The Mets, say many, need a leader. A gritty type ballplayer with a winning resume and a World Series ring seems to be the consensus of media and fans alike. One player that fits that description has, according to a baseball official, has made it known to the front office of the New York Mets that he's available. Based on his resume, he'd be a perfect fit.
In a bygone era, where the manager led and the players followed, Gil Hodges took the young Miracle Mets by the scruff of their necks and led them to victory. Nearly two decades later, Keith Hernandez brought a World Series ring, a bunch of Gold Gloves and a winning intensity that resulted in another World Series.
Following three consecutive seasons of unmet (no pun intended) expectations for a team with the highest payroll in the National League, the Mets are in desperate need of a leader. The SportsNet NY broadcast team, with the aforementioned Hernandez the most vocal member, each suggested that a leadership void existed in the Mets' clubhouse.
Mets' GM Omar Minaya, according to many team insiders, is unwilling to deal any of his “core players”, meaning that he prefers to keep Jose Reyes, David Wright, Carlos Beltran and of course, the brilliant Johan Santana, with the team for the foreseeable future.
It's no secret that Rodriguez was one of several players who immediately phoned their agents when Minaya became GM of the Mets at the tail-end of the 2004 season, instructing them to “get them on Omar's team”. For whatever reason, the possibility never presented itself, but if the rumor is true, Minaya should jump at the chance to get Pudge on board with the Mets.
The 36-year-old catcher has played in two World Series, is a 14-time All-Star and a former American League MVP. Minaya, whose relationship with Pudge goes back more than 20 years when the two of them were in the Texas Rangers organization, made this comment to the Star-Ledger when the former AL MVP was traded to the Yankees back in July.
"I thought it was a pretty good trade for the Yankees. I thought the Yankees did a good job," Minaya said. "Pudge Rodriguez is a good player. He's definitely a guy that's going to help that team, not only offensively, but when the game is on the line, he is a tough cookie."
Give the pre-existing relationship, the admiration that both have for each other, and importantly the unreliability and inconsistency of Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro, a deal with Rodriguez makes an incredible deal of sense.
It should also be mentioned that like Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, Rodriguez is from Puerto Rico, and should make it easier for the veteran to take over the clubhouse.
Pudge Rodriguez is an asset to any ball club. He is just the greatest and is respected by so many players and millions of fans. The Yankees should put Posada on first base and keep Pudge as their catcher. Career 2605 hits...what a great player he is.
The Mets, say many, need a leader. A gritty type ballplayer with a winning resume and a World Series ring seems to be the consensus of media and fans alike. One player that fits that description has, according to a baseball official, has made it known to the front office of the New York Mets that he's available. Based on his resume, he'd be a perfect fit.
