Do the Mets wash the team uniforms in some weird detergent? Why does it seem like every free agent or big trade hitter that joins the Mets struggles in their first year with the club?
I can’t think of the last high profile hitter to come to Queens that actually met expectations, or even came close. Actually that isn’t so, Carlos Delgado paid dividends right away, but he may be it. Are the Mets just that unlucky with free agency? History makes it seem that way. Let’s look at the evidence working backwards.
Michael Cuddyer looks like anything but an ex-batting champion right now. He looks like a batting chump, seemingly digging himself into an 0-2 hole every time he is at the plate. This was the Mets big offseason addition? Did David Wright plea to management to bring him on so that he could have someone to hang out with on the DL? At this rate, Cuddyer’s contract will be up before he breaks this slump.
Let’s move on to Granderson. Sure he is showing signs of life now, but he’s got a lot to make up for. Last year was a pathetic showing, reminiscent of Carlos Beltran’s first year in orange and blue, who was yet another bust at first.
Do I really need to bring up the likes of Jason Bay? Think that one is bad? How about Carlos Baerga, or Roberto Alomar (who was coming off an MVP-type season)? Not convinced yet? Have you forgotten about Mo Vaughn? You’ve probably tried. Heck, even Mike Piazza struggled when he first got to Queens. You can even go as far back to Bobby Bonilla (who is still on the payroll by the way).
All of these guys struggled after their move to Queens. The good news is, some of them turned it around (mostly Beltran and Piazza). But is this team destined to suffer from bad acquired hitters forever? It almost feels like if the Mets had signed Nelson Cruz, that he’d be hitting .180 with 2 homeruns right now.
When you look at the list of busts the Mets have had to endure over the years, you can start to see why the Wilpons have become a little gun shy. Maybe next time Mets fans call for a trade, i.e. Tulowitzki, they will remember these names and get a little gun shy too.
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