METSSC

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...html?p rint=1

The answer is simple: Alex Rodriguez to the Mets


BY BILL PRICE

Sunday, October 28th 2007, 4:00 AM



Megastar Alex Rodriguez would be perfect fit at Shea - and then Citi Field - after turbulent years in Bronx. The Mets should dig deep and pry him away from Yankees.




Sometime in the next week or so, a friend of a friend of a friend of Fred Wilpon should whisper in Scott Boras' ear that the Mets are ready to do whatever it takes to bring Alex Rodriguez to Queens.


Tampering? Probably. But desperate times call for desperate measures. And the Mets are desperate.

They are coming off the worst collapse in regular-season history, their TV network is running out of games from 1986 to rebroadcast and their hold on being "the other team" in New York is stronger than ever.

Their can't-miss pitching prospects are missing, their better-than-Jeter shortstop is now the third-best shortstop in the East, and aside from David Wright, Carlos Beltran and Jose (walk, don't run) Reyes, the rest of their roster resembles a Senior League lineup.

What's worse is that three weeks after the regular season ended, they are already an afterthought. As a matter of fact, the only time the word Mets has appeared in this paper since their September debacle was in a Kaz Matsui story.

They need a jolt (one bigger than hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo can provide). Their fans need a morale boost. Their roster needs a bona-fide, everyday superstar. They need Alex Rodriguez.

Even at a mere $35 million a year for 10 years, it makes perfect sense, both from a business and baseball standpoint.

First, the business end.

Citi Field would be sold out forever. Met jerseys and T-shirts would be selling better than "Joba Rules" merchandise. SNY ratings and ad revenue would go through the roof. The city's back pages would be all Mets, all the time. New York, as it was in the mid-80's, would be a Mets town again.

On the field, A-Rod would give the Mets a third baseman who can hit 50 home runs a year and actually throw the ball to first base. His presence would allow Carlos Beltran to blend into the scenery - which is how he would like it. It would allow Wright - who would move to first - and Reyes to flourish, while not having the pressure to win solely on them.

A-Rod would also make the Mets an October regular. Sure, he may not get a hit in the playoffs, but at least the Mets would be there. And imagine the sting the folks in the Bronx would feel if A-Rod ever did in Queens what he couldn't do in the Bronx - win a World Series.

The money? No problem. Carlos Delgado ($16 million), Pedro Martinez ($11), El Duque ($6.5M) and Guillermo Mota ($3.2M, good move, Omar) are all off the books after next season.

Added to that dough is the $20 million or so a year Citibank is kicking in to have its name on the new stadium, so after this season, you're getting A-Rod practically for free, with money left over for other stuff like pitching. Heck, even Citibank wins, as its name would be associated with the most popular baseball player in the world for at least the next 10 years. Citibank Home Run Chase anyone? A-Rod sells himself, just ask Boras.

It even makes sense for A-Rod. He would still be able to enjoy the sun in Central Park while emerging from Derek Jeter's long shadow. It's a perfect fit, but when it comes to the Mets, nothing is ever perfect.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present the Wilpon factor.

If the Met owner didn't have the guts to seriously go after A-Rod after watching the Yankees celebrate a World Series title on his field in 2000, you have to doubt he has it now. Heck, Wilpon probably wouldn't have gone for Mike Piazza in 1998 if not for Mike and the Mad Dog's constant pestering.

Say what you want about George Steinbrenner, but you know if the Mets had won the 2000 World Series, The Boss would've given A-Rod a blank check the next day.

Don't get me wrong, Wilpon has thrown some money around, but he let the big fish get away then. Now, A-Rod is swimming in the neighbor's pond.

Wilpon probably figures Citi Field will be sold out for years to come anyway, and that his team will at least be a playoff contender as long as Wright and Reyes are around. But that's the problem with Mr. Meaningful Games. He seems happy just being in the picture. With A-Rod, his team becomes the whole show.

What Wilpon needs here is a killer instinct. The desire to take over the city, deliver a crushing blow to the other team in New York and show Jimmy Rollins and Co. their days as the "team to beat" in the East are over - forever.

