Per ESPN,
Carlos Delgado talking about his recovery while on crutches - “I think it’s going to happen sometime this year. I can’t guarantee nothing,” Delgado said at the third annual Mets Foundation “Teammates in the Community” charitable fundraising event, featuring current and former Mets players and team personnel mingling with fans.
“When I’m healthy, I’m going to come back,” he said. “No one really knows. The doctors said everything went well, but it’s going to take a little while to heal. Some people are talking about eight weeks, some people about 10 weeks. The plan is to get healthy first and once I’m good to play for the duration, I’m going back.”
He went into the operation to remove a bone spur and repair a torn labrum thinking positive thoughts, and he has come out of it the same way. Delgado, who is 27 homers short of joining the 500 club, said he plans on playing next season as well, although he will turn 37 next month and his contract expires after this season.”
How confident dose this make you feel? Really. Last week, the feeling was he’ll be gone 8-10 weeks (not including Minor League Rehab), meaning he would be looking at August as a return date. Now, the possibility is being thrown out there that Delgado may be out the whole year, and given his age and type of injury, is likely.
Without trying to come off like Chicken Little with half a head, I don’t feel encouraged about this. Assuming Delgado’s rehab goes well, we must take into account that it’ll take some time for him to regain his bat speed. Last yr, that was primarily his issue in the 1st half of the season. That and uh… Wille, (cough)*
So what are the alternatives?  Assuming (Damn, it feels so good to use that word!) Delgado is gone for the yr, do we go with a platoon of Murphy and Tatis, or do we make a trade? I feel the best alternative is to stick it out with Tatis and Murph. Tatis plays the position well and Murphy is looking more and more confident out there, plus the plan was for him to one day man the position. That day is now.
Aside from a couple Tatis spot starts a week, Murphy should be playing at 1st everyday. He’s been playing there consistently and now with a breakout performance on Weds, he’s in for a hot streak. But I feel that can only happen if Murphy becomes a regular starter for this team. His place isn’t on the bench, its out on the field. But is he ready for the responsibility?
Or is the alternative to look into a trade?  We’ve gone down this avenue before. Nick Johnson obviously comes to mind, and reports are that he’d welcome a trade to the Mets.
Per The Daily News,
“Nick Johnson earned his stripes in the Bronx and he suffered a broken leg in a horrific collision three years ago at Shea. But the ex-Yank isn’t averse to returning to New York if the Mets seek to acquire him from Washington as a possible replacement for injured first baseman Carlos Delgado. “I can’t worry about rumors or any of that stuff, I just have to go play. If it happens, it does; if I’m here, great,” Johnson said before going 0-for-4 in the Mets’ 6-1 victory last night. “I don’t deal with anything until it happens…. But I enjoyed (New York). Fans are into it, they want to win. It’s all about winning and that’s what I want to play for, to get that ring on my finger. I definitely had a good time while I was here those three years.”
Because the Nationals are a joke of an organization (I think Walter Matthau could’ve run this team better. RIP), there are going to want alot in return, especially pitching… a lot of it. With a starting rotation of rookie Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detweiler, they’re looking for good, quality young starters i.e. Jon Niese and Dillon Gee. Oh and have you taken a look at that bullpen? They make the 2008 Mets bullpen look like the 1990 Nasty Boys. Purely horrid. They would love to get their hands on Bobby Parnell and that’s not gonna happen.
What to do, what to do?
Your thoughts…
Added to by TRS:
If you missed yesterday’s poll on this subject click here:Â Carlos Delgado Poll
70 comments
mrose
5/29/2009-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
comments on
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-12:44pm at 12:44 pm (UTC -4)
What the fudge? Anyway, thanks, bro.
GravediggerHebner
5/29/2009-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
Sudden mysterious craving for an Almond Joy.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
I was thinking a Crunch bar.
GravediggerHebner
5/29/2009-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
Almond Joy’s got nuts.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Not a fan of nuts.
Joe R
5/29/2009-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
I dont see what has changed. 8-10 weeks which we all thought because they told us that and Arod was that duration with similar injury. All Delgado said is he has to be healthy to play. It seems to me nothing has changed.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
ARod is 3 years younger. Big difference btwn 37 and 34.
Joe R
5/29/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe…maybe not. None of us know.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
But I think history and even sports science proves that, Joe. But you’re right. Only one way to find out…
Joe R
5/29/2009-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
I guess…I just dont know the answer? If 3 years makes a difference with the surgery he got. I mean ok so does 1 year older equal another week on DL…2 years 2 weeks….3 years a month, etc. Thats my only point he can come back in same time or who knows he might have complications and his career may be over. Who knows lol
Either way my thought has been since day one give Delgado the Wagner mentality. Assume he is finished and replace him with the best option and maybe even a better player like KRod
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
Thats where Nick Johnson comes into play. If Delgado is back by Sept. there should be no issue with bench spots since the callups will begin, but can you see NJ and Delgado platooning 1st? DOes Murphy go back into the outfield? Do butterfies fart? All these questions!!!
