The Mets make second deal in six days...Sign Outfielder

Monday was a big day for the Mets organization. Three new faces are with the Mets, including their new starting leftfielder.

The long awaited Moises Alou signing officially happened, and the Mets added yet another veteran to their team. Alou, the left fielder who "Bartman" stole the fall ball from, has hit under .280 only twice during his 16 year career, and his bashed home over 100 rbi five times in his career, most recently in 2004--his last complete injury free season. Alou has also smacked 319 home runs in his career, including at least 20 eight times, most recently in 2006 when he hit 22 in only 95 games. This past season with the Giants Alou had minor trouble with his back, and an ankle sprain categorized by Alou as a "freak accident." As aforementioned Alou only played 95 games and hit 22 home runs, but he also hit home 74 base runners and hit .301. To put Alou's season in perspective--had Alou stayed on pace with the numbers he collected in his 95 games for a full season he would have had 122 rbi and 36 home runs. Clearly Alou, who does not wear batting glaves and urinates on his hands before every game to keep the bat in his hands, can still hit, and will most likely be a force behind David Wright in the Mets lineup. However, perhaps the most important statistic for Alou is his career .330 average against left handed pitchers. Anyone who followed the Mets knows that the Mets could not hit a left handed pitcher from July 31st and on, with the exception of the occasional game. In fact, the lowly Pirates swept the Mets with three straight left handed starters.

Last off-season the Mets made two trades acquiring two players with the Marlins: all-star catcher, Paul LoDuca, and perennial hall-of-famer, Carlos Delgado. Omar Minaya once again wheeled and dealed with the Fish, dealing flamethrowing minor leaguers Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom for lefthanders Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick. Jason Vargas was a big part of the 2005 Marlins, and their run at the playoffs, starting 13 games and appearing in 17. Vargas went 5-5 with a 4.03 era and he held his opponents to a solid .249 batting average. Vargas has the talent to be a good starting pitcher in the majors, however this season he was dreadful. In his 12 appearences (5 starts) he amassed a woeful 7.33 era, and struck out only 25 batters while walking 30 in 43.0 innings pitched. In 2005 Vargas walked 31 batters in 73.2 innings, which is evidence to me that Vargas' problem last season was mechanical, Rick Peterson's specialty. Vargas figures to be involved in the race for whatever rotation spots are open come spring training, competing with Brain Bannister, Phil Humber, and Mike Pelfrey.

Adam Bostick , a 24 year old lefthander, has yet to pass AA. In Bostick's 22 AA starts this season he had a 3.52 era with an 8-7 record. Bostick struck out 109 hitters, and walked 67 batters in 115 innings. Bostick has always been able to miss a lot of bats, in fact, in A in 2004 Bostick struck out an incredible 163 batters in only 114 innings. Bostick also does not allow a lot of home runs, allowing only seven bombs this season. As an outsider looking in Bostick seems to be a player who struggles with his command, but has terrific stuff and will always strike out a lot of hitters. Bostick may see some time in the Mets bullpen near mid-season if he can get his control down, but only time will tell how good he really is.