Is it insane to give one guy that much money when the Mets need pitching, pitching and more pitching? Of course it is. Does it guarantee World Series title after World Series title? Just ask Yankee fans that question. Will it make the Mets the biggest thing in New York for years to come? Of course it will.

From hitting the city's strip clubs to chasing baseball's all-time records, A-Rod will be everywhere. The Mets will dominate the sports talk in this town. The Yankees, for the first time in about 18 years, will be the ones fighting for exposure.

It could happen, but it all comes down to this: Is Wilpon happy being just one of the guys on the block, or does he - for once - have the gumption to be the undisputed king of the hill? If he does, all he needs is $350 million.

But he better hurry. Boras might work out an extension with the Yanks real soon. Unless of course, he thinks (wink, wink) he can get a better deal elsewhere.

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GET THE PIECE OF CRAP McGimpy OFF MY TEAM NOW!!!!!

The McGimpy does most things upside down: eats, sleeps (an average of 23 hours per day), mates, and gives birth. Because of the McGimpy's upside down life, many of the McGimpy's internal organs (liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas) are in different positions from other mammals. McGimpy sometimes lets out a cry or hissing sound.

During the rare times the McGimpy goes down to the ground (such as to change trees for food), it moves very slowly.

Voodoo

P-i-t-c-h-i-n-g

P-i-t-c-h-i-n-g

P-i-t-c-h-i-n-g

I'm revoking his right to the last name Price.

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Anxiously awaiting Omar's brilliant offseason strategy

KingOlerud

That's some seriously sh*tty photoshopping right there.

METSSC

you should send the Snooze your resume.

__________________
GET THE PIECE OF CRAP McGimpy OFF MY TEAM NOW!!!!!

The McGimpy does most things upside down: eats, sleeps (an average of 23 hours per day), mates, and gives birth. Because of the McGimpy's upside down life, many of the McGimpy's internal organs (liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas) are in different positions from other mammals. McGimpy sometimes lets out a cry or hissing sound.

During the rare times the McGimpy goes down to the ground (such as to change trees for food), it moves very slowly.

gregjefferies09

I like how they say move Wright to first, but don't figure that Delgado is still there.

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METSSC

That's like saying we shouldnt go after Santana because Dave Williams will be healthy next year.

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GET THE PIECE OF CRAP McGimpy OFF MY TEAM NOW!!!!!

The McGimpy does most things upside down: eats, sleeps (an average of 23 hours per day), mates, and gives birth. Because of the McGimpy's upside down life, many of the McGimpy's internal organs (liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas) are in different positions from other mammals. McGimpy sometimes lets out a cry or hissing sound.

During the rare times the McGimpy goes down to the ground (such as to change trees for food), it moves very slowly.

gregjefferies09

Right, But if teams know the Mets HAVE to trade Delgado, they would be lucky to get a Dave Williams in return.

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Led, the Revenge

Even at a mere $35 million a year for 10 years, it makes perfect sense, both from a business and baseball standpoint.

First, the business end.

Citi Field would be sold out forever. Met jerseys and T-shirts would be selling better than "Joba Rules" merchandise. SNY ratings and ad revenue would go through the roof. The city's back pages would be all Mets, all the time. New York, as it was in the mid-80's, would be a Mets town again

This in itself shows what an idiot this guy is.

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No.1

Nope. Better, it shows that Boras wrote the article

Rey-YES

Citifield will be sold out for years anyway, unless we have a repeat of the Late '70s-early '80s teams (which ain't happening). SNY ratings will go up or down based on the team's success, which will be higher by getting top pitchers than A-Rod. First base? After next year, let Delgado walk and sign Tex.

"Shea"-Rod? Sign Hillenbrand for the bench, or wait for Chipper's son.

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TPFKABM

SI Metman

Too bad Chipper named his daughter Shea.

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Erin Heilwoman is Whorible

HHH 4 life

Voodoo

The Mets are going to break the gender barrier.

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Anxiously awaiting Omar's brilliant offseason strategy

metman

They broke the gender barrior in the 2002 off-season.

Voodoo

True. And she opened the door for Heilwoman too.

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Anxiously awaiting Omar's brilliant offseason strategy

metman

Willie felt they were in a league of their own.