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Do butterfies FMart?
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll look into that.
fongy2
5/29/2009-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t do much ’cause 5 yrs in and
Omar’s farm system is pretty bare.
Small moves, small moves.
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
fong, I think you have Tourette’s syndrome and walk around cursing Omar all day. I know you can’t help it.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
No my friend its bad
BUT not that bad.
Its just when the subject is Omar,
I become a larger
version of Joe Pesci.
Really though,whats
he gonna do at this
point??
Theres not much in our
minors,Wilpons aren’t gonna let him add major
payroll and if we dont keep winning he’ll be
in a desperate situation and other
GMs will attempt a
hijacking.Like Johnson
for Parnell.
For the 100th time..
Kevin Millar on aminor
league deal would have
been a nice fit.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Where’s Millar now?
GravediggerHebner
5/29/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
Toronto Bench/DH/1B
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Toronto
and its
been said
hes been a
very helpful
guy w/the
youngsters there.
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
jinx
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Toronto. He’s making the rounds in the AL East. He is contractually obligated to go to either Tampa or the Yanks next.
wannybackstra
5/29/2009-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
In fairness, the Mets rely on their farm system to help them trade for players as much as they rely on it to replenish their roster. Some teams, i.e. small market teams, have to rely on their farm systems for major leaguers.
The Mets’ farm system under Omar enabled the team to trade for Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana and JJ Putz. Can’t complain about that. Omar also acquired a minor leaguer named John Maine and the team currently features Dan Murphy, Bobby Parnell and Mike Peflrey out of the Omar era farm system (Reyes and Wright are homegrowns from a prior leadership).
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Very good points, but I dont think Maine was a minor leaguer when he was aquired in 2006.
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
I think Maine was bounced around. He got a chance here and he is making the most of it thus far.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
Damn straight, he was in Nowhere Land in Baltimore. NY turned his career around. As far as Ollie.. Ehh…
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
Big Game Ollie has pitched in exactly three big games for the Mets and is 0-2, while the team is 0-3 in those games. We fell for the Scott Boras hype. He must be the same guy that’s telling us Jimmy Rollins is an elite player based off of one career year surrounded by a few mediocre ones. Oh, and he’s 31 and plays in a bandbox.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-2:29pm at 2:29 pm (UTC -4)
Yea Scott Boras is a magician at his craft and he could sell ass to Hugh Heffner.
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
You guys really soured on Murphy quick. I still see him as our future at first base. There is so much to like about this kid. He’s,, dare I say it… GRITTY, a hard worker and a very intelligent at the plate.
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
that word should be banned here
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Rule #1
the words Gritty, Fire and Heart are never to be used when describing a players attributes or lack there of.
Rule #2
please refer back to rule #1
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
that would be a fun post. Lets talk Metsblog Taboo buzz words
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Is “Griffey” allowed?
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
ohhh you just hit a sore spot. I almost forgot about that ridiculous moderation nonsense. I spent hours trying to figure that Griffey one out. I used to get so angry at that damn site.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
We would get so creative.. SOme of us would write “a$$ume”. ha!
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
if having a little scruff on your face equals gritty, then murph is the grittiest.
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
good job qns.
I think it’s hope for the best and expect the worse.
I’m fine w/ the Murph/Tatis platoon and agree that Murph needs to play every day.
The key here will continue to be Sheff. If he continues to perform well there isn’t any need for a trade.
As for next year, I’d give Delgado a Giambi type deal if he can still hit:
1 year/$5.25M (2009), plus 2010 club option
signed by Oakland as a free agent 1/7/09
09:$4M, 10:$6.5M club option ($1.25M buyout)
performance bonuses: $0.25M each for 525, 550 PAs
limited no-trade protection
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Case, I gotta disagree man. Unless that is, he comes back and propels us deep into the playoffs.
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
I’m referring to delgado..
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve been a huge Delgado fan and defender BUT under
NO circumstance can
Omar give him another
contract.
Joe R
5/29/2009-1:28pm at 1:28 pm (UTC -4)
I guess..I mean that may be the prevailing wisdom but if he comes back and continues right where he left off. If he appears to be the Delgado we all know I have no problem with a 1 year contract. As long as we get a power bat in the outfield Murphy can back up Delgado at first and be ready to step in if anything happens.
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
it depends on many things
1. whether and how Catlos comes back this year
2. what’s his asking price
3. how the 24 yr old performed at 1st
4. who’s playing the corner OF
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
For me its more than performance. I think he’s done a poor job of being the leader in the clubhouse. It might be time for a changing of the guard.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry my friend
and not to go against my guy
Delgado BUT
we can’t con’t to tie-up millions with
a guy who we
have no idea
A)will he be
healthy and
B)will be in his late 30s.
