effectively ending his career. Other players could become available later this spring. The Yankees will likely have to cut either Morgan Ensberg or Jason Lane, and possibly both. Mike Sweeney is no guaranty to make Oakland’s roster; he could become available as the A’s continue their full-blown youth movement. The Cardinals have no real role for Josh Phelps, unless Albert Pujols’ elbow forces him to undergo surgery. Phelps can hit; he showed that in the second half of 2007 by slugging .649 in 77 at-bats for the Pirates, who then rewarded him by giving him his release at season’s end…

Recent complaints from young players about having their contracts renewed have become very tiresome. Once major league players have put in enough time for arbitration--or a longer span of time for free agency--they hold the hammer over their employers. Until that time, the owners have the upperhand. This kind of system--one that favors players with greater seniority, which is not all that different from many American business models--is what the Players Association has negotiated. It's a system of compromise. If younger players like Prince Fielder, Cole Hamels, and Jonathan Papelbon are so upset about their contracts, they should make their complaints known to the union and push for changes at the next collective bargaining agreement--so that the next generation of younger players will get a better deal...

Finally, the news that Phillies first base coach Davey Lopes has been diagnosed with prostate cancer hits home with this writer; I lost my father to the disease in 1997. My prayers go out to Lopes, at one time a fine player with the Dodgers and now one of the best baserunning teachers in the game. When it comes to stealing bases--and running the bases in general--few men know as much as the insightful Lopes. Get well, Davey.