Jamie Mottram's Sports Blog - www.misterirrelevant.com

'The new Mets' now feature Carlos Beltran at an average of $17M per over the next 7 years -- $2M more per year than Houston was willing to pay. While his stats (just one 30-homer season and two .300 seasons) don't match his salary (70% of fans in an AOL poll say the Mets overpaid), he's still a top-10 player who'll hit in the three-hole and play center through 2011. And maybe he's more than his career numbers suggest. Maybe he's more like the guy who dazzled baseball in October by hitting .435 w/ 8 homers, 6 steals and diving catches in just two playoff series.

Short-term, this signing reminds me of how the Suns 'overpaid' for Steve Nash last summer. They were ridiculed for giving Nash $66M over 6 years when no one else was coming close to that kind of cash. But they still got a top point guard; regardless of the cost. Now, Nash is having a career year, garnering MVP votes and the Suns have the best record in the NBA. Beltran and Pedro -- who the Mets also 'overpaid' for -- may do the same at Shea next summer.

 Should the Mets've signed him?

Key stat: Beltran's at-bats per home run have improved in each of his five full seasons -- from 1 every 30 AB in '99, to 1 every 26 in '01, every 22 in '02, 20 in '03 and finally 1 every 15 in '04. He should hit 45+ in '05.

More perspective: AOL's Richard Justice says, "[Beltran] spent seven seasons in Kansas City and Houston. To many baseball fans - and a whole lot of reporters - he's baseball's best-kept secret. On an average night, he has spokento, oh, one reporter, maybe two. He might go three or four days and never be asked a question. With his $119-million contract, he's now the most prominent player on a marquee franchise. He'll be expected to speak for the clubhouse. He'll be expected to speak after good games and bad ones. He'll be asked to speak for the players who prefer not to. He's in a city where reporters don't take no for an answer."

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

• #47 Comment from jerometheodenkin 
  9/29/05 6:52 PM | Permalink

  As an Astro fan since 1962 (when they were the Colts), I am happy to see Carlos miserable.  He helped us, but we also helped him by providing a spotlight for his talents in the playoff series.  He snubbed us for money and a no-trade clause.  He said he wanted to be on a playoff team; well, he'll be watching one this year--the one with the Astros.  He could have been comfortable and with a contender in Houston..he chose not to.  Good to see him miserable.
• #46 Comment from kbnjm92 
  8/29/05 1:37 PM | Permalink

  i know the guy is having a bad season this year. Its his first year in New York. I do think if the mets make it to the playoffs this year beltran will get them somewhere and then will carry the momentum to the next 6 years of his contract. Listeb i know that mets have bad luck with these type of players but im telling u watch the next 6 years
• #45 Comment from parapastor 
  1/20/05 6:20 AM | Permalink

  of course!!!
• #44 Comment from gregorski1 
  1/19/05 10:52 PM | Permalink

  Hey, the Mets are still a work in progress......
                                                  -Gregork
• #43 Comment from lallen58 
  1/19/05 5:13 PM | Permalink

  yah