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
i agree, I’m thinking he’s a last option
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
No, what’s playing the corner outfield. who’s on first.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
To say that Shef has been a good aquisition is an understatement. As someone posted earlier, I dont know where this team would be with out him. He… completes this lineup.(Jerry McGuire moment). Now can you imagine when/if Delgado comes back, how sick that lineup is gonna look???
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
Every night:
Jose “I’m gonna steal two bases” Reyes
Castillo “The Rock” Castillo
Beltran “09MVP”
Catlos Delcrapo “a.k.a. 08MVP”
David “Clutch” Wright
“Raekwon the” Sheffield
Ryan “The Gun” Church
Omir Castro “The Two Headed HR Monster”
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
*Luis “The Rock” Castillo
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
I like Luis
Aches
and Pains
better.
metsfan4decades
5/29/2009-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
Even if Delgado is on the long side of rehabilitation, I don’t know that he’ll be as bad as the first half of last season. That injury involved a broken wrist, which is key for bat speed. Not saying the hips aren’t either but I would think not having both wrists strong plays a bigger role. Heard Keith talking about that too at a game last week. He did something to his hand/wrist in his young career and he thought it was over for him before it even started…
This is going to be hard b/c you won’t know what kind of Delgado, if any, you’ll be getting back when he returns, before the trade deadline. So it’s going to be a calculated guess, of sorts. Do you stand pat with Murphy/Tatis or do a trade?
Me? Not knowing what is available in July, or what might be the priority for us by then (might need a SP), it’s hard to say. I do know I don’t want to give up the likes of either Parnell – who I think has a great future, or Putz, who I think we really need this year, to do a trade.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
The 2010 1B Free Agents
Rich Aurilia (38)
Russell Branyan (34)
Miguel Cairo (36)
Frank Catalanotto (36) – $5MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Tony Clark (38)
Carlos Delgado (38)
Nomar Garciaparra (36)
Ross Gload (34) – $2.6MM club option
Eric Hinske (32)
Nick Johnson (31)
Adam LaRoche (30)
Doug Mientkiewicz (36)
Kevin Millar (38)
Chad Tracy (30) – $7MM option with a $1MM buyout
Daryle Ward (35)
Dmitri Young (36) -$6MM option vests with 500 PAs in ’09
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
wow, lots of youngsters.
There's Always '10
5/29/2009-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Delgado also had a broken hand suffered on the last day of the ’07 season.
GravediggerHebner
5/29/2009-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Wondering if Delgado deliberately used the double negative (“I can’t guarantee nothing”) to toy with reporters. Perhaps he can indeed guarantee something, they were just too cowed to follow up.
Also wondering, did you just say something about Chicken Heads?
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Lmao!!!
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
Yes I did. A Freudian Slip.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Again, gotta think small,like a
Doug Mientkiewicz or Chris Shelton.
QnsNative718
5/29/2009-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Went down the Mientkiewicz experiement 4 years ago, but Shelton is worth a look.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
Wasn’t advocating either my friend.
I’d prefer Pujols.
Just providing examples
of the type we’re likely to end up with.
Anywho, Have a great
rest of the day!
Lets Go Mets!
trs86
5/29/2009-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
What about Eric Hinske?
udontmesswthejohan
5/29/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Uhhhh…I think we have hit today’s limit for pictures of shirtless baseball players…unless you have one of Ramon Castro.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
Who w/Valentin now @ Buffalo
I’d try to move for something
helpful b/f he gets hurt again.
jonnyballgame
5/29/2009-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
lol
CaseStreet
5/29/2009-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
how’s this:
http://a1.magmypic.com/uploads/0/c9/0c98f67d3e3536135a812aced8aff5da_SEXY_med.jpg
GravediggerHebner
5/29/2009-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
That covers it.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
Makes my dog
bark!
Don’t know what
that means though.
fongy2
5/29/2009-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
Good day fellas!
GravediggerHebner
5/29/2009-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
I think Fong is spot on regarding the type of player that the Mets might bring in (if they bring in anyone at all) to play 1B. It will have to be someone who, should Delgado be able to return, is expendable. Current AAA players who have previous ML experience. I read recently that catcher Javier Valentin who the Mets have stashed in Buffalo is playing 1B there. I think we’ll see him before we see Nick Johnson or his ilk.
wannybackstra
5/29/2009-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
The Delgado comments are being blown out of proportion. All he said was that unlike Joe Namath, Mark Messier and Patrick Ewing (the coach version) was that he wouldn’t GUARANTEE a return. Of course, he can’t guarantee it. But his expected recovery time has not changed from a medical perspective.