11-16-2002, 02:04 AM
I want to see Alfonzo stay as well. On a team that shit the bed last year, him and perez were the only two guys hitting.
That said, the Mets have good reason to balk at signing him to a long term deal. He has a history of back problems and is now forced to play 3rd because of Alomar. While Alfonzo has not publically bitched about playing 3rd too much ( he's too classy a guy), he isn't happy there either.
As far as this Japanese player goes, if he comes cheap they should consider it. If they don't who will they get? There are really not alot of good 3rd basemen out there right now that they could land without giving away alot in return.
The team should think past this season coming up to 2004. hopefully by then Reyes will be ready to play everyday shortstop and be the player everyone thinks he will be. Till then they should concentrate on putting the other pieces of the puzzle together:
1) Try to move Burnitz. Even if he has a decent year, him and Vauhgn still combine for too many strikeouts a season.
2) Get starting pitching. Leiter is getting older by the second and Astacio can't carry a teamk by himself. The Mets must get another strong starter or two to complement Astacio.
If the Mets can do this they will be in good shape. Alomar, Cedeno and Piazza are bound to have better years than they did this season and are far from washed up. Reyes & Perez are the future. With the right role players surrounding them this team could be pretty good in 2004.
That said, the Mets have good reason to balk at signing him to a long term deal. He has a history of back problems and is now forced to play 3rd because of Alomar. While Alfonzo has not publically bitched about playing 3rd too much ( he's too classy a guy), he isn't happy there either.
As far as this Japanese player goes, if he comes cheap they should consider it. If they don't who will they get? There are really not alot of good 3rd basemen out there right now that they could land without giving away alot in return.
The team should think past this season coming up to 2004. hopefully by then Reyes will be ready to play everyday shortstop and be the player everyone thinks he will be. Till then they should concentrate on putting the other pieces of the puzzle together:
1) Try to move Burnitz. Even if he has a decent year, him and Vauhgn still combine for too many strikeouts a season.
2) Get starting pitching. Leiter is getting older by the second and Astacio can't carry a teamk by himself. The Mets must get another strong starter or two to complement Astacio.
If the Mets can do this they will be in good shape. Alomar, Cedeno and Piazza are bound to have better years than they did this season and are far from washed up. Reyes & Perez are the future. With the right role players surrounding them this team could be pretty good in 2004.